I disagree. One thing I'll give you, if Garoppolo has to step in we're already screwed, because either the O line or our luck sucks too badly to overcome. Other than that, we don't know, but while you assume the worst and question Mallett and Edelman I see evidence that each of them will do their job, that's the Patriot Way, and it will be enough to surpass Cassell's performance after Brady went down in the season opener. We don't need a bell-cow RB, that's not the way Belichick structures this offense. Running back by committee will be just fine. Last year Bolden averaged 4.9 ypc, Vereen 4.7 and Ridley 4.3, and this year White might add to the mix. Who needs a bell-cow? It's production not stats that matters.
Plus the defense this year will give more margin for error, so the offense without Brady would not have to win games despite a porous D. Without Brady the AFCE would not be the lock that it looks like at the moment, but I still think the Pats are enough better than the other division teams to win it outright, without going to a tie breaker.