Looking at the last 10 games

[Tunescribe]

Sunday, Oct. 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS
Sunday, Nov. 6 New York Giants 4:15 PM ET WFXT FOX
Sunday, Nov. 13 at New York Jets 8:20 PM ET WHDH NBC
Monday, Nov. 21 Kansas City Chiefs 8:30 PM ET WCVB ESPN
Sunday, Nov. 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 4:15 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 4 Indianapolis Colts 8:20 PM ET WHDH NBC*
Sunday, Dec. 11 at Washington Redskins 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 18 at Denver Broncos 4:15 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*
Saturday, Dec, 24 Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS
Sunday, Jan. 1 Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*

Everything looks winnable to me. The first three games off the bye plus Philadelphia should be our toughest match-ups. Also Buffalo if they're still in it at the end of the season. But running the table or going 14-2 seems possible given decent health.

Things definitely have turned our way with Indy and K.C. faltering. Indy, Denver and Miami should be layups. I don't quite know what to think of the 'Skins but their QB problems don't bode well for them; probably depends on if they're still in the playoff hunt. The Eagles likely will rebound and be tough. Again, I think those first three games off the bye are key.

 

[goheels22002]

With the Patriots alone with the best record in the AFC, I agree. Running the table is realistic, especially with old nemeses Indianapolis in the Lose for Luck sweepstakes, and Pittsburgh creaking with Polamalu out with a concussion and Ben Roethlisberger completing one pass in the second half against Jacksonville. Two of the Steelers offensive linemen got hurt as well. The Patriots off a bye week with a stout run defense could blow Pittsburgh out at Three Rivers.

Three games creep me out: Jets at NY, Eagles at PHI, and the Bills at Gillette. All three have to win every possible game, and each has skill and defensive players to beat the Patriots.

If the season comes down to the Patriots at Foxboro for the Bills to grab a wild card, I'd actually be rooting for them to pull out a win, presuming the Pats have clinched the AFC East and a bye. The Bills getting in would mean the Jets are out (most likely). That is a great fan base up there that has been wandering in the tundra for far too long.

I hate bye weeks, but do enjoy looking ahead, particularly at this schedule.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

If the season comes down to the Patriots at Foxboro for the Bills to grab a wild card, I'd actually be rooting for them to pull out a win, presuming the Pats have clinched the AFC East and a bye. The Bills getting in would mean the Jets are out (most likely). That is a great fan base up there that has been wandering in the tundra for far too long.
.

It's funny how the first place teams from last year ( KC, Indy and Pitt) don't look so tough now...

I wonder IF...it's week 17 and as you said Pats have a bye and/or home field advantage locked up and a loss to Buff puts them in and the Jets out of the playoffs....Do you start Mallett/Hoyer or play Brady a series or two and let them get the brunt of the work like the Miami game at the end of the 2005 season??? The Jets would scream bloody murder that the Pats were throwing the game but all they have to say is that they don't want to risk an injury like Welker's at the end of 2009... That would be worth the L........almost....

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

With the Patriots alone with the best record in the AFC, I agree. Running the table is realistic, especially with old nemeses Indianapolis in the Lose for Luck sweepstakes, and Pittsburgh creaking with Polamalu out with a concussion and Ben Roethlisberger completing one pass in the second half against Jacksonville. Two of the Steelers offensive linemen got hurt as well. The Patriots off a bye week with a stout run defense could blow Pittsburgh out at Three Rivers.

Three games creep me out: Jets at NY, Eagles at PHI, and the Bills at Gillette. All three have to win every possible game, and each has skill and defensive players to beat the Patriots.

If the season comes down to the Patriots at Foxboro for the Bills to grab a wild card, I'd actually be rooting for them to pull out a win, presuming the Pats have clinched the AFC East and a bye. The Bills getting in would mean the Jets are out (most likely). That is a great fan base up there that has been wandering in the tundra for far too long.

I hate bye weeks, but do enjoy looking ahead, particularly at this schedule.

Actually the bye week comes at a PERFECT time

When you look at the next game its At Pittsburgh...While Brady has beaten Pitt more times than lost to them there is the edge BUT the added edge is now the Pats have an extra week off AND the Steelers have to travel 4,000 miles round trip to and from Arizona this week and will be a little jetlagged.

