Toughest contenders

Personally, I feel like there is no elite team in the AFC, ATM. This weekend proved that anyone could beat anyone else, and no-one is clearly a step ahead (my definition of elite).

I think the Patriots have as good a chance as anyone in the AFC, though. And in a one-game situation like the superbowl, we have as good a chance as anyone, because of BB and Brady.

I think the Pats are better suited to beat a Defense like the Ravens/Jets now than they were in their losses.

alot having to do with our commitment to the run this year. in 09 we couldnt run at all, and in 10 for whatever reason, abandoned it against the jets

we saw against the jets the ground and pound that wore them down and then allows brady to use that play action pass that he's so deadly with

The Pats probably have the easiest schedule in the league after Thanksgiving

If they don't take care of the Sisters Of The Poor and sweep away all scrub teams enroute to at least a #2 seed and a bye,they won't belong as a contender.

Aside from Washington in that last few weeks which could be this years upset stinker,it looks like a cakewalk if they do what they are capable of,at least on offense.

The team should be 12-4 or 13-3 by the playoffs

Mogamedogz said:

As of THIS MOMENT... I do not have any faith what so ever that our boys could beat either GB or N.O.

The AFC is certainly wide open though.

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Really? Christian Ponder's first start ever with virtually no receiving core and a secondary filled with high school players against Rodgers who played using a cheat code called "I don't miss. No really, I don't" and yet he only lost by 6. New Orleans has also shown to be beatable, yet you think we would stand no chance? Don't get me wrong, in theory the Pats vs either of those teams could end up 70-70 with a last minute field goal winning it, but I just don't see how we don't stack up with them.

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:

The Pats probably have the easiest schedule in the league after Thanksgiving

If they don't take care of the Sisters Of The Poor and sweep away all scrub teams enroute to at least a #2 seed and a bye,they won't belong as a contender.

Aside from Washington in that last few weeks which could be this years upset stinker,it looks like a cakewalk if they do what they are capable of,at least on offense.

The team should be 12-4 or 13-3 by the playoffs

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I'd say the 49ers could have an easier schedule: Rams, @Cardinals, Steelers, @Seahawks, @Rams.
We have: Colts, @Redskins, @Broncos, Dolphins, Bills.
Close, real close... definitely both nice schedules to end though.

Fun side laugh:
Cleveland:Ravens, @Steelers, @Cardinals, @Ravens, Steelers

TBradyOwnsYou said:

Really? Christian Ponder's first start ever with virtually no receiving core and a secondary filled with high school players against Rodgers who played using a cheat code called "I don't miss. No really, I don't" and yet he only lost by 6. New Orleans has also shown to be beatable, yet you think we would stand no chance? Don't get me wrong, in theory the Pats vs either of those teams could end up 70-70 with a last minute field goal winning it, but I just don't see how we don't stack up with them.



I'd say the 49ers could have an easier schedule: Rams, @Cardinals, Steelers, @Seahawks, @Rams.
We have: Colts, @Redskins, @Broncos, Dolphins, Bills.
Close, real close... definitely both nice schedules to end though.

Fun side laugh:
Cleveland:Ravens, @Steelers, @Cardinals, @Ravens, Steelers

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that Green Bay game was the reason I started the thread. If the Pats D continues to progress, this team has a legitimate chance of having special season.

As Pats fans its a different feel when they win with balance pass/run, it keeps them under the radar. As much as I Like when the unleash the beast Brady. I'll take it, reminds me of the first three years of the run when all you heard was the were lucky.....That worked out pretty good!

TBradyOwnsYou said:

Really? Christian Ponder's first start ever with virtually no receiving core and a secondary filled with high school players against Rodgers who played using a cheat code called "I don't miss. No really, I don't" and yet he only lost by 6. New Orleans has also shown to be beatable, yet you think we would stand no chance? Don't get me wrong, in theory the Pats vs either of those teams could end up 70-70 with a last minute field goal winning it, but I just don't see how we don't stack up with them.

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Sorry. I just dont see it. Not right now. Maybe that changes if/when our D# improves.

As awful as our defense was in the first four weeks - it showed huge improvements in the last two, and there's reason to believe it's not an aberration (change in scheme = more zone coverage; personnel getting healthy; guys like Spikes, Haynesworth, etc. on the field; guys like Carter becoming more acclimated to the system).

Not to mention, even when this Defense started out as record setting bad, it made clutch plays all the while. The ability to make plays and make stops when it matters is a huge thing.

groundgame said:

2. New York Jets (best overall full coaching staff in AFC)

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Please tell me this is some attempt at humor?

The thing about baltimore and the jets is that they play with so much emotion. If they get up for a particular game, they can beat anybody. Remember that game at baltimore 07 when lewis was able to rile up his players around the death of sean taylor, and they almost beat us, even though they were a 5-11 team?

Baltimore and the jets are a serious threat to beat us, but not necessarily to win the superbowl. They will get up to beat us, but have a let down the following week.

N.O and GB with 2 of the best QB's in the league would be my vote.

A game against the Saints could boil down to whomever has the last possession, similar to how they played the colts in 09(minus mannings pick 6)

I haven't seen Rogders in many close games so I'm not sure how the same situation as above would play out. If BB contains GB's offense for 3 qtrs can Rodgers explode in the 4th in a big game? idk