What AFC team poses the greatest challenge to the Patriots?

eifmp said:

But doesn't the other team playing well prevent you from playing to your strengths. I mean isn't that the purpose? The strength of the Patriots was the short quick passing attack after the trade of Randy Moss. That was the strength of the team last year. But the Jets devised a game plan to neutralize that strength...and did a pretty good job of it in the playoffs.

"Playoff loss notwithstanding" is such crap...since the game plan devised to stop that quick passing attack could be used again. Meaning there is no way the playoff loss can be 'notwithstanding.' Thus, the arrival of Ochocinco to stretch the field.

Am I wrong? If so, explain.

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The Jets F*cking suck! Thats explination enough.

ivanvamp said:

Why? The Jets have given the Pats fits the last 2 seasons. Split during the last two regular seasons and then throw in last year's playoff loss and it's easy to see why the Jets pose a significant threat to the Pats. Probably not for the division title, but in terms of getting to the Super Bowl...yeah.

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Teams are not going to keep dropping those Sanchez interceptions his entire career.

Sivy said:

Teams are not going to keep dropping those Sanchez interceptions his entire career.

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Do you expect him to not improve though? He has the tools to be better than he is...do you think he's reached his peak?

The Jets obviously don't suck. They beat us. They have a good team.

The only thing I dislike about the Jets is the stupid talk coming from their head coach.

For me, it it still the Colts. Manning will be back come late in the year and he will have had time to work with his receivers. He is dangerous...still, injury and all.

Now that the jets beat us when it counts, that rivalry knotched itself up a bit in term of the way we hate each other.

I still think the greatest challenge is the Colts....

ivanvamp said:

Do you expect him to not improve though? He has the tools to be better than he is...do you think he's reached his peak?

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I think he is another example of people creating someone in their mind of who they think they should be good. Ryan Leaf, Russel for example. Just because someone is picked up early in a draft does not mean they have the right to be good. I'm sick of the media or fans just deciding who should be good. Like every year, the chargers are "loaded with talent and should go deep in the playoffs" and then they never do. You have to play the game, it does not matter what the scouts say or if you got 1st over all or 199th overall.

Halifax_Pats_Fan said:

The Jets obviously don't suck. They beat us. They have a good team.

The only thing I dislike about the Jets is the stupid talk coming from their head coach.

For me, it it still the Colts. Manning will be back come late in the year and he will have had time to work with his receivers. He is dangerous...still, injury and all.

Now that the jets beat us when it counts, that rivalry knotched itself up a bit in term of the way we hate each other.

I still think the greatest challenge is the Colts....

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I guess I'm the only one that watched Jets games. Sanchez throw tons, and I mean TONS of of INTs that were just straight up dropped by defenders. I know people can say, they only count if they were picked. But thats not true, he was still making the choice to make those passes.

time for Europe to check in on the debate:

Jets are a hot topic and hopefully the competition for the division title will make the NEP a better team. But this is a 14-2 team that lost basically nothing (Ty Warren - didnt play '10, neither Kaszur and Crumpler was our 3rd best TE last year). And Pats have gained a whole LOT of beef this year on the D-line and a good route running WR (#85). Not too mention a loaded draft class. The team is locked and loaded top to bottom.

Jets: I count 2 respectible additions (IF Plexico can shake off 2 years of rust AND if 37 year old Mason has anything left in the tank). Subtractions - the list is long:

KEY DEPARTURES: CB Drew Coleman (free agent, Jaguars), WR Jerricho Cotchery (released), WR Braylon Edwards (not tendered), DE Shaun Ellis (Pats), S James Ihedigbo (not tendered), NT Kris Jenkins (released), FB Tony Richardson (not tendered), WR/KR Brad Smith (free agent, Bills), LB Jason Taylor (Miami), P Steve Weatherford (free agent, Giants), RT Damien Woody (released)

some will say Jests lost just alot of 'role players' - guess what, that still counts as lost production and who is gonna step up and fill that production? Rookies with no offseason and practice limited new CBA? Roster has been lacking depth due to low draft classes last umpteenth years. So are the low draftees rookies and street FA's gonna suddenly become capable starters and replace Ellis, Edwards, Woody, Brad Smith, Coleman, Richardson and J.Taylors 5 sacks?

