Bold Prediction: Super Bowl Rematch

[Ring 6]

There is really nothing bold about predicting the Patriots to go to the SB at this point. I'd imagine most would put that at 50/50 odds.

But, the Falcons look like a team looming and ready to put it together. Talented teams that underperform early in the season then get it together in November and December are dangerous.
Atlanta's defense is a big step better than it was last year. The offense hasn't really put it together yet, but all the pieces are there and they seem to be figuring it out. When you get to the playoffs, playing like a good offense THEN is much more important that what you played like over the course of an entire season. This offense has clearly been limited by transition and coaching, not talent, and adjusting to a new OC can take time.

They are 2 games behind the Saints and have 2 left with them, and I see a good chance they can sweep them.
They will also face Minnesota and Carolina. They will get battle tested over the next 6 weeks with little room for error and if they come through that they will be playoff ready.

The negative is that they were an 11-5 2 seed last year and the 1 was a fraud.
Getting to the 2 seed may be tough, even if they run the table and at 11-5 again, it seems unlikely.

Honestly, I would root against a rematch if they get from here to the NFCCG because they will be on a huge roll.

 

[ALP]

I don't see it happening, expect the Saints, Vikes, and Eagles to be able to tbeat them in playoffs

i have never seen a team get rid of a SB loss hangover halfway through following season, don't expect it to change

 

[Tony2046]

I agree mostly but Monday night was not a great indicator imo. They got by a depleted Seahawk team by having a couple of Pom Pom Pete dumbass decisions handed to them.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

The falcons can take a big step towards figuring out their offense by realizing they can use Julio in the redzone. Criminal how much he’s been misused in that area this year. His only TD this year came at our expense when he plucked that pass away from butler. And yes I agree that defense is improved and fast. And they got their #1 corner back.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't see it happening, expect the Saints, Vikes, and Eagles to be able to tbeat them in playoffs

i have never seen a team get rid of a SB loss hangover halfway through following season, don't expect it to change

The Bills did a few times.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Heh, after reading the thread title but before opening, I wasn't sure if the title referred to:
- Patriots versus Falcons
- Patriots versus Seahawks
- Patriots versus Eagles
- Patriots versus Panthers
- Patriots versus Rams

But I was pretty sure it wasn't referring to:
- Patriots versus Giants, round 3
- Patriots versus Packers without Rodgers
- Patriots versus Bears

Nice problem to have! The good news is that the Patriots' wins were against everyone in that first group and the losses were in the 2nd group....

It would be interesting to see if the Falcons can turn it on the way Andy said. While missing a lot of key defenders, it still takes a lot to go into Seattle and beat them like they did Monday. If they can turn it on, it would be a tough out.

I'm still most intrigued by the Eagles rematch. That team is looking really good in the limited opportunities I've had to watch them, and I'd be concerned about the dual threat ability of Wentz.

 

[goheels22002]

If the Pats make the Super Bowl, it will be hard not to have a rematch. I expect to see the Eagles or Rams make the NFCG.

 

[varjao]

I would definitely enjoy that possibility but I don't think they make it that far based on what I saw from them this season

 

[RobertWeathers]

They should make the playoffs but they are not getting past New Orleans.

I do see them winning in Philly on the road.

Sarkisian stinks.

 

[signbabybrady]

There is really nothing bold about predicting the Patriots to go to the SB at this point. I'd imagine most would put that at 50/50 odds.

But, the Falcons look like a team looming and ready to put it together. Talented teams that underperform early in the season then get it together in November and December are dangerous.
Atlanta's defense is a big step better than it was last year. The offense hasn't really put it together yet, but all the pieces are there and they seem to be figuring it out. When you get to the playoffs, playing like a good offense THEN is much more important that what you played like over the course of an entire season. This offense has clearly been limited by transition and coaching, not talent, and adjusting to a new OC can take time.

They are 2 games behind the Saints and have 2 left with them, and I see a good chance they can sweep them.
They will also face Minnesota and Carolina. They will get battle tested over the next 6 weeks with little room for error and if they come through that they will be playoff ready.

The negative is that they were an 11-5 2 seed last year and the 1 was a fraud.
Getting to the 2 seed may be tough, even if they run the table and at 11-5 again, it seems unlikely.

Honestly, I would root against a rematch if they get from here to the NFCCG because they will be on a huge roll.

So they are 2 games back and have 2 games vs the Saints and one vs Minn and Carolina. Thats a rough schedule.

I still like them for a wild card but probably gonna be tough to win the division.

I do agree they will be tough out as a wild card. Would kind of suck to get the defending conference champs as your wild card match up.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I don’t see anyone beating philly at the Linc. Most NFC contenders are warm weather and/or dome teams. A team like NO or Atlanta has to have HFA to get to the super bowl.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I agree mostly but Monday night was not a great indicator imo. They got by a depleted Seahawk team by having a couple of Pom Pom Pete dumbass decisions handed to them.

Exactly

 

[IndianPat]

It has been 20 years since a SB loser made it back to the SB the following year. In many years, they did not even make it to the playoffs. I expect Atlanta to miss the playoffs this year.

 

[FourierSeries]

Falcons are ****. I would love for this to be the year where NE wins the SB in blowout fashion, but the Falcons aren't sniffing a SB berth. It will be Philly or New Orleans. NE will beat either one, but it should be more competitive than it would be against Atlanta.

 

[JayNM]

Eagles and Saints are my prediction for the NFC finalists. Rams come in third.

I dont see the Falcons a threat... I'd rather face them than any of the teams I listed

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don’t see anyone beating philly at the Linc. Most NFC contenders are warm weather and/or dome teams. A team like NO or Atlanta has to have HFA to get to the super bowl.

Funny things happen to young, inexperienced teams in the playoffs and the Iggles are just that.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I don’t see anyone beating philly at the Linc. Most NFC contenders are warm weather and/or dome teams. A team like NO or Atlanta has to have HFA to get to the super bowl.

The saints have the ability. Their defense is improved (if lattimore is healthy) and their run game should travel.

 

[dannydyn]

There will be a rematch alright - Pats-Eagles

 

[PP2]

The saints have the ability. Their defense is improved (if lattimore is healthy) and their run game should travel.

My money is on the Saints.

 

[bormio]

The Falcons are a talented team at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. They are starting to play better. Their margin for error is reduced, but I would not discount them at all - banking on a SB hangover doing them in is silly.