8th straight AFCCG

[LightSkinSmurf]

I'm not predicting this team to win any road game the rest of the year. I don't care who we are playing. If its on the road I'm picking the other team.

 

[jimnance]

things change fast in the NFL

In 2001 we were 8-5 not even leading the division yet, and the Raiders were 10-3. We won out and they lost out, us grabbing the AFC East and stealing the 2 seed from the Raiders for their failure. And the rest is history.

Sh it happens.

 

[WHPats]

I will never ever bet against Brady and Bill to make the afcg

Few things, too
-we’ve shown the ability to beat good teams. Absolutely. Chiefs, Texans, bears, etc. and tbh, we showed imo that we could beat the Steelers. No we didn’t play well enough to do so, but it’s not like we didn’t belong on the same field. Clean up the penalties and even if ben erases a pick, it’s a winnable game (it was as is)
-the 2 seed is not gone. Houston is a pick em this week. Philly really could win that. And next week against the jags is less likely, but not a forgeone conclusion
-the 2 or 3 seed is a good path this year. If the 3 seed wins, whoever that is, it’d be us vs Houston in the divisional. I’ll take us there, home or away. And if the chargers get the one seed, it would then be either at la or home vs kc. Not impossible to win those by any means

Of any post I've read in the past week, I agree with yours the most! Every point you made, I completely agree with. If NE can be somewhat competent against the run, cut down the penalties and be a bit more efficient in the RZ, no one in the AFC is unbeatable. I thought in the Pittsburgh game especially (and even the Miami game with the miracle play) we beat ourselves. We're our own worst enemy right now with self-inflicted wounds. If the team had yet to beat a good team all year, and hadn't shown much offensively or defensively save for a few games, I'd be singing a much different tune. But the way they looked offensively against KC, both games against Miami, the defensive effort against Minnesota and GB with Aaron Rodgers and a decent effort on both sides of the ball against Houston, this team CAN do damage. They just have to be consistent. Easier said than done obviously, but if there was one team in the league that you'd put the most faith into regarding cleaning up sloppiness and mental errors, it's Bill, Tom and the rest of the boys. Go Pats!

 

[gitgronked82]

Of any post I've read in the past week, I agree with yours the most! Every point you made, I completely agree with. If NE can be somewhat competent against the run, cut down the penalties and be a bit more efficient in the RZ, no one in the AFC is unbeatable. I thought in the Pittsburgh game especially (and even the Miami game with the miracle play) we beat ourselves. We're our own worst enemy right now with self-inflicted wounds. If the team had yet to beat a good team all year, and hadn't shown much offensively or defensively save for a few games, I'd be singing a much different tune. But the way they looked offensively against KC, both games against Miami, the defensive effort against Minnesota and GB with Aaron Rodgers and a decent effort on both sides of the ball against Houston, this team CAN do damage. They just have to be consistent. Easier said than done obviously, but if there was one team in the league that you'd put the most faith into regarding cleaning up sloppiness and mental errors, it's Bill, Tom and the rest of the boys. Go Pats!

I appreciate the honor

Yes, I think this team has shown that they are capable of both beating any team in the afc (and possibly the nfl) and also capable of losing in the first round of the playoffs. That would surprise me, but we wouldn't be able to say that there was no foreshadowing.

Especially if we get the 2 seed, I think this team at least makes the afccg. but it's not a given with this team. still, never give up on them.

 

[mosslost]

Pats get to AFCCG bank it!

 

[Steve102]

Houston is the 2 right now. They just squeaked one out over the Jets. Before that, they lost at home to the Colts. They have cooled off considerably and they are beatable. I for one prefer facing a defensive-minded team than an offensive juggernaut. Gives our D a chance.

Well, they have two weeks to get right offensively. Lets hope.

 

[PatsFan2]

IF we end up being the Third Seed very possible if the Texans win in Philly. I would love for the Titans to win out and end up being the Sixth Seed. We get Tennessee in Foxboro on Wildcard Weekend then off to Texas in the Division Round. That's not exactly the most Daunting route to the AFCCG. If there is one Team we want to lose this weekend is the Baltimore Ravens I wouldn't want to play em if we are the Third Seed and they are the Sixth. I think they can give us Problems on both Offense and definitely Defense.

 

[mosslost]

IF we end up being the Third Seed very possible if the Texans win in Philly. I would love for the Titans to win out and end up being the Sixth Seed. We get Tennessee in Foxboro on Wildcard Weekend then off to Texas in the Division Round. That's not exactly the most Daunting route to the AFCCG. If there is one Team we want to lose this weekend is the Baltimore Ravens I wouldn't want to play em if we are the Third Seed and they are the Sixth. I think they can give us Problems on both Offense and definitely Defense.

Tenn @ Home
@ Houston

Very doable, I would never bet against the Pats in those two games, even this years version. I think it will be a big "ask" to expect them to win the AFCCG after that though, but I think it is actually unlikely the Pats are NOT in the AFCCG.

 

[PatsFan2]

Tenn @ Home
@ Houston

Very doable, I would never bet against the Pats in those two games, even this years version. I think it will be a big "ask" to expect them to win the AFCCG after that though, but I think it is actually unlikely the Pats are NOT in the AFCCG.

