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Tom Brady’s Suspension Will Be Catalyst To End New England Patriots’ AFC East Reign

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Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback

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Let’s be totally honest here, defense wins championships. Ask the Denver Broncos. In fact, it wasn’t Tom Brady who won the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots last year. It was Malcolm Butler, some no-name player who made the biggest defensive play of the season at the goal line.

For years it’s been the Patriots’ division to lose. Since 2003, they’ve only done it once back when Brady missed the entire 2008 season due to injury and perennial college backup Matt Cassel was under center. Other than that, it’s been pure dominance.

Now, the defensive crown is held by the AFC East. Sure, the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals will bolster strong defenses, but the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills took already strong squads and made them stronger. Plus, the Jets took the most essential part of the Cardinals’ defense: its coach. Don’t forget about the Miami Dolphins, who added to Pro Bowlers Cameron Wake and Brent Grimes with arguably the best defensive player in the game in Ndamukong Suh,

That’s a scary trio for anyone. Luckily for the Patriots and unknown quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, he will only have to face the Bills once during Brady’s four-game suspension (if upheld).

In recent years, the Patriots have been surrounded by cellar-dwellers and rebuilders. The rest of the division lacked the major players needed for championship runs. Not anymore. This season will introduce plenty of star power into the division, something New England hasn’t had to deal with for quite some time. After a few seasons in Miami and Chicago, Brandon Marshall is back in the East and joins Darrelle Revis in New York. LeSean McCoy looks to bring the Bills back to an offensive power. Miami added some stars along with Suh in Kenny Stills and Jordan Cameron. Plus, the Dolphins’ first-round draft pick, DeVante Parker, is often compared to A.J. Green.

The point being, the Patriots have to deal with something they rarely have in the past: Adversity. It’s hard losing your best player for a quarter of the season. It’s even harder to do it against revitalized opponents, all hungry to knock the king off his throne. The Patriots shouldn’t feel too comfortable at the top; it could all come crashing down fast.

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