Preseason Predictions

[PatsBoy12]

I was liking your predictions as far as the playoffs and records. Then I read a little south of that and . . . not feeling it as much. Thanks for posting, though, because it was a fun read.

 

[Kontradiction]

Offense:
1. Patriots offense #1 in points scored.

2. The passing numbers in total take a dip due to prediction number three.

3. More of an emphasis on running the ball. There will be over 500 rushing attempts for the season and we will come close to eclipsing 2,000 yards.

4. The O-Line will start off shaky in the absense of Light and with lingering injury issues to Mankins and Vollmer, but will be healthy and rebound by the end of the season.

5. Brandon Lloyd will go over 1,000 receiving yards in this offense.

Defense:
1. Patriots will finish in the top ten of points allowed due to both roster improvements and a relatively weak schedule when it comes to opposing offenses.

2. Patriots will make a leap from 31st in yards allowed to the top 15.

3. Chandler Jones will not start to begin the year, but will begin making his presence known as a situational pass rusher by the middle of the season and finish with 6.5 sacks, which will usher in his role as a full time starter in 2013.

4. Hightower will start over Spikes in Week 1. He'll see time at both ILB and OLB depending on the defensive packages rolled out.

5. McCourty will finally learn to turn his head around in man coverage.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Offense:
1. Patriots offense #1 in points scored.

2. The passing numbers in total take a dip due to prediction number three.

3. More of an emphasis on running the ball. There will be over 500 rushing attempts for the season and we will come close to eclipsing 2,000 yards.

4. The O-Line will start off shaky in the absense of Light and with lingering injury issues to Mankins and Vollmer, but will be healthy and rebound by the end of the season.

5. Brandon Lloyd will go over 1,000 receiving yards in this offense.

Defense:
1. Patriots will finish in the top ten of points allowed due to both roster improvements and a relatively weak schedule when it comes to opposing offenses.

2. Patriots will make a leap from 31st in yards allowed to the top 15.

3. Chandler Jones will not start to begin the year, but will begin making his presence known as a situational pass rusher by the middle of the season and finish with 6.5 sacks, which will usher in his role as a full time starter in 2013.

4. Hightower will start over Spikes in Week 1. He'll see time at both ILB and OLB depending on the defensive packages rolled out.

5. McCourty will finally learn to turn his head around in man coverage.

Like #5 on D.:rocker:

 

[BTTA]

You guys are all out of your minds. I'd be surprised if the Pats get more than 3 victories in the preseason.

 

[WhiZa]

Manning locked in the comeback player of the year award months ago. He just needs to show up to games.

 

[Rob0729]

4. Hightower will start over Spikes in Week 1. He'll see time at both ILB and OLB depending on the defensive packages rolled out.

I think they both are going to start. I don't think it will be one or the other. Personally, I think Hightower will play SLB in the 4-3 with Spikes in the middle. In the 3-4, Hightower will play the SOLB with Spikes and Mayo manning the middle. Spikes comes off the field on sub packages anyway.

The way Spikes played in the playoffs (especially the Super Bowl), I doubt he will lose his starting job.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think they both are going to start. I don't think it will be one or the other. Personally, I think Hightower will play SLB in the 4-3 with Spikes in the middle. In the 3-4, Hightower will play the SOLB with Spikes and Mayo manning the middle. Spikes comes off the field on sub packages anyway.

The way Spikes played in the playoffs (especially the Super Bowl), I doubt he will lose his starting job.

I was talking about in the 3-4 with Hightower being ILB (assuming we're going to use that as the "base" defense, base being in quotes because of the many personnel packages we tend to roll out).

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

12-4 or 13-3

Lloyd is going to have a monster year..1,000 plus ( get ready to see highlight catches)
Mccourty will be back to rookie form
Losing BJGE i think will sting a little when Ridley has a few fumbles

Jets will finish 3rd in AFC east

 

[Deus Irae]

I was talking about in the 3-4 with Hightower being ILB (assuming we're going to use that as the "base" defense, base being in quotes because of the many personnel packages we tend to roll out).

