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2009 New England Patriots NFL Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

pats 81709 The Patriots managed to go 11-5 with a quarterback (Matt Cassel) who hadn’t started a game since high school last season. So now that Tom Brady is back under center, the Patriots are once again expected to rule the roost. But will it be that easy? Find out where I have the Pats in the East in this 2009 NFL betting preview. NFL odds makers have listed the New England Patriots at +500 to win Super Bowl XLIV.

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Offense – Brady could show some rust early in the season. It would almost be expected after missing nearly all of 2008. But at the end of the day, the Patriots are getting back a QB which threw 50 touchdown strikes in 2007 and helped the team achieve a perfect regular season. Oh yeah, and he has a few Super Bowl rings under his belt as well. Brady will have the luxury of throwing to possession receiver extraordinaire Wes Welker and game-breaker Randy Moss. Moss thrived with Brady under center two seasons ago when he caught an NFL-record 23 touchdown passes and Welker has caught 223 passes over the last two seasons. With defenses keying in on stopping both Welker and Moss, new acquisition Joey Galloway figures to benefit. He may be 37, but he can still burn, and figures to be a nice compliment to New England’s two star wideouts. The running back corps doesn’t pack much star power, but it will be solid enough to get the job done with Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, and Kevin Faulk sharing the load. I expect a huge season out of the New England offensive line as this unit knows the importance of protecting Brady after he was hurt on its watch last season. Matt Light, Logan Mankins, and Dan Koppen are all Pro Bowlers.

Defense – Draft day treated the Patriots well again as they were able to add depth to an already formidable defensive front with tackle Ron Brace. It appears end Richard Seymour’s best years are behind him. After making five straight trips to Hawaii, he hasn’t been since 2006. Seymour still led the Pats with eight sacks last season, though, and big things are expected from him in what is a contract year. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is also in a contract year. End Ty Warren fills in opposite of Seymour.

Is there any team that drafts better than the Patriots? 10th overall draft pick Jerod Mayo had a spectacular rookie campaign at the linebacker position, leading the team in stops. This kid is on the fast track to being one of the league’s elite. He’ll be joined by New England staple Tedy Bruschi on the inside with Adalius Thomas and Pierre Wood likely filling in on the outside. Both Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs are now in Philly so the Pats have brought in Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden to take their place. Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders are the likely starters at safety.

Prediction: 1st AFC East – I have the New England Patriots pegged to win the division in my AFC East predictions. Not only did the Patriots win 11 games without Tom Brady, they did it without numerous other key players who were lost for stretches to injury throughout the season. That spells trouble for the AFC East as well as the rest of the league. With Brady back, the Patriots are once again the team to beat. The Patriots are listed at -450 to win the AFC East at BetUS.

I love it when other top handicapping minds agree with me, and in Craig Trapp’s 2009 New England Patriots NFL predictions article he’s got them winning 12-14 games as well.

Get winning NFL expert picks from World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd all season long right here at Locksmith Sports!

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