QB12

One of my all-time favorites also.

Ivan

Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting a week 15 loss correlated with winning the SB in any way, just that late season losses don't kill a good team's chances for winning it all, and I agree that winning a tough play-off game on the road is often a significant part of winning the Lombardi. I think they will beat Denver in Denver and it will come down to winning in Houston. NE/SF in New Orleans is how I see it ending, and I really believe the Patriots will win the rematch.

Had the patriots rolled over last night I might feel a little different but given the way they rallied really gave me confidence about their chances going forward.

olschool

Given the Patriots record in Denver, don't be surprised at a Broncos / 49er Superbowl.

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Ice_Ice_Brady

Yes, but the Texans slaughtered the Broncos in Denver, so let's just not write off the Texans either. They got hammered by the Pats- big deal. The Pats obviously needed that game more, and then Texans rolled over. The Texans aren't 12-2 by accident, and I'd say that right now they are still the favorite. They'll get a cakewalk divisional championship game against the Colts or Ravens, so they really just need to win one big game. Against the Pats, I'd take the Pats in a close game. Against the Broncos, I'd take the Texans. I'm sure the city of Houston would like nothing more than to take down their longtime thorn in Peyton Manning, and the Texans defense matches up much better with Peyton than Brady.

wyomingpatsfan

Yep, I think the Pats biggest struggle will be against DEN in the playoffs...

It would be exciting to see a SF/PATS rematch in the SB!

pwes

What Exactly is the Pats Record in Denver? I tried looking this up but I really dont have much time or patience to go searching for it if someone has it on hand.

dales804

The Patriots are 9-18 in Denver, including 0-2 in the playoffs.

Ivan

I believe the Patriots will beat them for the following reasons:

The Patriots have scored 117 points on this Broncos defense in the last 3 games, almost 40 points a game.

Manning has never played his home play-off games outside, and really hasn't fared well when he has played play-off games outside. january in Denver should at least be cold and could be nasty, that doesn't bode well for him. Manning always concerns me and will this time, but Denver has no answers for the Patriots offense and i don't believe that will change this time.

Ivan

James ihedigbo at safety against Brady, can't wait.

mayoclinic

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the 49ers, the newly anointed "best team in the NFL", lose to Seattle next week. They'll have a hard time finding the same energy that they found against the Pats, and 1 more win gives them the NFC West, so they pretty much have the division locked up.

I think a Pats/Seahawks SB is as likely as a Broncos/49ers SB at this point. Both are realistic possibilities, nothing more. 4 good teams. And at least 3 more who could have a reasonable shot at making the game (Houston, Green Bay and Atlanta, probably in that order). I think anyone else is a real long shot at this point, though stranger things have happened.

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