If Patriots get in, they’ll be tough to take out

[PatSunday]

If Patriots get in, they?ll be tough to take out - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise

Some random points from the article:

1) The Patriots are No. 3 in the NFL in scoring, averaging 26.5 points per game, despite getting only one non-offensive touchdown (Ellis Hobbs’ 95-yard kickoff return in Oakland). (e.g. where's a Samuel replacement to run back a few touch downs )

2) The Pats have hit the 40-point mark in back-to-back games — they’re the only team to do that this season.

3) They are seventh in the league in rushing, averaging 140.7 yards per game. Sammy Morris (642) has rushed for more yards than Ricky Williams (609) or Joseph Addai (540) and has a higher per-carry average (4.9) than Adrian Peterson (4.8), Thomas Jones (4.6) or Clinton Portis (4.5). Kevin Faulk (507) has more rushing yards than Darren McFadden (497).

4) Welker leads the league with 109 catches, Moss is tied for the lead with 11 TD receptions and Cassel has 21 TD passes — the same number as Brett Favre, Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb and just five behind Peyton Manning.

5) The Pats have 41 offensive TDs right now, and they could easily match their outputs from 2004 (44), 2005 (44) or 2006 (45) (pre-Welker and Moss, of course.)


I sure hope we run up the score against the Bills! Not only are we playing for a playoff spot, but it's not too far fetched that if Cassel somehow gets 5-6 TD's against the Bills and Peyton doesn't play much in the second half of the Colts game, that we end the regular season with Welker #1 in receptions, Moss #1 in TD's again, and our QB #1 in TD's again! (If not, #2 in TD's is also very likely.)

 

[xmarkd400x]

We know the Pats have a good offense.

It's the pass D that would spell an early exit from the playoffs for the Pats.

 

[mesoslo]

other than the colts and jets in the AFC, not very many teams bring a huge offensive threat against the patriots weak pass defense.

 

[BradyManny]

What's scary is that our rushing offense is actually improved over last year, even without Maroney. It will be less likely for our offense and our offensive line to get ambushed and destroyed as they did Feb 2nd, 08.

It's scary to think of how efficient this offense will be next year with Brady and Maroney back. I hope we re-sign Jordan.

As for now, yeah, if we get in the playoffs, we're as scary a team as anybody. Really, a hot QB, hot receivers, a powerful running tandem...who wants to face that?

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

If the Pats get in.....

Here's to wishin and hopein.....

 

[RoughingthePasser]

other than the colts and jets in the AFC, not very many teams bring a huge offensive threat against the patriots weak pass defense.

Very good point. I read an earlier post from a different thread where the fan was answering who he/she thought was the biggest threat to the Pats right now. They responded that teams that can toss the ball deep and effectively (The Colts come to mind)

Earlier in the season when the Colts and Pats weren't ranked so high-I had a feeling, if our cards play right, that we could possibly meet Indy again. They match us well. Their recieving corps and Peyton.

BUT, our O-line has been strong and the Indy pass rush can be maintained. We have an excellent running game too.

I agree with the above quote too. The Jets have Favre and Cothchery and Coles are big threats...plus they have Thomas. NYJ should give Miami a tough game.

Im hoping.

We will be very hard to take out if we win against Buffalo AND have the opportunity (like we should) to enter the Playoffs.

 

[pao]

If Patriots get in, they?ll be tough to take out - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise

Some random points from the article:

1) The Patriots are No. 3 in the NFL in scoring, averaging 26.5 points per game, despite getting only one non-offensive touchdown (Ellis Hobbs’ 95-yard kickoff return in Oakland). (e.g. where's a Samuel replacement to run back a few touch downs )

2) The Pats have hit the 40-point mark in back-to-back games — they’re the only team to do that this season.

3) They are seventh in the league in rushing, averaging 140.7 yards per game. Sammy Morris (642) has rushed for more yards than Ricky Williams (609) or Joseph Addai (540) and has a higher per-carry average (4.9) than Adrian Peterson (4.8), Thomas Jones (4.6) or Clinton Portis (4.5). Kevin Faulk (507) has more rushing yards than Darren McFadden (497).

4) Welker leads the league with 109 catches, Moss is tied for the lead with 11 TD receptions and Cassel has 21 TD passes — the same number as Brett Favre, Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb and just five behind Peyton Manning.

5) The Pats have 41 offensive TDs right now, and they could easily match their outputs from 2004 (44), 2005 (44) or 2006 (45) (pre-Welker and Moss, of course.)


