Once clear advantage the Pats have over Indy

[NE39]

The Pats have a clear advantage over Indy: The division.

Indy has 3 games left against Jacksonville (2) and Tennessee (1), both of whom look like playoff-caliber teams this year. Both are physical, smashmouth teams with good defenses and running games. Their other division game is against an improving Houston team who gave them a game the first time around.

Contrast that with the Pats, who have 2 games left with winless Miami and 1 game each with the Bills and the Jets.

That represents a clear advantage for the Pats when it comes to getting the best record in the conference, and hosting all their playoff games in Gillette.

 

[Double G]

They already beat the Titans on the road, will have their way with them and Jacksonville at home, maybe Jacksonville can give them a game this Sunday, I doubt it.

Miami, no matter how much they suck, always present problems for Brady in Miami, plus we still have to go on the road to play the Bills, road games are never a gimme.

In addition to that, we've got Baltimore on the road, Indy on the road and the Steelers at home, none of which will be easy.

The Colts have a marshmellow schedule as usual; it all comes down to November 4th. Whoever wins that game and ends up with HFA goes to the big dance.............

 

[nukin]

I think a clear advantage is that we don't have a bunch of starters injured.

 

[Pats726]

The Pats have a clear advantage over Indy: The division.

Indy has 3 games left against Jacksonville (2) and Tennessee (1), both of whom look like playoff-caliber teams this year. Both are physical, smashmouth teams with good defenses and running games. Their other division game is against an improving Houston team who gave them a game the first time around.

Contrast that with the Pats, who have 2 games left with winless Miami and 1 game each with the Bills and the Jets.

That represents a clear advantage for the Pats when it comes to getting the best record in the conference, and hosting all their playoff games in Gillette.

They also play Houston again...so they have 4 division games left..and this one may be with Andre Johnson..

 

[Tunescribe]

It's probably just me, but it seems that everytime I look up, Indy is playing at home. I hate that roller-rink of a stadium they play in. It never seems like real football, more like flag football with the quarterhick spraying passes all over the place.

 

[He Ban Me]

They already beat the Titans on the road, will have their way with them and Jacksonville at home, maybe Jacksonville can give them a game this Sunday, I doubt it.

Miami, no matter how much they suck, always present problems for Brady in Miami, plus we still have to go on the road to play the Bills, road games are never a gimme.

In addition to that, we've got Baltimore on the road, Indy on the road and the Steelers at home, none of which will be easy.

The Colts have a marshmellow schedule as usual; it all comes down to November 4th. Whoever wins that game and ends up with HFA goes to the big dance.............

Double G, that was Double shock power brother!

1.) Colts@Jax in TWO Monday nights from now.
2.) No two ways about it, the EAST sucks. That's a lay down 6-0. Colts still have plenty of work to do to get 6-0 in Division.
3.) Coming into the season, NE clearly had the more difficult schedule. But both teams play the other AFC Division winners from last season. We go on the road to Balt, just like you, we go TO SD (who might put it together by the time we see them). Your Pitt at home(before the season began) was our Denver at home. Turns out Pitt is better than some thought, while Denver has slid (thanks in part to injuries).
4.) Anyway you look at it, I think your nfc east is more difficult than our NFC South. But that opinion seemingly can change week to week, depending on injuries, etc..

But marshmellow? So far, Sagarin says ours is at least tougher to date, but not by much, but both are probably considered marshmellow by now.

 

[Pats726]

4.) Anyway you look at it, I think your nfc east is more difficult than our NFC South. But that opinion seemingly can change week to week, depending on injuries, etc..

Atlanta?? New Orleans? ...pretty poor..carolina without Delhomme and Carr at QB?? Tampa Bay???
I would say that opinion will have to go a LONG way before it will change..
Dallas, Wash, Phila??? Even the Giants...seeingly the worst of the 4, is close to be on par with the BEST NFC South team...
Not even close there...

