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6 Reasons Why New England Patriots Will Win 2015 AFC Championship Game

6 Reasons Why New England Patriots Will Win 2015 AFC Championship Game

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

After coming out on the winning side of an instant classic, the New England Patriots are focusing their attention on the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are riding high after dismantling the Denver Broncos this past Sunday, so the Patriots have their work cut out for them. But don’t worry, Pats fans: here are six reasons why your team will advance to Super Bowl XLIX.

6. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Have Been Here Before

Tom Brady Bill Belichick New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

6. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Have Been Here Before

Tom Brady Bill Belichick New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Quite literally, Belichick and Brady are in familiar territory. Not only has the coach-quarterback duo been to the AFC Championship eight times already, but also they’ve faced the Colts on two of those occasions. It will be the Patriots’ wealth of playoff experience that powers them past the now-streaking Colts this Sunday.

5. Star Power on Defense

Darrelle Revis New England Patriots
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

5. Star Power on Defense

Darrelle Revis New England Patriots
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

On every level of the defense, the Patriots have a big name. Vince Wilfork clogs the interior of the trenches, Jamie Collins looks like a future Defensive Player of the Year recipient, while Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty patrol one of the NFL’s best secondaries. Compared to Patriots teams of recent years, the defense has the ability to make crucial stops and force game-changing turnovers.

4. Emergence of Danny Amendola

Danny Amendola New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

4. Emergence of Danny Amendola

Danny Amendola New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

After a dismal regular season, Amendola had his best performance of the entire year in the Divisional Round, racking up 81 yards and two touchdowns. His first trip to the end zone, a diving effort that was highlight reel-worthy to say the least, will be remembered for years. With Amendola now a contributor in addition to Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Brandon LaFell, the Colts’ secondary will be overwhelmed.

3. A Healthy Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

3. A Healthy Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not uncommon for Gronk to be sidelined in January, so the Pats are lucky to have him right now. It’s simple: the Patriots are a substantially better team when Gronkowski is playing. He led the Pats with 108 receiving yards against the Ravens, but it wasn’t like he dominated the game — his mere presence creates a multitude of problems for a defense. As long as Gronkowski is in the game, the Patriots will be in position to win.

2. A Great Pair of Tackles

Nate Solder New England Patriots
Winslow Towson-USA TODAY Sports

2. A Great Pair of Tackles

Nate Solder New England Patriots
Winslow Towson-USA TODAY Sports

The narrative entering the Divisional Round was the two-headed pass rushing monster of Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, but Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer quelled them with surprising ease. Tom Brady was barely touched in the second half, enabling him to lead the Patriots to the 14-point comeback. The Colts’ pass rush isn’t nearly as scary as the Ravens’, so expect Solder and Vollmer to keep up the good work.

1. Depth at Secondary

Duron Harmon New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

1. Depth at Secondary

Duron Harmon New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Darrelle Revis gets all the attention and deservedly so, but the Patriots owe much of their success defending the pass to depth in the secondary. For example, when Brandon Browner was sidelined against the Ravens, Logan Ryan filled in and the unit didn’t miss a beat. The hero of the final few minutes, Duron Harmon, is a backup as well. This secondary relies on contributions from many defensive backs, all of whom are playing at high level.

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