Comparing the Best

[makewayhomer]

As a fan of the Vikings and a person who closely followed the '98 team that broke my heart lemme shed my thoughts on that team in particular. Unlike the Minnesota teams that followed them, they actually had a very good defense. Their defense was very similar to the PAts defense today, it was a bend but dont break defense. The Offense had similarities to the NE offense with Carter playing the Wes Welker role, but you guys are a better passing team because of Brady, while that team had a better RB in Robert Smith. Where the Pats would have the edge are intangibles like coaching and experience, having been there before.

At the end of the day, history will remember those Vikings as a 15-1 team who choked in the playoffs. But make no mistake, a series of unlucky events had to transpire for them to lose the NFCG in overtime. Our kicker who was perfect all season missed a chip shot which would've ended it, Cunningham lost the ball at our 5 yard line to let Atlanta tie the game and send it to OT. They were a much better team than the Falcons, that game is the reason why people say "Any given Sunday." I still believe to this day that they were the best team that year and would've beaten Denver. I believe that wholeheartedly, but of course history won't judge them that way.

this is a great post. it still baffles me how so many people don't understand that the best team doesn't always win.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

I'm not saying you will or you won't... just a good question comparing them to the previous powerhouse offensees the league has seen. Who you've played is a good argument I can see that, what else you got?

Defense, ST and Offense wins championships.
All three of them-not just offense.
Our defense looked alot better than the Steelers defense the other night.

The schitzburg Squeelers won't make it to an AFC Champ game for at least the next decade.

 

[jman924]

Looking at the highest scoring offenses of all time, what are the biggest differences between your team and theirs? Why will you win it all when they couldn't?

98' Vikings scored 556 and didn't win the Superbowl.
83' Skins scored 541 and didn't win the Superbowl.
00' Rams scored 540 and didn't win the Superbowl.
84' Dolphins scored 512 and didn't win the Superbowl.

To top it off, the Rams and Vikings didn't even make the Superbowl... I'm not talking smack here, just making an observation. Your team is different obviously, but what do you guys think? Is your defense championship caliber? Thoughts?

Go look up the defensive rankings of those teams.
Just off the top of my head, I remember that the Rams D was ranked last, or close to it.

 

[patsfan13]

Looking at the highest scoring offenses of all time, what are the biggest differences between your team and theirs? Why will you win it all when they couldn't?

98' Vikings scored 556 and didn't win the Superbowl.
83' Skins scored 541 and didn't win the Superbowl.
00' Rams scored 540 and didn't win the Superbowl.
84' Dolphins scored 512 and didn't win the Superbowl.

To top it off, the Rams and Vikings didn't even make the Superbowl... I'm not talking smack here, just making an observation. Your team is different obviously, but what do you guys think? Is your defense championship caliber? Thoughts?

None of those teams were undefeated in the regular season, None of those teams led the league in To differential. None of those teams were 4th in pts allowed in spite of playing the best offenses in the league (as pointed out above.

Most importantly none of those teams had a 3 time SB QB leading them.

 

[PatriotsReign]

I'm not saying you will or you won't... just a good question comparing them to the previous powerhouse offensees the league has seen. Who you've played is a good argument I can see that, what else you got?

Let's add to the Patriots uncanny ability to turn it on when needed. One of the best example of why the Patriots are the favorites to win it all is their success rate in the 4th quarter when they've been behind. No one has been able to stop them in the 3 games where they have been behind in the 4th quarter.

Another positive sign that will help them win it all is their improving red-zone defense. The game against your Steelers was a great example of what is required of championship teams...the ability to "bend but don't break".

I could list many more examples of why the Patriots should be able to carry themselves through to become SB Champs, but I'll end with +18 turnover ratio. The Patriots have committed only 5 turnovers to date....they won't beat themselves.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I could list many more examples of why the Patriots should be able to carry themselves through to become SB Champs, but I'll end with +18 turnover ratio. The Patriots have committed only 5 turnovers to date....they won't beat themselves.

Not tp nitpick but there are 9 turnovers, 5 ints and 4 fumbles lost....still a great total for 13 games.., an average of .69 turnovers a game...

 

[PatriotsReign]

Not tp nitpick but there are 9 turnovers, 5 ints and 4 fumbles lost....still a great total for 13 games.., an average of .69 turnovers a game...

You're right, thanks for the correction. I forgot about the fumbles lost...at least my +18 turnover ratio is still correct.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

4 reasons:

Tom Brady
Bill Belichick
Experience
"Clutch" play

This is a team with the best QB and best coach in football, more playoff experience and success than any other team in football, and a team that makes big plays when it counts.

This team won't beat itself. They won't be affected by playoff pressure. Of course they can lose, but it will only be because the other team played a great game, luck, and/or horrible officiating.

 

[Maroney TD]

Looking at the highest scoring offenses of all time, what are the biggest differences between your team and theirs? Why will you win it all when they couldn't?

98' Vikings scored 556 and didn't win the Superbowl.
83' Skins scored 541 and didn't win the Superbowl.
00' Rams scored 540 and didn't win the Superbowl.
84' Dolphins scored 512 and didn't win the Superbowl.

To top it off, the Rams and Vikings didn't even make the Superbowl... I'm not talking smack here, just making an observation. Your team is different obviously, but what do you guys think? Is your defense championship caliber? Thoughts?

Here is a chart of the top 10 teams in point differential. This is more important than points scored because this shows teams that outscored teams by the largest margin and not just teams that ran up the score with no defense.

Ranks   Year    Team     Pt. Diff  Result
1       1999    Rams     284       Won SB
2       2007    Patriots 281       ?
3       1991    Redskins 261       Won SB
4       1998    Vikins   260       Lost NFC CG
5       1985    Bears    258       Won SB
6       1984    49ers    248       Won SB
7       1996    Packers  246       Won SB
8       2001    Rams     230       Lost SB
9       1984    Dolphins 215       Lost SB
10      1983    Redskins 209       Lost SB
10      1984    49ers    209       Won SB

Other than Minnesota the top 6 teams all won the SB that year. I'll take those odds.