Finished?

When Tom Brady went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 of the NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs, many felt the New England Patriots season went down with it. However, they may have forgotten about the rest of the Patriots roster, New England's coaching staff, and backup quarterback Matt Cassel. Brady's injury gives this bunch even more motivation to prove the world wrong and win a Super Bowl this season.

Even without Tom Brady, the Patriots still have one of the best and most talented rosters in all of football. Laurence Maroney (835 yards, 4.5 yards per carry in 2007), Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk make up one of the most versatile and deep backfields in the NFL, something that will be vital to New England without Brady. Their receiving core, led by Randy Moss (98 catches, 1493 yards, 23 touchdowns in 2007) and Wes Welker (112 catches, 1175 yards, 8 touchdowns in 2007) is also deep and reliable. On another note, Moss is probably the best receiver in the NFL, giving Cassel a big target to find whenever he will drop back to throw. The Patriots also boast a great offensive line, which features RT Nick Kaczur, LT Matt Light, LT Logan Mankins, RG Ruch Hochstein and C Dan Koppen. The line will give Cassel plenty of time to throw in the pocket.

On defense, the Patriots still should be able to hold teams from scoring enough to win many games, even if their offense struggles a bit. Their huge, strong defensive line features Vince Wilfork (48 tackles in '07), Richard Seymour (23 tackles, 1.5 sacks in '07), and Ty Warren (53 tackles, 4 sacks in '07). The Patriots linebackers are also some of the best in the league. Adalius Thomas (78 tackles, 6.5 sacks in '07) and Mike Vrabel (77 tackles, 12.5 sacks in '07) give both speed around the edge, versatility, and strength from the outside linebacker positions. In the middle, talented rookie Jerod Mayo and 13 -year veteran Tedi Bruschi (92 tackles in '07) give New England a solid and smart tackling machine. While their secondary may struggle a little bit, New England's front 7 give them a chance to shut down any offense.

New England Head Coach Bill Belicheck and his staff are likely one of the best, if not the best coaching staff in the NFL. They come up with so many confusing defensive schemes and ways to motivate players. Don't think for a second that Belicheck won't use the Brady injury as motivation for the rest of the troops. He is a motivational mastermind and the Patriots will not quit, no matter what the situation is. There is no doubt he will have his team ready to play this Sunday against the rival New York Jets.

Finally, doubters should not look past Matt Cassel. Cassel has not made a start since his high school career. He has thrown just 57 career passes in the NFL (35-57, 405 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 85.8 QB rating). However, he did look very impressive coming of the bench in last Sunday's win at Kansas City, completing 13 of 18 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. Cassel could be the second coming of Tom Brady, who went from sixth-round pick at Michigan to future Hall of Fame quarterback. Cassel was a seventh rounder from USC. If he continues to impress, the Patriots may consider themselves very fortunate to have drafted two starting quarterbacks in the sixth round or later during this decade. Cassel has the ability to be a good starter in the NFL and has learned from one of the best of all-time in Brady on how to be a starter. Look for him, as well as the rest of the New England Patriots players and coaching staff to step up and surprise people with a strong season.