On the D, we are close to having playoff-caliber talent. Better LB and depth is required to make a deep run. But our O needs a lot of work and much hinges on the QB position.
Where I am going with this angle is that, as thebandit said, we need to improve overall so that we can dictate terms or at the very least, have the talent to make in-game adjustments to counter what the Pats* are throwing at you. If you build a team to beat the Pats*, we can go very very far.