Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

Seriously, this has become increasingly evident over the last couple of years. Between the dilution of expansion, the injury wave that plagues every team, a number of lackluster (or worse) coaches on otherwise talented teams, this league is fill with mediocrities.

Which are the elite teams? Indy looks like it will struggle. San Diego has been battered by injuries. The NFC might actually be better at this point, and the NFC has been terrible. (Don't remind me about the Giants.) I suppose Dallas is the pick there, but if you think Wade Phillips is winning a Super Bowl, I don't know what to tell you.

Anyway, point is, those saying the Pats will really struggle must be deluded. This team is still loaded, and the league is weak.

Re: Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

I kind of agree. Forget the NFC except the NFC West, because we fortunately drew that division this year, which is 1-3 because Arizona got to play San Francisco.

I say kind of because I'm not going to write off Indy and San Diego based on one week. Pittsburgh, whether they beat Houston or not, I think they are legit. I mean, if you don't want to give them credit for that, what do you then say about the Pats barely beating Kansas City?

So you're point is well taken, I am just not jumping in with that much confidence just yet.

Re: Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

If you told me Eli Manning was beating an 18-0 New England Patriots team in the Super Bowl last year, I wouldn't know what to tell you.

Re: Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

Didn't I say don't remind me about the Giants? (Not that you can forget). I concede that sometimes bizarre things happen in sports, and I realize it's just a week. Also that Pittsburgh does look tough. Overall, though, this is not a league with man great, or even very good, teams.

Re: Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

The NFC West is the NFC Division that the Patriots play this season. The Rams and 49ers have QB and other problems. They will draft in the top ten. Arizona appears capable of winning more than they lose, but haven't done so in several decades. Seattle seemed to be the class of that division, only to get crushed by the mighty?... Buffalo Bills?? Possible 3-1 or even 4-0 there.

The Patriots play the AFC West, this year. So Oakland, dreadful, and KC, already beaten, are both poor clubs. Denver is not as strong as before, but may be a near .500 club. San Diego was the class of that division, on paper. But Shawn Merriman is done for the year, already. Their new slow ILBs were exploited in their loss to open the season. Possibly 2-2 or 3-1, there.

The Pats own division should be much tougher than it was last season. Buffalo appears that it may be turning the corner to a possible winning team. Ratgini's Jets might be a worthy competitor too. Even Tuna's Dolphins should improve from 1-15 to maybe 5-11. Possible splits with Jets, Bills, and sweep Fish. Possible 4-2 or 3-3.

Even the Colts appear to be a shell of their former selves. They already have a loss and are 0-1. OTOH, Steelers look good. Possible 0-2 or 1-1.

The AFC powers all have problems:

San Diego is 0-1 and lost Merriman to IR.
Colts have a hobbling Manning and are 0-1.
Jags lost their starting RG, C, and LG in their first game. They are 0-1. Few teams can stand three injuries s in any one crew.
Browns were crushed by the Steelers. 0-1.
Titans won, but VY wants to retire. 1-0.
Only the Steelers, 1-0 look like a formidable team, as they crushed the Browns, big.

Re: Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

I think Indy will struggle for a bit, but will turn it on at the right time. Their o-line looked really poor with all of the injuries. SD is in the same boat; they have a bunch of injuries right now. They also have Norv Turner. The only team in the NFC West that would have given the Pats a challenge, the Seahawks, is missing its top 4 receivers. Throw in the fact that Pittsburgh's schedule is deadly, and you have the makings of a wide open race.

Re: Another Advantage for the Pats? The League Sucks
 

Don't forget that week 1 is often bizarro world in the NFL. There are a number of talented teams that could BECOME dominant by the end of the year.