ok, a slight tongue and cheek thread title, nothing is guaranteed in today's NFL, but seriously, the NFL is so bad right now is there a team that you feel today can legitimately beat the Patriots the rest of the way?
Sure, Buffalo beat them with the 3rd string QB and no Gronkowski among others, but outside of injury do they have a rival right now?
If they stay healthy do you see anyone even threatening them?
if the season ended today, here is the AFC seedings with their QB:
1. NE (6 - 1) (Brady)
2. OAK (5-2) (Carr)
3. HOU (4-2) (Osweiler)
4. PITT (4-3) (Landry Jones/Ben Roethlisberger)
5. KC (4-2) (Smith)
6. DEN (4-2) (Siemian)
Carr is the only one you (or me I should say) consider a playoff worthy QB, and his defense is allowing over 6 yards per play. That won't cut it in the playoffs. I guess Alex Smith?
Denver and Houston play tonight, I think Denver could be knocked out for Buffalo, but Ray in Arlington would know WC tie breakers better than me.
The Patriots manhandled Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh (without Ben of course, but Brady's Patriots absolutely own Pittsburgh).
Is the NFC any better? I would love to see the Patriots lose and in agonizing fashion and I know teams look good week 7 that don't look good week 17, but outside of injury does anyone think there is a team with a legit shot to beat New England?
Not saying don't play the season out, as Giants fans we know things don't always work out the way the odds-makers think, but even with the Patriots went 16 - 0 as they approached games, I sometimes felt like the Patriots could lose this game. This year seems different. I think losing that first game early could benefit them.
They'll be tested. They play Seattle at home and go to Denver, so they'll see some tough defenses, but this year they have a top 10 defense of their own. With talent at all levels of the D.
Denver is as close to a house of horrors as the Patriots have, if they win there this year, I'm pretty confident they'll be in Houston In February for LI.
Hope I'm wrong.
What does anyone else think about New England? I post this because living here people are already talking Super Bowl or bust and home field advantage implications of games on week 7.
And the Pats will lose a game or 2 along the way. @Buffalo this week will be a tough game, host Seattle and @Denver later in the year.
Again, Vikes offense is pitiful, but if they get AP back in December they could go on a roll. That D is definitely talented enough to give NE a battle. Between Harrison Smith and their LBs (Kendricks/Barr) they match up fairly well with NE. And their front 4 generates pressure without blitzing which is the key to stopping Brady.
Those would be my 2 favorites to beat NE. Seattle would probably be my 3rd choice, again because of their D. They've got the QB, but just about everything else on their offense is an issue now (more so than even the Vikes/Broncos).
Brady vs the Steelers (before yesterday)
Career QB Rating 113.4.
Including playoffs, 8 - 2 W/L record.
24 TD's to 3 INT's
325 yards per game passing average
Denver with a rookie (for all intents and purposes) QB vs. Belichick is the stuff that makes Belichick legendary. In Denver that's the best chance for a Patriots loss the rest of the way.
Seeing Miami run for 200+ against Buffalo and the fact Buffalo beat the Pats earlier I see a blood bath. Double digit Patriots win. Book it.
Seattle should be good, but no 12th man, if they were in Seattle I'd give them a better shot.
Think about how much has transpired over these 7 weeks. Now think about that time frame again, plus a couple more weeks.
I'd take anyone's bet if they said the Patriots would win out.
and as you know, Belichick and Parcells both consider points allowed the only stat that really matters for a defense.
Think about how much has transpired over these 7 weeks. Now think about that time frame again, plus a couple more weeks.
I'd take anyone's bet if they said the Patriots would win out.
Obviously to bet on it you'd need good odds, but I would wager on it.
When I was in Vegas in August I bet the over on the Patriots win total - 10.5. The Patriots have won less than 11 games once the past decade.
