Pats Preview; NFL PICKS (September 9, 2007)

250 days after losing to the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 38-34 in the AFC Championship game, the New England Patriots will take the field against the New York Jets in their 2007 season opener. Let's just say that a loss in the Conference Title game (or any other loss once the calendar turns to 2008) will not be acceptable in Patriot Nation after the roster overhaul initiated by Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli this offseason. When we last saw Tom Brady on the field, he was throwing to the likes of Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney; not terrible receivers but certainly not a tandem that strikes fear into the hearts of defenses. After two trades and two free agent signings, Brady now counts Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Kelly Washington among his targets. Gaffney also returns, as does my favorite Patriot, Troy Brown. Some say it will take time for Brady to get in synch with his new toys but tell that to the Jets defense which will have to figure out a way to stop what will be an explosive Patriot attack. Imagine Eric Mangini's dilemma on defense when the Patriots line up Moss and Welker on one side with Stallworth and Gaffney on the other and they run Laurence Maroney off tackle on a draw play -- I'll take Maroney going one-on-one against a linebacker with the end zone in his sights. On defense, the Pats have also reloaded. They signed Adalius Thomas away from the Baltimore Ravens and drafted Brandon Meriweather from Miami. Thomas and Meriweather join a deep, talented and angry unit that has something to prove to itself after allowing 32 second half points to the Colts last January 21. The D will be hurting a little with the early season absences of Rodney Harrison (4-game suspension) and Richard Seymour (out with injury until at least Week 6) but there is more than enough talent to carry the team in September and October without Harrison and Seymour. Unlike some Patriot yahoo's, I'm not predicting a 16-0 regular season followed by a romp through the AFC playoffs and a coronation at Super Bowl XLII. The AFC is just too deep for that to happen. I could see the Pats losing as many as three games before their Week 10 bye game with tilts against the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts in addition to divisional games with the Jets and Buffalo Bills. They are not playing an easy schedule. After the bye week, the Patriots will have to travel to both Philadelphia and Baltimore and then host the Steelers in games eleven, twelve and thirteen. Again, not an easy slate in 2007. Despite their hard schedule, I still believe the Patriots are the best team in the NFL and will be the top seed in the AFC playoffs, either with a 12-4 or 13-3 record. Their is the potential for grueling playoff games with the likes of the Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Jets and Denver Broncos in the conference. And when the Pats do win their fourth AFC championship in the last seven years, they will probably be playing opposite either the Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks or Cowboys. The potential for a historic season is out there, the Pats just need to stay healthy and follow Belichick to reach the expectations that will follow them. As for my picks (home team in CAPS)... Patriots (-6.5) over JETS (LOCK OF THE WEEK) TEXANS (-3) over Chiefs Denver (-3) over BILLS CLEVELAND (+6) over Steelers Titans (+7) over JAGUARS Panthers (+2) over RAMS Eagles (-3) over PACKERS Falcons (+3) over VIKINGS REDSKINS (-3) over Dolphins SEAHAWKS (-6.5) over Buccaneers Bears (+7) over CHARGERS RAIDERS (-2.5) over Lions COWBOYS (-6.5) over Giants BENGALS (-3) over Ravens Cardinals (+3.5) over 49ERS Season Record: 0-0 Lock of the Week: 0-0