Let's talk the 2012 schedule.

[PATSNUTme]

Through out the off season and into the preseason I've heard different commentators point to the Patriots schedule this year. They say it's an easy schedule based on last years record of the teams that the Patriots play.

I always think this is stupid as we all know teams records in one year don't carry over to the next year. You could have a team that had injuries. Then there are FA pick up's and losses, and the draft as well as coaching changes.

So, lets's look at this years upcoming schedule and give opinions if the teams are better, worst, or the same as their finish last year.
Official Website of the New England Patriots | Games & Stats - Season Schedule

Here are last years standings:

Final NFL Division Standings 2011

 

[everlong]

I think projecting the schedule is tough but the one thing I will project is that they don't play enough high octane offenses for my liking. I'd rather this defense gets tested hard. Right now it looks like they'll play Buffalo twice, Denver and Houston as the offenses that can really put points up. Nobody else looks to be in the top half never mind top 10. I wish SD and Pitt made the schedule this year.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Week 1 Titans 9-7- should be a better team , I don't know if they will better than 9-7

2- AZ- 8-8 should be a better team- the NFC West will be tough this year

3 Balt- 12-4- should be the same but may go 11-5

4&13 6-10 Buffalo- much better than 6-10

5. Bronco's 8-8- should be better with Manning

6. Seahawks- 7-9. should reverse that record

7&12- Jets - 8-8. I really don't see them any better than 9-7

8. Rams- 2-14- will be much better with Fisher as HC

9. colts- 2-14 can be much worse so they will be much better

13&17. 6-10- Probably a better record than last year

14 Texans- 10-6- much better record and a better team

15 49'ers 13-3 - may be a better team but will not have as good a record

16. Jax- 5-11 same of slightly better.

I don't consider this to be an easy schedule this year as some in the media suggest.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Big Tits rout over Tamper last night. Scored 30.

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't think the schedule is easy because of last year's records. I think the schedule is an easy one because it is...

1. Titans: Constant state of rebuilding since '08. Snot Locker doesn't scare me and Chris Johnson looked bad last season.

2. Cardinals: Explosive receivers... if only they had a quarterback to get it to them. Word is that John Skelton is the front runner in that race. Defense doesn't look capable of slowing us down.

3. Ravens: Always a tough game with them.

4. Bills: Depends on what their health looks like and if Fitzpatrick isn't serving up INT's like $5 footlongs. If their health is good and if Mario Williams returns to form, then should be able to give us some issues on defense. If Fitzpatrick is on and Jackson is running wild, as he tends to do against us, then we're in for a tough game.

5. Broncos: Depends on how Manning comes back. He looked like he was finally regressing in 2010. He's since had a season off due to neck injuries. On the defensive side of the ball, Brady carved them up like Thanksgiving turkeys in 2011. I see no reason for that to not continue this year.

6. Seahawks: How are we playing IN Seattle again? Either way, they're a talented team but their head coach is a cheerleader. Flynn doesn't have Green Bay's receiving corps to work with anymore and their defense is overrated right now, IMO.

7. Jets: Beat them by double digits twice last year. Neither game was especially close. Now they're rolling out a quarterback system that has never worked in the NFL, their O-Line can't protect them, their running game outside of Shonn Greene sucks, their #1 WR would be a #3 on this team, they have one older than dirt and one injury prone safety (neither of which can cover), and they can't generate pressure without blitzing.

8. Rams: Good draft at first glance but can they put it together quickly enough to even make this a game?

9. Bye: We'll beat the hell out of the bye week.

10. Bills: See Week 4.

11. Colts: Luck will be hard to stop but he doesn't have the weapons in place at this point to keep up with our offense. The defense isn't finished yet either.

12. Jets: See Week 7.

13. Dolphins: Is there any doubt that this team will be horrible? Their defense will be lucky if we don't have 52 by halftime.

14. Texans: This game could be a scary one. If healthy, the Texans are fully equipped to beat us. They can threaten every level of the field on offense. They have one of the top RB's and WR's in the game and their O-Line can protect. The only question mark is that Schaub is very fragile. If he's out then I don't see TJ Yates beating us. Their defense is extremely tough though. They could give us issues if the O-Line isn't up to the task.

