Other AFC Teams

[SHOWTIME15]

So what are your thoughts on the other AFC teams? I would think Denver, Oakland, Pittsburgh and KC are our biggest competition for the 1 seed. Of course, it sucks that KC has the tie breaker with us but they play in a tougher division so they are bound to lose a few.

Denver's D looks dominant and Siemian is playing well. However, they played 2 games at home. I am curious as to how well they will fare on the road - last year they were very average away from Mile High.

Prior to the start of the season many said the NFC was miles better, but so far the AFC looks like the better conference.

 

[turkeyneck]

It helps us quite a bit that KC, DEN, and OAK play in the same division. They will not all remain undefeated for long.

 

[Kargetina]

I would be perfectly happy with a bye even if we're not the number one seed as long as we're reasonably healthy going into the playoffs.

Considering the dumpster fire that's our division, the dumpster fire that's the AFC South, and the fact that Oak/KC/Denver play in the same division, as long as we have a better record than Pittsburgh, we'll get the bye.

 

[JMC00]

Broncos. Rivers had 3 TD against them and had they not done the freeze the kicker TO that game would have went to OT. Cowboys IMO are the most overrated team in the NFL and that game yesterday showed that. No coincidence that Elliot had his worst game of his young career and they got blown out. That was the least amount of carries he has seen in 18 games.

Steelers have faced Deshone Kizer and Case Keenum.

Oakland beat the Titans (can't tell if that's a solid win or not) and the jests are tanking for # 1


Still too early to tell

 

[Triumph]

Jamie Collins concussion

Kizer played like a rookie in over his head. 3 INTs

Philly vs KC game was closer then the score. KC struggled to score points in the 1st half and Wentz had success vs that defense. Kelce continues to be a doosh bag.

Cinci no Tds in the loss. This could finally get Lewis fired.

Phins dodged a loss on a SD missed FG for the win.

 

[Dagg]

Yeah I thought Philly hung in with KC then another big play from that Hunt guy broke it open. Raiders are pretty solid overall. Hard to tell how good anyone is vs Jets but they have diverse offensive weapons but not sure about their DBs. Simieon had a few games like that last year as well. I expect him to struggle on road.

The Ravens played Cle and Cincy 2 of the 3 worst teams in the AFC. They won the games but werent overpowering the lack offensive weapons IMO.

Should be an interesting year, I dont think the AFC is as down as it was last year.

 

[XLIX]

Quite honestly, I think the 3 best teams in the conference that we have to worry about are all in the same division, the West. Fortunately, only 1 team can win the division so all we really need to do is beat Pittsburgh out for, at worst, the #2 seed.

 

[50-yard-line]

So what are your thoughts on the other AFC teams? I would think Denver, Oakland, Pittsburgh and KC are our biggest competition for the 1 seed. Of course it sucks that KC has the tie breaker with us but they play in a tougher division so they are bound to lose a few.

Denver's D looks dominant and Siemian is playing well. However, they played 2 games at home. I am curious as to how well they will fare on the road - last year they were very average away from Mile High.

Prior to the start of the season many said the NFC was miles better but so far the AFC looks like the conference with more quality teams.

I think you're right on the five best teams in the division, but those were the five best teams last year, too. Even with all their struggles, Denver could beat you.

Dallas looked horrible yesterday - Denver's receivers were wide open on almost every play. And the Dallas O-line isn't as dominant as last year's edition.

Injuries will determine the pecking order. KC is VERY top-heavy. Denver's D has a couple of cogs that will break the whole of it if they go down (Talib and Miller). Pakland's pretty solid, top to bottom, but their D is meh. Haven't paid any attention to Pittsburgh, because I can never take them seriously. I don't remember the last time (other than when Cassel was QB'ing) when the Pats played them in a big game where I ever thought the outcome was in doubt.

If the Pats D sorts out, as seems to be happening already, the only thing that can stop them are continuing injuries. It's been freakishly bad already, so let's hope it straightens out.

 

[jmt57]

I am wondering if Baltimore should be added to the list. Their defense has forced ten turnovers in two games (twice as many as any other team). They have allowed only ten points in two games.

That may end up being just a mirage though: their first to opponents were the Bengals (who have yet to score a TD) and the Browns. Even so, limiting your opponents to less than 50% passing in two games says you must be doing something right.

We won't really know anything until weeks 4 and 5, when they play Pittsburgh and Oakland; next week should be another easy win for the Ravens (they play Jacksonville).

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I am wondering if Baltimore should be added to the list. Their defense has forced ten turnovers in two games (twice as many as any other team). They have allowed only ten points in two games.

That may end up being just a mirage though: their first to opponents were the Bengals (who have yet to score a TD) and the Browns. Even so, limiting your opponents to less than 50% passing in two games says you must be doing something right.

We won't really know anything until weeks 4 and 5, when they play Pittsburgh and Oakland; next week should be another easy win for the Ravens (they play Jacksonville).

They lost their starting guard so that can be a huge blow but i think they have the best defense in the afc north

 

[varjao]

Denver looks like a pitbull in steroids again playing in mile high and they play some weak teams on the road, Chargers, Bills, Dolphins, Colts, Redskins.

They are a 10-6 team at least.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Denver looks like a pitbull in steroids again playing in mile high and they play some weak teams on the road, Chargers, Bills, Dolphins, Colts, Redskins.

