The battle for the top seed

So, if Baltimore has only one real challenge left, what did that make the Browns loss at home?

Any given sunday, same can be said for us. If they're capable of losing to the browns at home, they're more than capable of dropping more than 1 more.

jimnance said:

15-1

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I kind of was thinking about throwing that l in there but figured someone else would help me out with it

Baltimore will lose some game you won't expect them to.

Patjew said:

I kind of was thinking about throwing that l in there but figured someone else would help me out with it

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That's what I'm here for. Got your back bro.

IllegalContact said:

Ravens peaked too soon....they are going to lose 2 of the next 3....I believe they will lose at Buffalo

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So did the patriots peak too soon? Starting out the season 8-0? Or does peaking too soon only apply to other teams?

Family said:

Baltimore will lose some game you won't expect them to.

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Yeah, but so will we.

Patjew said:

I'm going to sound like such a hater but if THIS Pats team goes 14-2, that's the worst 14-2 team ever.

But they won't so everything is cool.

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Wrong, the defense is best in the league and one of the best of the era.

Bradybranch said:

Wrong, the defense is best in the league and one of the best of the era.

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I hope you’re right. The defense looks very good but I’m not sure they’re that great. We’ll see after the Dallas game.

Some offense would be nice too.

We can not control what the ravens do or don’t do.

We need to focus on the things that we can control...... how we play!

the defense and special teams are playing well,

that leaves the sorry offense! Brady has happy feet, no trust in his offensive line, no running game, and our wide receivers are dropping like flies,

Once bb gets the o line up to par, all the other pieces start to fall into place.

WHPats said:

My prediction is NE finishes 14-2, Baltimore finishes 12-4. I still like the Patriots for the top seed. They just have to execute well and play well. They have 4 home games left and Baltimore only has 2, so that should be an advantage too.

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Unless our offense progresses a lot, I see us going 4-2 down the stretch against better competition. My guess is we go 13-3 with the no. 2 seed behind a 13-3 Ravens squad who have the tiebreaker.

As long as we get a bye, I'm happy. The real yard stick for this team is how much they can grow to be able to figure out a way to beat the Ravens and -- more important -- improve Brady's morale.

Unbelievable!

TommyBrady12 said:

Apparently Deshaun Watson took a vacation to Mexico during the bye week. If it's me, I'm using that time to prepare for the best team in the AFC and biggest game of the year. The Mexico vacation can wait. He looked completely ill-prepared yesterday.

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IMO, the key is getting a bye. If we can't win in BALT, perhaps we simply aren't good enough this year. I expect us to have a great game against them, home or way. This is different than traveling to KC.

To be clear, I expect us to get HFA.

I want Baltimore to lose a few more games. But I want them to be the 2 seed over KC. If the Chiefs beat us, well I don't see another loss anywhere on their schedule. It also appears their defense is getting better. Or maybe Rivers is just that bad.

Would you rather travel to Baltimore for the Championship game. Or, host KC at home? I know most will say you take the home game. But I still think KC is a bigger threat if they get a 2 seed. This isn't even mentioning the fact KC could still potentially get the 1 seed.

LightSkinSmurf said:

So did the patriots peak too soon? Starting out the season 8-0? Or does peaking too soon only apply to other teams?

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No and no.

The Pats had four of their first ten games at home and will finish with four of their last six at home. They're in great position but will probably need the Ratbirds to lose another game to get the top seed. The next three games (Dal, @Hou, KC) will decide everything.

LightSkinSmurf said:

So did the patriots peak too soon? Starting out the season 8-0? Or does peaking too soon only apply to other teams?

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nope.....based on how they played against the browns and ravens, they did not.......you'll see, mark my words

TommyBrady12 said:

Ravens will run the table if they get by SF. Really that's the only shot at them losing another regular season game. LAR are pathetic (if you watched yesterday), and Buffalo lol...

The question is, can NE run the table as well because I believe they are going to need to to be able to secure HFA. I think we can take them in Baltimore, especially if we find a way to frustrate a young and inexperienced Lamar.

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This could shape up like 2004 when the Steelers ran roughshod over the Patriots on Halloween, finished 15-1 to our 14-2. They kicked our butts at Heinz field the first time and then NE came back very prepared and motivated and just ran them over in the AFCCG. Only this time Baltimore and NE could both be 13-3 and the Ravens would get HFA.

For some reason I'm not afraid of playing them again. No matter where the game is. It's very very seldom that the same team beats a Belichick-coached team twice in the same season. I think the last time was against the Ravens in 2012. The Patriots will come in with a much better game plan and they'll be motivated and angry. If the offense could get 2-3 TDs in that game, I could see NE winning by 14+.

Patstastic said:

I want Baltimore to lose a few more games. But I want them to be the 2 seed over KC. If the Chiefs beat us, well I don't see another loss anywhere on their schedule. It also appears their defense is getting better. Or maybe Rivers is just that bad.

Would you rather travel to Baltimore for the Championship game. Or, host KC at home? I know most will say you take the home game. But I still think KC is a bigger threat if they get a 2 seed. This isn't even mentioning the fact KC could still potentially get the 1 seed.

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I'm sure you're worried about Mahomes, but KC's defense and Andy Reid don't scare me at all in Foxboro. The Ravens don't scare me either, but they're a much tougher opponent due to the fact that their coach has won a Super Bowl before and has had some success against the Patriots in big games, and they have perhaps the NFL MVP of 2019 in Lamar Jackson. Having said that, a lot can happen between now and then. BB will figure this out. The offense will do just enough. These Ravens are not like the 2009-2012 Ravens. That team could throw, run and defend with tenacity. So many were saying Mahomes couldn't be stopped last year and that the Patriots would most definitely lose in the playoffs in Arrowhead, how'd that turn out?

Patstastic said:

I want Baltimore to lose a few more games. But I want them to be the 2 seed over KC. If the Chiefs beat us, well I don't see another loss anywhere on their schedule. It also appears their defense is getting better. Or maybe Rivers is just that bad.

Would you rather travel to Baltimore for the Championship game. Or, host KC at home? I know most will say you take the home game. But I still think KC is a bigger threat if they get a 2 seed. This isn't even mentioning the fact KC could still potentially get the 1 seed.

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This defense is built to stifle teams like KC. Ravens match up way better (in their favor). Either way, both are a challenge, but Baltimore presents more challenges for us.

And yes, Rivers is that bad.

Vindicate said:

This defense is built to stifle teams like KC. Ravens match up way better (in their favor). Either way, both are a challenge, but Baltimore presents more challenges for us.

And yes, Rivers is that bad.

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I think Jackson can be stopped. I don't think Mahomes can. It comes down to that for me. I know there's more than just the QB. But meh.