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5 reasons the Patriots will still go to Super Bowl 51 without Rob Gronkowski

By Adam Cox

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Rob Gronkowski
FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Rob Gronkowski /
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Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the second half of the Buffalo Bills 16-0 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the second half of the Buffalo Bills 16-0 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick is the best coach in the NFL. He is one of, if the greatest, coach in the history of the NFL. His career regular season record with the New England Patriots is 194-70. His postseason record with the Patriots is 22-9. He has won four Super Bowls.

The Patriots won three of four games to start this season with Jimmy Garroppolo and Jacoby Brissett with Tom Brady out due to suspension. Neither had started, or even played significant snaps, in the NFL prior to those games. With Brissett as the starter, the Patriots won with an offense which they had never before utilized.

It’s not like innovative offense is anything new with Belichick at the helm. Run an offense dependent on two tight ends? Sure. Make the slot receiver an integral part, if not the central aspect, of the offense? Why not? Average wide receivers, inconsistent running game and inexperienced offensive line? Not a problem. Not really.

The Patriots find a way to score points and win games. More specifically, Belichick finds ways in which the Patriots can manufacture points given their imperfect resources. Are you going to start betting against him now?

Next: 5 reasons the Patriots can't win a Super Bowl without Rob Gronkowski

Without Gronkowski the Patriots’ path to the Super Bowl becomes much more difficult. Questions abound. Can the Patriots manufacture points without Gronkowski as Tom Brady’s safety net? Can the Patriots defense continue their red zone success? Will the team maintain their top spot in the AFC and gain an advantage heading into the playoffs?

As we’ve detailed, why not?

Heading into the 2016-17 NFL season many declared that the New England Patriots would win the Super Bowl simply out of spite for the penalties handed out by the NFL because of DeflateGate. They may be correct. However, what must be considered is that such predictions would never have been made if they Patriots were say, the Cleveland Browns. The Patriots were considered really good.

The Patriots are still really good.

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