My Wes Welker Blog

After missing practically all of the 2008 season with a knee injury, quarterback Tom Brady was back in 2009, and he helped lead the New England Patriots to another division title. The Patriots finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, and eight of those wins came at home, where the Pats ran the table. An injury to star wide receiver Wes Welker was certainly a factor in New England's embarrassing playoff loss, further emphasizing how valuable his presence is to this team. If Welker can return healthy, the Patriots have enough pieces to top the AFC East again, but it won't be easy with the emergence of the Jets and Dolphins.

Offense: Tom Terrific played well in his first season back following major knee surgery. He finished the year with 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns with 13 interceptions while helping New England boast the third-best passing offense in the NFL. In all, the Patriots ranked No. 6 in the league in terms of scoring offense, averaging 26.7 points per game. Matching last season's offensive numbers will largely depend on Welker's health. Welker is expected to be ready to go in Week 1, but the Pats have added Torry Holt and David Patten for security. In just 14 games last season, Welker caught 123 passes for 1,348 yards. He flat out moves the sticks. Randy Moss may have lost a step of two, but I'm a firm believer in the saying "the numbers don't lie". Moss finished with 83 catches for 1,1264 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. There is room for improvement in the running game, and that improvement could come if Fred Taylor is able to stay healthy.

Defense: While last year's defense wasn't as dominant as the ones from the past that featured Jarvis Green, Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour and Mike Vrable, it still finished No. 5 in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing only 17.8 points per game. However, it may be hard to duplicate last season's numbers with the additions division rivals New York and Miami have made to bolster their passing games. Big Vince Wilfork is back to hold down the fort up front, but pass rushers must emerge around him for New England to remain a top notch defensive team. Linebacker Tully Banta-Cain led the Patriots with 10 sacks last year, but no one else on the roster had more than five. Someone is going to have to aid Banta-Cain and Wilfork in the pass rush or New England could end up allowing more than the 209.7 yards per game it gave up through the air last season.

Prediction: 2nd AFC East - The Patriots have won the AFC East six of the last seven years, and they'll continue to be in the mix in 2010. In fact, as long as Tom Brady is on the field, and coach Bill Belichick is on the sideline, the Pats will be a threat to make the playoffs. However, I have them coming up short in the division this season. The Jets, who were the best defensive team in the NFL last year, have a lot of momentum on their side after advancing to the AFC title game last season. Check out my 2010 NFL predictions article to see who I have winning each of the eight NFL divisions.

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