Pros and Cons of Being the NFL's No. 1

[MainePatsFan26]

Now that Philadelphia has been exposed (*edit* "exposed as beatable"), how does it feel to be the league's highest rated team according to most polls out there?

Does us hitting a high point this early track with other years we've had success, or have we peaked early?

Or are we feeling good about being at the top of the heap?

Lastly... of the 10-2 teams, which of them presents the biggest potential challenge to us?

In the current playoff predictions, the Ravens could end up as the #6 seed. If we go #1, I can just see playing them again in Foxboro.

 

[XLIX]

They are 10-2 - just like us - and lost a tough road game to a good opponent. I am not sure that counts as having "been exposed".

As Coach Belichick likes to say: Winning in this league is hard.

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

I feel really good about our team right now. Offense is scoring a lot of points and defense is dominating. This team is better than the 2016 team in my opinion. The 2016 team had crazy heart though and were rarely denied.

 

[sb1]

I hope Hogan is back in 2 weeks. The man owns the Steelers.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

They are 10-2 - just like us - and lost a tough road game to a good opponent. I am not sure that counts as having "been exposed".

As Coach Belichick likes to say: Winning in this league is hard.

They weren't exposed as bad, but they were exposed as having weaknesses. I had been hearing about how they were a juggernaut of late. In a tough location against a motivated team, Philadelphia folded like a house of cards. They better get #1, because they looked rather listless on the road against formidable competition.

Let's see how the Patriots do in Pittsburgh as a similar measuring stick.

 

[BobDigital]

I agree... I wouldn't say Philly was exposed. They are about the team I thought they were.. Not the wagon they looked like at times but a very good team with a few minor issues that got too much praise for beating up on bad teams. They are still arguably the class of the NFC.

That fumble out the back of the end zone was a killer. If not for that I think the game would have been a toss up in the 4th just about.

I don't think this game means for sure the eagles aren't still the best NFC team or maybe the best NFL team. I would argue the top 10 teams right now...

#1 Pats - They look the most complete right now.

#2 Saints - Their loss last week changes nothing. When they have their top CBs their D is pretty decent. They have an offense that can beat you a number of ways. Brees is a guy you can trust to get it done with the big money on the table and they have a coach with a clue.

#3 Vikings - The QB is the weakness but the play there has been okay. They have some sick offensive weapons and the best D besides the Jags overall IMO.

#4 Eagles - The main issue with this team is they are young and inexperienced. I think their O and D in particular are slightly overrated but still good.

#5 Rams - A lot like the Eagles but I think a bit more exposed. They could easily drop lower.

#6 Seahawks - Wilson is doing a great job but his weapons have played well and that D has stepped up. They seem to still have decent DBs despite losing so many key players. Still this is more about just current momentum than actual talent on the team IMO.

#7 Jags - That D is legit. I don't care what anyone says. I know the offense is questionable to say the least but this D can win nearly alone and is IMO the best in the NFL. Unless they face an offense that can play nearly mistake free ball they are not likely to lose often. Few teams can do that.

#8 Steelers - Yes, I still don't buy this team. I just have seen too many questionable games and suck performances by one unit or they other. They rarely put it all together and blue print for stopping them is out there for any competent team. I could honestly see them losing the next 3 games.

#9 Panthers - A very good D and hit or miss O. Cam can make a few plays at times to keep drives alive.

#10 Baltimore - This defense needs respect. The O is usually trash but a good D can take you far and make scoring easier on your offense. This team is starting to emerge as an interesting dark horse that could get a surprise win in the AFC vs the Steelers or Jags in the playoffs... I wouldn't put it past them.

HMs Falcons - The only HM that probably matters... Titans and San Diego need HMs too but I don't see either having any chance to do much even as a dark horse.

No one else really needs to be discussed besides these 13 teams for me. Maybe GB but I don't think so... I doubt they have a realistic chance to make it in even if they win out.

 

[drewskie]

Agree that the Saints are my pick in the NFC. The coach and QB they have are the second best combo in the league behind us, and they have a great running game. Great CBs, and can rush the passer.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Agree that the Saints are my pick in the NFC. The coach and QB they have are the second best combo in the league behind us, and they have a great running game. Great CBs, and can rush the passer.

Brees vs. Brady in the Superbowl would really be something.

 

[pherein]

Brees vs. Brady in the Superbowl would really be something.

yeah, that would be something to see, and both would bring their A game I'm sure. Us down 14 or you down we would both be nervous lol. TB can come back easy on any defense, and Brees has his moments.

