It's helpful to look around the NFL and compare the Patriots to other contending teams

[maineman209]

Are we sure the AFC West is all that good? The Chargers stink, the Raiders are wildly overrated and the Broncos just got their butts kicked at home by the pathetic Giants.

The Chiefs have played only one game against a divisional opponent so far. They beat the Chargers 24-10 in week-3. They've also beaten the Pats, Eagles (5-1), Skins (4-2) and the upstart Texans (3-3) before losing to the Steelers (4-2).

The Chiefs play @OAK on Thursday night. OAK is 0-2 in the division, but 2-2 outside of it.

Then, they play DEN at Arrowhead 10 days later. DEN is 2-0 in the division, but 1-2 outside it.

Given the run the Chiefs had before losing to PIT, their next two games should tells us maybe a bit more about AFCW strength.

 

[maineman209]

Its a bit early to project, but should we win@PIT it would make the opening game loss to KC null and void with regards to tiebreakers by virtue of PIT beating KC yesterday too. I could be wrong though.

Actually, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head. If the Pats and Chiefs finish with identical W-L, the Chiefs win regardless what either team did against the Steelers or any other common opponent.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Actually, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head. If the Pats and Chiefs finish with identical W-L, the Chiefs win regardless what either team did against the Steelers or any other common opponent.

That's only true in a 2-way tie. In a 3-way tie it's possible the loss to KC could be negated because the 3-way tiebreaker requires a team to beat the other two. NE lost to KC. KC lost to PIT. If NE beats PIT then the loss to KC is potentially negated in the context of a H2H tiebreaker because no team beat the other two.

I say "potentially" because if one of the stages of the 3-way tiebreaker eliminates PIT, then tiebreaking restarts as a 2-way tie between NE and KC and NE's loss to KC becomes relevant again.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Add to that list of contending teams losing at home despite being heavily favored --- the Steelers losing the to the Jags last week, with Rothelisberger throwing 5 interceptions - including two pick-sixes. Not to mention, questions regarding Pittsburgh's locker room and their star players being unhappy with their contracts, not getting the ball enough, the playcalling, the anthem, Big Ben's contemplating retirement.

Flawed as they are, Patriots must look around NFL and feel just fine. Lots of teams -- and supposed contenders -- are having to work out kinks.

My hope is that when all is said and done, the AFC team with the most talent (and fewest injuries) will prevail!

I like to look around the rest of the NFL and point and laugh at other franchises that are so bush league they resort to the cheap gimmick of ruining their classic logos and uniforms, just to drum up interest in their sheepish fan bases, so they have no tradition or heritage at all, and...um...oh, oops.

 

[FCB02062]

Thought the same thing as I saw Denver and KC yesterday. As much as we moan on the game thread they did manage to pull out their game.
The Atlanta game next Sunday, regardless of Atlanta blowing it to miami,is a HUGE litmus test for this team.
Pats have a great shot to be sitting at 5-2 this time next wk if they get their offense in new Orleans game gear and the defense can hold Atlanta to 24 or less

 

[New England Pride]

Thought the same thing as I saw Denver and KC yesterday. As much as we moan on the game thread they did manage to pull out their game.
The Atlanta game next Sunday, regardless of Atlanta blowing it to miami,is a HUGE litmus test for this team.
Pats have a great shot to be sitting at 5-2 this time next wk if they get their offense in new Orleans game gear and the defense can hold Atlanta to 24 or less

5-2 would out the right in the mix again for home field. I don't rule them out to close that 2 game cushion in the remaining 10.