Me no think so. Honestly, Jets had a great playoff run last year but guess what. That was then, this is now and 8 good 'role players' are gone while I count 2 decent replacements (Plexico and Mason). Tomlinson faded down the stretch and Greene hasn't yet stepped up to show he is a capable starter. Another hope for the Green Beens. And the hope that Sanchize takes a big step forward while losing 3 of his WR's and having to get in sync with new ones and no OTA's. That is alot of hope and I just don't see Jets HONESTLY even making the playoffs as Pats will win the division with an easier late season schedule (where injuries will kill the Jets lack of depth and cost them games down the stretch). Steelers and Baltimore will both make the playoffs as well as Chargers and Colts and Texans.

Colts are on the downside and while Chargers have still got talent - they have regressed in advancing through the playoffs EACH year under Turner (and culminating in missing playoffs entirely last year). Turner is doing what he did to the Redskins under his helm (and what Pete Carroll did to NEP's).

Drumroll please.........biggest challenge THIS YEAR to deep playoff run for NEP is ...........Ravens.

Like the Pats - the Ravens are a good young deep team with well run FO and lots of capable playoff experienced players.

But Pats WILL beat Ravens at home and make it to Super Bowl this year at Indy - Oh I will love to see the Colts faces when Pats win SB on Colts home turf. Sweet!
:singing:

I voted for "Other" because the Patriots weren't a choice. We have met the enemy and he is us. Two of the recent painfull playoff losses were a case of the Pats beating themselves.

The Brandon Five said:

I voted for "Other" because the Patriots weren't a choice. We have met the enemy and he is us. Two of the recent painfull playoff losses were a case of the Pats beating themselves.

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I'd put that in the "wishful thinking" department. The jets out-coached and outplayed us last year in the Division game. Better to admit it and learn from it than deny it, IMO.

SunnyDenmark,

Don't post this on JI, they'd have a fit reminding you that Ellis was washed up anyways, Ocho is Stinko, Haynesworth is a loose cannon, and needs a forklift to get to the QB these days. Yet they resigned Cromartie, the best CB/Father figure one could ever want. Burress was training all those days in prison, so he's more than ready to catch passes from the King of Tipped Passes, Mark (I only like to dress gay) Sanchez. Oh, wait, there's D. Mason, the best 37 YO receiver the world has ever seen! Naw, no tail off there. December should be fun for the Jets. I bet Wrecks will be full of excuses then.

SunnyDenmark said:

time for Europe to check in on the debate:

...
But Pats WILL beat Ravens at home and make it to Super Bowl this year at Indy - Oh I will love to see the Colts faces when Pats win SB on Colts home turf. Sweet!
:singing:

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That's a very good analysis of the Jets' depletion from the land of herring and aquavit!

LT is definitely just a third down back this year. My only quibble would be that I don't think Plexico is a smart addition; he got hurt before he even stepped on the practice field and he's already putting his foot in his mouth with the press.

You're right about Sanchez; even if he is better than I give him credit for being (and I doubt he is), it's asking a lot of a young QB to get along without three of his receivers. And the schedule gods have not been kind to him in that regard; after opening at home against the Cowboys and Jaguars, he has to get used to his new receivers while playing @Oakland, @Baltimore and @New England three weeks in a row.

I also agree that the Ravens are the team that will stand in the way of whoever wins the Conference this year.

Since the AFC Champion is the "Home Team" in this year's SB, the image of Polian and Irsay having to turn the Colt's locker room over to the Patriots for the Championship Game is just so delicious that I am going to banish it from my mind...

Bengals.

BAHAHAHA, seriously tho Jests.

We must DESTROY them.

NovaScotiaPatsFan said:

Bengals.

BAHAHAHA, seriously tho Jests.

We must DESTROY them.

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Jets will be lucky to finish 8-8

Mayday Malone said:

SunnyDenmark,

Don't post this on JI, they'd have a fit reminding you that Ellis was washed up anyways, Ocho is Stinko, Haynesworth is a loose cannon, and needs a forklift to get to the QB these days. Yet they resigned Cromartie, the best CB/Father figure one could ever want. Burress was training all those days in prison, so he's more than ready to catch passes from the King of Tipped Passes, Mark (I only like to dress gay) Sanchez. Oh, wait, there's D. Mason, the best 37 YO receiver the world has ever seen! Naw, no tail off there. December should be fun for the Jets. I bet Wrecks will be full of excuses then.

