Let's say we DO get into the playoffs...

[BradyBranch39]

Probably the Colts, but watch out for the Ravens if Flacco is really on and McGahee is ever used properly.

 

[jbb9s]

Considering a wild card team often wins the Super Bowl (Pitt, Indy, Balt, NYG to name a few in the last 8 years), I think it is reasonable for any team entering the playoffs to say: "IF WE EXECUTE, we can win the superbowl".

However, since that statement is true for all 12 playoff teams, it is really a matter of who can actually execute for 4 (or 3) games in a row under high pressure.

Can Belichick scheme well enough - of course - he's the best ever at it. But the same can not be said for Oneil , Wilhite, Guyton, Gaffney, Colvin, Sanders and Jordan. These characters are just too weak to make it happen this year.

 

[Pats726]

I agree Pitts Indy are the real teams that are on a roll...I agree with fgsand and his opinions of these teams...With teh Steelers...the Pats played them an donly mistakes on their OWN part prevented a large lead at the half...10 points minimum...and you get 10 ahead and that Pitts D is not the same as leading... Same with the Colts...they have issues as well..although are on a streak now..THAT is why I really think this team can get in and do something...but first things first OAKLAND!!!

 

[fgssand]

But the same can not be said for Oneil , Wilhite, Guyton, Gaffney, Colvin, Sanders and Jordan. These characters are just too weak to make it happen this year.

Check out 2001 Patriorts roster please.....

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Let's say we DO get into the playoffs......

the colts and jets can throw the ball, and the patriots are not very good at pass defense so I would be affraid of the Jets and the colts.

But our recent games against them and the fact that matt cassel is a pretty good QB gives me hope.

Except the Jets have a worse pass defense than the Pats do. As bad as the Pats' pass defense has been, the Jets have been ten times worse. I like the Pats' chances to win a high scoring affair with the Jets. The Pats would have probably won the last time they met if Watson didn't fumble with no one touching him, Koppen didn't have a bad snap, and/or the Pats won coin flip in overtime.

As for the Colts, their offense has been sputtering as of late. They might be able to do something against the Pats, but I still think the Pats can keep it close like last time and possibly win.

 

[Rob0729]

Although I am not crazy about the Pats chances in the playoffs, I think no one other than the Steelers and Titans have been playing anything near consistently.

I still don't get how people think the Colts are playing well. They nearly lost to the Browns. If a stripped ball recovered for a TD didn't happen (the strip fumble was all defense, but it was a little luck for the bounce to a guy who could pick it up for a clear shot for the endzone), the Brown win that game. They played like crap against Houston twice. The Colts aren't playing good football right now, but they are stepping up at the right times to win the game (to their credit). But can they win that way in the playoffs?

 

[Wax Frog]

Considering a wild card team often wins the Super Bowl (Pitt, Indy, Balt, NYG to name a few in the last 8 years)

Translation : wildcard teams making it past you-know-who

 

[Seneschal2]

If we do make it, I won't be too concerned with the opponents. I'll figure that Cassel is managing an offense that is executing each gameplan. And as long as someone on D is stepping up and making plays -- I'll remain hopeful. There are many ways to win one game (see Seattle). As fans, enjoy the journey...

 

[brdmaverick]

none of those teams may scare you, but I have a feeling there is a lote of homerism and bias in that opinion.

Let me spin it this way, I don't think any of those teams would necessarily be afraid to play New England. In fact, they may be the matchup that they are rooting for.

 

[SVN]

none of those teams may scare you, but I have a feeling there is a lote of homerism and bias in that opinion.

Let me spin it this way, I don't think any of those teams would necessarily be afraid to play New England. In fact, they may be the matchup that they are rooting for.

i agree. We can say we couldve beaten the colts if not for X,beat the steelers if not for Y but isnt every win or loss in sports like that ? How many games have we won which shouldnt have if the other did do something different.
This isnt last yr or even before's new england team. We are a mash unit and running out bodies to put on the field. getting into the playoffs will be an achievement IMO.

 

[MassPats38]

We are a mash unit and running out bodies to put on the field. getting into the playoffs will be an achievement IMO.

It would be an accomplishment under the circumstances. I believe the point some of these posts are making is no team appears so dominant right now that it would appear to be an act of futility for the Pats to play them. Once in the playoffs, the outcome is not a foregone conclusion. Every team in the playoff race has its failings.

It can also said with all the injuries the Pats cannot afford mistakes like you saw in the Steelers game as pure ability will not compensate for those mistakes.

 

[fnordcircle]

Re: Let's say we DO get into the playoffs......

You're a gigantic homer with a completely biased and unrealistic view of the National Football League. No offense.

So edgy that I cut myself.

Keep postin', bro.

 

[mesoslo]

none of those teams may scare you, but I have a feeling there is a lote of homerism and bias in that opinion.

Let me spin it this way, I don't think any of those teams would necessarily be afraid to play New England. In fact, they may be the matchup that they are rooting for.

why would you want to play against a team with a really strong offense and a top notch front 7 on defense?
The steelers dont have both, the colts dont have both, the ravens dont have both, the dolphins dont have both, the titans dont have both.
The jets and patriots are 2 teams that you dont want to play against in the playoffs.

The jets lost to th 49ers which have a pretty bad passing defense, this week they play the bills who have a top 10 pass defense, so they could lose this week.

the dolphins pass defense is not that great, and against a mobile qb, the seahawks could give the dolphins problems.

