Who will New England play in Divisional round?

New England Pride said:

You make a good point, but this is a Head coach/Qb league. Those two know what it takes to win here.

In before you counter my point by saying New Englands head coach/Qb are Tom Brady/Bill Belichick

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But they didn't win here because of Flacco and Harbaugh.

Baltimore minus games vs. the wretched NFC south and the putrid AFC South is a crappy 4-4 team

AndyJohnson said:

But they didn't win here because of Flacco and Harbaugh.

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No its a team game, but those two had a large role. I'd agree the defense won them those games, but Harbough is a defensive coach, granted, they don't run the most complicated scheme over there. Also, flacco dumped all over us after Talib tore his vagina.

New England Pride said:

No its a team game, but those two had a large role. I'd agree the defense won them those games, but Harbough is a defensive coach, granted, they don't run the most complicated scheme over there. Also, flacco dumped all over us after Talib tore his vagina.

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Harbaugh is actually a special teams coach.
If you think facing Flacco is a bad thing compared to other playoff QBs, well, we would just have to agree to disagree.

Oh boy the chicken littles will be clucking after this.

Blount:“Nobody can stop us but us"

http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/blount-nobody-can-stop-us-us

Blount's spot-on. They'll be in a position to win. 60 minutes, every position, no costly injury = win. However I think the Kool-aid they're passing around the locker room is more about internalizing that they need to step it up to playoff level and not make the mistake you remember all off-season.

Not scared of any of the possible divisional round opponents. But I think for some reason Cinci is going to wack the Colts.. If you cant stop the run your done. Especially in the play offs. I have a feeling Pit will knock off the broncos.. and we will see Pats vs Steelers AFC title game.

We all better pray to whichever God we worship that PitsDirt beats the Murderer-Worshippers.

AHA FIRST POST OF 2015

deroc5050 said:

Not scared of any of the possible divisional round opponents. But I think for some reason Cinci is going to wack the Colts.. If you cant stop the run your done. Especially in the play offs. I have a feeling Pit will knock off the broncos.. and we will see Pats vs Steelers AFC title game.

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I am probably in the minority, but I actually would rather have Denver over Pitt. Pitt is actually the only team that scares me. Explosive offense, with a great QB, and defense that is not great, but play somewhat similar the way our defense has played in previous years. They will let you move the ball, but will hold you to FG's

Its strange I have the same bad feeling about them I had about the Jets and Ravens before they beat us in the playoffs. I really hope the Ravens knock them off Saturday.

Baltimore's reason for victory in its last two playoff games VS the Patriots does not apply this year. Those last two losses were a direct result from the Patriots being beaten in the trenches. Any other reason(s) for the losses were, IMHO, a byproduct of losing the battle of the trenchs. This year, simply put, the DL is not going to be dominated in the trenches by Balt or any team (unless BB/MP try some outlandish, non linear scheme). The DL personnel will give any team a hard nosed fight in the trench.

That in itself changes the dynamic of these last two Balt playoff losses (one we win, the other we'd at least be competitive). Beyond that point, what it comes down to is our OL holding its own (hopefully better). Our stout DL to go with the week 6 thru week 13 OL and you can all but stick a fork in Baltimore -- or Cincy, or Indy, or Pitt. The only team that will require the Patriots executing at an additional step better to likely prevail is Denver (I'm just not buying into Pitt as a powerhouse).

TheBostonStraggler said:

Baltimore's reason for victory in its last two playoff games VS the Patriots does not apply this year. Those last two losses were a direct result from the Patriots being beaten in the trenches. Any other reason(s) for the losses were, IMHO, a byproduct of losing the battle of the trenchs. This year, simply put, the DL is not going to be dominated in the trenches by Balt or any team (unless BB/MP try some outlandish, non linear scheme). The DL personnel will give any team a hard nosed fight in the trench.

That in itself changes the dynamic of these last two Balt playoff losses (one we win, the other we'd at least be competitive). Beyond that point, what it comes down to is our OL holding its own (hopefully better). Our stout DL to go with the week 6 thru week 13 OL and you can all but stick a fork in Baltimore -- or Cincy, or Indy, or Pitt. The only team that will require the Patriots executing at an additional step better to likely prevail is Denver (I'm just not buying into Pitt as a powerhouse).

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This is why I'm always claiming that you can play the AFC North 3 different times and likely find 3 different winners. There's just a lot of parity in that division.

Baltimore has never been that great, but they are one of those annual 9-7 or 10-6 types of teams most years that can get hot at the right time with strong defensive play and ride that momentum. This is part of the reasoning why I've scoffed at the notion that "Baltimore was done" (a thought that was extremely popular here right after they won the SB and decided to move on some big name FA's). Even the year they won the SB they still had a lot of weaknesses.

