Niner Noise
FanSided

The biggest question facing each NFL team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and head coach Bill Belichick after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and head coach Bill Belichick after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots

How long will the Pats’ magic last?

Until quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick are no longer in the picture, we’d be fools to count the Patriots out of anything.

Their stunning victory over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI only serviced to reinforce the fact New England is the NFL’s team of the decade. No one else comes close, and no other team has come close since the early 2000s.

OK, enough of the history lessons. What happens in 2017?

Brady, of course, will turn 40 years old before the seasons starts. That’s usually a cause for concern, but go reread the first sentence on this slide if you’re experiencing age doubts.

I did read, somewhere, some fantasy football projecting saying Brady isn’t worth an early investment. That suggests he’ll regress, right?

Well, I’m not buying it. Not yet, at least.

But Father Time is ticking, and Brady’s career is nearing the end.

But when…