Fansided

5 reasons Patriots can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 3: Tom Brady throws the ball near the end of first quarter to Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on February 3, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 3: Tom Brady throws the ball near the end of first quarter to Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on February 3, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 17: New England Patriots offensive guards Shaq Mason (69) and Joe Thuney (62) participate in New England Patriots practice at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 17: New England Patriots offensive guards Shaq Mason (69) and Joe Thuney (62) participate in New England Patriots practice at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

3. What’s that line?

The debate rages on via numerous channels. Is Tom Brady the greatest quarterback in NFL history? Is Bill Belichick the greatest head coach in league annals? All are healthy discussions. But could there be another factor in the team’s amazing success over nearly two decades?

Fabled offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia’s first season with the New England Patriots came way back in 1982. The head coach was Ron Meyer and Scarnecchia had a different role but the team would wind up in the playoffs during the strike-shortened campaign. He would be with the club through 1988, meaning he was around for the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance (XX) in 1985. After a two-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts, he rejoined the Pats in 1991 and remained until 2013. There would be six more Super Bowl appearances, first under head coach Bill Parcells (1996) and then Belichick.

After opting for retirement following the 2013 season, Scarnecchia returned in ’16 and has seen the club reach the Super Bowl each year, winning titles twice (LI and LIII). All told, the Patriots’ offensive line was strong this past season and in the playoffs, the club ran for at least 150 yards in each postseason victory and allowed just one sack (to the Rams) in the three wins.

Of course, 2019 presents another set of challenges. Trent Brown was the team’s starting left tackle this past season but is now a member of the Oakland Raiders. Enter 2018 first-round pick Isaiah Wynn, who hopes to take over this year after missing his rookie campaign with a torn ACL last August. As he already knows, he will have no better tutor than Scarnecchia.

Next: No. 2

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