Well, Gruden has always been sort of down on Todd Light.
Either way, most analysts out there have the Pats somewhere between 9-7 and 10-6. Given the current situation with the defense, I can live with that level of expectation, though the Jets worship is puzzling. Everyone seems to think the Cromartie signing will lessen the sting of the Revis holdout. Fat chance of that.
This could be the year the Dolphins sneak out another division crown, unless the Pats defense steps up. If they do, it could get ugly for everyone else, because I think the offense is going to be pretty special this year.
Honestly, if I read any analysis that has the Pats between 8-8 and 12-4, I probably could be convinced. The defense is the question on which everything else hinges. Perform, and the Pats probably have a bye week. Falter, and make way for the Dolphins.
In any event, overrated is not how I would characterize the sentiment surrounding this team, unless one took the 6-day window after the Falcons PRESEASON game and set their analysis against that.