15. 49ers: Another potential loss. They've had the best defense in the NFL for a few years, IMO, and Alex Smith finally made strides under Harbaugh in 2011. If health holds up on both sides of the ball for them, they should present a ton of problems for us. With the athleticism and sheer size of Willis and Navarro, they have two LB's that could take away our TE tandem.

16. Jags: I'll be going to this game. Anyway, this will be a blowout, simply stated.

17. Dolphins: See Week 13.

 

[everlong]

Week 1 Titans 9-7- should be a better team , I don't know if they will better than 9-7

2- AZ- 8-8 should be a better team- the NFC West will be tough this year

3 Balt- 12-4- should be the same but may go 11-5

4&13 6-10 Buffalo- much better than 6-10

5. Bronco's 8-8- should be better with Manning

6. Seahawks- 7-9. should reverse that record

7&12- Jets - 8-8. I really don't see them any better than 9-7

8. Rams- 2-14- will be much better with Fisher as HC

9. colts- 2-14 can be much worse so they will be much better

13&17. 6-10- Probably a better record than last year

14 Texans- 10-6- much better record and a better team

15 49'ers 13-3 - may be a better team but will not have as good a record

16. Jax- 5-11 same of slightly better.

I don't consider this to be an easy schedule this year as some in the media suggest.

Everybody cannot be better. SF was a bit of a fluke and will not win double digit games. Jax is pure awful and will not win 5 games plus they did not fix the QB situation. Baltimore is minus Suggs and Ray and Ed are older they won't win 12. The Jets will not win 8 games this year.

I'm not saying the schedule is as easy as predicted but let's not go the other direction.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't think the schedule is easy because of last year's records. I think the schedule is an easy one because it is...

1. Titans: Constant state of rebuilding since '08. Snot Locker doesn't scare me and Chris Johnson looked bad last season.

2. Cardinals: Explosive receivers... if only they had a quarterback to get it to them. Word is that John Skelton is the front runner in that race. Defense doesn't look capable of slowing us down.

3. Ravens: Always a tough game with them.

4. Bills: Depends on what their health looks like and if Fitzpatrick isn't serving up INT's like $5 footlongs. If their health is good and if Mario Williams returns to form, then should be able to give us some issues on defense. If Fitzpatrick is on and Jackson is running wild, as he tends to do against us, then we're in for a tough game.

5. Broncos: Depends on how Manning comes back. He looked like he was finally regressing in 2010. He's since had a season off due to neck injuries. On the defensive side of the ball, Brady carved them up like Thanksgiving turkeys in 2011. I see no reason for that to not continue this year.

6. Seahawks: How are we playing IN Seattle again? Either way, they're a talented team but their head coach is a cheerleader. Flynn doesn't have Green Bay's receiving corps to work with anymore and their defense is overrated right now, IMO.

7. Jets: Beat them by double digits twice last year. Neither game was especially close. Now they're rolling out a quarterback system that has never worked in the NFL, their O-Line can't protect them, their running game outside of Shonn Greene sucks, their #1 WR would be a #3 on this team, they have one older than dirt and one injury prone safety (neither of which can cover), and they can't generate pressure without blitzing.

8. Rams: Good draft at first glance but can they put it together quickly enough to even make this a game?

9. Bye: We'll beat the hell out of the bye week.

10. Bills: See Week 4.

11. Colts: Luck will be hard to stop but he doesn't have the weapons in place at this point to keep up with our offense. The defense isn't finished yet either.

12. Jets: See Week 7.

13. Dolphins: Is there any doubt that this team will be horrible? Their defense will be lucky if we don't have 52 by halftime.

14. Texans: This game could be a scary one. If healthy, the Texans are fully equipped to beat us. They can threaten every level of the field on offense. They have one of the top RB's and WR's in the game and their O-Line can protect. The only question mark is that Schaub is very fragile. If he's out then I don't see TJ Yates beating us. Their defense is extremely tough though. They could give us issues if the O-Line isn't up to the task.

15. 49ers: Another potential loss. They've had the best defense in the NFL for a few years, IMO, and Alex Smith finally made strides under Harbaugh in 2011. If health holds up on both sides of the ball for them, they should present a ton of problems for us. With the athleticism and sheer size of Willis and Navarro, they have two LB's that could take away our TE tandem.