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... hahahahaaa ... jets fan checking in ...

... jets did roll the dice pushing ellis out the door by only offering a contract of $900,000 ... i personally wanted him to come back as a safety net if mo wilk doesn't perform as well as we jets fans hope ... and he def came up big in that playoff game against you guys ...

... i didn't want ocho or haynesworth on my team ... but you guy didn't give up anything to get them and it was worth taking a flyer as pats have strong leadership from bb & brady to keep them in line or show them the door ...

... just cause cro is a baby maker doesn't necessarily qualify him as a father ... it was essential that he come back after we missed on namdi though ...

... i think the jets wr situation can expect to be a wash from last year ... was pleasantly surprised with how mason & sanchez looked, albeit in their very brief time together ... plax is def a ? still ... expect him to come on as the season goes on & hopefully be back close to 100% for a playoff run ...


... the season for us should come down to two things ... as with many teams not any major injuries to the key guys ... and if sanchez can take another step forward ... particularly with his short passing game/completion % ...

... look forward to the battle with you guys! ...







l_j_r

livinginthe past said:

It was a horrible, painful loss last year - but to pretend that it didn't happen because the 'Jets suck' is just delusional.

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It did happen, but am I supposed to believe the Jets will get a third straight gift wrapped 6th seed let alone be a SB threat in 2011-2012? I don't think so.

I was wrong about their decline last year, if I am wrong again this year I will label them a powerhouse, and praise their every move.

l_j_r said:

... hahahahaaa ... jets fan checking in ...

... jets did roll the dice pushing ellis out the door by only offering a contract of $900,000 ... i personally wanted him to come back as a safety net if mo wilk doesn't perform as well as we jets fans hope ... and he def came up big in that playoff game against you guys ...

... i didn't want ocho or haynesworth on my team ... but you guy didn't give up anything to get them and it was worth taking a flyer as pats have strong leadership from bb & brady to keep them in line or show them the door ...

... just cause cro is a baby maker doesn't necessarily qualify him as a father ... it was essential that he come back after we missed on namdi though ...

... i think the jets wr situation can expect to be a wash from last year ... was pleasantly surprised with how mason & sanchez looked, albeit in their very brief time together ... plax is def a ? still ... expect him to come on as the season goes on & hopefully be back close to 100% for a playoff run ...


... the season for us should come down to two things ... as with many teams not any major injuries to the key guys ... and if sanchez can take another step forward ... particularly with his short passing game/completion % ...

... look forward to the battle with you guys! ...







l_j_r

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Nice post.

Welcome to the forum, Jets fan.

Dutchmaster617 said:

It did happen, but am I supposed to believe the Jets will get a third straight gift wrapped 6th seed let alone be a SB threat in 2011-2012? I don't think so.

I was wrong about their decline last year, if I am wrong again this year I will label them a powerhouse, and praise their every move.

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The Jets beat us 2 out of 3 last year including the one that meant the most.

They've been a joke franchise for a long time - I don't suppose i'll ever forgive them for that Spygate BS stunt they pulled.

Rex Ryan comes across as a buffoon - but I give him credit where its due (and probably the only place it really matters) - the performance of his team.

I'm hugely optimistic on the Patriots chances of having an even better season this year - I don't think they Jets will finish within 3 games of us as we take the AFCE.

I'm confident there will be no Jets 'powerhouse' to praise - because they'll be overshadowed by the New England powerhouse in their very own division.

They do remain a threat however - they scheme very well defensively and were just about good enough on offense to exploit our undercooked, injured and youthful D last year.

Its a very different D this year that the Patriots will field.

VinnyPatrollie said:

Rex gave Brady fits the last playoff game, but for all of Jet fans boasting on how they "destroyed" us, the Pats lost by 7 points. Hardly a blowout. When we mention the 45-3 drubbing, they, and you apparently, dismiss it as an anomaly. If not for a golden ticket from the Colts, they miss the playoffs in 2009. Even last year they snuck in by winning several games by a whisker. Lastly, they have been remarkable lucky on the injury front and that luck is bound to level off.

I would not be surprised to see the Yets go 9-7 this year and miss the playoffs entirely. IMO they are relying on too many rookies at key positions, a convicted felon 3 years removed from football as a key contributor, and a marginal QB to dramatically step up his game. Simply put, the Jets just aren't that good to qualify as the Pat's toughest challenge.

