No team has been more dominant in the past decade than the New England Patriots. They have three Super Bowl titles, four conference championships, have appeared in 7 of 10 playoffs in the decade, won the AFC East title seven times, and shattered position records in the process. Yet with the untimely injury to Wes Welker, and the recent wild card playoff loss to the Ravens, it’s time to consider that New England’s reign at the top is coming to an end.

The injury to Tom Brady will be fully healed by the time the 2010 season rolls around, but the injury to Welker will likely keep him out for the majority of next season. Randy Moss may have banked his 10th season above 1,000 receiving yards but he’s turning 33 in February and questions about his work ethic are beginning to resurface. Undoubtedly, his inability to take over the game against the Ravens on Sunday is proof that Randy is not the one-man receiving army that the Patriots need him to be.

Even more questions surround the defense and the rushing game. Laurence Maroney has been given what seems like limitless opportunities to prove he is worthy of being a number one guy, yet in four pro NFL football betting seasons he has failed to rush for more than 835-yards (2007) and has scored just 21 touchdowns in 45 games.

Aside from Jerod Mayo (23 years old) and Brandon Meriweather (25) the defense is anchored by guys who average just over 31 years of age. In an NFL that is getting stronger, faster and more aggressive, the aging defense of the Patriots needs a shot of youth at key places on the defensive line, and in the linebacking corps.

Nobody has any concerns about Brady, and that sounds about right. He’s still one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league and he’ll find new weapons. Yet, he is part of the old guard now, and there is some new blood rising in the AFC East.

Miami’s Chad Henne poured in a great season as the new starter for the Dolphins. He’s got a rifle for a passing arm, and has grit and vision. Mark Sanchez upset his boyhood idol, Carson Palmer, over wild card weekend and is surrounded by unearthly talent in New York. They’re certainly not on the level of Brady, but the Dolphins and Jets both came on very strong this season. As Henne and Sanchez get more experience, they’re going to be major threats for New England’s title as the best of the AFC East.

Of course, that could happen as early as next year with Welker sidelined in rehab and Belichik trying to patch work his defense. The offensive explosion by Ray Rice alone tells you just how slow and ineffective this defense is overall.

If anyone can rally the troops overall, it’s Belichik, but as guys like Gruden will tell you, you can often make mistakes while you’re drunk off your own kool-aid. What Belichik did in the past decade is nothing short of remarkable, but moving forward he has to hatch a new plan. It’s evident that the one he’s using now simply isn’t working anymore. If he fails to refresh his approach to the evolving NFL game, the Patriots dynasty will crumble…and when the dust settles Belichik could be out of a job.

This information is provided in partnership with BetUs Sportsbook

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