16. Jags: I'll be going to this game. Anyway, this will be a blowout, simply stated.

17. Dolphins: See Week 13.

Health being equal, timing is also a consideration when assessing these scheduling matchups. The Texans will be facing us here in their 3rd road game in a row. We will be the only cold weather matchup SF faces all season and they play us in Dec. Then statistically there is the whole BB teams in December and at home and back to back performance historical data.

 

[Kontradiction]

Health being equal, timing is also a consideration when assessing these scheduling matchups. The Texans will be facing us here in their 3rd road game in a row. We will be the only cold weather matchup SF faces all season and they play us in Dec. Then statistically there is the whole BB teams in December and at home and back to back performance historical data.

I wasn't penciling in those games as automatic losses. Just as two games that we *COULD* possibly lose.

 

[PATSNUTme]

The purpose of this thread is not to predict Patriots wins and losses. There will be the annual contest thread for that just before the regular season opener.

It's not even to predict the records of the teams the Patriots play. It is give an opinion if the teams on the Patriots schedule will be better or worse than they were last year.

 

[patsinthesnow]

The Seahawks could be this year's surprise team. By far the best secondary in the league with two top 10 safeties and giants at the CB position (6'3). Sherman will be regarded as a top 5 CB in the league by the end of the season. Throw in a very good D-line and youth at the LB spot, I expect that defense to be top 5. (#7 in PPG and #9 in YPG last year)

Now, there schedule is tough, but if they can get solid QB play from either Flynn or Wilson, they could be a 12-4 bye team. The offense has the surrounding pieces with Baldwin/Rice/Owens, Marshawn, and Winslow.

 

[mayoclinic]

Week 1 Titans 9-7- should be a better team , I don't know if they will better than 9-7

2- AZ- 8-8 should be a better team- the NFC West will be tough this year

3 Balt- 12-4- should be the same but may go 11-5

4&13 6-10 Buffalo- much better than 6-10

5. Bronco's 8-8- should be better with Manning

6. Seahawks- 7-9. should reverse that record

7&12- Jets - 8-8. I really don't see them any better than 9-7

8. Rams- 2-14- will be much better with Fisher as HC

9. colts- 2-14 can be much worse so they will be much better

13&17. 6-10- Probably a better record than last year

14 Texans- 10-6- much better record and a better team

15 49'ers 13-3 - may be a better team but will not have as good a record

16. Jax- 5-11 same of slightly better.

I don't consider this to be an easy schedule this year as some in the media suggest.

Aside from the general strength of the teams, I think it's significant that the Pats play relatively few top QBs. Peyton Manning. Matt Schaub. Maybe Sam Bradford. Andrew Luck is talented, but still a rookie. Joe Flacco is up and down. But otherwise it's a fairly motley group. Last year the Pats had to face Philip Rivers, Ben Rothlisberger, Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Michael Vick. In 2010 they had to face Manning, Rivers, Rothlisberger, Matt Stafford and Jay Cutler (Aaron Rodgers was out for the Green Bay game). That could help them for the regular season, in terms of the secondary not being under the gun right away. It could also hurt for the long run, in terms of the secondary not being battle tested.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Week 1 Titans 9-7- should be a better team , I don't know if they will better than 9-7

2- AZ- 8-8 should be a better team- the NFC West will be tough this year No QB, another QB controversey

3 Balt- 12-4- should be the same but may go 11-5

4&13 6-10 Buffalo- much better than 6-10 Not so fast

5. Bronco's 8-8- should be better with Manning Not hard not to be but won 't be great

6. Seahawks- 7-9. should reverse that record Could regress just as easily

7&12- Jets - 8-8. I really don't see them any better than 9-7

8. Rams- 2-14- will be much better with Fisher as HCNot seeing it thus far

9. colts- 2-14 can be much worse so they will be much betterBut still not very good

13&17. 6-10- Probably a better record than last yearIf this is Miami not so sure...

14 Texans- 10-6- much better record and a better teamAlways about Schaub's health and he seldom is in Dec.

15 49'ers 13-3 - may be a better team but will not have as good a record If things aren't going as planned by then Randy will have checked out

16. Jax- 5-11 same of slightly better.

I don't consider this to be an easy schedule this year as some in the media suggest.

It's easy comparatively speaking. Any given Sunday is a concern. But that said, no GB or NO, no Steelers or Cincy, no NFC east, no AFC west... Dearth of elite QB's. Only one left coast jaunt. Only one really short week. Mid season bye. Two of three toughest opponents at home in December (one coming here off 2 road games and the other coming 3000 miles and 3 timezones for it's only cold weather game all season).