The Titans have what I would consider an Easy close out Two Home Games against the Redskins and Colts. IF Vrabel can't get them up for that they have no business in the Playoffs.

 

[PatsFan2]

That Baltimore @ LA Game this weekend have Huge implications for both Teams. Ravens are still in the running for that North Title and LA Chargers are still is running for #1 overall in the AFC West. A Baltimore win coupled with a Steeler loss @ New Orleans makes em that 4th Seed with one game left things that make you go Hmmmmm. In my heart under no circumstance would I want to see Baltimore early on.

 

[Triumph]

If Baltimore gets the 6th seed we're probably not even winning a playoff game.

Their defense has really come together and Lamar Jackson is good at ?

Running.

 

[Haterproof]

The Titans have what I would consider an Easy close out Two Home Games against the Redskins and Colts. IF Vrabel can't get them up for that they have no business in the Playoffs.

The Colts (who've owned them for a very long time) definitely won't be a easy game! That could very well be for the last wildcard spot in the AFC!

 

[moejr]

Not making the afccg this year. We are weak on defense and not as mentally tough as we usually are. One and done this year

 

[brdmaverick]

Houston is not winning at Philly Sunday so we will get the bye.

Because they play on Saturday?

Sorry, bad joke that may have already been made. I haven't read through the entire chain.

 

[brdmaverick]

My concern is that if we are a #3 seed the wild card weekend will be thought of as a relative 'after thought' by the New England fan base. After all, we're undefeated at home, but that's what happened in 2009.

Sure, you can possibly point to Welker as the reason there, but still, can we confidently say that without a doubt we beat Tennesse in in the first round when they just ran all over us (and Henry is really revving up)? Or the streaking Colts? Nobody is a gimme this year.

We definitely need the #2 seed to make any noise this year.

And as much as I'm looked as in my friend circle and family as Mr. Pats optimist, even I have to agree that just hoping to get to the AFCCG is the new bar. We're not in a position to even entertain beating the Saints or Rams in a dome. We'd have to hope that a lesser quality team gets hot (much like the Giants in 2011) to at least give us a chance (maybe the Cowboys)? Don't get me wrong, the Cowboys would still give us trouble, but we'd be better matched.

 

[mosslost]

My concern is that if we are a #3 seed the wild card weekend will be thought of as a relative 'after thought' by the New England fan base. After all, we're undefeated at home, but that's what happened in 2009.

Sure, you can possibly point to Welker as the reason there, but still, can we confidently say that without a doubt we beat Tennesse in in the first round when they just ran all over us (and Henry is really revving up)? Or the streaking Colts? Nobody is a gimme this year.

We definitely need the #2 seed to make any noise this year.

And as much as I'm looked as in my friend circle and family as Mr. Pats optimist, even I have to agree that just hoping to get to the AFCCG is the new bar. We're not in a position to even entertain beating the Saints or Rams in a dome. We'd have to hope that a lesser quality team gets hot (much like the Giants in 2011) to at least give us a chance (maybe the Cowboys)? Don't get me wrong, the Cowboys would still give us trouble, but we'd be better matched.

Just making the Super Bowl would annoy the $h1t out of so many AFC fanbases that it would be worth it to me even if we limped into the game. And anything can happen in that game anyway..

We have won so much that part of the joy for me is "joy prevention" for other teams. A 9th SB appearance means another year lots of AFC fans hopes are dashed by the Pats, and if it happened this year they would be like "wow, even this version of the Pats goes to the dance"

 

[brdmaverick]

And as much as I'm looked as in my friend circle and family as Mr. Pats optimist, even I have to agree that just hoping to get to the AFCCG is the new bar. We're not in a position to even entertain beating the Saints or Rams in a dome. We'd have to hope that a lesser quality team gets hot (much like the Giants in 2011) to at least give us a chance (maybe the Cowboys)? Don't get me wrong, the Cowboys would still give us trouble, but we'd be better matched.

Shows how much I know. Couldn't be more glad to be wrong.

 

[Soliel]

Just making the Super Bowl would annoy the $h1t out of so many AFC fanbases that it would be worth it to me even if we limped into the game. And anything can happen in that game anyway..

We have won so much that part of the joy for me is "joy prevention" for other teams. A 9th SB appearance means another year lots of AFC fans hopes are dashed by the Pats, and if it happened this year they would be like "wow, even this version of the Pats goes to the dance"

You mean like when we win the bowl next year?

 

[n6249c]

This team has much to fix to turn things around. One game at a time.

And that's the Team I compare the current one to especially Defensively they were just as bad.

The interesting thing is we would take the talent on that defense over the current squad in a heartbeat.

Only exceptions are JC over Otis, Guy over Steve Martin/Pleasent and Harmon over T Buck.

20-20 hindsight makes this whole thread priceless, but this sequence just takes the cake. Oh ye of little faith...

 

[RobertWeathers]

20-20 hindsight makes this whole thread priceless, but this sequence just takes the cake. Oh ye of little faith...

2002 D over 2018 D?

I stand by what I said.

Look at the 02 D starters and tell me which ones you bench in favor of 2018