Who do You think will be the Patriots toughest opponent this season?

[Deus Irae]

It depends on whether or not the Ravens get their offense fixed by the time they meet with the Patriots. They clearly weren't ready to play on week one, and that's not a big surprise under the circumstances. However, since then, they've allowed only 17.5 ppg. If I had to pick today, I'd say it's the Broncos, because they've got the firepower to light up the defense and, the Patriots will be coming off a game against a physical offense. This could certainly change after this week's games, depending on how injuries and the like shake out, but that's how I'd think it would go right now.

Interestingly (and something that should help the Patriots a bit), the Broncos will be coming off of a division game against the currently undefeated Chiefs, so we could see a battle of two very tired teams.

 

[supafly]

I'd have to agree with Deus with either BAL or DEN. Even though BAL has had a rough start to the season, they certainly have the capacity to turn it on and grab that #6th seed. They are currently only 1 game behind.

On top of that, it's always pretty hard to win @Baltimore for any given team, and their defense has improved significantly (just as some of us expected it to, despite all of the overrated losses that people kept harping on). Sure, they were right on some level with the loss of Boldin, but that defense is just as tough as last season--if not much better. BAL could end up being 8-8 or 9-7 and be right in the same spot they were last year.

Their main problems have come on the offensive side of the ball, but their defense has the ability to keep them in the playoff hunt and week 16 could be very important to both teams for different reasons.

 

[Ivan]

You guys have a much higher opinion of the Ravens, I think they suck and they are a shell of last year's team. I think their season is essentially over after they lose to the Bears today.

 

[Froob]

Broncos and Peyton Manning. As much as I rag on Peyton, no opposing quarterback scares me more late in the game. There is no such thing as running up the score vs that guy. No matter how big of lead we get he always makes it interesting in the end. It will truly be a shame when Peyton and Brady retire. Been the best matchup for over a decade in football.

 

[pats4life12]

i gotta say our toughest opponent this year will be Denver. Even thought Manning doesn't play well in the cold .

 

[JMarr]

The Broncos, although I like what another poster said about Peyton--after the next three games his season probably will be over. I don't wish injuries on anyone, but he's so gimpy right now that he's going to get absolutely destroyed in the pocket from here on out. I don't see him finishing the season. (Should we then look to a Flynn-like return by Tebow as their savior? )

Carolina is a close second IMO, but their offense shouldn't scare anyone, even with Dennard and Gregory out. Talib should take S. Smith out of the game and if you contain Newton (which BB most likely will) you contain their O. If Vareen comes back, Carolina's vaunted D will be on their heals all day, with just too many weapons to defend and the quick outlet or draw to Vareen keeping their pash rush in check. I think McD is really hitting his stride right now as an OC and only Brady having one of his rare horrible games can derail the Pats on Mon.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

Broncos. With a competent QB and a smash mouth D, the Pats will have their hands full.

 

[Ivan]

Broncos. With a competent QB and a smash mouth D, the Pats will have their hands full.

lmao.........."smash mouth D," too goddamn funny.



BTW-I am changing my answer to........


Ed Hochuli, i hope they don't face him in the postseason.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Broncos. With a competent QB and a smash mouth D, the Pats will have their hands full.

Broncos D blows...Carolinas D will put them to shame when we see them tomorrow

 

[supafly]

You guys have a much higher opinion of the Ravens, I think they suck and they are a shell of last year's team. I think their season is essentially over after they lose to the Bears today.

It depends how you see it. They lost 5 in a row at one point last year, and made the playoffs at 9-7. I really didn't think they were that good last year. Much like some of the recent teams that we've seen like the NYG, they got hot at the right time.

With being only 1 game out of the race, and likely making that game up by defeating the Jets at home next week, they are still very much alive for the 6th spot. Of course they may only end up at 8-8, but that's really only one game off from last season.

I will agree that they are very bad on offense though, so that will likely limit anything they can do. I'd agree that they aren't that good, but they tend to play tough at home historically and have a tougher defense than last year. Those tougher defensive teams can pose problems for us, although the game next Sunday night will probably be our toughest matchup, so you'd be right there.

 

[supafly]

Broncos D blows...Carolinas D will put them to shame when we see them tomorrow

Yeah, their defense isn't all that, especially if we can continue a good offensive output.

The problem is that all of their skill position players can pose us lots of issues. It will be difficult to try and cover all of D.Thomas, Welker, Decker, J.Thomas, and if the run defense doesn't shore up--Moreno can cause us headaches too.

 

[Christiancat]

So it seems like most in this thread feel Carolina, Denver, and or Baltimore will be the toughest opponents. Interesting opinions in this thread.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

So it seems like most in this thread feel Carolina, Denver, and or Baltimore will be the toughest opponents. Interesting opinions in this thread.

Tomorrow and Sundays game are gonna be the toughest, because the next 3 weeks will most likely determine where KC, NE and DEN end up in the playoffs.

 

[Claremonster]

Personally think the Chiefs, Bengals and Broncos are all better than the Colts.

Clots are better than the Chefs...

 

[Claremonster]

So it seems like most in this thread feel Carolina, Denver, and or Baltimore will be the toughest opponents. Interesting opinions in this thread.

Baltimore

Lay off the communion wine dude...

 

[supafly]

Baltimore

Lay off the communion wine dude...

There were several posters who thought that going to Baltimore on Dec.22nd would be a very tough game.

Their defense is miles apart better than last year's, and they had a losing streak of 5 in a row last season finishing just 9-7 at the end, so it's not like they were some powerhouse last year either. At one game out of the playoffs until they beat the NYJ at home and take over the 6th seed next Sunday, they certainly aren't done with their season.

Their offense sucks, and that's their biggest difference, but they are playing some pretty tough defense--and always play well at home. That game is not going to be easy. I liken the BAL game down there to playing a tough defense like the Jets or Panthers for sure.

Nothing is going to be more difficult than trying to stop Manning and co. next week though.

 

[supafly]

Clots are better than the Chefs...

I agree. I think Indy is much better than KC. The Chiefs relied on those defensive TD's in the first half of the season, which averaged about a TD per game. Their real offense only puts up about 18 pts a game.

They've come a long way and are a very tough and physical defensive team, but their offense can be held in check. I think they are pretenders in the post season hunt and have felt that way the entire time.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

with Welker having a concussion...it will make next week easier if he misses it.

 

[RYObroncosfan]

I think your toughest two games will be tomorrow and Sunday. I see the Pats finishing 12-4, with one of those losses to Denver (I'm cautiously optimistic), KC finishing 12-4 and Denver finishing 14-2, assuming Manning can stay healthy.

I think Belichick finds a way to make Cam Newton look absolutely stupid tomorrow though.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I think your toughest two games will be tomorrow and Sunday. I see the Pats finishing 12-4, with one of those losses to Denver (I'm cautiously optimistic), KC finishing 12-4 and Denver finishing 14-2, assuming Manning can stay healthy.

I think Belichick finds a way to make Cam Newton look absolutely stupid tomorrow though.

I take it you haven't seen the forecast for sunday night have you?

Even with it being very cold it will be a tough game