The last time we faced Pitt on Halloween weekend at Pittsburgh,it was not so much fun,We lost and ended a 22 game winning streak back in Big Ben's first season - hopefully things even out this time.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Sunday, Oct. 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS
Sunday, Nov. 6 New York Giants 4:15 PM ET WFXT FOX
Sunday, Nov. 13 at New York Jets 8:20 PM ET WHDH NBC
Monday, Nov. 21 Kansas City Chiefs 8:30 PM ET WCVB ESPN
Sunday, Nov. 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 4:15 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 4 Indianapolis Colts 8:20 PM ET WHDH NBC*
Sunday, Dec. 11 at Washington Redskins 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 18 at Denver Broncos 4:15 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*
Saturday, Dec, 24 Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS
Sunday, Jan. 1 Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*

Everything looks winnable to me. The first three games off the bye plus Philadelphia should be our toughest match-ups. Also Buffalo if they're still in it at the end of the season. But running the table or going 14-2 seems possible given decent health.

Things definitely have turned our way with Indy and K.C. faltering. Indy, Denver and Miami should be layups. I don't quite know what to think of the 'Skins but their QB problems don't bode well for them; probably depends on if they're still in the playoff hunt. The Eagles likely will rebound and be tough. Again, I think those first three games off the bye are key.

@ a desperate Jets team,@ Washington where Shanahan has had Bill's number much of the time they play (albeit not the Broncos) & @ Philly where they are also in desperation mode can all be considered a possible loss - that would mean a 12-4 mark which is enough to win the division and a #2 seed behind Baltimore who I think is the AFC team to beat at this point.

 

[D-Money]

Nothing is a given in the nfl.You should know that by now.This team still has holes.Is Dowling gonna play those last ten games?How's that pick looking right now.

 

[BradyManny]

I see also 4 layups*.

The Steelers, Jets, Eagles, Skins, Giants, etc. games all fall into the category of games we should likely win - but we might lose one or two just based on how it plays out.

If this Patriots team starts to gain momentum and play as a cohesive team the way it did last year, then running the table is a legitimate possibility.


*though the Chiefs have started to turn it around, in spite of all their injuries

 

[D-Money]

Wasnt the buffalo game a layup?Watching the jets game last night maded me think how on earth this team loss to them in the playoffs.:bricks:

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Wasnt the buffalo game a layup?Watching the jets game last night maded me think how on earth this team loss to them in the playoffs.:bricks:

They are missing Edwards and Cotchery who were perfect for Sanchez's 10 yard passes

They are also very weak on the OL compared to last season,I think Woody is missed.

Also Ellis even though he appears washed up and Taylor were 2 very respectable leaders in that locker room.

The loss of Edwards,Cotchery,Ellis and Taylor and the injury to Mangold for awhile are several BIG reasons why the Jets are not the same.

 

[mgcolby]

Nothing is a given in the nfl.You should know that by now.This team still has holes.Is Dowling gonna play those last ten games?How's that pick looking right now.

Please name a team that does not have any holes? Just one... We have the best offense in football and getting a trusty vet back in the backfield at some point.

Our defense is 14th in the league in scoring allowing 22.5 points and getting Brace back. Also Fat Albert is getting healthy and when he is fully healthy he is a force we saw that this week. Carter is warming up, Nink is playing great and Mayo will be back after the bye. How many teams are getting a top 3 LB, an all pro 3rd down back and a starting calibur DT back over the remainder of this season? Oh and I forgot about Vollmer a starting RT.... Where doomed I tell ya!

Are you really going to harp on a pick after the past two draft classes? How about Soldier how is that pick working out?

 

[everlong]

Sunday, Dec. 11 at Washington Redskins 1:00 PM ET WBZ-TV CBS*

I don't quite know what to think of the 'Skins but their QB problems don't bode well for them; probably depends on if they're still in the playoff hunt.

If there's one game I want to see Haynesworth play it's this one. My prediction a couple of tackles for losses, a couple of sacks and a whole lot of pain.

 

[goheels22002]

It's funny how the first place teams from last year ( KC, Indy and Pitt) don't look so tough now...

I wonder IF...it's week 17 and as you said Pats have a bye and/or home field advantage locked up and a loss to Buff puts them in and the Jets out of the playoffs....Do you start Mallett/Hoyer or play Brady a series or two and let them get the brunt of the work like the Miami game at the end of the 2005 season??? The Jets would scream bloody murder that the Pats were throwing the game but all they have to say is that they don't want to risk an injury like Welker's at the end of 2009... That would be worth the L........almost....

