10-19-2008, 10:53 PM
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#17
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PatsFans.com Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 25,367
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Re: Pats in first place for wild card
Quote:
Originally Posted by PonyExpress
Provided the defense improves, which usually happens down the stretch with BB, this team has a good shot for post season play.
The other contenders are Indy, Jax, SD and the NYJ.
IMO Indy will finish 10-6, Jax 9-7, SD 8-8, NYJ 8-8.
If the Pats beat Denver they will be in solid position to seize one of the two WCs.
On another point, this season is a great opportunity to evaluate the Patriot's true talent level. For some time, Brady's excellence has disguised creeping weaknesses on the rest of the roster.
Now the safety blanket is gone, and players and coaches are forced to demonstrate their true value.
This is a positive in the long run, once Tom returns. Areas of need, overrated and underrated players are being exposed by Brady's absence. No longer can the defense be frontrunners, playing from ahead in advantageous situations all season.
No longer can the O-line look forward to Brady bailing them out, or consistent 2nd and shorts.
No longer can rbs expect defenses in permanent dime packages.
After 2002, it was obvious that the decks had to be cleared on defense before commencing another march to glory.
Similarly, regardless of this season's outcome, the front office will have all the evidence it needs to accurately evaluate this team's talent for 2009 and beyond.
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I think you are too high on Indy. I am thinking they will go 8-8 or 9-7 at this point. I thought 10-6 before the season started and they have even disapointed me in their play. They have just completed one of the easier parts of their schedule and now embark on a stretch of @ Tennessee, the Pats, @ Pittsburgh, Houston, and @ San Deigo. I can see them losing every one of those games the way they are playing now. At best unless they get their act together, I think they go 2-3, maybe 3-2. That would be six losses right there and they still have to play Tennessee and Jacksonville again. I easily see at least 4 or 5 more losses on their schedule.
I don't see the Jets as a serious playoff contender. They lost to the Raiders and had a real difficult time with the Carson Palmerless Bengals (no matter what the score indicated). I can still see those guys finishing 4th in the division.
The thing is that this is a down year in the AFC. I wouldn't be surprised if an 9-7 or 8-8 team made it in. Granted at 8-8, what shot would you realistically have to win the Super Bowl?
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