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Rex has routinely been the toughest test for Brady, with the Jets and with Baltimore. Even in the games that the Pats won, Brady has not necessarily been great. He was great in the 45-3 game. In every other game, he was average to below average, and struggled to move the ball. And I know you're going to say "no you're wrong he had a very good game vs the Jets in 2009 in the 31-14 win," but he actually didn't. The game was more about Sanchez falling apart and turning the ball over. Brady moved the ball pretty well in the first half, but after Rex made some halftime adjustments, the Pats offense was stifled in the 2nd half.

The reason people dismiss the 45-3 game as an anomaly is because it is an anomaly. Rex has been BY FAR the toughest defensive mind for Brady to go against. It's just a fact.

I'm not the only one that thinks so:
ProFootballTalk - Ron Jaworski says Rex Ryan has Tom Brady's number

“Tom Brady has not solved that Jets defense,” Jaworski said. “You just watch the areas of the field where he attacks. He struggles to the outside, the middle of the field, missing blitz pressures. This Jets defense has Tom Brady’s number. And until Tom Brady can solve that defense, this offense is going to struggle.”

The numbers bear that analysis out: Brady struggled in the Patriots’ Week 2 loss to the Jets, completing 20 of 36 passes for 248 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Brady also had his lowest passer rating of the 2009 season in the Patriots’ Week 2 loss to the Jets, although he bounced back nicely and had a big game when the Patriots beat the Jets in Week 11. And Ryan’s defense in Baltimore also played well against Brady and the Patriots; the only game in 2007 when Brady completed less than 50 percent of his passes came against the Ravens.

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Yes, Brady "figured" it out that week with the 45-3 game, but then in the playoffs he was stifled/stopped/confused again. Looking at it objectively, you have to admit that Rex has gotten the better of Brady and that the 45-3 game was more fluke than fact, no matter how much we hate to admit it.

l_j_r said:

... hahahahaaa ... jets fan checking in ...

... jets did roll the dice pushing ellis out the door by only offering a contract of $900,000 ... i personally wanted him to come back as a safety net if mo wilk doesn't perform as well as we jets fans hope ... and he def came up big in that playoff game against you guys ...

... i didn't want ocho or haynesworth on my team ... but you guy didn't give up anything to get them and it was worth taking a flyer as pats have strong leadership from bb & brady to keep them in line or show them the door ...

... just cause cro is a baby maker doesn't necessarily qualify him as a father ... it was essential that he come back after we missed on namdi though ...

... i think the jets wr situation can expect to be a wash from last year ... was pleasantly surprised with how mason & sanchez looked, albeit in their very brief time together ... plax is def a ? still ... expect him to come on as the season goes on & hopefully be back close to 100% for a playoff run ...


... the season for us should come down to two things ... as with many teams not any major injuries to the key guys ... and if sanchez can take another step forward ... particularly with his short passing game/completion % ...

... look forward to the battle with you guys! ...







l_j_r

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A Jets fan who cant write a proper sentence.

... This doesnt surprise ... me one bit ...

l_j_r said:

... hahahahaaa ... jets fan checking in ...

... jets did roll the dice pushing ellis out the door by only offering a contract of $900,000 ... i personally wanted him to come back as a safety net if mo wilk doesn't perform as well as we jets fans hope ... and he def came up big in that playoff game against you guys ...

... i didn't want ocho or haynesworth on my team ... but you guy didn't give up anything to get them and it was worth taking a flyer as pats have strong leadership from bb & brady to keep them in line or show them the door ...

... just cause cro is a baby maker doesn't necessarily qualify him as a father ... it was essential that he come back after we missed on namdi though ...

... i think the jets wr situation can expect to be a wash from last year ... was pleasantly surprised with how mason & sanchez looked, albeit in their very brief time together ... plax is def a ? still ... expect him to come on as the season goes on & hopefully be back close to 100% for a playoff run ...


... the season for us should come down to two things ... as with many teams not any major injuries to the key guys ... and if sanchez can take another step forward ... particularly with his short passing game/completion % ...

... look forward to the battle with you guys! ...






l_j_r

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Sanchez taking a step forward or backward will depend on if defenders drop the as many INTs that he throws right to them this year.