I fully agree that it'd be a much different matchup this time around, but there's still a small part of me that can envision a good amount of pressure from Suggs, Dumerville, and Ngata (3rd in the NFL in sacks this year), which as you note---could be troublesome. As you say, it's all going to go through our protection and ability to get rid of the ball quickly. I really think the success of the running game will be key, so let's hope that Blount and Gray are up to the challenge.

Bring on Cincinnati--which is my personal preference.

supafly said:

This is why I'm always claiming that you can play the AFC North 3 different times and likely find 3 different winners. There's just a lot of parity in that division.

Baltimore has never been that great, but they are one of those annual 9-7 or 10-6 types of teams most years that can get hot at the right time with strong defensive play and ride that momentum. This is part of the reasoning why I've scoffed at the notion that "Baltimore was done" (a thought that was extremely popular here right after they won the SB and decided to move on some big name FA's). Even the year they won the SB they still had a lot of weaknesses.

I fully agree that it'd be a much different matchup this time around, but there's still a small part of me that can envision a good amount of pressure from Suggs, Dumerville, and Ngata (3rd in the NFL in sacks this year), which as you note---could be troublesome. As you say, it's all going to go through our protection and ability to get rid of the ball quickly. I really think the success of the running game will be key, so let's hope that Blount and Gray are up to the challenge.

Bring on Cincinnati--which is my personal preference.

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Sup (happy new year BTW), sure, the Ravens are the only team with 2 playoff wins against the Patriots in Foxboro, both done relatively recently, and the Ravens did it both times as a team that didn't appear overly 'great' during the regular season. I can see that causing the possibility of concern in the back of the mind. But, unlike these other two years where the Patriot flaws were much too ripe for the picking, I'd be shocked if this year's Raven team can take down the Patriots in Foxboro -- and that includes the Ravens getting hot right now. I just do not see the Ravens running the ball and passing the ball consistently enough to sustain drives. I just can't see it happening against our D as it is currently constructed (if the Patriots can get an average/just satisfactory pass rush going?? Forgetaboutit). On top of that (to sound like a broken record) if the OL plays satisfactory -- their play doesn't need to be great! just satisfactory -- and I'm outright claiming the Patriots will hand it to the Ravens (and I'll be the first one to come here and call myself out if the Ravens matchup occurs and the Ravens win).

As far as my personal preference for our next opponent, we see it differently (though this could be the Rum and Cokes plus fireworks talking ), I think the Ravens may be our optimum opponent. It's a close call between them or Indy (Indy's trend does say it is ripe for a playoff exit) but the Ravens haven't shown me a solid and potent victory with top tier play in all 3 phases in.....in......I don't remember seeing one Raven game that qualifies as that. IMHO that contrasts with both Pitt and Cincy. Cincy does play inconsistent, however, they have demonstrated solid potency when they execute (Pitt more so -- though I am not buying Pitt, or Cincy, either). IMHO there is Denver and then there are 4 teams whose A game loses to the Patriots A game. With Denver's A game against the Patriots A game, it is a much closer matchup that, thankfully, in Foxboro makes it favor the Patriots.

Everyone is picking the Colts because of Cinci's play off history but Cinci has the talent to wipe the floor with Indianapolis. Indy is the biggest frontrunners outside Carolina in the NFL play offs.

The Colts suck. Their record against good teams is laughable and all they have is a banged up, gunslinging quarterback. The bulk of their wins were against the lowest of the low.

If Cinci shows up, the Colts are going to get smoked.

Hopefully Cinci lays another egg and the Steelers beat Baltimore. Pittsburgh goes to Mile High and we get a second bye week / tune up game against Indy the pretenders, but I'm expecting to see the Bengals return to the Razor.

deroc5050 said:

Not scared of any of the possible divisional round opponents. But I think for some reason Cinci is going to wack the Colts.. If you cant stop the run your done. Especially in the play offs. I have a feeling Pit will knock off the broncos.. and we will see Pats vs Steelers AFC title game.

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Brady_to_Moss said:

i could see Indy being 1 and done...luck makes horrible mistakes and their OL and D is garbage

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If indy is one and done post season, who can question that Luck is truly Peyton Manning's worthy heir?

dikembe said:

AHA FIRST POST OF 2015

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I for one am glad you walk the walk practicing what you preach. Nice RESPECT THE CLOCK post!

PatsWickedPissah said:

If indy is one and done post season, who can question that Luck is truly Peyton Manning's worthy heir?

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But peyton manning had like 8 one and dones in the playoffs..

Perfect match

deroc5050 said:

Not scared of any of the possible divisional round opponents. But I think for some reason Cinci is going to wack the Colts.. If you cant stop the run your done. Especially in the play offs. I have a feeling Pit will knock off the broncos.. and we will see Pats vs Steelers AFC title game.

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I love that Manning is either going to get one and domed, of he's gonna get smacked up in Foxboro like old times. Either way its classic Manning. If its Pitt they play I can honestly see them losing, they just look bad.

I have a feeling that Baltimore will beat Pitts. No idea why, just think they will.