Losing a fan favorite will cause unrest with the fans of any team, but the loss of Wes Welker in free agency to the AFC rival Denver Broncos has Patriot fans scratching their heads, wiping away tears and wondering if the team will have an offense that could be Super Bowl worthy. If I have learned anything from being a Patriots fan during the past 13 seasons, it’s that head coach Bill Belichick always has a plan. Take a deep breath and relax, fellow Patriot fans. I have four reasons why the Patriots are a strong contender to play at Metlife Stadium in early February 2014.

1. Three-Headed Monster at Tight End

One strength the Patriots are known for is their depth in the tight end position. Look for the Patriots to utilize the best tight-end trio in the NFL: Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Jake Ballard. Ballard, who was acquired before the start of last season, missed the year due to injury. The 6-foot-6-inch, 275 pound Ballard matches Gronkowski in stature and had great success in his short career before tearing his ACL in Super Bowl XLVI. Look for New England to run three tight-end sets: Ballard and Gronkowski will line up as traditional tight ends, and Hernandez will serve as the wild card tight end, in the backfield and as the slot receiver. Health will remain the ultimate key in their success at this position, as all three of these players have shown that they can be struck by the injury bug.

2. Danny Amendola’s Potential

Danny Amendola was described as the “Next Wes Welker” even before he was signed by the New England Patriots. The 27-year-old slot receiver went to Texas Tech University, the same school Welker attended. Like Welker, he went undrafted and is joining the Patriots before the prime of his career.

See the correlation?

While he may be like Welker, this kid has been given the chance to do even bigger things than Welker did, which would include winning a Super Bowl. Amendola has more speed than Welker, which would allow the team to line him up as slot receiver but also as an outside receiver. Again, like the tight ends, health remains the ultimate question mark here, as Amendola has proven to be injury prone. But in an offensive position, where he was always the number one option in St. Louis, defensive players would make sure to pay extra attention to him. Look for him to have a huge first year in New England in a system where he is not the No. 1 option and can get many open looks.

3. The Running Game will Be Back

The Patriots had the ninth best running offense last year to supplement the best passing offense in the league. This will only improve in 2013. Stevan Ridley led the way as the starting running back. The second year out of LSU ran for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns, proving he has what it takes to be an elite running back in the NFL. Shane Vereen showed signs of being a multi-use weapon out of the backfield. Newcomer Leon Washington will help the return game, but he will also provide another multi-use weapon for Brady to use in third down situations. The loss of Danny Woodhead is upsetting, but the majority of this running back group will return ready to dominate in 2013.

4. Tom Brady

The fact of the matter is, when you have number 12 leading your offense, you always have a chance to win. Brady has proven, year in and year out, that he can take nearly any offensive group and make them play at a high level. He is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the league, both on and off the field, as seen this offseason. His new restructured deal allowed the Patriots to go out and become players for many defensive veterans that will only improve the young defense that was inconsistent last season. Brady is a pure winner and his ultimate goal is winning his fourth Super Bowl ring to cement his legacy as one of the best quarterbacks of all time. But, with every football player, Father Time is the ultimate equalizer. Brady knows, just as everyone else does, that the end of his career is coming sooner than we all want.