Why New England Patriots Should Absolutely Be AFC Favorites

The AFC as a conference is as weak at the top as it has been in recent memory. The South division has been decimated by injuries. The West has seemingly lost its perennial contender, as Philip Rivers and San Diego have struggled mightily this year. The North is much as it always is, with the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers leading the way with defense. And after a hot start, the AFC East has cooled down, as Buffalo and New York have fallen off the map.

All of this begs the question, who will rise to the top in the AFC and make it to the Super Bowl? The answer is the New England Patriots.

While this year’s incarnation of the Patriots may not stack up well with teams from the past in Foxboro, they are good enough, flaws and all, to make it through the AFC playoffs.

Earlier this year, New England’s defense seemed like it would prevent the Patriots from competing for a championship. However, in the last several weeks, the defense has shown improvement, particularly in the secondary and in forcing turnovers.

Standing in the Patriots' path to the Super Bowl are the usual suspects from the AFC North. While the Steelers got the best of the Patriots last month, I wouldn’t bet on a team holding Tom Brady down like that twice in the same season. And the Ravens simply cannot be trusted as long as Joe Flacco is under center.

All of that leaves the Patriots, whose weaknesses seem to be improving as the season goes on, with a great opportunity to take the AFC in January.

In January, games are won and lost on third down and in the red zone. The Patriots and their pair of freakish tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, are built to convert third downs and and score touchdowns in the red zone. 

Gronkowski, paired with Brady’s precise passing, is as close to uncoverable as it gets in the NFL. Hernandez is arguably just as talented, but has been held back due to injuries. As he rounds into form, it will give Tom Brady a trio of targets, including Wes Welker, that any team will struggle to cover.

As long as New England’s defense continues to improve and force turnovers, they should have more than enough offense to make it through the AFC and make it to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.