who is the competition now?

[Patsfanin Philly]

Goodell and his minions in the league office cooking up some bogus bs...........

 

[juxtapoz15]

Here is my list of contenders, all of them have exceptions:

Tier 1 -
SEA - If they can get their oline straightened out, they seem to always play us tough
ATL - If they can avoid a SB hangover

Tier 2 -
OAK - If they can improve their D
HOU - If they can get a QB, but they can replace a decent player in Bouye

Tier 3 -
NYG - If they can get their oline straightened out and Eli can get his head out of his ***
GB - With Rodgers there is always a chance, but I still think their depth is a step behind NE
DAL - They might take a step back from last year with some of the OL depth signing elsewhere
PIT - Great O, but their D just doesn't scare me
DEN - If they can get a QB (Romo?)
KC - They are a great team when everyone is healthy, but that never seems to be the case around playoffs

 

[pwes]

The Offseason isnt even over yet. There are still a lot of moves to be made. We still have no idea where Romo is going yet (most likely Denver or Houston). If he can stay healthy could elevate and already good team. Still have the draft to go where some good playmakers can be brought into a team to be immediate contributors.

If you want to talk free agency then sure the Pats won that. I think around Training camp will give a better idea of who the competition is (on paper).

 

[Thelonious]

The Giants? You gotta be freaking kidding me.

Patriots would have blown the Giants out by 20+ in the last SB.

Now it would be more like 30+. Giants suck.

Heh heh. You're sounding a little breathless there, Jimmy. Maybe, beneath the bravado, you agree with me, eh?

 

[JetFan79]

I think the "Big three" hold strong (Pats, Steelers...OAKLAND?!) and we see a new face or two from the AFCS in the postseason. I can see the AFC playoffs shaping up with:

1. Pats
2. Steelers
3. Raiders
4. Titans
5. Dolphins
6. Ravens

I'd swap the Raiders and Steelers. Plus the Dolphins are just as likely to be a bottom feeder as they are to be a decent team.

Look forward to seeing Pats vs Raiders AFC championship game if all can stay healthy.

The NFC has some real tough competition as well. Including NE's kryptonite.

 

[sb1]

The Pats had a very productive offseason so far. That's all I'm willing to say for now.

Who else improved?
Oakland just by getting Carr back.
The Ravens, Titans might have improved. Do the Browns count?

 

[sb1]

I'd swap the Raiders and Steelers. Plus the Dolphins are just as likely to be a bottom feeder as they are to be a decent team.

Look forward to seeing Pats vs Raiders AFC championship game if all can stay healthy.

The NFC has some real tough competition as well. Including NE's kryptonite.

I think there's a statute of limitations on "kryptonite". The Giants are 0-1 vs NE since 2012. Coach Coughlin has also moved on.

 

[farn]

Let's not forget that one of the strongest teams of 2016 found their QB in the draft.

As it stands, I think Seattle has the best shot. Closely followed by GB. Dallas, Pitt & Baltimore could be factors.

 

[Thelonious]

Yeah. The Giants have their problems, but they're gonna have a great array of receivers, which translates to explosiveness. Explosiveness can lead to defeat for the better team, particularly in a one-game series like the Super Bowl. I hope to see them shoved out of contention during the grind of the regular season, when explosiveness is not quite so valuable.

 

[JetFan79]

I think there's a statute of limitations on "kryptonite". The Giants are 0-1 vs NE since 2012. Coach Coughlin has also moved on.

He make look like a doofus, but Eli is a big part of the kryptonite. That, and also NY/NJ teams just not being intimidated by NE at all.

I swear the Pats seem to have an intimidation edge vs every other team/city. Not sure why, but it's there.

 

[GodBrady]

Injuries, or something like Brady falling off a cliff, a la Manning/Favre/etc.

As much as I don't think that will happen, it's always a possibility.

 

[Snooky97]

Don't ever write anyone off. Look at how many said the superbowl was finished in the 3rd quarter. This is Sport, only ever takes one play and a little luck. Just look at 07...

 

[sb1]

He make look like a doofus, but Eli is a big part of the kryptonite. That, and also NY/NJ teams just not being intimidated by NE at all.

I swear the Pats seem to have an intimidation edge vs every other team/city. Not sure why, but it's there.

I could be wrong but honestly...I really think most of it was Coughlin. I was not sad to see him go. Eli is a very good QB who doesn't get credit that he should.

 

[PYPER]

is there any?

who so far has improved?

anyone?

History...Specifically Patriots history. The 2004 team won the Super Bowl for a 3rd time in 4 years and ran a double figure winning streak that started the previous year to an NFL record 21 games.

The 2017 Patriots are also seeking their 3rd Super Bowl in 4 years and looking to expand upon a ten game winning streak from last season. 11+ wins to start the season and a Super Bowl victory next February will elevate this version of the Patriots to the same level of our original heroes.

Go Pats!!!

 

[jmt57]

Considering how many times the Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Eagles, Redskins and others won the first week of free agency, we would not be so quick to declare the Patriots champions.

The optimism is certainly understood, but some folks are getting way ahead of themselves.

 

[Dexter]

Anything can happen in the Super Bowl but in AFC only injuries (like two seasons ago) can slow us down.

 

[IllegalContact]

the steelers? they lost jarvis jones and lawrence timmons
the texans? whatever.......wake me up when this actually happens
the raiders? they did not add the bodies on defense
the broncos? their defense too another step backward ... totally soft up the middle....their OL is poop

 

[neuronet]

We are winning the offseason super bowl! Rex Ryan is pissed, he usually won that.

Our biggest competition right now?

Time.

 

[patfanken]

Very quietly Miami is having a very nice off season that could get alot better if they manage to sign Poe.

 

[PatsFanInLondon]

I'm sure this is going to get a load of dislikes..but we're venturing into the same "we won the offseason" nonsense that usually has us laughing at other teams on an annual basis?

Are we favourite? Absolutely - but when FA hasn't ended and the draft hasn't even taken place, it's far to premature to declare ourselves SB LII champions already...