 

[pherein]

I agree... I wouldn't say Philly was exposed. They are about the team I thought they were.. Not the wagon they looked like at times but a very good team with a few minor issues that got too much praise for beating up on bad teams. They are still arguably the class of the NFC.

That fumble out the back of the end zone was a killer. If not for that I think the game would have been a toss up in the 4th just about.

I don't think this game means for sure the eagles aren't still the best NFC team or maybe the best NFL team. I would argue the top 10 teams right now...

#1 Pats - They look the most complete right now.

#2 Saints - Their loss last week changes nothing. When they have their top CBs their D is pretty decent. They have an offense that can beat you a number of ways. Brees is a guy you can trust to get it done with the big money on the table and they have a coach with a clue.

#3 Vikings - The QB is the weakness but the play there has been okay. They have some sick offensive weapons and the best D besides the Jags overall IMO.

#4 Eagles - The main issue with this team is they are young and inexperienced. I think their O and D in particular are slightly overrated but still good.

#5 Rams - A lot like the Eagles but I think a bit more exposed. They could easily drop lower.

#6 Seahawks - Wilson is doing a great job but his weapons have played well and that D has stepped up. They seem to still have decent DBs despite losing so many key players. Still this is more about just current momentum than actual talent on the team IMO.

#7 Jags - That D is legit. I don't care what anyone says. I know the offense is questionable to say the least but this D can win nearly alone and is IMO the best in the NFL. Unless they face an offense that can play nearly mistake free ball they are not likely to lose often. Few teams can do that.

#8 Steelers - Yes, I still don't buy this team. I just have seen too many questionable games and suck performances by one unit or they other. They rarely put it all together and blue print for stopping them is out there for any competent team. I could honestly see them losing the next 3 games.

#9 Panthers - A very good D and hit or miss O. Cam can make a few plays at times to keep drives alive.

#10 Baltimore - This defense needs respect. The O is usually trash but a good D can take you far and make scoring easier on your offense. This team is starting to emerge as an interesting dark horse that could get a surprise win in the AFC vs the Steelers or Jags in the playoffs... I wouldn't put it past them.

HMs Falcons - The only HM that probably matters... Titans and San Diego need HMs too but I don't see either having any chance to do much even as a dark horse.

No one else really needs to be discussed besides these 13 teams for me. Maybe GB but I don't think so... I doubt they have a realistic chance to make it in even if they win out.

yeah, Pats don't scare me in an SB because of it just cool to be with good NFL fans and win or lose I'm good if we fight hard and play our best game, but Jags scare me because they can make your offense look like idiots. Their front 4 and LB core is nasty good.

 

[maineman209]

Brees vs. Brady in the Superbowl would really be something.

The two oldest starting QBs in the league putting on a clinic.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

#10 Baltimore - This defense needs respect. The O is usually trash but a good D can take you far and make scoring easier on your offense. This team is starting to emerge as an interesting dark horse that could get a surprise win in the AFC vs the Steelers or Jags in the playoffs... I wouldn't put it past them.

Baltimore scares me at a #6 seed. If we get number #1, Baltimore could go on the road and beat the Jaguars in a 10-9 defensive battle. Suddenly, the Ravens are coming to town. We've beaten them before in the divisional round, but I'd rather play a team like the Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs (the current fiasco version), or Titans than the Ravens.

 

[DarrylS]

Not convinced the Patriots have "peaked" as good as they have been playing during this streak they have gotten out of sync a few times.. even yesterday was somewhat uneven, but more than adequate to win...

I know this is sacrilegious and at least a venial sin, but Brady seems a little off past couple of weeks.. still better than everyone else, but he has been missing some obvious opportunities..

The coaching has been top notch in all aspects..

 

[RobertWeathers]

I feel really good about our team right now. Offense is scoring a lot of points and defense is dominating. This team is better than the 2016 team in my opinion. The 2016 team had crazy heart though and were rarely denied.

Let's pump the brakes on the 2016 comparison.

This team has won nothing

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not convinced the Patriots have "peaked" as good as they have been playing during this streak they have gotten out of sync a few times.. even yesterday was somewhat uneven, but more than adequate to win...

I know this is sacrilegious and at least a venial sin, but Brady seems a little off past couple of weeks.. still better than everyone else, but he has been missing some obvious opportunities..

The coaching has been top notch in all aspects..

I think the Achilles is bothering him.

It's also the reason the running game has stepped up.

