Deion Branch Feels That the Pats Are Much Better Than Last Year

Record-wise, it might be hard to believe that this year's version of the New England Patriots are better than last year's team—as last year's team went onto be AFC Champions but were ultimately knocked off by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

However, Deion Branch feels otherwise. The veteran wide receiver actually feels that this year's team of the Patriots are "a lot" better than last year's.

Via Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com:

We want to make this team, the 2012 Patriots team, a special team.

Each year is going to be something different. We’re a lot better than we were last year. We don’t have the same players. That team, the 2011 team, was totally different from this year.

The 33-year-old wide receiver has had a solid season for the Patriots as he was re-signed by the team on September 18th, and then was waived yet again on November 17th but was brought back on December 11th due to injuries to Julian Edelman and Donte Stallworth.

Branch has played in 10 games for the Patriots as he's recorded 16 receptions for 145 yards while averaging an impressive 9.1 yards per-reception.

Back to Branch's point on New England being better than they were last year: Granted, the Patriots might have had a better record last year, but this group of players have scored more points and given up fewer points than they did a year ago. There's no question that this offense is more dynamic with Stevan Ridley at running back while this defense is light-years ahead of last year's defensive group.

If you were to ask me if this team was better than last year's—I'd have to say yes.

What do you think?