ESPN magazine: Patriots will be 9-7???

[SammyBlueCat]

In its NFL preview issue, ESPN The Magazine makes a pretty bold prediction in the AFC East.

Using projections from Pro Football Focus, the Miami Dolphins are picked to sit atop the division with a 10-6 record. The New England Patriots, in their game-by-game breakdown, wind up second at 9-7 and just a 45.1 percent chance of making the playoffs.

Pro Football Focus picks the Patriots to win all of their home games, but just one -- a Week 1 visit to Buffalo -- of their road contests.

Miami Dolphins are first in The Mag's AFC East rankings - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN

(pay link)

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Please note that I do NOT support that statement.

 

[Sciz]

This is a few weeks old, and yes, we've found a ton of problems with it.

 

[JackBauer]

The only thing I'm surprised about is the number of writers/organizations who cite PFF when they should really know better.

 

[mgteich]

Not everyone thinks that we are fine with four rookie receivers and no Hernandez.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

This snippet appears on ESPN Boston with today's date on it.

 

[RodThePat]

Not everyone thinks that we are fine with four rookie receivers and no Hernandez.

The Patriots managed to win 12 games with Reche Caldwell, Doug Gabriel, Chad Jackson, Jabar Gaffney, Ben Watson, the ghost of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. They'll be fine in the regular season.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Not everyone thinks that we are fine with four rookie receivers and no Hernandez.

I am optimistic about Thompkins, Boyce, Dobson, and Sudfeld,

 

[mgteich]

I didn't say that we would be fine. I merely said that it is not all crazy to think that the patriots counting on 4 rookie receivers may not work out. (and also replacing Welker with Amendola). It is not like the patriots have a great track record with rookie receivers.

We look back. Those silly analysts look at what they can see.

BTW, one can only wish that our defense is as good as that team's defense.

The Patriots managed to win 12 games with Reche Caldwell, Doug Gabriel, Chad Jackson, Jabar Gaffney, Ben Watson, the ghost of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. They'll be fine in the regular season.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Win 1 road game. Hilarious ESPN. Nice try

 

[patchick]

The Patriots managed to win 12 games with Reche Caldwell, Doug Gabriel, Chad Jackson, Jabar Gaffney, Ben Watson, the ghost of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. They'll be fine in the regular season.

That feat looks more and more miraculous with distance. Gaffney was a mid-level NFL receiver, and the rest of the WRs were utter garbage.

 

[Big-T]

lolPFF.

That's all that really needs to be said about the prediction.

 

[BingoBrown]

ESPN is just pissed that we let their golden boy go.

 

[tonyto3690]

The article is obviously stupid and over the top just to generate shock value.

But it isn't completely insane to say the offense will regress significantly this year and we'll likely struggle much more on the road.

Obviously to the extent they take this is way too far, but the idea isn't terrible.

 

[patchick]

The article is obviously stupid and over the top just to generate shock value.

But it isn't completely insane to say the offense will regress significantly this year and we'll likely struggle much more on the road.

Agreed, the heavy reliance on new players makes the offense hard to forecast. BUT, I saw nothing in the preseason to suggest that they're likely to be closer to floor than ceiling.

 

[Bruins29]

Just going to have to see what the first few games bring. I take everything about PS with a grain of salt. So hard to know what you will get with all the unknowns. I think we will have more than 9 wins. 10 or 11 wouldn't surprise me though. We may have some growing pains this year.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I prefer ESPN Boston over place ol ESPN.

 

[reflexblue]

In its NFL preview issue, ESPN The Magazine makes a pretty bold prediction in the AFC East.




Miami Dolphins are first in The Mag's AFC East rankings - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN

(pay link)

i belive they predicted the fish to win the division back in 06 how did that turn out? The pats easely won the divison, and the fish came in close to last if not last. i don't pay attention to the swill that mag spews.

 

[The_Riddler]

Three words. "Fueled By Doubt"

 

[lurker1965]

Cool. Now Belichick does not have to make up bulletin board material.