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Patriots begin quest for fourth straight Super Bowl

By Patrick Morgan

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 20: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass before the AFC Championship Game game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs on January 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 20: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass before the AFC Championship Game game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs on January 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots are attempting to win their seventh title, all while trying to become the second team ever to reach four straight Super Bowls.

Best-case scenario

The Patriots win their seventh Super Bowl.

Doing so would break their current tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Lombardi Trophies won by any team, and would help solidify New England’s claim as arguably the greatest dynasty in North American team sports history.

Tom Brady again displays no signs of slowing down even at age 42, orchestrating a remarkably efficient offense sans Rob Gronkowski and winning his fourth league MVP award in the process. Josh Gordon forms a formidable one-two punch at receiver with Offensive Rookie of the Year N’Keal Harry. Michael Bennett leads the Patriots’ defense in sacks, making fans forget all about Trey Flowers. Stephon Gilmore blossoms into the hands-down consensus “best cornerback in the league.”

Worst-case scenario

Brady’s body finally betrays him. The 42-year-old quarterback suffers a serious, potentially career-ending injury that snuffs out any chance of the team repeating as champions this year. Harry fails to master the complex New England offense and finds himself benched by midseason, going down as one of Bill Belichick’s biggest draft busts and blunders.

Sony Michel’s nagging knee injuries resurface and rob him of weekly availability. Isaiah Wynn becomes a major liability on an otherwise-sound offensive line, morphing into a human-turnstile for opposing pass-rushers on game days. New England limps into the playoffs.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

High.

If the middling 11-5 squad from 2018 could go all the way, there’s no reason to doubt that this group can repeat as champions. The defense should be even stronger and deeper than the unit that contained the Los Angeles Rams so effectively in Super Bowl LIII; all the mainstays are back, with fresh blood also infused via Michael Bennett, Chase Winovich, Joejuan Williams, and others.

It’s a cliché, but as long as Belichick and Brady are in place, this team is always contending.

X-Factor

Josh Gordon.

With so many question marks at key positions within the Patriots’ offense this year (tight end, left tackle, wide receiver), Gordon’s return brings both continuity and explosiveness to Josh McDaniels’ operation. Gordon is a phenomenal receiver when right and on this team, he’s clearly going to be the top receiving option on longer throws. His addition to this platoon of pass-catchers instantly elevates the group into one of the league’s best.

Turning point

New England’s Week 14 tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Pats historically start slow during the first four or five weeks of the season, with Belichick ironing out all the wrinkles along his roster as he fine-tunes his machine. The early-December matchup against the Chiefs – last season’s opponent in the AFC Championship Game – should be New England’s true barometer for how good this year’s team really is.

Best moment in team history

When the Patriots improbably rallied from a 25-point third quarter deficit before beating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime during Super Bowl LI. Brady’s draft selection in 2000 could also warrant consideration, though its far-reaching implications were obviously unknown at the time.