Can this team beat Donkey at Denver?

[saspack]

If we stay healthy, I think chance is still slim. Better secure HFA.

 

[New England Pride]

Yes they can but let's not go there yet.

 

[Mack Herron]

To win the Super Bowl you first have to reach it. The odds of doing so decline if we lose HFA. Odds of winning a championship, therefore, are influenced by the result Sunday.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

To win the Super Bowl you first have to reach it. The odds of doing so decline if we lose HFA. Odds of winning a championship, therefore, are influenced by the result Sunday.

since i don't know how long...a team with HFA hasn't won that many if any SBs recently. But that is still the goal of all 32 teams. It's my goal for this team

And why are we talking about this topic now?

 

[Oswlek]

If we stay healthy, I think chance is still slim. Better secure HFA.

So we've gone from NE having no chance to win on the road to Bill not trying to beat GB and now back to no chance to win on the road again?

I'd say it might be time to look for some middle ground.

 

[kennyb]

Difficult, but it Manning's arm is looking kind of weak to me. Hopefully in January it'll be windy and cold instead of like it was last year, balmy.

But who knows, I think Denver loses to Buffalo and Cincy and maybe SD.

 

[Jackson 2]

Yes, if healthy where needed NE can win at Denver. I don't believe it will come to that. A week ago, much of the prevailing thinking is that NE might lose at GB, but would still be in good shape for HFA. Now, that the loss actually occurred, lots of people are suddenly worried. Not sure I get it, but I'm guessing it's the Chicken Little factor. At any rate, to me it's simple: if SD wins Sunday and NE ultimately loses HFA, it's their fault and they'll need to deal with it. I'll be disappointed, but not devastated. The SB will still be attainable, just more difficult.

 

[dales804]

since i don't know how long...a team with HFA hasn't won that many if any SBs recently. But that is still the goal of all 32 teams. It's my goal for this team

And why are we talking about this topic now?

SEA was the most recent just last year. Before them, the Saints in 2009. The last AFC team to win the SB with a #1 seed is NE in 2003.

 

[Mack Herron]

SEA was the most recent just last year. Before them, the Saints in 2009. The last AFC team to win the SB with a #1 seed is NE in 2003.

2 teams enter the playoffs with HFA throughout vs. 10 who will have to win on the road.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Seattle had HFA last year, but before that I think the last team was New Orleans (I think).

2013 Seahawks: 1 Seed (beat 1 Seed)
2012 Ravens: 4 Seed (beat 2 Seed)
2011 Giants: 4 Seed (beat 1 Seed...someone kill me)
2010 Packers: 6 Seed (best 2 Seed)
2009 Saints: 1 Seed (beat 1 Seed)
2008 Steelers: 2 Seed (beat 4 Seed)
2007 Giants: 5 Seed (beat 1 Seed...revive me and kill me again)
2006 Colts: 3 Seed (beat 1 Seed)
2005 Steelers: 6 Seed (beat 1 Seed)
2004 Patriots: 2 Seed (beat 1 Seed)
2003 Patriots: 1 Seed (beat 3 Seed)
2002 Bucaneers: 2 Seed (beat 1 Seed)

So in the last dozen Super Bowls, eleven #1 seeds made it to the SB. Three won and eight lost. Only three times did the 1 Seed from either conference fail to make it to the SB.

 

[Rob0729]

Several teams came close to doing it. The Colts had a shot until Luck threw a stupid pick in the fourth. The Chiefs were at 4th and goal on the 2 with 15 second left down by 7 and Smith got the ball batted down. The Dolphins led most of the game and could have had a shot at the upset if not for a poorly executed kick on an onside kick (the why they ran the onsides kick was brilliant, but the kick had no power to it).

I think the Broncos are beatable at home. I still think one of the most ignored stories right now is Manning's arm. His arm doesn't look right and he struggles with passes in the dome. I think the Broncos are running the ball so much to cover up the liabilities in Manning's game right now. I am not afraid of the Pats going into Denver and winning at this point.

 

[Rob0729]

since i don't know how long...a team with HFA hasn't won that many if any SBs recently. But that is still the goal of all 32 teams. It's my goal for this team

And why are we talking about this topic now?

Yes, the funny thing is since the Pats have won the Super Bowl, more Super Bowl winners have played on Wild Card weekend than had HFA throughout the playoffs.

 

[BradyManny]

Let's not forget how ridiculously nice the weather was when we played Denver in the AFCCG last year. It was warm, early in the day, I don't think there was any wind.

Obviously it's a tough place to play in regardless, particularly due to the unique challenge the altitude presents, but we're the better team, so I'd say we have a chance. And if it were 30 with a little windy snow, we have an even better chance.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Let's not forget how ridiculously nice the weather was when we played Denver in the AFCCG last year. It was warm, early in the day, I don't think there was any wind.

Obviously it's a tough place to play in regardless, particularly due to the unique challenge the altitude presents, but we're the better team, so I'd say we have a chance. And if it were 30 with a little windy snow, we have an even better chance.

Brady in the snow =

 

[mayoclinic]

This team can match up with anyone, anywhere. Winning in Denver is no harder than winning at Lambeau. Of course, you have to make the plays to win the game, wherever you play, and being at home is a big plus. But we'll cross that bridge whenever we come to it.

 

[SVN]

Who cares. We need to win our next game first. Need to win Division, secure the best position and then see. Playoffs are a crapshoot. No one thought the jets would come in and beat soundly after losing 45-3 . And when the ravens beat denver on the road, pats got HFA for AFCCG but didnt matter then too. Nothing is given. For any team.

 

[rochrist]

Yes. As currently constituted, this team is better than last year, the Broncos are worse than last year.

 

[FourierSeries]

We can beat the Broncos in Denver if we are healthy. No doubt in my mind.

 

[obgod3]

I could care less where they play, but I remember the Pats being a better run defense than they are now and overall that would be my biggest concern not where they play.

 

[Rob0729]

Whether we can beat Denver in Denver or not, the Pats are far more likely to win in Denver than Denver is to win in Foxboro.