 

[desi-patsfan]

The division comparison is so funny.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2007&week=6

Pats #1
Bills # 26
Jets # 28
Phins # 32

Indy #2
Jags #6
Titans #7
Texans #16

 

[indyfan1985]

The Pats have a clear advantage over Indy: The division.

Indy has 3 games left against Jacksonville (2) and Tennessee (1), both of whom look like playoff-caliber teams this year. Both are physical, smashmouth teams with good defenses and running games. Their other division game is against an improving Houston team who gave them a game the first time around.

Contrast that with the Pats, who have 2 games left with winless Miami and 1 game each with the Bills and the Jets.

That represents a clear advantage for the Pats when it comes to getting the best record in the conference, and hosting all their playoff games in Gillette.

Exactly. Your just further making my point. The Colts have the tougher road to get the better record than the Pats. Plus this division will get them battle tested for the playoffs. It is amazing the BSPN analysts still think the Pats are the clear favorites to win the SB. The Colts are better than last year, and will have more wins against tougher opponents than the Pats.

 

[desi-patsfan]

Exactly. Your just further making my point. The Colts have the tougher road to get the better record than the Pats. Plus this division will get them battle tested for the playoffs. It is amazing the BSPN analysts still think the Pats are the clear favorites to win the SB. The Colts are better than last year, and will have more wins against tougher opponents than the Pats.

Oh come on...whats so amazing about that? Of course they think the pats are the favs...its the big story. Brady and Moss together. All that BB camera nonsense. 3 games with 38 points a 2 with 30+. Of course they are gonna hype the pats till they lose.

 

[He Ban Me]

Atlanta?? New Orleans? ...pretty poor..carolina without Delhomme and Carr at QB?? Tampa Bay???
I would say that opinion will have to go a LONG way before it will change..
Dallas, Wash, Phila??? Even the Giants...seeingly the worst of the 4, is close to be on par with the BEST NFC South team...
Not even close there...

Well, Tampa WAS 3-1, but has suffered some big offensive injuries. New Orleans apparently does suck, but who knows, maybe they turn it around, and say, the Skins get blown out, all the sudden, things could change. ATL may not be as bad as people predicted. And Carolina might melt down, but they have a solid D line, and some offensive playmakers. Who knows?? Look at Philly, crush Detroit, and come back the next week and lay an egg against the Giants, and are only 1-3.

Sags has NFC East at 4th, south at either 6th or 7th

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/nfl07.htm

It's not like the NFC east is second overall, and the south is 7th or anything. So, YEAH, IMO, it does not HAVE to go a LONG way before an opinion can change. Sometimes all it takes is ONE WEEKEND, BRA.

 

[ColtsTroll]

They already beat the Titans on the road, will have their way with them and Jacksonville at home, maybe Jacksonville can give them a game this Sunday, I doubt it.

Miami, no matter how much they suck, always present problems for Brady in Miami, plus we still have to go on the road to play the Bills, road games are never a gimme.

In addition to that, we've got Baltimore on the road, Indy on the road and the Steelers at home, none of which will be easy.

The Colts have a marshmellow schedule as usual; it all comes down to November 4th. Whoever wins that game and ends up with HFA goes to the big dance.............

I agree with your last sentiment; whoever wins 11/04 has the advantage.

You're dead wrong about the Colts having an easier schedule though. Our division is significantly harder than yours. None of those games are going to be easy.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Exactly. Your just further making my point. The Colts have the tougher road to get the better record than the Pats. Plus this division will get them battle tested for the playoffs. It is amazing the BSPN analysts still think the Pats are the clear favorites to win the SB. The Colts are better than last year, and will have more wins against tougher opponents than the Pats.

Welcome to our world 2004.

The media props them up and then makes a story about the fall of the team(s). You shouldn't take it so personally. That's what the media does.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I think a clear advantage is that we don't have a bunch of starters injured.

I hadn't noticed.

