NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ('16: 14-2)
COACH: Bill Belichick (18th season) BIGGEST NEWCOMERS: Bad news for the rest of the NFL: The Super Bowl champs won the offseason. The biggest acquisition was wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who they got from the Saints in a trade. But they also bolstered their secondary with free-agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore, their running game with Mike Gillislee, their pass rush with Kony Ealy and replaced tight end Martellus Bennett with Dwayne Allen. The final touch was picking up longtime Jet linebacker David Harris after the Jets dumped him. BIGGEST LOSSES: The Patriots lost some big names from their championship team, but it never seems to matter as long as Tom Brady remains. Bennett played well for the Patriots, but now is in Green Bay. LeGarrette
Blount ran for 18 touchdowns last year, but Belichick let him leave in free agency. They signed Gilmore to replace Logan Ryan, who is now in Tennessee.
CAMP OUTLOOK: Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Patriots enter the year as the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Coming off a 14-2 season that ended with their dramatic Super Bowl comeback win over the Falcons, the Patriots might be even better in 2017. Brady turns 40 in August, but never seems to decline. In fact, last season may have been his best. Now, he has Cooks to throw to, something that will give AFC East coaches nightmares. Belichick and Brady are still the best in the game and appear to be ramping up for a run at a few more Super Bowl rings before their careers end. HOW THEY FARED VS. JETS LAST SEASON: Patriots swept season series, 2-0.