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Breer: Patriots Hopes Hinge On Two Factors

BOSTON (CBS) - The improved play of the Patriots in recent weeks has a healthy majority of the fan base feeling like they've finally righted the ship, and have distanced themselves from what was an awful start to the year.

98.5 The Sports Hub's Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak opened their show on Wednesday asking the question: Have the Patriots turned a corner? And in doing so, they took a look back at the previous weeks and also provided a glance to the future, when they'll square off against some of the league's best quarterbacks.

Gresh feels like they've turned a corner, but Zo still needs to see more.

They posed the same question when the NFL Network's Albert Breer joined them in studio.

"I'm not saying they're a Super Bowl team, because I still think they're behind Denver. I think they're headed for 11 or 12 wins. Is that going to be good enough in January? I don't know," said Breer.

Breer believes the success of the Patriots this winter ultimately hinges on two factors.

"There's two questions facing the offense right now: can the offensive line hold up, and can Rob Gronkowski stay healthy? Are we gonna see a better Gronk in December than we have now? Or is he gonna get hurt again? No one can predict that. But he's so much of what they do offensively that it looks completely different [without him]. So much revolves around him."

You'll notice none of Breer's concerns at the moment lie on the defense -- he admits he's less worried about that side of the ball.

"On defense you've got a team that can be really, really good. Have they turned a corner? I'm not quite ready to go there yet, but I think this is a team that will be fighting for a bye at the end of the year."

On the Patriots-Jets matchup this week on Thursday Night Football, Breer gave his overall analysis of the game.

"I don't think Geno Smith will be able to do anything -- anything -- against the Patriots defense. I think Rex Ryan will find a way. He'll find a way to control the Patriots offense. I think he can hold them to 20-24 points. Even if he holds them to 20 points, can Geno Smith score three touchdowns? The answer is no."

Listen below!

MORE PATRIOTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON

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