New England Patriots: 5 Reasons Why the Pats Are Super Bowl Favorites

At 14-2, the New England Patriots held the best record in the NFL last season. The Patriots season did end abruptly with their playoff loss at the hands of the New York Jets, but believe it or not, 2010 was a success for the Patriots.

Many experts picked New England to go from 6-10 to 10-6—no one expected the Patriots to go on and achieve the best record in the NFL. 

Last season was gravy for the Patriots, as it was their second year of building. Fans of the NFL don't realize it, but the Patriots are rebuilding. 

As we move forward, the Patriots are only going to get better. 

What's better than 14-2 and a playoff loss? A Super Bowl victory. 

Here are five reasons why the New England Patriots should be Super Bowl favorites. 

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.

1. Tom Brady

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Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he stands on the podium after The New England Patriots defeated The Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Staduim in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

What is there to say about this guy? 

Quarterback Tom Brady had a record-breaking 2010 season at the age of 33. Now, entering 2011, he'll be 34 and he's showing no signs of stopping. 

Brady is currently rehabbing his right foot, which he recently had surgery on to repair a stress fracture. But all reports indicate that he's right on track.

Brady is the league's reigning MVP and is a three-time Super Bowl champion. 

The New England quarterback is the best player in the game right now—he will be unstoppable next season. 

2. Nine Drafts Pick in 2011

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: 2010 NFL Draft prospects pose for a group photo with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell along with former and current NFL Players including Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Barry Sanders, Joe Montana, Fl

When have you ever seen a team go 14-2 and then have nine selections in the next draft? And, on top of that, New England has six picks in the top 92 and three picks in the top 33—this draft is going to be a trading frenzy for Patriots coach Bill Belichick. 

The Patriots had one of the youngest teams last year, with rookies like Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Brandon Spikes stepping up. Now, entering the 2011 draft, the Patriots are to set to get even younger. 

Belichick will likely trade one or two of his top picks, which means he'll acquire many mid-round draft picks, which is where Belichick can do his magic. 

A team that's already young and can get even younger, with more talent, along with the league's best player in Tom Brady, is going to be very dangerous next season. 

3. Young, Up-and-Coming Defense

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Devin McCourty #32, Brandon Spikes #55 and Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots celebrate after McCourty intercepted a pass in the third quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 i

The New England Patriots, who play in the 3-4 alignment, had one of the league's best run-stopping defenses last season. And, on top of that, New England had a league-high 25 interceptions and was seventh best in fumble recoveries with 13. 

New England's defense is led by Vince Wilfork and young inside linebacker Jerod Mayo. 

Along with Wilfork and Mayo, the Pats have some even younger talented stars such as Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty, Jermaine Cunningham and Patrick Chung. 

New England's young defense is only going to get better. 

4. Young Receivers

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown after catching a pass from quarterback Tom Brady #12 (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadiu

When you think Patriots receivers you think of Randy Moss and Wes Welker—news flash, Moss isn't here anymore and Welker is one of the league's top receivers.

Along with Welker, the Patriots brought back veteran Deion Branch, who was Brady's favorite target before the days of Moss and Welker. 

So, New England has two veteran receivers that Brady has a nice chemistry with. What else do they have? They've got two young tight ends who are simply mismatch problems. 

Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are two mismatch problems for any defense. Hernandez is built like a tight end, fast like a receiver and is as strong as a running back—it's near impossible to cover him.

Gronkowski, on the other hand, is the typical tight end with the large frame and who uses his body to get open. 

5. Bill Belichick

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Lombardi trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida. Th

Two words: Bill Belichick.

The New England Patriots coach is the best coach in the NFL—hands down. 

When you pair up Belichick and Brady, it's almost impossible that this team will miss the playoffs. That's how good the Patriots are. 

Belichick is working his magic lately as he's been rebuilding their former dynasty team into what could be a new dynasty. 

Expect big things from Belichick and the Patriots next season.