 

[Pats726]

the dolphins pass defense is not that great, and against a mobile qb, the seahawks could give the dolphins problems.

The Hawks play the Jets NOT the Fins...

 

[Miguel]

why would you want to play against a team with a really strong offense and a top notch front 7 on defense?
The steelers dont have both,

And yet beat the Pats on the road. Given the Steelers' success in bringing pressure on Cassel, why would they not want to play a team that they already handily defeated??

the colts dont have both,

And yet beat the Pats.

the dolphins dont have both

And yet beat the Pats on the road. It could be that there is more than just being "a team with a really strong offense and a top notch front 7 on defense".

The jets and patriots are 2 teams that you dont want to play against in the playoffs.

By including the Jets you just invalidated your point for me. There are two teams that I would want to face in the playoffs - the Broncos and the Jets.

 

[Cartwright]

Lots of posts doubting we will get in. Too tough, we need to win out and need help along they way.

But, IF we do get in....is there a team that scares you??

Tenn.......we can beat that team, look at their schedule and their team, I think they are very beatable.

Colts...sure we are ridiculously injured compared to when we last played and should have beaten them.....but, they have their own injury issues and are also not what they were. We can beat them too.

Ravens...great "D" but our "O" is not too shabby and we can stop them.

Steelers....as long as we get up on them as we should have in Foxboro, we can beat them.

Broncos - we know that offense, we practice against it all the time and while they are better than when we killed them, we can beat them again.

Jets - please, I realize playing them means we are wild card and that is not likely, but we would kill them.

Dolphins - same as Jets, we are a better team and would win.

Looking to the NFC.....give me a rematch with the Giants, PLEASE.

About the only team that really scares me right now - Carolina Panthers.

Thoughts??

My thought is that if you do get in, you'll get beat week 1, in the wildcard game. It IS nice that you would have the home game, so it is possible to eek out a win. If you go on the road, you lose to any team, save the Donks. I like your chances best against the Titans in a CG scenario. All the chips would have to fall just so for this to happen, I just don't see it.

 

[Rob0729]

why would you want to play against a team with a really strong offense and a top notch front 7 on defense?
The steelers dont have both, the colts dont have both, the ravens dont have both, the dolphins dont have both, the titans dont have both.
The jets and patriots are 2 teams that you dont want to play against in the playoffs.

The jets lost to th 49ers which have a pretty bad passing defense, this week they play the bills who have a top 10 pass defense, so they could lose this week.

the dolphins pass defense is not that great, and against a mobile qb, the seahawks could give the dolphins problems.

Right now, everyone wants to play the Pats or Jets. Neither team have a pass defense. Defense is key in the playoffs. I have more faith in the Pats because of their coaching, but I am under no illusion that the Pats are anything but a longshot to win the Super Bowl no matter what seed they get if they get in.

Right now, the team you don't want to face in the playoffs are the Steelers. They have a incredible and hard hitting defense. That is what gets you championships. Indy may be a team you don't want to face just because eventhough they really aren't playing all that well, they are finding ways to win. The Titans also are a team you don't want to face just because they have a dominant defense and a strong running game.

 

[mesoslo]

Its true the colts and steelers beat the pats, but, in the 1st half of the steelers and patriots game, the patriots look pretty good, even with moss dropping key catches. Against the colts, if it wasnt for the Dave thomas penalty, things could easily be different.

So I dont think it will be a cake walk if the pats play the colts or steelers again, and Iam pretty sure the colts and steelers know that.

Teams with a strong defense, only threaten teams with a weak offense, the patriots and jets dont have a weak offense, if the strong defensive team has a great offense or the team they play against has horrible defense then it be a different story. The defensive teams want to play against one another because their opponents offense is not a threat, so you play your strength against an opponent's weakness, your strong defense against a average offense.

Put it this way, if the patriots play a game with out dropping catches in key situations and not take penalties in key situtations, I think they can beat a lot of teams.

 

[Rob0729]

Its true the colts and steelers beat the pats, but, in the 1st half of the steelers and patriots game, the patriots look pretty good, even with moss dropping key catches. Against the colts, if it wasnt for the Dave thomas penalty, things could easily be different.

So I dont think it will be a cake walk if the pats play the colts or steelers again, and Iam pretty sure the colts and steelers know that.

Teams with a strong defense, only threaten teams with a weak offense, the patriots and jets dont have a weak offense, if the strong defensive team has a great offense or the team they play against has horrible defense then it be a different story.

Put it this way, if the patriots play a game with out dropping catches in key situations and not take penalties in key situtations, I think they can beat a lot of teams.

Name the last team with a strong offense and weak defense to win a Super Bowl. Even the Colts played strong defense when they got into the playoff the year they won it. The reason the Colts failed every year in the early 90s was because they had a spectacular offense and not much of a defense. The Manning broke the TD record in 2004 and only managed to get 3 points vs. the Pats in their playoff game.

 

[mesoslo]

the patriots defense is not horrible, their run defense is good. I rather have the patriots defense be horrible on 3rd downs and redzone, rather than be horrible on 1st downs, and 2nd downs.

The patriots do not want to play against the jets or the colts, because they can pass the ball, and the pats pass defense is not that great. It would be bad matching the pats weakness against the jets or colts strength.