Preview of ‘07 Patriots
By Adam Kiefaber
AFC EAST PREVIEW
The Favorite
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2006 Record: 12-4 (AFC East Champions)
Last Year Summary: The Pats entered the playoffs with a rematch against divisional foe New York. The Pats won the first meeting in NY 24-17, but lost the second matchup at home 17-14. As expected, New England took care of business in the postseason by crashing the Jets 37-16. In the divisional playoff game at San Diego, the Pats won a nail biter 24-21. Then NE blew a giant lead to the Indianapolis Colts in what turned out to be one of the better AFC Championships of all time. 
Five minutes into the second quarter, CB Asante Samuel intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and ran it back 39 yards for the touchdown, making the score 21-3. However the Colts came back and won the game 38-34 on their way to a Super Bowl title.
Additions: WR Randy Moss (Oakland), LB Adalius Thomas (Baltimore), WR Donte Stallworth (Philadelphia), WR Kelley Washington (Cincinnati), TE Kyle Brady (Jacksonville), CB Tory James (Cincinnati), RB Sammy Morris (Miami), CB Eddie Jackson (Miami) and WR Wes Walker (Miami).
Subtractions: LB Tully Banta-Cain (to SF), Corey Dillon (retired?), TE Daniel Graham (to DEN), DE Marquise Hill (deceased), LB Don Davis (retired) and P Todd Sauerbrun (to DEN).
2007 Season Prediction: The past six seasons, the Pats have been the best team in the NFL compiling a record of 70-26 and winning three Super Bowls. They are the favorite to win it all because of how close they came in ’06 and because of the offseason additions of WR Randy Moss and LB Adalius Thomas. The Pats biggest need last year was the WR position and they added four new wide outs for QB Tom Brady. The Pats have tough road games against Cincinnati (Oct. 1), Dallas (Oct. 7), Indianapolis (Nov. 4) and Baltimore (Dec. 3). The Pats toughest home games include San Diego (Sept. 16), Philadelphia (Nov. 25) and Pittsburgh (Dec. 9). However, I feel the Pats should be able roll into the playoffs with a bye.
Best Rookie: S Brandon Meriweather- He could have been the best defensive back available in the NFL Draft. However, he slipped to New England with the 24th pick overall in the first round because of character issues. Last year, he served a one-game suspension for that ugly fight in October against Duke. Last summer, his Miami teammate Willie Cooper was shot in the butt. In response, Meriweather pulled out a gun and fired three times at the butt attacker. Nonetheless, Meriweather has been compared to Ed Reed over and over again. And if you don’t know, he is good.
Big Games of the Year: vs. San Diego (Sept. 16- 8:15pm), at Cincinnati (Sept. 23- 8:30pm), at Indianapolis (Nov. 4- 4:15pm)
Projected Record: 12-4 or 13-3
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Patriots to win the AFC East is 1/6. That doesn’t pay much, but it is close to what gamblers call a lock. However, one would have to bet $1,000 to earn any thing back. Also, the win total betting is set at 11 games. Currently, the Patroits are favored to win the Super Bowl (odds @ 5/1).