If the Pats have the bye and home field, you start Ryan Mallett and give Bill Belichick the night off and let Rod Rust coach against the Bills.

 

[D-Money]

All those other teams that have holes arent more glaring then wat this team has.I still would take take the defensive unit and offensive unit from the steelers, Ravens, chargers.This team doesnt have a vertical passing game and still have problems getting to the QB.Also coverage

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

They are missing Edwards and Cotchery who were perfect for Sanchez's 10 yard passes

They are also very weak on the OL compared to last season,I think Woody is missed.

Also Ellis even though he appears washed up and Taylor were 2 very respectable leaders in that locker room.

The loss of Edwards,Cotchery,Ellis and Taylor and the injury to Mangold for awhile are several BIG reasons why the Jets are not the same.

I can name 1 big one...sanchez regressing like no tomorrow

 

[mgcolby]

All those other teams that have holes arent more glaring then wat this team has.I still would take take the defensive unit and offensive unit from the steelers, Ravens, chargers.This team doesnt have a vertical passing game and still have problems getting to the QB.Also coverage

Are you serious? The Steelers can't block to save their lives, their defense is tired and old reminds me of the 2007 Pats D except their offense is not as good as the 2008 Pats offense.

The Ravens are the 2nd most undisciplined football team in the league. Flacco is garbage when it counts. But they are the 2nd best team in the AFC behind the Pats, IMO.

The Chargers are the biggest joke in the NFL loads of talent but underachieve every year, mostly because they are the most undisciplined team in the NFL.

We have one of the best lines in football. The best offense as well as the most balanced offense in football and a defense that is just now starting to gel upfront. And getting healthy to boot. I would take the Ravens D over our D but not at the expense of taking their offense over ours.

Our Defense is starting to play well especially up front, which will eventually help out the back end. And the whole "worst defense in the league" thing that keeps getting thrown out there by the media and fans alike is a joke. Last time I checked, total yards wasn't the deciding factor on the scoreboard. Yards Per Point, which I think was brought up here last week, is a very usefull stat. I have a betting system that is solely based off of that and it does very well. I'll take total scoring over total yards, but that may just be me.

Vertical game? What does that mean? Does Welker not go deep? Doesn't Hernandez routinely catch balls 15-20 yards down field? Or are only 50 yard bombs considered vertical?

 

[D-Money]

The offense is predictable!!!They dont stretch the field.They have no speed!!Last year against the jets this team couldnt do nothing when Welker was getting covered.Its gonna bite them again!!You need more production from ur wrs on the outside.I dont expect anything from ochostinko!I have seen enough.

On defense this team still doesnt get pressure.All those teams u mentioned have better personnel.

 

[Observer]

18-1, but with the trophy this time.

 

[Tunescribe]

All those other teams that have holes arent more glaring then wat this team has.I still would take take the defensive unit and offensive unit from the steelers, Ravens, chargers.This team doesnt have a vertical passing game and still have problems getting to the QB.Also coverage

Wow, you're definitely a glass half-empty guy.

 

[BadMoFo]

Worst case scenario, 6-4. But I think 8-2. also think this is the year, we shut fat Rex's trap. I think we'll lose to the two PA teams this year, but beat the NY teams.

 

[mgcolby]

The offense is predictable!!!They dont stretch the field.They have no speed!!Last year against the jets this team couldnt do nothing when Welker was getting covered.Its gonna bite them again!!You need more production from ur wrs on the outside.I dont expect anything from ochostinko!I have seen enough.

On defense this team still doesnt get pressure.All those teams u mentioned have better personnel.

I agree with you on Ocho. Did you not see the first two drives of the Jets game in the playoffs? they moved the ball at will down field and then uncharacteristic mistakes killed the drives. And the first drive Welker wasn't on the field.

First they are the teams you mentioned, not me. Do they have better personnel or have they played weaker offenses? I'll let you decide but either way the Steelers are allowing 5.5 ppg less than us and the Chargers are allowing 0.7ppg less than us.

Below are the rankings of the offenses each team you mentioned has played. The ranks are based on PPG scored:

Pit: 5,26,28,14,19,31 (Games vs top 15: 2)
Bal: 22,19,32,11,14 (Games vs top 15: 2)
SD: 21,3,29,30,19 (Games vs top 15: 1)
NE: 30,13,2,8,11,15 (Games vs top 15: 5)