Most national sports-writers make picks for the NFL season, but when Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com predicted that the New England Patriots would go 16-0 many people were dumbfounded. Media members referred to Prisco as "insane," while others didn't take him seriously. Prisco followed it up by saying the Patriots would lose in the Super Bowl to finish 18-1.
"As you rip the idea of an undefeated season, I dare you do find a loss on the New England Patriots' schedule as of right now.Pick one. I couldn't. I have the Patriots rolling to a second undefeated regular season in the past five years.Of course, it's probably not going to happen. But that's what made this so much fun to do.I had no idea the Pats would be 16-0 until I tallied up the records after inputting all the scores."
If this seems like deja-vu, it's because it is. The Pats also finished 18-1 in 2007. To repeat that feat and win 18 straight games just to lose in the Super Bowl would be devastating, but that isn't the question that should be asked here. Is it possible for the New England Patriots to finish 16-0 in the regular season and advance to the Super Bowl?
In 2007, they added a downfield threat and future Hall-of-Fame receiver with Randy Moss and reception machine Wes Welker. Pair that with Tom Brady and this team had tons of firepower. Can the 2012 Patriots replicate it?
First, the Patriots added the down field threat they were missing last season with Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd thrived under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels system when he was the head coach in Denver and that was without a quarterback like Brady. He is familiar with the offense and could be the Moss-like threat the Patriots had in 2007.
The Patriots defense had veterans on their team in 2007 and in 2012 they will have defensive anchors like Vince Wilfork and Jerrod Mayo. However, they added an abundance of young defensive talent in the draft with players like Chandler Jones and Donta Hightower. Both will compete for starting positions this season.
It seems silly to predict that a team will go undefeated, especially because it is so rare in the NFL. But, with the additions of Lloyd, Jones, and Hightower, the Patriots will be more dangerous than ever. Don't forget they have the best tight end combination in the league with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. There is so much talent on offense, that if the rookies can contribute on defense, the New England Patriots could go undefeated. Don't forget the Patriots do have one of the weakest schedules in 2012. One thing is certain, the Patriots will be favored in every regular season game this season.
Pete Prisco can't control whether or not New England finishes with undefeated record, but one thing is certain, they will be contenders once again in 2012.
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| Can the New England Patriots go undefeated in 2012? It is possible with an abundance of talent and a weak schedule. |
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