Love ’em or hate ’em, the Patriots have earned a tip of the cap for their remarkable success over the past 15 seasons. During that stretch, New England has captured 13 division titles, including its ongoing run of seven straight. Only the 2002 Jets and ’08 Dolphins have interrupted the festivities with AFC East crowns.
However, every year those blips—coupled with the usual preseason gusto—help fuel the belief that New England is vulnerable. Rarely have those claims carried as much weight as they do this season, as the defending division champs prepare to open the year without all-world quarterback Tom Brady.