How excited about the 2014 Patriots should we be already, before the FA period and the draft? I’m feeling pretty good about the balance they’ll have on offense and defense next year.

I tell you what I’m excited for, the next two games. They’re as big as non-playoff games come and really the Pats have a chance to do something extremely special. Both games will be huge challenges and really, winning one of them is probably the realistic expectation. But if they can win both, it will only cement how special this 2013 team really is.

As for 2014 though, there will be plenty to be excited about. Players coming back, young guys who got a lot of experience this year, and I’m sure some new faces as well.

But for now, we’re in the thick of it and I’m trying to savor it.