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</table> It’s difficult not to like what we've seen from the Pats attack ever since Tom Brady got healthy again. He makes it look so easy and effortless and so potent, regardless of whom he is throwing the ball to.
There might be some more balanced offenses -- New England's run game is still a work in progress in some regards -- and you won't find a bunch of skill-position guys going to Pro Bowls. But Brady doesn't need any of that to carve up people on a weekly basis, and I expect nothing but more of these exploits to come.
He could run away with another MVP award.
Tom Brady is a great quarterback with a lot of weapons and solid protection. That is a formula for a very potent offense. He will see better defenses as the season goes on, and unless the Patriot defense plays better he might have to deliver a few performances like he did last night to win another 14 games. The intriguing thing to me about the Pats is their run game, which should come alive during the next few weeks as teams overplay the passing game. Right now, it would appear that the Packers offense has a chance to be as good or better.
Is it one of the most potent offenses? Yes, no question. The most? That’s still up for debate. The Packers shredded through the playoffs last year, and did it without Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant. The Saints still can score with anyone, and it’s pretty clear that, while Marques Colston’s out for a while, RBs Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles will make a difference, and TE Jimmy Graham’s got star potential. I’d put the Patriots in the mix with those two, particularly with the maturation of their own young tight ends, but not above them quite yet.
The Patriots were beyond impressive, but it is way too early to say that they will have the NFL’s most potent offense. The Packers, Saints, Chargers, Eagles, Ravens and a few other teams might be in the mix by the time the season ends -– along with the Pats. Though the Pats' running game seems to be cast aside at the moment, as the season wears on, it will become more of an overall factor, and that's where the Patriots could lack a little punch. The emphasis is on "little" punch. The key will be turnovers. If New England protects the ball, they will be darn near unstoppable.
Tom Brady's performance was outstanding, but it's one game. When Houston gets Arian Foster back, its offense will be up there with New England's. Green Bay is as strong, if not stronger, than New England at running back and wide receiver. Philadelphia certainly has the potential to have a great offense, but the Eagles' O-line probably will hold up any aspirations of being the best offense in the league. For now, you have to hand it to the Patriots, but let's give it a few weeks before we anoint them. Every week is a different story.