This team didn't improve themselves one bit. All they did was replace Welker with Amendola.
Well, first of all, a healthy Pats team in the playoffs last year might well have gone all the way. It's a part of the game, but playing a team like Baltimore without Gronk really makes it tough, and losing Talib and not having Jones...ouch.
So just getting through FA somewhat intact (including the Talib re-signing) is a good thing. I think A Wilson helps most than you credit, and I still think Abraham is coming here, and another receiver. And having Ballard back might surprise a lot of Pats fans - the guy can play.
Baltimore has fallen apart and the book is out on Denver - sure they added Welker, but losing Dumervil will hurt a defense that I never thought was all that good anyway (and Manning is starting to wear thin, I think).
As for the NFC, only one team comes out. I'm not sure how much either SF or Seattle will be "better," since both of their QB's are heading into the sophomore season, which is rarely a good thing. Also, both of those teams, particularly SF, had remarkable luck on the injury front last year.
