NFL.com Rankings: Pats at #9

well obviously we are dropping to the bottom of the league, Wuss Welker, Brandon lloyd, and Aaron whitey bulger were the only reasons we won those superbowls.

wait.. none of that sounds right.

Preseason power ranking are pretty much a joke. That being said, #9 seems like a pretty fair spot for the Pats given the offseason turnover and uncertainty at a number of positions.

KontradictioN said:

Preseason power ranking are pretty much a joke. That being said, #9 seems like a pretty fair spot for the Pats given the offseason turnover and uncertainty at a number of positions.

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Maybe for those not following the team's preseason so far. Bengals, Ravens and Packers don't belong ahead of New England. Seahawks and Texans being ahead of the Pats are questionable. But you're right about preseason rankings being a joke.

Tunescribe said:

Maybe for those not following the team's preseason so far. Bengals, Ravens and Packers don't belong ahead of New England. Seahawks and Texans being ahead of the Pats are questionable. But you're right about preseason rankings being a joke.

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That's the thing about these particular rankings: the writer goes on at some length about the problems facing so many teams, then dismisses them when it comes time to rank. Then he says "don't sleep on" the Patriots and plops them at 9. Some gaps in logic and/or not brave enough to go against all the trendy thinking.

Whatever, all just for discussion. Just hope these writers remember their forecasts when Coach of the Year ballot time comes.

As long as the Patriots are acknowledged as likely division champs and a top 10-12 team, I don't really see any reason to be griping. The team overhaul is an extensive on, and that leads to legitimate questions.

I believe that a number of teams could reasonably be considered ahead of the Patriots:

Atlanta
San Fran
Seattle
Denver
Houston

So, I suppose 6th, IMO would be a reasonable ranking.

I don't see why people are writing off the Bengals as if they're some awful team.

-Franchise QB
-Elite WR
-Elite DL
-Elite DT
-Great defense
-Above average OL
-Solid RB
-Two above average TEs


Between Geno and Green, they have a top 5 offensive/defensive player on both sides of the ball. Geno is arguably the best defensive player in the game. Furthermore, they've made the playoffs the past two years, so lets not act like they're the Chiefs and a dark horse team. They've proven they can win.

tonyto3690 said:

I don't see why people are writing off the Bengals as if they're some awful team.

-Franchise QB
-Elite WR
-Elite DL
-Elite DT
-Great defense
-Above average OL
-Solid RB
-Two above average TEs


Between Geno and Green, they have a top 5 offensive/defensive player on both sides of the ball. Geno is arguably the best defensive player in the game. Furthermore, they've made the playoffs the past two years, so lets not act like they're the Chiefs and a dark horse team. They've proven they can win.

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Andy Dalton has a ways to go to prove that he can win in the playoffs. He was awful last year.

tonyto3690 said:

I don't see why people are writing off the Bengals as if they're some awful team.

-Franchise QB
-Elite WR
-Elite DL
-Elite DT
-Great defense
-Above average OL
-Solid RB
-Two above average TEs


Between Geno and Green, they have a top 5 offensive/defensive player on both sides of the ball. Geno is arguably the best defensive player in the game. Furthermore, they've made the playoffs the past two years, so lets not act like they're the Chiefs and a dark horse team. They've proven they can win.

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I agree. I like that team a lot. They added a luxury top 20 TE talent alongside a solid Gresham. If one of Sanu/Jones emerge across Green, Dalton will have a ton of weapons. They fixed their 3rd down RB/receiving RB deficiency with Bernard. Hell, their injured slot guy really came on last year too.

Dalton gets a lot of crap for his playoff performances, but people forget that team was suppose to go 2-14 when they drafted him. All his stats improved from rookie to sophomore year, and he took the Bungles to 10-6.

tonyto3690 said:

I don't see why people are writing off the Bengals as if they're some awful team.

-Franchise QB

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No




.............

tonyto3690 said:

I don't see why people are writing off the Bengals as if they're some awful team.

-Franchise QB
-Elite WR
-Elite DL
-Elite DT
-Great defense
-Above average OL
-Solid RB
-Two above average TEs


Between Geno and Green, they have a top 5 offensive/defensive player on both sides of the ball. Geno is arguably the best defensive player in the game. Furthermore, they've made the playoffs the past two years, so lets not act like they're the Chiefs and a dark horse team. They've proven they can win.

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The ginger is not a franchise QB.

Everyone, we all get it, its only preseason and you don't care about power rankings.

I just have to know, how they come out and dominate the run game and Brady plays perfect with his new WR (something that was suppose to derail them this year) and they go DOWN.

tonyto3690 said:

I don't see why people are writing off the Bengals as if they're some awful team.

-Franchise QB
-Elite WR
-Elite DL
-Elite DT
-Great defense
-Above average OL
-Solid RB
-Two above average TEs


Between Geno and Green, they have a top 5 offensive/defensive player on both sides of the ball. Geno is arguably the best defensive player in the game. Furthermore, they've made the playoffs the past two years, so lets not act like they're the Chiefs and a dark horse team. They've proven they can win.

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I think it would start with a whole lot of people disputing your characterization of Dalton as a franchise QB.

I'm also not sure where you're getting that Green is one of the top five offensive players in the NFL. The only WR who's even in that discussion for top-5 is Megatron.

JackBauer said:

The ginger is not a franchise QB.

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Not yet or never will be?

patsinthesnow said:

Not yet or never will be?

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I'm not high on Dalton personally, but I wouldn't go as far as to say never.

Though I've always disliked Flacco too, and see how that worked out.

Queue the return of the "No One Believed in Us" rallying cry.

I think we are a top 5 team when seasons end. Power rankings are overrated at every point during the season, even more so in preseason.

Sivy said:

Everyone, we all get it, its only preseason and you don't care about power rankings.

I just have to know, how they come out and dominate the run game and Brady plays perfect with his new WR (something that was suppose to derail them this year) and they go DOWN.

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Well, the question was posed and thus answered. A ranking of 9 just does not jive with my understanding of the Patriots or the league, so I disagree. What is so wrong with that?

Andy Dalton "could" develop into a Franchise QB, but he isn't there yet. A.J Green is a phenomenal talent. But, that offense has disappeared for long stretches and has not met expectations. That is on Dalton.

JackBauer said:

I'm not high on Dalton personally, but I wouldn't go as far as to say never.

Though I've always disliked Flacco too, and see how that worked out.

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I am sorry, but Flacco is NOT a franchise QB.

Nunchucks said:

I am sorry, but Flacco is NOT a franchise QB.

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I wasn't claiming otherwise.

JackBauer said:

I wasn't claiming otherwise.

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Right, I was agreeing with you

The ravens are going to regret giving him all that money, but they were forced into it.