New England’s recent success has been touched upon at several spots in this magazine already so here we’ll try to just take a closer look at the numbers this team produced last season, and focus on its prospects for repeating in 2005. Quite simply, New England was simply dominant again in 2004, matching the 17-2 won-lost mark of the previous season. In addition, the 13-4-2 ATS mark fell just shy of the ’03 performance. The Patriots improved immensely on offense last year, both in terms of production and balance. The addition of RB Corey Dillon had a great deal to do with that as he gave the unit a dimension it had lacked on the prior two championship teams. In fact, his final numbers of 1,635 yards and 13 TD’s were franchise records. Defensively, they were off a bit on the pace set in 2003, but the final rankings of 3rd in points and 9th in yardage allowed were still very respectable.

The Patriots top assistant coaches were the ones garnering the headlines in the offseason, as OC Charlie Weis left for the college ranks and Notre Dame while DC Romeo Crennel was named Cleveland’s new head coach. The organization was able to lock up stability though at one critical position, as QB Tom Brady was given a six year extension. Because of that, New England was forced to make some tough financial decisions elsewhere, and among the well-known casualties were WR-CB Troy Brown, CB Ty Law, WR David Patten, and G Joe Andruzzi. They may also face life without LB Tedy Bruschi, who fell victim to a stroke since February. New on the scene for 2005 will be DE Chad Brown, as well as WR David Terrell, both coming over via free agency.

New England has now reached the pinnacle of professional football three times in four seasons, doing it the old fashioned way with a team first approach. In no other season will that way of thinking take on more importance than in 2005, particularly as HC Bill Belichick adapts to life without his top assistants and several reliable contributors. Still, the race for the AFC title figures to come down to home field advantage, and if the Patriots get it, we could be watching them hoist the Lombardi trophy again in Detroit.

Power Rating: Rating 33 (1 of 32)

2005 Schedule Rating: (4th toughest of 32)

2004:(SU 17-2)(ATS 13-4-2)

L3 years:(SU 43-11)(ATS 34-18-2)

Coach Bill Belichick:(SU 62-27)(ATS 54-32-3)

Trends by month

September

New England is 5-15 ATS as road chalk of 3.5-9.5 points (9/18?)

Belichick's "Super teams" 8-2 SU in the first month of the season.

With key coaching and personal losses, a trip to revenge minded Pittsburgh will be difficult.

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October

New England is 4-12 against the number as "chalk" vs. foe off SU win

Denver has covered 12 of 16 vs. New England, however 1-3 ATS at home of late. (10/16)

Pats are 4-0 ATS vs. Buffalo at home & 13-4 ATS vs AFC East

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November

Patriots are 8-0-1 ATS vs the Colts in this Monday Night contest (11/7)

Possible flat spot vs New Orleans who is 5-1 ATS against Pats. (11/20)

Chiefs have problems matching up w/ N.E. - 1-6 ATS mark. (11/27)

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December

15-3-1 ATS in 2nd Buffalo match-up (12-11)

The host in Jets series is 1-11 ATS (12/4 & 12/26)

Brady and Co. are 10-1 ATS off division games in December

Top Teaser Angle:

New England is 17-0 off a road win vs. 6-point teaser.

Top Money Line Angle:

Patriots are 20-0 (+20.2 units) against the ML in homes after ATS win.

Top Totals Angle:

Pats 13-1 UNDER vs. teams scoring 24> PPG.

Pre-Season O/U wins:

OVER 10.5 -125(@www.BetCris.com)

Fantasy Player Must: Adam Vinateri

Fantasy Player Bust: Daniel Graham