2014 Bold Predictions: Patriots Will Have A Top Five Offense, And Top Five Defense

Oct 27, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end

looks on during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Rob Gronkowski Will Play All 16 Games

I’m already feeling horrible about this prediction. I love Gronk, and when he is on the field, there is nobody that can cover him in this entire league. However he has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, which has really impacted the success of this offense.

But I think (hope) Gronkowski will start in week one, and continue to be on the field all the way until their season comes to an end. Reports have surfaced saying that New England is targeting week one for Gronk’s return, possibly even getting him back for training camp. If this report is true, and his recovery from knee surgery is going well, I see no reason why he can’t play all year long.

Obviously injuries happen in football. It is just part of the game. But Gronk is such a monster, that it is hard for him to get injured, aside from these “freak” injuries that have been plaguing him these last few years. If tearing your ACL makes you injury-prone, then I guess Tom Brady should be looked at as a injury-prone player as well.

Hopefully Gronk is done with these freak injuries so he can dominate the league for a full 16 games. If he does, this Pats offense will be much more effective than it was last year, possibly even resembling the juggernaut from 2011-12.