NFL Predictions: 4 Reasons Tom Brady, New England Patriots Will Win AFC

The New England Patriots were 14-2 in 2011 but were unable to avoid being upset at home by the New York Jets in the playoffs. This year, I expect the Patriots to not have a repeat performance in the playoffs. 

The Patriots have yet to be in the Super Bowl since their undefeated season.

They have some new faces on defense to shore up what was a very ineffective defense last year and have added a big weapon (WR Chad Ochocinco) to their offense.

Here are four reasons why this Patriots team is poised to make it to the Super Bowl this year.

1. Defensive Line Upgrades

Last year, Vince Wilfork anchored a defensive line that really had no depth to it, especially after Mike Wright went down with a head injury.

This season, the Patriots went out and beefed up their defensive line after the lockout ended.

They added Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth.

Ellis, who is known for the work he has done over the past 11 seasons with division rival the New York Jets, will come into New England looking to add to a new commitment to rushing the QB.

His numbers have declined over the last few years but he definitely adds depth to the defensive line.

He will be able to come in and wreck havoc but will be splitting playing time with the other players on the defensive line. 

Haynesworth comes into New England with a fresh start.

He has the talent and potential come in and be someone that can fill two gaps on his own and open up rushing lanes for guys like Rob Ninkovich, Jermaine Cunningham and Jerod Mayo.

He also can take a lot of pressure off of Wilfork and gives him more room to operate in.

He is going to flourish in a defense that throws a lot of different looks to defenses. He can line up on the inside along side Wilfork in a 4-3 defense.

He can line up at NT in a 3-4 base defense and can play DE in that scheme as well.

He is someone that the offense will have to account for at all time.

I expect Haynesworth to be fully ready to perform for Bill Belichick. The Patriots are all about business under the leadership of Bill Belichick. Haynesworth knows this and I expect him to be ready, come week one.

2. WR Chad Ochocinco

For people that think Chad Ochocinco is old and done, you have another thing coming.

The 33 year-old receiver out of Oregon State averaged a respectable 12 yards per catch last year for a Bengals team that was not very good.

He also is just one season removed from a 1,000 yard season.

He comes into New England with the hopes of adding an extra element to the Patriot offense, much like Randy Moss did.

Ochocinco is no Randy Moss, but he is still an exceptional athlete and Tom Brady has a knack for setting his guys up to have great success.

Ochocinco will turn his career around in New England and will give Brady another true deep threat and get them over the hump and back into a Super Bowl.

3. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady

Bill Belichick is a master mind of a head coach.

He seemingly finds a way, no matter how terrible or good his players are, to win.

This year, with the aforementioned signings of WR Chad Ochocinco, DL Albert Haynesworth, DL Shaun Ellis and others, he is thinking Super Bowl yet again.

Despite a very suspect defense last year, the Patriots were still 14-2.

This defense can only get better especially after the off season that they had.

Tom Brady is always going to perform. He is the most dependable QB in the NFL and is a big reason why the Patriots are always amongst the top teams in the NFL.

Brady is an amazing competitor and no doubt wants to get back to the Super Bowl.

He comes into the season with Ochocinco to line up with Deion Branch and Wes Welker.

This only adds to his confidence and will get this offense to perform at a high level.

4. Young Players Are Another Year Older

Last year, RB Danny Woodhead came onto the scene on a mission.

He came in and averaged 5.6 yards per carry last year and over 11 yards per catch.

He really broke out and performed well.

Linebacker Brandon Spikes, after serving a four-game suspension last year, came in and played very well for New England. 

He had 61 tackles, an INT and three passes defended.

He has been hurt for much of August but Patriot coaches are not too worried and are saying he is working hard to get back to the practice field.

Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham started 11 games and appeared in four others and showed a lot of promise. He has the athleticism and talent to really come into his own, especially with the defensive line that New England features.

Cornerback Devin McCourty had an impressive rookie season for the Patriots. He snagged seven interceptions and racked up 82 tackles.

Getting a healthy Leigh Bodden back also serves to help McCourty a ton.

I expect McCourty to step up and be a big piece of the Patriot defense especially now that New England is building up a nice pass rush. 

These are all Patriots who are looking to really come into their own and grow as players to get the Patriots to the next level.