scott99

I voted no. I really think that this particular defense is a year away from being very good, right now they are passable to good enough. I really think that with a year under their belts, Highsmith and Jones are going to be beasts, both showed signs of heading towards stardom. I think Dennard, if he can get only probation from his court case, will also be THAT much better next season. I'd love to see the Pats sign Talib to a long term deal. BUT, right now, with the inconsistencies of both the Offense AND Defense, I don't think this is a Championship team.

Hopefully next season, we can see a full season of this offense in tact (meaning, please football gods, let's see this offense at full power, no injuries), and a young hungry defense, then I put them up against anyone. For them to win it all THIS season, they'd have to play as well as they did against Houston, in EVERY playoff game. I hope they can do it, but I don't think they can. I think Denver, Baltimore, Green Bay, Seattle and San Francisco are better all around teams right now.

DarthHoodie

I think so...just like my fantasy team this year.

Rob0729

Even with the recent stumbles, I don't think there is a team in the AFC that is better or at least better enough that they would beat the Pats 6-70times if they played 10 times. I think the Pats have just as much shot or more than anyone out of the AFC.

On the NFC side, I think the 49ers and possibly the Seahawks (they are a different team outside of Seattle) are built to beat the Pats (I am leaving the Giants out because they aren't likely to get in at this point).

dannydyn

Don't forget Rodgers who would feast on our secondary.

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Pat the Pats Fan

3 of the 5 AFC playoff teams have been beaten by the Pats this season. I like their chances in the post season. The NFC, not so sure. The Giants if they make it into the playoffs, might be beatable this year.

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A sarcastic Bill Belichick on Tom Brady's finger injury, "It's not life threatening."

RIPATS

The answer is of course yes! The only team that could beat us in the AFC is Denver at Mile High. In that game I expect us to win in a tough game. I find it somewhat humorous that some are concerned about the Bengals at home. Are you kidding me?? Are you forgetting who their coach is? Not happening.

If we make it through the AFC (and we will) I will take my chances in a one game, winner take all against any NFC team.

Rob0729

I'm not afraid of any team with an offense. I am worried about any team that can rush the passer with just four players and still blanket the receivers. I think the Pats can keep up with Rodgers and the Packers in a horse race.

Barring yesterday's game, the Packers really haven't been an offensive juggernaut this year. Even with the 55 points they scored yesterday, they are scoring 8.5 PPG less than the Pats.

patsinthesnow

The Talib trade will end up being the difference from a 4th Lombardi and losing in the 2nd round.

Wildcard Round: AJ Green
Divisional Round: Demaryius Thomas
AFCCG: Andre Johnson

Talib held Johnson to just 4 catches and 40 something yards. (Arrington gave up the other half on one drive when Talib was injured...)

Thomas had 9 receptions for 180 yards the first game. If Talib shuts him down like he did with Johnson, the Broncos are toast.

PatsFanSince74

What's "a championship team?"

In the NFL, the championship team is the team that wins the championship. There is a pretty broad consensus that that is not always the "best" team talent-wise in all three phases of the game.

In the NFL, the "championship team" is the team that has "enough" talent, that starts a good to very good QB, that is coached by a good to very good HC, that is playing its best football in January/February, that gets a little lucky and that stays healthy.

Do the Pats have "enough" talent? Yeah. On Offense, they have a superabundance and on Defense they have "enough" if the pieces are all working together. Most importantly they have the leadership on the field and in the locker room to coax the best out of all the pieces.

Do the Pats have a good to very good QB? No. They might well have the greatest of all time.

Do the Pats have a "good to very good HC?" See the QB answer immediately above.

Will they be playing their best football in January/February? Based on the last two weeks, "no," but it isn't yet January.

Can they get a little lucky? Well, if "The third time is the charm," they'll have used up their bad luck in the postseason over the last two trips to the big game with the Tyree catch and the Welker drop.

Can they stay healthy? Probably the "Million Dollar" or, in this case, the "Lombardi" Question.

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It is what it is. It wasn't what it wasn't.

ctpatsfan77

GRONK helps. So will, I hope, getting Cunningham back this week.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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