NFL Futures: Do New England Patriots have another title run in them?

Patriots hopeful for another Super Bowl run

The New England Patriots added another Super Bowl trophy to their dynasty this past February and will enter the 2019 campaign as one of the favorites to win another championship. Is a futures bet on the Patriots repeating a smart wager to make?

According to oddsmakers, the Patriots are currently a 6/1 favorite to win the upcoming Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Rams have the next-best odds at 8/1, while the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs are both at 10/1. The Cleveland Browns, who made some big splashes this offseason, come in next at 14/1 odds. Check out our NFL Future Odds Page for a full rundown of teams.

New England finished the regular season last year with an 11-5 record and then rolled to a 41-28 home win over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Patriots then proceeded to outlast the host Kansas City Chiefs 37-31 in an overtime thriller in the AFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl, where they downed the Rams 13-3 in a defensive battle.

One of the bigger question marks in recent years with New England is how much more legendary quarterback Tom Brady has left in the tank. Brady will turn 42 in August, but threw for another 4,355 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and the gas tank doesn't appear to be anywhere close to empty. The Patriots will need to find a way to replace the production of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who announced his retirement after last season. One way to offset Brady's age and not quite as good of a receiving corps will be more touches to running back Sony Michel, who got better as the season wore on as a rookie and finished with six touchdowns in three postseason games. Expect wideout Julian Edelman and running back James White to again be focal points of the passing attack. 

Defensively, New England will probably remain a bend-but-don't break unit but in the Super Bowl it showed it can step up in the biggest of moments as it completely shut down the Los Angeles attack. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy had a breakout year in 2018 and could again be one of the Patriots' top playmakers.

With Kansas City having a few personnel question marks and Cleveland having to overcome a repuation for losing, expect New England to seriously contend once again for the AFC crown. And if it reaches the Super Bowl, never count out Brady and head coach Bill Belichick against any opponent.