They've been losing players/coaches for the past few years, and sometime its going to finally catch up with them.
Players they lost this year:
Tom Ashworth, T (SEA); Matt Chatham, LB (NYJ); Andre' Davis, WR (BUF); Tim Dwight, WR (NYJ); Christian Fauria, TE (WAS); David Givens, WR (TEN); Willie McGinest, LB (CLE); Adam Vinatieri, K (IND)
Players they resigned or signed:
Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell, Heath Evans, Martin Gramatica, Tebucky Jones, Steve Neal, Chad Scott.
Not to mention losing another coordinator on the defense, and not being willing to pay Deion Branch.
We're starting to see some question marks develop on this Patriots team.
They love to pass, but who is going to catch the ball?
They have a great O-line to run, but who is actually going to run the ball?
Can Monty Beisel be a viable starting linebacker?
Can Rosevelt Colvin come back to his old form?
Who is going to be the 2nd corner?
Can Gramatica actually not be a nutcase?
How will the coordinators perform?
Granted, its nowhere near the questions that the bad teams have in the NFL. However, my point is that they aren't the top of the league any longer either. Playoff team? Without a doubt competing for the AFC East, and at this point they have the lead.
However, they have a lot more question marks then a Cincinnati (who is just wondering if Carson Palmer can get back), Pittsburgh (FS, WR #2), and Carolina (Question mark? Where?).