NFL Preseason Spotlight - AFC Edition: New England Patriots

photo via dalje.com

All the teams in the AFC best beware:  The New England Patriots are back.

Be forewarned.

Now it should come as no surprise that the NE Patriots are a preseason favourite in the AFC this year. The Pats are perennial powerhouses, and are coming off a 14-2 regular season last year. But here's the thing: after such a dominant regular season, the Pats shit the bed during in the playoffs, losing 28-21 to Rex Ryan's New York Jets. And that sort of embarrassment does not sit well with head coach Bill "The Hoodie" Belichick. He always has a proverbial "chip" on his shoulder, and his team will make it their personal mission to exact revenge on the Jets and any other AFC team standing in their way.

Once again, quarterback Tom Brady has a plethora of receiving targets, including wideout Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, who does an outstanding job catching the ball out of the backfield, and tight end Aaron Hernandez. Plus now they've added Chad Ochocinco, who looks to be the team's new answer to Randy Moss. Ochocinco is the sort of precise route runner that can flourish in this offense. And despite his knucklehead-like behaviour and zany offseason activities (click HERE for details), Ochocinco understands exactly the kind of team player he needs to be for success with this franchise, and for him to get a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl ring.

New England responded to critics' claims that they were too "soft" defensively last season by making some key additions to their defensive line, acquiring troubled yet talented defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in a trade with the Washington Redskins for a fifth round draft pick. They also signed defensive end Shaun Ellis, who spent his previous 11 years with the Jets. Fourth-year linebacker Jerod Mayo has had a great training camp, and is looking to have a breakout season.

The Patriots are poised for a return trip to the Super Bowl.  They still stinging from not only last year's playoff loss, but also from their loss to the New York Giants in SBXLII.

For New England, winning the Lombardi Trophy is the only thing that will satisfy them.

-Turnbull