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10 Bold Predictions For New England Patriots In Super Bowl XLIX

10 Bold Predictions For New England Patriots In Super Bowl XLIX

New England Patriots
Stew Milne -- USA TODAY Sports

Another year, another AFC championship for the New England Patriots. Make that six AFC titles for the Patriots in the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era. Now that the Patriots have made it to the Super Bowl, here are 10 things to watch for come game time.

10. Tom Brady Will Have a Great Game

Tom Brady Patriots
Greg M. Cooper -- USA TODAY Sports

10. Tom Brady Will Have a Great Game

Tom Brady Patriots
Greg M. Cooper -- USA TODAY Sports

This may seem like a no-brainer, but remember the Patriots have lost their last two trips to the AFC Championship game. Now that the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl, Brady will be determined to add another feather to the cap of an already brilliant career.

9. LeGarrette Blount Wiill Make His Presence Known

LeGarrette Blount Patriots
Robert Deutsch -- USA TODAY Sports

9. LeGarrette Blount Wiill Make His Presence Known

LeGarrette Blount Patriots
Robert Deutsch -- USA TODAY Sports

Don't think Blount hasn't forgotten how he was treated by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wonder how Pittsburgh feels right about now? There is no guarantee Blount would have done this in Pittsburgh, but three touchdowns in the AFC title game certainly makes the Steelers uncomfortable.

8. Jonas Gray Will Show He Wasn't A Fluke

Jonas Gray Patriots
Winslow Townson -- USA TODAY Sports

8. Jonas Gray Will Show He Wasn't A Fluke

Jonas Gray Patriots
Winslow Townson -- USA TODAY Sports

Gray had a fantastic outing against the Colts, then overslept one day the following week, and Bill Belichick made him pay for it. Still, if Blount is stymied by the Seattle Seahawks' defense, who's to say Gray won't magically reappear?

7. Brandon LaFell Will Create Problems

Brandon LaFell Patriots
David Butler II -- USA TODAY Sports

7. Brandon LaFell Will Create Problems

Brandon LaFell Patriots
David Butler II -- USA TODAY Sports

LaFell was one of the Carolina Panthers' standouts, but it wasn't until he arrived in New England that he became a household name. LaFell will get to play in a Super Bowl, and it will be no surprise if the announcers call his name a few times.

6. Julian Edelman Will Score at Least Once

Julian Edelman Patriots
Greg M. Cooper -- USA TODAY Sports

6. Julian Edelman Will Score at Least Once

Julian Edelman Patriots
Greg M. Cooper -- USA TODAY Sports

Whether it is as a returner or a receiver, Edelman will make his presence known in this Super Bowl as he and Tom Brady will show off their chemistry. Edelman has become a go-to receiver and special teams player, and he will be at the forefront.

5. Gronk Will Not Be Stopped

Rob Gronkowski Patriots
Stew Milne -- USA TODAY Sports

5. Gronk Will Not Be Stopped

Rob Gronkowski Patriots
Stew Milne -- USA TODAY Sports

Rob Gronkowski certainly loves a party, and the tight end will be a part of the biggest party the NFL has to offer. Look for Brady to find Gronkowski on a few passes, maybe one of which will fall for a touchdown.

4. Stephen Gostkowski Will Be a Rock

Stephen Gostkowski Patriots
David Butler II -- USA TODAY Sports

4. Stephen Gostkowski Will Be a Rock

Stephen Gostkowski Patriots
David Butler II -- USA TODAY Sports

Both teams have a solid kicking game, and Gostkowski will show off his leg as part of the Patriots' offense. He won't have to worry about weather because the game is in a warm climate, and he can boot the ball a mile.

3. Defense Will Determine the Patriots' Fate

Darrelle Revis Patriots
Robert Deutsch -- USA TODAY Sports

3. Defense Will Determine the Patriots' Fate

Darrelle Revis Patriots
Robert Deutsch -- USA TODAY Sports

If the Patriots win, it will be because of a defense led by Revis, a former New York Jets player who got a new lease on NFL life in New England. The defense is very easy to overlook with all those offensive weapons Tom Brady possesses.

2. Bill Belichick Will be the Best Coach on the Field

Bill Belichick Patriots
Greg M. Cooper -- USA TODAY Sports

2. Bill Belichick Will be the Best Coach on the Field

Bill Belichick Patriots
Greg M. Cooper -- USA TODAY Sports

His detractors wish Belichick would smile. They bring up Spygate. They bring up the petulant way he acts following losses, but it takes away from one thing: Like or hate Belichick, you can't deny that the man knows how to coach. There's a reason why he tied Don Shula for most appearances by a coach in a Super Bowl.

1. Patriots Will Represent AFC Well

Robert Kraft Patriots
Robert Deutsch -- USA TODAY Sports

1. Patriots Will Represent AFC Well

Robert Kraft Patriots
Robert Deutsch -- USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl will not be like the AFC title game. This game will be close right down to the wire. Win or lose, the Patriots will make this game exciting. People may get tired of seeing the Patriots all the time, but New England knows how to play and play well.

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