 

[scott99]

I feel really good about our team right now. Offense is scoring a lot of points and defense is dominating. This team is better than the 2016 team in my opinion. The 2016 team had crazy heart though and were rarely denied.

I think that 2016 was better. More consistent offense. Defense is turning it around to almost equal 2016, amazingly without Hightower.

 

[Nehalem]

I think that 2016 was better. More consistent offense. Defense is turning it around to almost equal 2016, amazingly without Hightower.

Almost? In the past 6 weeks they have allowed 9.5ppg(removing the 7 points from the Karras missnap). And that is while facing Rivers, Carr, and Ryan.

I was going to add that somehow Brock Osweiler put up the most points of any QB in that 6 weeks run. But it appears that the somehow is name Emmanuel Sanders.

 

[IllegalContact]

The guys who were part of this team at some point this season who did not play this weekend would be fighting for a playoff spot in this year's NFL.....just sayin' that complacency will likely not happen

Keionta Davis DL Neck I-R Davis has been designated for injured reserve as he is recovering from a bulging disc in his neck.
Kony Ealy - Dumped
Cassius Marsh - Dumped
Jimmy Garoppolo - traded
Cyrus Jones CB Knee I-R Jones suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and is on injured reserve as a result.
Julian Edelman WR Knee I-R Eldeman tore the ACL in his right knee and is on the injured reserve list.
Harvey Langi LB Back I-R Langi has been placed on the IR/Non-Football Injury list due to a back injury.
Andrew Jelks OL Knee I-R Jelks has landed on the Injured Reserve/Non-Football Injury list due to a knee injury.
Martellus Bennett TE Shoulder I-R Bennett has been placed on the injured reserve list with a torn rotator cuff and a hamstring injury.
Nate Ebner DB Knee I-R Ebner has landed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Shea McClellin DE Concussion I-R McClellin has been placed on the IR/Designated for Return list with a concussion and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Dont'a Hightower LB Pectoral I-R Hightower suffered a torn pectoral muscle and is on the injured reserve list.
Antonio Garcia OL Illness I-R Garcia has landed on the Injured Reserve/Non-Football Illness list with an unspecified illness. It is unclear if he will be activated prior to Week 14 against the Dolphins.
Malcolm Mitchell WR Knee I-R Mitchell is hampered by a knee injury and is on the injured reserve list. It is undetermined if he will be activated in time for Week 14 against the Dolphins.
Derek Rivers DE Knee I-R Rivers is on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee.
Chris Hogan WR Shoulder out Hogan is recovering from a right shoulder injury and there is no timetable for return.
Trey Flowers DL Ribs questionable Flowers missed the last game with a rib injury and his status is unknown for Week 14 against the Dolphins.
Vincent Valentine DT Knee questionable Valentine has landed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury and it is uncertain if he will be activated for Week 14 against the Dolphins.
LaAdrian Waddle T Ankle questionable Waddle missed the last game with an ankle injury and his status is unknown for Week 14 against the Dolphins.
Marcus Cannon T Ankle questionable Cannon has sat out the previous four games with an ankle injury and his status is unknown for Week 14 against the Dolphins.
Trevor Reilly LB Head questionable Reilly missed the previous game with a head injury and his status for Week 14 against the Dolphins is unknown.
Matt Slater WR Hamstring questionable Slater has missed his fourth-straight game due to an injured hamstring and his status is unknown for Week 14 against the Dolphins.

 

[mosslost]

Now that Philadelphia has been exposed (*edit* "exposed as beatable"), how does it feel to be the league's highest rated team according to most polls out there?

Does us hitting a high point this early track with other years we've had success, or have we peaked early?

Or are we feeling good about being at the top of the heap?

Lastly... of the 10-2 teams, which of them presents the biggest potential challenge to us?

In the current playoff predictions, the Ravens could end up as the #6 seed. If we go #1, I can just see playing them again in Foxboro.

10-2 is an awesome and rare record for after 12 games. SEVEN times under BB and Brady we have been at least 10-2 after 12, SEVEN times. Pretty good times.

FIVE times the Pats have won at least 14 regular season games. Only a few other teams have ever done it, and the second most is two (2) seasons (Steelers and 49ers)

 

[PrairiePat]

It's tough to be in the NFC this year, isn't it? Lots of good teams there, while the AFC has mainly the Pats and Steelers, with the Jags as a darkhorse.

I still think it's the Eagles and Saints in the NFC. The Vikings are good, as are Seattle and LA, but I don't see any of those 3 getting through the Eagles/Saints, especially on the road. Brees with a defense and running game is a really scary thought.