Are the Patriots more vulnerable than ever? – CBSSports.com

Nothing tears up the internet faster than an article like this one, and I know it grinds the gears of a lot of Pats fans, but in truth it is now or never (at least until BB/TFB are gone) for the rest of the AFC East.

If the Pats offense still is dominant with an almost-entirely new roster of young weapons, they’re going to be dominant for at least a few more seasons, until Brady starts to fade. So the AFC East better pray every single new receiver the Pats brought in doesn’t work out.

What does bother me about these articles is the lack of mention of the defense. Probably shouldn’t be too surprising given they’ve been average at best the last few years. But it’s important to note that all starters outside Kyle Love return, and the additions of Adrian Wilson and Tommy Kelly should help two big weak spots. The defense’s trajectory should continue upward, especially if Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower take significant steps as well.

Unfortunately for the Dolphins they don’t see the Pats until late-October and mid-December. By then they should likely have Gronk back and be finding a stride with their new receivers. It’s all on the Bills and Jets to  take advantage of New England’s inexperience with their receiver corps early in the season to set up a real race for the AFC East down the stretch.