Why wouldn't you think the 3-4 would be Ninkovich/Spikes/Mayo/Hightower? In other words, if you're going without Spikes there, and with Hightower in the middle, who's the other OLB?

 

[Rob0729]

I was talking about in the 3-4 with Hightower being ILB (assuming we're going to use that as the "base" defense, base being in quotes because of the many personnel packages we tend to roll out).

I still think Hightower will be outside in the 3-4.

 

[Kontradiction]

Why wouldn't you think the 3-4 would be Ninkovich/Spikes/Mayo/Hightower? In other words, if you're going without Spikes there, and with Hightower in the middle, who's the other OLB?

Because I think they'll be experimenting with Scott/Jones/Bequette in that role to begin. Hightower, while I'm aware that he has the size and length to play OLB, played ILB in a very similar system at Alabama. Especially with Spikes injured, that's why I think he'll be the starter at ILB instead of OLB in the 3-4.

 

[Deus Irae]

Because I think they'll be experimenting with Scott/Jones/Bequette in that role to begin. Hightower, while I'm aware that he has the size and length to play OLB, played ILB in a very similar system at Alabama. Especially with Spikes injured, that's why I think he'll be the starter at ILB instead of OLB in the 3-4.

So, that being the case, are you not expecting a true starter at 3-4 OLB at the beginning of the year, as they try to figure out who wins the job, then, or are you expecting it to be completely rotational?

 

[Kontradiction]

I still think Hightower will be outside in the 3-4.

It's definitely a possibility, but it depends on the overall health of Spikes.

 

[Kontradiction]

So, that being the case, are you not expecting a true starter at 3-4 OLB at the beginning of the year, as they try to figure out who wins the job, then, or are you expecting it to be completely rotational?

Completely rotational. That also brings in my point number 3.

 

[Deus Irae]

Completely rotational. That also brings in my point number 3.

Got it.... thanks for the follow ups.

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

Bernard Pollard DOESN"T injure a Patriot player in week 3.

 

[DarrylS]

This team will win 12 to 13 games, probably closer to 13.

Our defense will dramatically improve...and there will be more wrinkles than we have seen in a while.

Our offense will score a lot of points...

We will make the playoffs...

The rest involves too many variables.. but W's are what this thing is all about.. the rest is fluff.

 

[Clonamery]

Jets will finish 3rd in AFC east

Shameless!

 

[bostonia3333]

Penciling this team in for 14 wins is just crazy and not fair and just to much to ask of the Pats. At this point, I'm really hoping for good health--Pats got fortunate last year with this---a shorter off-season this time means I'm really concerned if the injury bug bites them.

The pass rush will be putrid and the secondary will be injured like they always are. Conditioning and recovering from injuries always seems to be an issue with our secondary over the last several years.


I think the Texans are the best overall team in the AFC, but their schedule looks brutal. I doubt HOU can get HFA. HFA would mean so much more to HOU and benefit them more than HFA would to the Pats. I doubt the Pats can stay healthy this year, so I think the team takes a step backward IMO. My prediction is 12 wins gets the 1st seed in the AFC and that NE-HOU Dec 10 gm decides the no. 1 seed.

 

[ausbacker]

Penciling this team in for 14 wins is just crazy and not fair and just to much to ask of the Pats. At this point, I'm really hoping for good health--Pats got fortunate last year with this---a shorter off-season this time means I'm really concerned if the injury bug bites them.

The pass rush will be putrid and the secondary will be injured like they always are. Conditioning and recovering from injuries always seems to be an issue with our secondary over the last several years.


I think the Texans are the best overall team in the AFC, but their schedule looks brutal. I doubt HOU can get HFA. HFA would mean so much more to HOU and benefit them more than HFA would to the Pats. I doubt the Pats can stay healthy this year, so I think the team takes a step backward IMO. My prediction is 12 wins gets the 1st seed in the AFC and that NE-HOU Dec 10 gm decides the no. 1 seed.

The last #1 seed with a 12-4 record was the Giants in 2008. The last 1 seed in the AFC with a 12-4 record (11-5) was Oakland in 2002 . It's more likely a 12-4 #1 seed will come from the NFC than the AFC if you reference results from the past decade.