Synovia

The point is, they played two fantastic teams close. Their late game pass defense has some issues, but frankly, I think Indy and New Orleans both have better passing offenses than New England.

Metaphors

Here is the remaining schedules for these teams:

DEN (6-0) - @BAL, PIT, @WAS, SD, NYG, @KC, @IND, OAK, @PHI, KC
IND (6-0) - SF, HOU, NE, @BAL, @HOU, TEN, DEN, @JAX, NYJ, @BUF
CIN (5-2) - BAL, @PIT, @OAK, CLE, DET, @MIN, @SD, KC, @NYJ
PIT (5-2) - @DEN, CIN, @KC, @BAL, OAK, @CLE, GB, BAL, @MIA
NWE (5-2) - MIA, @IND, NYJ, @NO, @MIA, CAR, @BUF, JAX, @HOU
NYJ (4-3) - MIA, JAX, @NE, CAR, @BUF, @TB, ATL, @IND, CIN
HOU (4-3) - @BUF, @IND, TEN, IND, @JAX, SEA, @STL, @MIA, NE
BAL (3-3) - DEN, @CIN, @CLE, IND, PIT, @GB, DET, CHI, @PIT, @OAK
JAC (3-3) - @TEN, KC, @NYJ, BUF, @SF, HOU, MIA, IND, @NE, @CLE
SD (3-3) - OAK, @NYG, PHI, @DEN, KC, @CLE, @DAL, CIN, @TEN, WAS

Take out the doormats and reshuffle the deck:

DEN (9-0) - @BAL, PIT, @WAS, SD, NYG, @IND, @PHI
IND (7-0) - SF, HOU, NE, @BAL, @HOU, DEN, @JAX, NYJ, @BUF
CIN (9-2) - BAL, @PIT, @MIN, @SD, @NYJ
PIT (8-2) - @DEN, CIN, @BAL, GB, BAL, @MIA
NWE (5-2) - MIA, @IND, NYJ, @NO, @MIA, CAR, @BUF, JAX, @HOU
SD (7-3) - @NYG, PHI, @DEN, @DAL, CIN, WAS
HOU (6-3) - @BUF, @IND, IND, @JAX, SEA, @MIA, NE
BAL (6-3) - DEN, @CIN, IND, PIT, @GB, CHI, @PIT
JAC (6-3) - @NYJ, BUF, @SF, HOU, MIA, IND, @NE
NYJ (5-3) - MIA, JAX, @NE, CAR, @BUF, ATL, @IND, CIN

For games not between these teams, I picked the games IMO and reshuffled again:

IND (9-0) - HOU, NE, @BAL, @HOU, DEN, @JAX, NYJ
DEN (11-1) - @BAL, PIT, SD, @IND
NWE (9-3) - @IND, NYJ, JAX, @HOU
CIN (9-3) - BAL, @PIT, @SD, @NYJ
PIT (9-3) - @DEN, CIN, @BAL, BAL
HOU (8-4) - @IND, IND, @JAX, NE
JAC (8-4) - @NYJ, HOU, IND, @NE
NYJ (8-4) - JAX, @NE, @IND, CIN
BAL (7-4) - DEN, @CIN, IND, PIT, @PIT
SD (9-5) - @DEN, CIN

Pivot games:

SD@DEN - Denver should make the playoffs, but the division is not a sure thing. Losing this game makes the Bolts road to the playoffs very difficult.

NYJ@NE - A win here likely gets the Pats the division and likely leaves the Jets analyzing tie-breaker scenarios. A Jets win makes the stretch run in the East very interesting.

BAL@CIN - Cincy is in solid shape for the playoffs and maybe the division, but this game is huge. If the Ravens lose, they are really hurting.

HOU@JAX - The Texans need to split the Indy games and take this roadie to make the NE game meaningful. The Jags don't have much margin for error and losing this one at home may do them in.

Indy doesn't have a signature game left, but they have a lot of games left against teams that are still in the hunt today. That could change as the schedule progresses (Texans and Jags could flop) but the favored Colts have lots of opportunities to have a clunker or two.

Prediction:

IND (14-2)
NWE (13-3)
PIT (12-4)
DEN (11-5)
BAL (11-5)
SD (11-5)
-----------
NYJ (10-6)
CIN (9-7)
HOU (9-7)
JAC (8-8)

BionicPatriot

No more AFC losses, that simple

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Defense, defense, defense

gmtaxi27

I agree, but that will be tough.

The bottom line is, if we beat the Jets, Bills and split with the Phins we get the division.

If we are looking for a bye, we need to beat Indy.

If we lose, Indy will get the 1 seed, and I see Pitt getting the 2 seed.

AllstonPatsFan

Based on what we've seen so far this year, Pitt could easily lose 3 of its next 4 (Denver, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Baltimore). They had some poor performances against teams like Detroit and Tennessee.

Free_Pacman

God damn you people are pessimists.

Prediction- Pats go 14-2 and Indy loses another game somewhere along the line. Patriots go into the playoffs as the #1 seed.

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"We have some unfinished buisness to take care of" -Randy Moss 3.3.08

BradyFTW!

Yeha, but getting Polamalu back is absolutely huge for them. I'd be surprised if they don't win 12+ games.

911Truther

The Pats are in good shape currently. We have a great chance to make the playoffs. The biggest positive is that we have been improving every week. I say this: by the end of the season our defense will be really great. All we need to do is keep Tom healthy.

nashvillepatsfan

Yes it will, and its a scary 5 weeks. Colts/saints/ and one fins game could all be losses. I expect us to beat the jets, and take atleast one miami (home) game. The other 3 will only be won by playing mistake free football. In other words, stupid penalties, and turnovers are not an option.