New England Patriots: What Could Go Wrong with the Rest of the Season

Well, what could go wrong? Easy schedule, dominant offense and an improving defense make for a great shot at the playoffs.

Tom Brady has a small elbow injury that accounts for his small slump, but it should clear up soon. Rob Gronkowski is eating defenses alive, while Wes Welker slices through them like paper.

The AFC East is crumbling, so the Pats have a straight shot at conquering the division. 

All the same, the Pats may not make the playoffs. In six weeks, much can go wrong. 

And if it does, that's not good. 

That's bad, very bad. 

Injuries

See that look on Tom Brady's face? That's fear, pure fear.

He knows what will happen to the Pats if he goes out: a quick slide into a 6-10 record. I don't doubt the skill of Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett, but I doubt they could compensate for the weak secondary like Brady can. 

A Wes Welker injury would lose the Patriot their No. 1 mismatch. His speed ensures that the best cornerbacks are automatically assigned to him, allowing Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to wreak havoc with their mismatches. 

An injured Vince Wilfork would end the Patriot rush defense success, the best thing that they do on defense. An injury to longtime-Patriot Patrick Chung would destroy the secondary completely. 

Injuries=not good.

The Buffalo Bills Make a Comeback

The Bills have only won two out of their last seven games, but they could rally for the next six—one of which is at Gillette.

Assuming the Pats lose the rest of their games, they are out!

Miami Dolphins Rally

The Fins have won their last three games, and talk has emerged of a 9-7 finish.

And once again, one of these games is against the Patriots. 

Teams Actually Stick to Their Anti-Pats Gameplan

The Patriots lost big time to both the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers, after the Steelers created the strategy of limiting Brady-time by using runs and short passes.

The Patriots beat the Jets right after these two losses, but the Jets do not count as a competitive team anymore after their loss to the Denver Broncos.

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dolphins may execute this plan perfectly based on their pre-existing strategies. 

In the End...

I doubt that any of the four factors will happen, but even one could destroy the hopes of a Super Bowl for the Patriots.

Combined, they are the perfect storm to knock the Patriots out of the playoff contest.

Personally, I plan on seeing the Pats rematch the Steelers in the AFC Championship. Whether they win or lose, the season will be a victory.

Anything less is a sore defeat.