Is Indy The Patriots' Biggest Threat?

[PatsFans.com Article]

Is Indy The Patriots' Biggest Threat?
By: Mike Saver

With the post-season only weeks away, the playoff picture is starting to uncloud itself. ...

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[RutgersFan]

No, I would guess Baltimore would be the biggest threat. They match up well with the Pats and recent games have been tight (except playoffs last year). I think Pats are better, but Baltimore was in every game they played this year and even led in the 4th qtr in most of their losses. Tough team.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

The Colts are a threat because of Manning, but overall, the Ravens probably match up better with us and could cause more problems. They're stout against the run, the secondary is better than you think and now has Ed Reed back, they've got veteran receivers, and I haven't forgotten what Ray Rice can do.

On a talent level, I'd rather play Indy than Baltimore. Then again, Flacco isn't great, and that team is immature and could combust if things don't go their way. They're a bunch of crybabies, including their wuss head coach.

I'm not concerned about any team in the NFC except Atlanta and New Orleans. Both have solid coaching, good talent, and good defenses. Green Bay and Philly will make critical mistakes in a close game because their head coaches are clueless. The Giants continue to look like a fluke, though I'd love the re-match.

 

[rhodeislandpatsfan]

I see it differently, I think the Pats D grew up with the Manning int. Also I don't believe the offense will take their foot off the pedal once their in control of the game.

Other than one admitted lapse of intensity leading up up to the Green Bay game this team has been playing superior football by any measures including the 2007 team.

In that season the second Buffalo game was perfection next came Ravens close win which left a deep seeded feeling that they were running out of steam.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Yes the Colts are the biggest threat by far. I raised this point a few weeks ago and everyone thought I was mad...Mad...MAD....

Anyway it is good to see the b1tches in the media following me around...

 

[ehusson80]

Baltimore and Indy are the only AFC teams with any slim shot at winning in Foxboro, realistically. The "Any Given Sunday" rule is always in effect, though. I wouldn't worry about Atlanta in the NFC. New Orleans is the only legit concern from the NFC. Saints will probably have to win 3 road games to get to the SB, though.

 

[BTTA]

I wouldn't worry about Atlanta in the NFC.

Please elaborate.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Please elaborate.

Note the Saints logo for avatar

But Atlanta did play an ultra conservative game against the Saints last week. Ryan didn't play well at all, and their offense contributed only 7 points at home.

Can't say a lot about just one game, but it was a bit of a disappointing performance from the Falcons.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

depends on the weather. if it's cold and perhaps a bit of snow, then indy is not as much of a threat. the colts are simply not an outdoors/cold weather team. baltimore on the other hand could play in any field conditions.

indy has not played well the last few months, despite what jamie dukes thinks:

9 11/7 @ Philadelphia Eagles 24 - 26 L CBS
10 11/14 CINCINNATI BENGALS 23 - 17 W CBS
11 11/21 @ New England Patriots 28 - 31 L CBS
12 11/28 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 14 - 36 L NBC
13 12/5 DALLAS COWBOYS 35 - 38 L FOX
14 12/9 @ Tennessee Titans 30 - 28 W NFL Network
15 12/19 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 34 - 24 W CBS
16 12/26 @ Oakland Raiders 31 - 26 W CBS

they barely beat a bad cincinatti team, last 3 in a row, barely beat a bad tennessee team, and almost lost to oakland....

baltimore is playing a little better right now - beat new orleans and played fairly well in there other recent games.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

depends on the weather. if it's cold and perhaps a bit of snow, then indy is not as much of a threat. the colts are simply not an outdoors/cold weather team. baltimore on the other hand could play in any field conditions.

baltimore is playing a little better right now - beat new orleans and played fairly well in there other recent games.

Yes indeed. Miami is getting a free ride tomorrow unfortunately; I love to see those whimps suffer in the cold. The Colts will not be so lucky; we are talking mid January in New England; horrible weather. The best they could hope for is an ice storm.

Baltimore does not scare me nearly as much as the Colts. The Patriots secondary is still vulnerable to a high-powered passing attack.

 

[Nikolai]

In the snow, Indy would be slaughtered wholesale. Freeney and Mathis would be taken out of the game, and the Colts D, built on speed, is going to struggle against the run game and even the passing game (because of the lack of pass rush). We all know Manning's tendencies in the snow; see 2003 Playoffs for a primer if you don't know.

If the weather is clear, the game is closer, but I don't see the Colts coming in and winning the game. I feel the same way about the Ravens. The Ravens are probably the same team they were in October, but I wouldn't say the same is true of the Pats.

Maybe it's a bit arrogant, but I think these discussions are like the tractor trailer deciding whether or not the Prius or the Aveo is the bigger threat. BB, TFB, home field, maturing and talented defense, the variable offensive sets and gameplans, etc. I'm not getting all that worried yet.

