The New England Patriots were supposed to struggle early in the 2016 season without quarterback Tom Brady. They were supposed to falter down the stretch after losing tight end Rob Gronkowski. Their defense should have suffered without Pro Bowl defenders Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins after New England traded both players in their primes.
None of it seemed to faze Bill Belichick & Co. whatsoever on their way to a 13-3 record and top seeding in the AFC playoffs. That explains why the Patriots were a near-unanimous No.