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Patriots go 16-0? Here's why it will happen ... and why it won't

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots' dominating season-opening win against the Pittsburgh Steelers has sparked a "let's dream" vs. "back to reality" contrast.

The dreamer might now wonder if 16-0 is a legitimate possibility. The realist knows it's early and so much can change over the course of a long NFL season.

It can be an entertaining back-and-forth.

Let's dream: A fast start, which has been a struggle in some recent years, is a strong potential. ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Patriots at least a 70% chance to win each of their next seven games -- at Dolphins, vs.