 

[VJCPatriot]

The only threat to the Pats is their own level of execution. When they play their A game, I don't believe there's a team in the NFL that can beat them. Their offense is capable of putting up 30 PPG and their defense can hold teams under 20 at this point in the season. So it's going to be a tough road to hoe for any team to beat the Pats.

Then again we've also seen tight games against the tougher teams and letdowns, so there's no guarantee that the Pats will dominate. But they have the tools to do so if they execute the way they can.

As far as overall talent, I'd say the Ravens and Steelers, moreso the Ravens present some matchup concerns but I just don't think they can shut down the arsenal that the Pats have on offense. As long as the OL continues to play well and give Brady time to throw, the Pats are the team to beat in my mind. I think in the NFC, the Saints and Packers are superior teams. Atlanta simply did not bring it when facing the Saints in a critical game. They are still likely to win the #1 seed in the NFC but they might be overrated due to facing a softer schedule and don't seem as tough mentally as the Saints.

 

[JMarr]

I see the Ravens by far as the biggest threat. Their offense is maddeningly inconsistent, but they showed last year that they can beat us in Foxboro without Flacco having to do a damn thing. Cold weather, blizzard, depleted D-Line? Plays right into their hands.

Then there's the defense.. They can stop the run and make us one dimensional. Then Suggs and Ray Lewis basically live for the opportunity to clobber Brady. Plus, it's seems like it's hard for OC's to use their aggression against them.

I think we would beat them, but the Ravens are the worst matchup for us in the NFL right now.

 

[PYPER]

I trust our team to bring their "A" games against teams like the Ravens, Colts, and Steelers. Our guys have played their best football in all of the "big" games this year.

As such, our biggest threat is Kansas City. They have the style to keep our offense on the sidelines. They also have the extra motivation in that 1) they seem to be dismissed by most media members and fans and 2) they've got all those former Patriots connections who would definitely bring their best effort.

KC is a dangerous team.

 

[Nikolai]

I trust our team to bring their "A" games against teams like the Ravens, Colts, and Steelers. Our guys have played their best football in all of the "big" games this year.

As such, our biggest threat is Kansas City. They have the style to keep our offense on the sidelines. They also have the extra motivation in that 1) they seem to be dismissed by most media members and fans and 2) they've got all those former Patriots connections who would definitely bring their best effort.

KC is a dangerous team.

I think Kansas City is a sleeper for sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the AFCCG. I disagree that they're not getting love. More and more, I'm seeing people anointing Kansas City (along with Indy) as the teams no one wants to face in the playoffs. They're getting some respect, though Cassel getting shut out of the Pro Bowl is a farce.

 

[RayClay]

I agree with the premise. Nobody is going to shut our offense down because it's multidimensional. make us work for points at best.

Manning's the only high powered offensive weapon around now that SDs out. I think Tom can deliver 2 or 3 touchdowns against anyone and I like our chances defensively against the Flaccos and Rapistburgers.

 

[mudslinger]

I trust our team to bring their "A" games against teams like the Ravens, Colts, and Steelers. Our guys have played their best football in all of the "big" games this year.

As such, our biggest threat is Kansas City. They have the style to keep our offense on the sidelines. They also have the extra motivation in that 1) they seem to be dismissed by most media members and fans and 2) they've got all those former Patriots connections who would definitely bring their best effort.

KC is a dangerous team.

Steeler fans already figuring they are coming to Foxboro

You get to be head coach...how do you beat the Cheatriots in Foxborough?

 

[PYPER]

Steeler fans already figuring they are coming to Foxboro

You get to be head coach...how do you beat the Cheatriots in Foxborough?

I like that we're getting all that attention but I think they're getting ahead of ourselves. They've got a few games to win before they start thinking about us. I think the Browns are going to give them fits this week. They could fall from #2 to #6 by Sunday evening.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I see the Ravens by far as the biggest threat. Their offense is maddeningly inconsistent, but they showed last year that they can beat us in Foxboro without Flacco having to do a damn thing. Cold weather, blizzard, depleted D-Line? Plays right into their hands.

Then there's the defense.. They can stop the run and make us one dimensional. Then Suggs and Ray Lewis basically live for the opportunity to clobber Brady. Plus, it's seems like it's hard for OC's to use their aggression against them.

I think we would beat them, but the Ravens are the worst matchup for us in the NFL right now.

You think that BB will let the Ravens come into our house in the playoff and beat us again? I think not. This is a different team from last year and it is even a different team from the last time they played us.

The problem is that it will be a bit of a blood feud. The criminals on the Ravens will be looking to punish the Patriots receivers over the middle and TB if they can get to him. All the drone mediots missed the play where Danny Woodhead got his clock cleaned by Ray Lewis; you should have seen the look in Danny's eyes. Anyway the biggest thing the Patriots will have to worry about would be injuries.

As far as the Colts remember that the Patriots pass defense is still the team's major weakness and the Colt's strength. The Patriots would have lost the to them earlier if not for the INTs but you cannot get three picks against Manning every game.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Ravens is the biggest threat..if they come up here..its going to be a battle..