I agree about the arm strength and scrambling but not necessarily the decision making, plus NE defense is better now. Also, I don't know how real it is vs how much lip service, but Mike Tomlim says that Peyton Manning even if he didn't beat the Steelers with his arm in the Divisional playoff, his play calling and audibles constantly kept the defense off-balance and allowed Denver to score the points they needed to win. I don't see Siemian that cerebral yet (if ever) to beat a defense with his play calling.
Spoiled spoiled fans and a team with virtually no division rivals to speak of, year after year. There hasn't been a good, consistent QB in the AFC East not named Brady since Dan Marino. It is absolutely astounding.
I hope they have a miserable 20 year downturn after that duo is gone.
Also, why the hell is a sports team named after 5 states? Montana, Utah, NM, and Wyoming don't have a football team. Let's call them the "Mountain State Broncos".
I think Pete Carroll was coach directly before Belichick.
I often ask "true Patriots fans" those questions when they give me shit for my Giants gear.
I was at the old stadium (my college roommate had season tickets) if they didn't conflict with the Giants and I'd have my own row. Almost literally depending on the game. place was empty - until Parcells/Bledsoe.
I read the Patriots have the two best quarterbacks in the AFC East with Brady and Garoppolo, if you believe that (it means you don't think much of Tyrod Taylor) but consider that for a minute. That division just can't replace Marino, Kelly, and ???. Franchise QB's are not easy to find.
Thankfully we eat them Twice imagine if we didn't ?
What a freaking run for Brady and Little Bill Hats Off ..
Aside from the Browns and Jags, one could make an argument that the 3 most worthless, inept teams all reside in the AFC East.
Well, first you have to get to the post season
And have no competition for your division and trust your front office will bring in quality players.
First, how bad is the league? Sloppy play, penalties.....a lot of just average teams running around with their heads cut off.
NE just doesn't have that look........
Injuries are always the great equalizer, and you never know who is going to emerge, but they appear to be the best team right now.
And, IMO, even they aren't that great. Just a good team, which is excellently coached, in a wretched league right now.
Spoiled spoiled fans and a team with virtually no division rivals to speak of, year after year. There hasn't been a good, consistent QB in the AFC East not named Brady since Dan Marino. It is absolutely astounding.
I hope they have a miserable 20 year downturn after that duo is gone.
Also, why the hell is a sports team named after 5 states? Montana, Utah, NM, and Wyoming don't have a football team. Let's call them the "Mountain State Broncos".
They might know Pete Carroll after they made a big deal about it during the NE/Seattle Superbowl.
Name 3 Patriots other than Bledsoe before Brady - I'd say name 3 Patriots who NEVER played with Brady, as I think McGinest, Troy Brown, and Tedy Brusci are well known.
That and preventing Parcells return. Oh and there was that little thing called free agency he never quite got right
Quote:
who played before the Brady/Belichick era. Who was the coach before Bill Belichick?"
Spoiled spoiled fans and a team with virtually no division rivals to speak of, year after year. There hasn't been a good, consistent QB in the AFC East not named Brady since Dan Marino. It is absolutely astounding.
I hope they have a miserable 20 year downturn after that duo is gone.
Also, why the hell is a sports team named after 5 states? Montana, Utah, NM, and Wyoming don't have a football team. Let's call them the "Mountain State Broncos".
They might know Pete Carroll after they made a big deal about it during the NE/Seattle Superbowl.
Name 3 Patriots other than Bledsoe before Brady - I'd say name 3 Patriots who NEVER played with Brady, as I think McGinest, Troy Brown, and Tedy Brusci are well known.
Pennington had a nice little run, but fairly true. The New England thing I think might have been an attempt to try and recoop so many fans of the Giants up there and specifically to try and at least split CT.
Andre Tippett, Irving Fryar, Mosi Tatupu. Lol
(Yes, I am jealous and bitter).
Looking forward to Von Miller killing them again in the AFCCG, hopefully. And damn you Pete Carroll for not giving the ball to Lynch.
And the beat goes on...
KC, Pitt, Denver all have a shot. Arizona had them beat. Their D is suspect.