Gronk to have back surgery

[Landshark]

And Bill Belichick's chances of earning a fourth ring this year have just taken a nose dive. 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2013/05/29/rob-gronkowski-back-surgery/2370483/

[Sunstroke]

If Gronk was out for the year, I might feel bad for NE, but "possibly" missing the "start" of the season isn't quite as worthy of the overreaction. Also, I don't believe New England's chances of a fourth title, even with a healthy Gronk were high enough to perform a nose dive. A puddle jump...maybe.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

If Gronk was out for the year, I might feel bad for NE, but "possibly" missing the "start" of the season isn't quite as worthy of the overreaction. Also, I don't believe New England's chances of a fourth title, even with a healthy Gronk were high enough to perform a nose dive. A puddle jump...maybe.

How much higher than this do you want them?

http://www.ibtimes.com/super-bowl-2014-betting-odds-new-england-patriots-san-francisco-49ers-favorites-win-title-1120881#

Granted it these aren't the most recent.  The more recent ones take in to account Gronk.  They haven't exactly nose dived but they have declined from the #1 spot. 

[Sunstroke]

That's the great things about sports projections...all you need is an opinion and a keyboard, and voilà, the future holds whatever you'd like it to hold.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Not exactly.  In order to be the favorites you need to be the team in which the most people are willing to bet $$$. 

This is not one random person thinking the Pats are or are not the team to beat. 

[Sunstroke]

I hear ya, Pats fan...

[Spider-Dan]

If you won't accept sports book odds as objective evidence, what will you accept?

[Sunstroke]

^^^ Could you manage a burning bush?