I sure hope we run up the score against the Bills! Not only are we playing for a playoff spot, but it's not too far fetched that if Cassel somehow gets 5-6 TD's against the Bills and Peyton doesn't play much in the second half of the Colts game, that we end the regular season with Welker #1 in receptions, Moss #1 in TD's again, and our QB #1 in TD's again! (If not, #2 in TD's is also very likely.)

The Patriots, imo, are the best team in the AFC right now.

 

[pao]

other than the colts and jets in the AFC, not very many teams bring a huge offensive threat against the patriots weak pass defense.

I would say the Chargers offense would be a threat to the Patriots' "weak" pass defense.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

I would say the Chargers offense would be a threat to the Patriots' "weak" pass defense.

SD can run too.
I still think we would win the battles up front against SD in a playoff scenario.

 

[patsfaninpa]

If we get in, it's the 3 seed. Host Baltimore. We can win that. Will be a
nail-biter either way I think. But, we could just as easily lose. M.Cassel
will have to play better against Baltimore than he did Pittsburgh. His
next opponent if we beat Baltimore. I just don't see it this year guys.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

If we get in, it's the 3 seed. Host Baltimore. We can win that. Will be a
nail-biter either way I think. But, we could just as easily lose. M.Cassel
will have to play better against Baltimore than he did Pittsburgh. His
next opponent if we beat Baltimore. I just don't see it this year guys.

We can beat Pittsburgh!
Let them blitz and lay the pressure...Cassell is comfortable with his receivers and outlets (Faulk) and the Steelers would have to contain our running game. No way. Plus Welker, Gaff and Moss-our offense is better than Pitts Defense. We could easily wear them out with a good rythym. We have some guys back ready to win this year on D and in offense. We will beat Balt and Pitt.
Indy is my only concern.

 

[billdog3484]

ya we are peaking at the right time. gotta hope it is enough

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

If we get in, it's the 3 seed. Host Baltimore. We can win that. Will be a
nail-biter either way I think. But, we could just as easily lose. M.Cassel
will have to play better against Baltimore than he did Pittsburgh. His
next opponent if we beat Baltimore. I just don't see it this year guys.

Saw a poll on a Raven's site. Who do you want to face in the playoffs, Miami, Jets or Pats. Only 3% of fans want the Pats. 60% want Phins.

 

[QuinielaBox]

If we get in, it's the 3 seed. Host Baltimore. We can win that. Will be a
nail-biter either way I think. But, we could just as easily lose. M.Cassel
will have to play better against Baltimore than he did Pittsburgh. His
next opponent if we beat Baltimore. I just don't see it this year guys.

Woah there! Baltimore kicked our tails around in that Monday night game in Baltimore last year. I think they should have beaten Pittsburgh and clinched their WC spot already. Their only question mark is the rookie QB and from what I seen, he is capable of managing a big game. I don't think there were a lot of AFC teams happy to see Baltimore beat Dallas.

NYJ started there slide when Denver came east and kicked NYJ's arse. I just think they got hot in November and took us out along with Pittsburgh and Indy.

This momentum the Patriots are building is against bottom feeding teams. Detriot would have provided more resistance than Arizona (talk about one and done) did. Buffalo will want to end all this happy talk about Patriots playoffs in 2009 after that 56-10 ass whooping we laid on them in Buffalo. Here is my prediction of what is going to happen:

1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh
3. Miami
4. San Diego
5. Indianapolis
6. Baltimore

WC: 6. Baltimore defeats 3. Miami
4. San Diego defeats 5. Indianapolis

Div: 6. Baltimore defeats 1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh defeats 4. San Diego

AFC: 6. Baltimore defeats 2. Pittsburgh

SB: Baltimore loses to Carolina or the NYG

Looking at the AFC field: The Patriots did not play Tennessee - nothing we could have done there (The Jets gave Tennessee their 1st loss). The Patriots lost to seeds 2 thru 5 (you can call most of that rebuilding adjusting). 6. seed Baltimore gave us the toughest match last year.

Patriots and the rest of the AFC East have inflated records due to the soft schedule - AFC West and NFC West???? 11-5 is a respectable record and we'll have some momentum going into the off-season and an extra 6 weeks to rest.

 

[BionicPatriot]

The Patriots, imo, are the best team in the AFC right now.

Pure insanity.

 

[amazinPats]

Pats will be a very dangerous team if they make the playoffs. I was very disappointed that we weren't able to beat any of the "big" teams this year, but the Indy game could have gone either way, and we played well against the Steelers for a half. The San Diego game was played before Cassell got into his groove.