Richard Seymour, Troy Brown, Laurence Maroney, Donte Stallworth, Koppen, Stephen Neil, Chad Scott, David Thomas and Chad Jackson and special case Rodney Harrison, have all been either hurt and/or missed games. That is the basis for a pretty good team right there.

It's just that the Pats have looked so awesome, in spite of the Injuries, that there has been little discussion. The depth to date has been awesome.

We have suffered plenty of Injuries. BB just refuses to make excuses. He refused to accept that the reason his team lost in the AFCCG was that half the team had the flu, and wore down after a couple of quarters of football. We fans know it, but I'll bet no one else does.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

We have a DEFENSE

 

[Haterproof]

Both teams have pretty tough schedules.The AFC South has turned into a very competitive division this year.The Jags,Titans & Houston are all pretty good this year.The Jags can very well challenge the Colts for that division IMO.Jacksonville is for real folks.3 teams from the afc south could actually make the playoffs this year.

 

[Double G]

He Ban Me,
Maybe its just me, but it seems like the Colts have had a bunch of powderpuffs on their schedule, but perhaps you are right in that it gets tougher as you go along. OR better yet, they are just a very good team that is demolishing whatever team they play making them LOOK like powderpuffs.

I am not a homer, I am a realist, your team has surprized me very much being undefeated to this point in the season and since you have beaten us three strait times, you have the edge at this point.

Bottom line is whichever team has HFA goes to the Super Bowl, the game on the 4th is going to be a war...........

 

[He Ban Me]

He Ban Me,
Maybe its just me, but it seems like the Colts have had a bunch of powderpuffs on their schedule, but perhaps you are right in that it gets tougher as you go along. OR better yet, they are just a very good team that is demolishing whatever team they play making them LOOK like powderpuffs.

I am not a homer, I am a realist, your team has surprized me very much being undefeated to this point in the season and since you have beaten us three strait times, you have the edge at this point.

Bottom line is whichever team has HFA goes to the Super Bowl, the game on the 4th is going to be a war...........

Looking back, I'd say the first 5 weeks were easier than anticipated. Not that you anticipate an easy game in Tennessee against a pretty rugged defense. But before the season started, if you would have told me N.O. starts 0-4 (or 0-5??) I would not have believed it. The Broncos were supposed to be better as well or at least a contender. So those two dropoffs help make your case. I think the real difference is our divisional schedule. It appears as you have an easy path to 6-0. Indy has 4 games left within the division, and while I don't expect to lose them all, certainly I think it is safe to say that there is a greater probability that we lose one or more of those before you ever do. I also feel like the 4th is a more important game for the Colts. First, if we don't win it, I think we can kiss HFA goodbye. If we do win, it's not a guarantee, but at least come January, we will know that we can beat you. I think HFA is more of an advantage/imperitive for the Colts success than for your success. Even though we played a tough game in Baltimore last year, I obviously still like our chances at home in the playoffs better than if we are on the road in the playoffs. Certainly any team does, but with wins at SD and at Pitt, Brady and Co. certainly know how to handle those big road playoff games. So for whatever all that is worth, one game at a time, right? Jax will be a stiff test on the road in 2 weeks. Those guys hate us.

 

[Double G]

Understood.

I feel the same way you do; I thought based on last year (which I am learning more and more means squat), the Jets game would be difficult, the Chargers would be all amped up coming here and the Bengals would put on an offensive show.

None of those things happened; does that mean all of those teams are bad, or that the Patriots are simply better? You may feel we'll go 6-0 in the division, but road games in the division are never, ever a gimme, so I worry about the Dolphins game especially as Brady has all kinds of problems down there. Every team has a clunker one a year vs a stiff team (us vs the Dolphins last year and in 2004 are two prime examples), and we have yet to have that clunker this year.

I am not too confident about playing the AFCCG in your house; the last two times we played there, we got out to a big lead, then held on for dear life once a few years ago in the regular season and lost last year in the AFCCG......................

 

[ATippett56]

The Broncos were supposed to be better as well or at least a contender.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about.