5 Reasons Patriots Will Repeat as Super Bowl Champs Next Season

The Patriots are always in the conversation for Super Bowl contention, but no team has been able to win the big game in back-to-back seasons since they did back in 2003 and 2004. Asking a team to take home the Lombardi trophy is a tall order, but if there's any team that can do it, it's the Pats. These five reasons are why they'll repeat as Super Bowl champions come next winter.

5. Strong Defensive Secondary

Divisional Round - Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots / Elsa/Getty Images

The defensive secondary was one of New England's greatest strengths in 2018, and it's only going to get better this year. Undrafted rookie JC Jackson had an impressive season alongside All-Pro teammate Stephon Gilmore, and he's sure to take a massive step forward. Couple that with the return of the McCourty twins and the Patriots are set to have one of the best defenses against the pass in the NFL.

4. Improved Wide Receiver Core

Divisional Round - Houston Texans v New England Patriots / Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The departure of Brandin Cooks left Patriots fans wanting more at wide receiver last year. This offseason, the team has done nothing but improve, adding veterans like Demaryius Thomas and Dontrelle Inman, as well as young talent such as N'Keal Harry. With Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett returning to the fold, and Josh Gordon potentially returning, this is set to be one of the best groups Tom Brady has had to work with in a long time.

3. Linebacker Chemistry

Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams / Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower are back together again. The two last played side-by-side in 2016 before Bill Belichick shipped Collins off to the Browns. They had fantastic chemistry together, spearheading New England's defense. With the two back on the same side, the linebackers and defensive group as a whole will operate as a cohesive unit and keep their opponents at bay.

2. Bill Belichick

AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots / Elsa/Getty Images

It never hurts to have arguably the best coach in NFL history at the helm. Belichick has proven time and time again that he's one of the craftiest and most efficient coaches the game has ever seen. He's going to squeeze the very best out of this year's roster and make sure to mold it into a championship-caliber team.

1. Tom Brady

Green Bay Packers v New England Patriots / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

You never count out the GOAT. Ever. Brady has taken the Patriots to the Super Bowl nine times in his 18 years starting under center, winning six. He's shown no signs of slowing down, as he enters his age-42 season, and he's got plenty of new weapons to work with this year. As long as Brady's out there firing off passes, there's no reason to bet against the Patriots taking home the Lombardi Trophy for the fourth time in six seasons.