Just noticed something...
Pats played Cleveland (who were expected to be pretty good). Cleveland coming off the bye.
Pats then played Baltimore in Baltimore. Baltimore coming off the bye.
Pats then played Philly in Philly. Both teams coming off the bye week.
Then Dallas.
Now on to Houston in Houston. Not a bye, but Houston had the Thursday game. 11 days to prepare.
I only point this out because all I heard at the beginning of the year was how easy their schedule was - and it is an easy year because of the rotations that were predetermined (divisions to play) and the lack of long travel time (AFCN, AFCE, NFCE). That stuff is all baked in years in advance.
But the particulars of that schedule, listed above, are pretty sucky. Keep that in mind the next time you hear one of the Boston jerkoff bigmouths hinting at some conspiracy theory by the league to favor New England.
Four of the 6 games that were known to be their toughest stretch, and all six in a row, included teams with extra days of rest and preparation.
I'm glad it's like this, by the way. One of the things that concerned me this year was whether or not they'd be battle-hardened for the playoffs. Yesterday's game convinced me that they are.
As for San Francisco, Kyle Shanahan (sp?) is a really good coach and they've got some A+ talent. I wouldn't make them the favorite to win the SB right now because they'll have a tough road, whoever they draw, and they haven't got the experience...but, yeah, they're really good on both side of the ball.. Most complete team in football at this point.