How realistic is a Super Bowl appearance this season?

[Dec54]

One year into a rebuild and we are talking Super Bowl, how impressive is that?

 

[maust]

It almost sounds like pie in the sky until you look at the AFC's supposed 'contenders' then suddenly it becomes... Hey...

 

[BennyBledsoe]

I think it was Belichick himself who noted that all that mattered was to get into the playoffs. With the one-and-done format, that's all you really need. Just a foot in the door.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I think we'll know more after their next meeting with Buffalo. If they sweep them, I think their chances sky rocket because they will most likely be in position for the #1 seed. There will be a lot of 1st and 2nd round upsets this season.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think you'd be hard pressed to make a legit argument that it isn't "realistic" that we make the Super Bowl. The other 6 teams in the AFC playoffs right now are:

DEN - made the playoffs last year but lost WC round and have a 2nd year QB too
IND - missed the playoffs last year, even though they were an ok team vs. bad like us
PIT - made playoffs last year but lost WC round
BUF - made AFC champ game last year and have regularly won in the playoffs except against KC
SD - made playoffs last year but lost WC round
JAX - having a turnaround from 4-13 just like us

People criticize our weak schedule but pretty sure all of those teams have weak schedules themselves. We're at 9-2 with high rankings on both sides of the ball, so really the only reason to further disqualify us from being a serious SB threat would be lack of experience but it's not exactly a murderer's row lineup of battle tested teams there. BUF the only team that's really had any actual playoff success and we already beat them and have played them tough even in our bad years these past two.

 

[Patsfan1645]

2007

 

[Brotherblues]

How realistic is it for any team?

Average the realisticness of the 10 most realistic teams, and the Pats are realistically in the middle of that.

 

[signbabybrady]

When you get Coaching and QB play this good it's very realistic.

Now we need to capitalize and sustain it!

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

It wouldn’t be a shocker at all. If you look around the afc which matchups would you not feel pretty good about? Id only be worried about going into mile high as the broncos are well rounded and theyve been known to be pretty one sided with officiating some of the times we’ve gone there. Thankfully it doesn’t look like we will have to go into arrowhead at any point

 

[Triumph]

 

[Family]

I think we'll know more after their next meeting with Buffalo. If they sweep them, I think their chances sky rocket because they will most likely be in position for the #1 seed. There will be a lot of 1st and 2nd round upsets this season.

Statistically their chances decrease if they have to meet Buffalo again. Especially with an experienced playoff team and Josh Allen.

That's actually one thing I fear.

 

[mgteich]

realistic?

It is realistic for any team in the playoffs to win the AFC championship and be in the playoffs.

It is UNLIKELY that any one of the 7 teams will win the AFC championship.

We arguably as good a chance as the other favorites (IND, DEN, BUF, KC, and BALT).

2025 NFL playoff picture: AFC, NFC seed projections, chances

We're looking ahead to how the 14-team playoff picture could line up -- and who will win divisions -- en route to Super Bowl LX.

www.espn.com

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BTW, we are heavy favorites to win the division.

 

[Rob0729]

Once you get into the playoffs, almost any team in has at least a shot of getting hot and going to and winning the Super Bowl.

Look at the Giants in 2007. They were arguably one of the weakest teams heading into the playoffs. They got hot at the right time and barreled all the way to a Super Bowl championship.

You can make the argument that the Pats are currently the best team in the AFC. You can make it for several teams, but there are legitimate arguments for the Patriots. Which means they obviously have a chance for the Super Bowl.

But in an one and done playoff system, anything can happen. So even if the Pats were the clear best in the AFC, it doesn't guarantee a Super Bowl spot. I mean several of the Patriots teams that lost in the AFCCG were arguably better than one or two of the ones that won the Super Bowl.

 

[rkarp1]

It's about a 14% chance, right?
get in and anything can happen
I think the odd's would improve if the team was playing out the playoffs at home. and everyone was reasonably back to health

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

The way I see it... There is nothing to fear.

The Pats are 9-2. They're not supposed to be 9-2. They're way ahead of schedule.

Whatever happens, happens... but they have as good a shot as anyone. Bills, Broncos, Colts etc - no one is unbeatable this year

 

[Patsfan1645]

No team is looking at their schedule and penciling in a dub beside our names. We are a F&#KING problem and that's enough to make me happy this year no matter how it plays out.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

This idea has me vigorous tearing up the sofa!

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I see Pats Rams....
Sht happens, hopefully we get healthier heading down the stretch.

 

[ALP]

It’s tough for a team without recent playoff experience to win in the playoffs without first losing in the playoffs

But it seems most teams this year don’t have recent playoff experience

 

[sb1]

How about have a good December first and then go from there.

That hasn't happened since the Patriots last won the Super Bowl. Total coaching failure IMO but maybe that aspect has finally been fixed.