As the patriots prepare for another run at the Super Bowl they do so with out the golden arm of Tom Brady. But does the loss of arguable the best QB in the league completely knock the Patriots out of contention?
Now with the loss to the New York Jets on November 12, the Patriots were booted out of first place in the conference in a 34-31 overtime loss. The Patriots are still in good shape, though, to get a wild card berth and possibly reclaim first place. Pats QB Matt Cassel threw for 400 yards in the loss against the Jets, including an overtime clinching 16 yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss with one second left in the game. But the patriots couldn’t stop Bret Farve and the Jets in overtime winning on a Jay Feely field goal. The Pats rebounded from this loss by pulling off an amazing 48-28 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Patriots Quarterback Matt Cassel seems to be coming along very nicely throwing for 400 yards in the loss to the Jets and the win against the Dolphins.  If he can keep doing this and gain some more key victories along the way, then that could get the Patriots in the playoffs.
For the Patriots to make the playoffs it will come down to the last two games against the Arizona Cardinals who are looking very good as of late, and the Buffalo Bills who have given the Pats much trouble this season. With the Loss to Pittsburgh on November 30, the Patriots would be fortunate to make the playoffs.
With running back Laurence Maroney and Linebacker Adalius Thomas out for the rest of the season along with Brady is another cause for concern. Both of these players contributed big numbers and big plays last year and this year before being placed on the injured reserved list.