The quest for the New England Patriots’ fourth Lombardi trophy is underway and with it comes predictions for how their season will play out. When the Patriots made signed big-name free agent Darrell Revis, the hype of this team has reached astronomical heights. Here are four bold predictions for the team and how the season might turn out for certain players.

1. Rob Gronkowski will match his 2011 season production

Rob Gronkowski, when healthy, could be considered one of the top offensive weapons in the game. His mixture of size, strength, and great hands make him a match-up nightmare for the opposing defense. The obvious issue here is that he has not been able to stay healthy long enough to put up the numbers he should be. Although I don’t think he’ll play the full 16-week schedule, nor do I believe he should be relied on for 16 games. I feel this is finally the year he plays around 14 games. The big guy needs to finally catch some luck. ACL tears are like oil changes in today’s advanced world of medicine. Add in that Gronkowski is more of a power player who doesn’t rely on his speed and he should return to form after tearing his ACL last year. If Gronkowski can play 14 games, his historical stat line of 90 catches, 1,327 yards, and 17 touchdowns of 2011 could easily be matched.

2. Chandler Jones will be a household name by the end of the season

The former first round pick out of Syracuse had an impressive career with the Patriots thus far. Through his first two years, he has lead the team in sacks with 17.5. This year could be his coming out party though. With the boosted secondary, Jones will have more time to get to the passer and bring him down. This was on display in the third preseason game when Jones had two sacks on Cam Newton in just the first half. Add in the fact that he was recently given  an award for spending the entire offseason in Foxboro and focusing on leg strength to help him power through offensive linemen, I think that the sky’s the limit. Don’t be surprised to see Chandler Jones make a run for Defensive Player of the Year honors this year and pile up 15 plus sacks.

3. Tom Brady will win his third MVP award

Last year, Peyton Manning put up a record-breaking season and it was only fitting that the only other player who received a first place vote was Tom Brady. Brady put up one of his worst seasons statistically last year as he struggled to form chemistry with his revamped receiving corps. Somehow he found a way to will his team to a 12-4 record and play in the AFC Championship game for the third year in a row. Now, in 2014, Brady is returning with the majority of his receivers from last year, including newcomer Brandon LaFell who is already receiving praise from the quarterback. Brady has many weapons at his disposal, from the speedy running back Shane Vereen to second year field-stretching receiver Aaron Dobson; Brady should be able to attack all levels of the field. That’s not even including Brady’s favorite weapon from this first prediction. Brady has the ultimate statistical bounce back year from last year and wins the regular season MVP, but that isn’t where my predictions stop.

4. The New England Patriots will defeat the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl

Hop on the bandwagon now because the Patriots will be heading to Glendale, Arizona, for the first weekend in February for a date with destiny and the New Orleans Saints. I think the Saints actually making the Super Bowl is more bold than saying that New England will be there. The Saints added safety Jairus Byrd to a defense that was showing promise last year, and their offense always ends up as a top 5 unit in the NFL, but the NFC is deep with powerhouse teams like the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. That being said, this will not be enough as the Patriots will finally capture their fourth Lombardi trophy. The defense will be the crucial factor that will put the Patriots over the top. Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, Brandon Browner, Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones… the list goes on and on of playmakers for the Patriots. With the confidence that his defense can get off the field and put the ball back in his hands, Brady won’t have the pressure to carry the team. Mark it down now: Patriots over Saints 24-17 in Super Bowl XLIX.