They are a 10-6 team at least.

That defense will still keep them in games. Gotta go there and win again.

 

[jmt57]

They lost their starting guard so that can be a huge blow but i think they have the best defense in the afc north

Losing Marshal Yanda is a bigger deal than it would normally be for the Ravens, or any team to overcome. Aside from the fact that he is an excellent player, their depth on the offensive line had already been decimated before the season began. That makes three projected starters on the OL that will not play this season: Yanda, OT Alex Lewis (IR, shoulder) and C John John Urschel (retired at the start of training camp). On top of that 4th round pick G guard Nico Siragusa (knee) is also on IR.

Losing Yanda may be the proverbial straw that broke the Raven's back. We've already seen what poor offensive line play can do to an otherwise fairly decent team (Texans, Seahawks, Packers, Giants, Bengals).

 

[BobDigital]

KC - A team that is on fire right now but it won't last. Alex Smith is playing the best football of his life. He won't play like that for 14 more games. Their D is tough but the Pats proved they could score on it but they will be a hard out.

Oakland - About what I thought they were. They will be in it for the long haul. Also their D has been good. They are IMO the toughest AFC competition likely.

Denver - The question here is did the light go on for Trevor Siemian or is it just a good run? If it did go on for him then they will be a big issue and one of the few true threats in the AFC. I think it is a team it is easy to succeed with though but their OL can still be a fatal flaw.

Tenn - Lost to a good team. Beat a bad one. Let's wait and see. They are a team worth watching. I don't see them as an issue though.

Houston - Still no QB so not a threat even with a good D. Unlike last year he can run around and make plays with his legs but that won't be enough to make them a serious threat.

Pitt - They still running that zone blitz D? Brady owns that and them. Bell doesn't look right which is something to note.

Baltimore - 2-0 but a paper tiger. Their O stinks and their D has played very well but it isn't that good. It is a mix of very good early play and facing bad Os. The wheels will come off probably after the Jags this week.

To me those are the only AFC teams worth talking about. To wrap it up.

Contenders/threats - Denver, Oakland - real threats. Even if Oakland's D isn't amazing or Denver's QB was just on a hot streak both teams should be a concern.

Pretenders -Baltimore, Houston, Tenn - A list of 1 and dones or teams that fall to around .500 and miss the playoffs all together.

Iffy teams - KC - I just don't see Alex Smith carrying this team to the promised land though i expect a competent and tough team. If Smith has a very good day they will be hard to beat. Pitt is a team I just don't think beats the Pats. Particularly if the Pats have home field in the playoffs which i think they will.

The same thoughts i had before the season started.

 

[mosslost]

So what are your thoughts on the other AFC teams? I would think Denver, Oakland, Pittsburgh and KC are our biggest competition for the 1 seed. Of course it sucks that KC has the tie breaker with us but they play in a tougher division so they are bound to lose a few.

Denver's D looks dominant and Siemian is playing well. However, they played 2 games at home. I am curious as to how well they will fare on the road - last year they were very average away from Mile High.

Prior to the start of the season many said the NFC was miles better but so far the AFC looks like the conference with more quality teams.

With respect to a bye, as long we play well enough, we are logistically in good shape since KC/OAK/DEN in same division, and PITT/BALT in same division. The South we will be better than. Miami is our most important foe right now. Get ahead of them and for first round bye. (Seed 2 almost a lock because of what I described above, Seed 1 is going to be a battle now though)

 

[mosslost]

It helps us quite a bit that KC, DEN, and OAK play in the same division. They will not all remain undefeated for long.

plus only the division winner is our competition. It is really more about how many teams are our competition for seed 2. Only three (four if you count Miami) are possible. And the South is not going to beat us out. AFCW or AFCN winners are only competition for seed 2 which is a very important goal. Seed 1 of course is the main goal before the playoffs start.

 

[Froob]

If we get homefield, I think only the Chiefs and Ravens are capable of beating us at home.

 

[mosslost]

Broncos. Rivers had 3 TD against them and had they not done the freeze the kicker TO that game would have went to OT. Cowboys IMO are the most overrated team in the NFL and that game yesterday showed that. No coincidence that Elliot had his worst game of his young career and they got blown out. That was the least amount of carries he has seen in 18 games.

Steelers have faced Deshone Kizer and Case Keenum.

Oakland beat the Titans (can't tell if that's a solid win or not) and the jests are tanking for # 1


Still too early to tell

It's too early to tell who is going to be real good. However, due to the structure of the divisions, it is not too early to tell that we should be in awesome position to get a 2 seed first round bye. 1 seed very possible but the 2 seed is "almost" a lock unless the PATS are the reason why it does not happen. Anything could happen though.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If we get homefield, I think only the Chiefs and Ravens are capable of beating us at home.

I am not worried about the Chiefs even though they beat us last week. BB will have a perfect game plan for them the second time around and KC has never proven they can go deep into the playoffs.

 

[Froob]

I am not worried about the Chiefs even though they beat us last week. BB will have a perfect game plan for them and KC has never proven they can go deep into the playoffs.

Reid has had a number of deep playoff runs though. I thought they were our biggest threat before they beat us but, we really shouldn't lose to anybody in the AFC.