ESPN/538: Pats Super Bowl Path Is the Easiest in Modern NFL History

The Patriots’ Super Bowl Path Is The Easiest In Modern NFL History

Interesting breakdown.

I for one have LOVED how this season has gone, I can't of another season where every single playoff outcome I wanted (on both the AFC/NFC) to happen has actually happened...hell, starting with the crazy Week 17 that resulted in the Bills getting in and Ravens being knocked out.

Also, I think it's fine to say this is our easiest SB path while also saying it's easy because A) We're so much better than the majority of the league B) We earned it by getting the #1 seed.

They predict the Patriots to have an 81% chance to win I believe. I guess you gotta feel confident about that.

I don't care what they say, there is no way this Jaguar team is an easier opponent than the 2004 Falcons.

Pessimistic Pete said:

The Patriots’ Super Bowl Path Is The Easiest In Modern NFL History

Interesting breakdown.

I for one have LOVED how this season has gone, I can't of another season where every single playoff outcome I wanted (on both the AFC/NFC) to happen has actually happened...hell, starting with the crazy Week 17 that resulted in the Bills getting in and Ravens being knocked out.

Also, I think it's fine to say this is our easiest SB path while also saying it's easy because A) We're so much better than the majority of the league B) We earned it by getting the #1 seed.

Click to expand...

Pessimistic Pete said:

The Patriots’ Super Bowl Path Is The Easiest In Modern NFL History

Interesting breakdown.

I for one have LOVED how this season has gone, I can't of another season where every single playoff outcome I wanted (on both the AFC/NFC) to happen has actually happened...hell, starting with the crazy Week 17 that resulted in the Bills getting in and Ravens being knocked out.

Also, I think it's fine to say this is our easiest SB path while also saying it's easy because A) We're so much better than the majority of the league B) We earned it by getting the #1 seed.

Click to expand...

Nothing's easy. You still have to step on the field and make the plays. Hopefully we make more plays on sunday and come out on top.

And yet Tennessee and Jacksonville were both good enough to knock out higher seeds and division winners. Weird.

People act like the Pats got to pick their opponents out of a hat.

Not so easy with an injured Brady

ESPN already looking for ways to diminish the accomplishment of a possible Patriot Super Bowl win.

haven't they factored in the head coach starting qb an owner hate one another? damn... pats should be bottom of the barrel

If the Patriots win the SB, do they get a smaller trophy because their path was “easier?” Or will it be normal sized?

I feel like we've heard this before with s.o.s. too. **** em.

No. 2008 steelers

8-8 chargers
11-5 ravens
9- 7 cards

Record wise our path cannot be easier if we make the sb, unless Philadelphia makes it and foles totally stinks it up , then you could make a case

Pessimistic Pete said:

Also, I think it's fine to say this is our easiest SB path while also saying it's easy because A) We're so much better than the majority of the league B) We earned it by getting the #1 seed.

Click to expand...

Bingo. You want to lighten your path to the Superbowl? No problem, just be the hands-down best team in the conference.

Top 3 defenses in the modern era. How is that easy?

denverpatsfan said:

Top 3 defenses in the modern era. How is that easy?

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Because defense is less than half the game. Offense and special teams matter. Our defense vs their offenses is a significantly bigger mismatch than their defenses vs our offense.

Felger and his squeaky lap dog will be all over this tomorrow.

denverpatsfan said:

Top 3 defenses in the modern era. How is that easy?

Click to expand...

It's not easy, but Jacksonville doesn't have the best defense in the league this year, and are not a top 3 defense in the modern era-- even if you count the modern era as starting in 2000.

There's just no pop, no snap to a headline that shouts 'It's Never Easy To Win The Superbowl'.
You have a minimum of 3 games, sometimes 4, against teams that have demonstrated an ability to win more often than not. It's the end of the season and the rigor has taken a toll on players and a team's overall ability. There's the specter of the national super spotlight especially affecting guys who are only several years removed from being able to buy alcohol legally. You have a 'do or die' play mentality in all teams. There is the funny bounce of the ball in any game, the whim of the refs, the unknown of January weather and winter colds and flu. Finally, every Patriots SB (BB/TB era) I've watched has been a nail biter that could have gone either way in all 7 games.

Statistically ESPN may be right (I don't know, who cares, and if so even a broken clock is right twice a day). But whatever qualifier you want to put in there bout this year's crop of CCG contenders at the end of the sentence it should read 'it's hard to win the super bowl'. Nothing I've seen this year makes me believe that if the Patriots win the SB that it can be characterized as "easier".

Can Shaughnessy be far behind?? WTF how do you quantify easy path to the Superbowl, there are so many variables including injuries that impact the key players...

It is not the Pats fault that so many teams have crappy coaches and do not have the vision and ability of BB and his crew... Consider Tennessee firing Mike Mularky right after last week's loss...

What amazes me when I watch other games is how many coaches flat out suck.. either prior to or managing the game.

I'm of the mind that just because ESPN prints it doesn't mean it's true.
Heck people can even believe it and it still doesn't mean it's true.