Pats might likely be the fourth best team in the playoffs behind Pitt and Tenn and Indy. We can beat Indy in a rematch and I think Tenn can be taken as well.

 

[rsd]

Woah there! Baltimore kicked our tails around in that Monday night game in Baltimore last year. I think they should have beaten Pittsburgh and clinched their WC spot already. Their only question mark is the rookie QB and from what I seen, he is capable of managing a big game. I don't think there were a lot of AFC teams happy to see Baltimore beat Dallas.

NYJ started there slide when Denver came east and kicked NYJ's arse. I just think they got hot in November and took us out along with Pittsburgh and Indy.

This momentum the Patriots are building is against bottom feeding teams. Detriot would have provided more resistance than Arizona (talk about one and done) did. Buffalo will want to end all this happy talk about Patriots playoffs in 2009 after that 56-10 ass whooping we laid on them in Buffalo. Here is my prediction of what is going to happen:

1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh
3. Miami
4. San Diego
5. Indianapolis
6. Baltimore

WC: 6. Baltimore defeats 3. Miami
4. San Diego defeats 5. Indianapolis

Div: 6. Baltimore defeats 1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh defeats 4. San Diego

AFC: 6. Baltimore defeats 2. Pittsburgh

SB: Baltimore loses to Carolina or the NYG

Looking at the AFC field: The Patriots did not play Tennessee - nothing we could have done there (The Jets gave Tennessee their 1st loss). The Patriots lost to seeds 2 thru 5 (you can call most of that rebuilding adjusting). 6. seed Baltimore gave us the toughest match last year.

Patriots and the rest of the AFC East have inflated records due to the soft schedule - AFC West and NFC West???? 11-5 is a respectable record and we'll have some momentum going into the off-season and an extra 6 weeks to rest.

It was very obvious that last year's Baltimore game was their "Superbowl". And maybe my memory is fuzzy, but despite "kicking our tails" the Patriots still prevailed. But that is in the past as they say..

I think Baltimore is a solid team but I think you are overrating them as well. They have 4 wins against teams with winning records (Miami, Washington, Philly, Dallas). Not bad, but not great. They also lost to Tenn, Pitt, and Indy. They also get to play the cupcakes known as the Bengals and Browns. Flacco has shown he will likely be a good player in the league but I don't think he's been truly tested yet. With the playoff glare in place, I don't know if you can count on him to WIN a game for you as a rookie at least.

All that said, I'd be surprised if they lose to the Jags but I would be more shocked if they made it to the SB. I'd pick Tenn, Indy, or Pitt over them.

 

[FortressX]

I just don't see it this year guys.

Uh Oh. A vision issue.
Did you see it last year ?
I remember in 03 & 04 people would say stuff like "it doesn't feel the same".

 

[ALP]

no, the pats are defentely the best team in the PO if they make em, w/ only Carolina as being a close call

every other team the pats can handle, if we make the PO, i have more trust in this team winning the SB then i had in last year's team

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Woah there! Baltimore kicked our tails around in that Monday night game in Baltimore last year. I think they should have beaten Pittsburgh and clinched their WC spot already. Their only question mark is the rookie QB and from what I seen, he is capable of managing a big game. I don't think there were a lot of AFC teams happy to see Baltimore beat Dallas.

NYJ started there slide when Denver came east and kicked NYJ's arse. I just think they got hot in November and took us out along with Pittsburgh and Indy.

This momentum the Patriots are building is against bottom feeding teams. Detriot would have provided more resistance than Arizona (talk about one and done) did. Buffalo will want to end all this happy talk about Patriots playoffs in 2009 after that 56-10 ass whooping we laid on them in Buffalo. Here is my prediction of what is going to happen:

1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh
3. Miami
4. San Diego
5. Indianapolis
6. Baltimore

WC: 6. Baltimore defeats 3. Miami
4. San Diego defeats 5. Indianapolis

Div: 6. Baltimore defeats 1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh defeats 4. San Diego

AFC: 6. Baltimore defeats 2. Pittsburgh

SB: Baltimore loses to Carolina or the NYG

Looking at the AFC field: The Patriots did not play Tennessee - nothing we could have done there (The Jets gave Tennessee their 1st loss). The Patriots lost to seeds 2 thru 5 (you can call most of that rebuilding adjusting). 6. seed Baltimore gave us the toughest match last year.

Patriots and the rest of the AFC East have inflated records due to the soft schedule - AFC West and NFC West???? 11-5 is a respectable record and we'll have some momentum going into the off-season and an extra 6 weeks to rest.

No way on earth. The Ravens wont make it that far.
SD, MIA and Pitts will all be eliminated.