Greg Bedard pegs 2014 Patriots as best team since 16-0, predicts Super Bowl

Or make that 18-1, but who's counting, right?

Greg Bedard of MMQB, formerly of the Boston Globe, is easily one of the most respected names in sports journalism.

His down to earth, fact-based and unsensationalized analysis is a rarity in today's media, and so many take his words to heart. Patriots fans should be glad to know that he is pretty high on this year's Patriots.

After visting Pats camp, Bedard had mostly good things to say about New England. Most of it, you've heard before. Namely, the addition of Revis potentially being the piece that could push New England over the edge.

Greg Bedard, MMQB:

Yes, confidence is rightfully high in Foxboro, as the Patriots may have their most talented team since going 18-1 in 2007.

Of course, it's not just Revis the Patriots are adding. They get a slew of significant players back from injuries: Tommy Kelly, Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Rob Gronkowski. As Bedard and many have noted, they were able to get to the AFC championship game - again - without any of those pieces, logic would seem to indicate they'd be capable of the same with a healthy team + Revis and Brandon Browner.

While Bedard notes the weaknesses on the team, such as the strong safety spot and the offensive line, it doesn't deter him from making a bold prediction.

The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl, if not winning it. There are some questions on the offensive line after the retirement of coach Dante Scarnecchia, and strong safety could be a disaster (again). But if things go right for this team, especially with injuries (hello Gronk), the Patriots are stacked on both sides of the ball. Given what they did last season with half a team, they are primed to capture that elusive title a decade after their last.

That's a pretty big IF but still encouraging words for Patriots fans to hear.