 

[PatsSox363804]

I don't think the schedule is easy because of last year's records. I think the schedule is an easy one because it is...

1. Titans: Constant state of rebuilding since '08. Snot Locker doesn't scare me and Chris Johnson looked bad last season.

2. Cardinals: Explosive receivers... if only they had a quarterback to get it to them. Word is that John Skelton is the front runner in that race. Defense doesn't look capable of slowing us down.

3. Ravens: Always a tough game with them.

4. Bills: Depends on what their health looks like and if Fitzpatrick isn't serving up INT's like $5 footlongs. If their health is good and if Mario Williams returns to form, then should be able to give us some issues on defense. If Fitzpatrick is on and Jackson is running wild, as he tends to do against us, then we're in for a tough game.

5. Broncos: Depends on how Manning comes back. He looked like he was finally regressing in 2010. He's since had a season off due to neck injuries. On the defensive side of the ball, Brady carved them up like Thanksgiving turkeys in 2011. I see no reason for that to not continue this year.

6. Seahawks: How are we playing IN Seattle again? Either way, they're a talented team but their head coach is a cheerleader. Flynn doesn't have Green Bay's receiving corps to work with anymore and their defense is overrated right now, IMO.

7. Jets: Beat them by double digits twice last year. Neither game was especially close. Now they're rolling out a quarterback system that has never worked in the NFL, their O-Line can't protect them, their running game outside of Shonn Greene sucks, their #1 WR would be a #3 on this team, they have one older than dirt and one injury prone safety (neither of which can cover), and they can't generate pressure without blitzing.

8. Rams: Good draft at first glance but can they put it together quickly enough to even make this a game?

9. Bye: We'll beat the hell out of the bye week.

10. Bills: See Week 4.

11. Colts: Luck will be hard to stop but he doesn't have the weapons in place at this point to keep up with our offense. The defense isn't finished yet either.

12. Jets: See Week 7.

13. Dolphins: Is there any doubt that this team will be horrible? Their defense will be lucky if we don't have 52 by halftime.

14. Texans: This game could be a scary one. If healthy, the Texans are fully equipped to beat us. They can threaten every level of the field on offense. They have one of the top RB's and WR's in the game and their O-Line can protect. The only question mark is that Schaub is very fragile. If he's out then I don't see TJ Yates beating us. Their defense is extremely tough though. They could give us issues if the O-Line isn't up to the task.

15. 49ers: Another potential loss. They've had the best defense in the NFL for a few years, IMO, and Alex Smith finally made strides under Harbaugh in 2011. If health holds up on both sides of the ball for them, they should present a ton of problems for us. With the athleticism and sheer size of Willis and Navarro, they have two LB's that could take away our TE tandem.

16. Jags: I'll be going to this game. Anyway, this will be a blowout, simply stated.

17. Dolphins: See Week 13.

Generally agree with this. The Colts are interesting to me, I want to see how Luck does against a team that isn't the Rams and I want to see how their defense performs in a 3-4 base, it was weird seeing them out there last Sunday.

The Texans.. well I'm glad that's a home game. Also interested to see if any of their injuries from last season linger into this one, they were just killed by injuries last season.

SF, I'm curious to see if their defense performs at that high level once again. In theory their offense should improve with the additions at receiver but Alex Smith is still their QB.

Tennessee doesn't really scare me as long as the run defense shows up. Arizona doesn't scare me at all. The Ravens are always a tough game but should be easier without Suggs in there.

At the end of the day this all comes down to our offensive line and our defense. If the line can give Brady the time he has generally had and if they defensive improves like we hope we can win all of those games and many of them by double digits. If the line continues to perform as it has in camp and the defense isn't any better than last year we can go 9-7.

 

[goheels22002]

7 games of concern:

Bills 2X - good all-round team with a pass rush. X factor is that the Patriots are their Everest and they beat the Patriots in 2011.

Ravens - a tough Harbaugh-coached team that believe they were robbed in the AFC Championship game. Their coach (call the timeout!), WR and kicker choked. It happens.

Texans - Excellent team with lots to prove

Forty-Whiners - Tough Harbaugh-coached team part II.

Broncos - Peyton Manning with lots of weapons and John Fox together with many reasons to want to beat the Pats.

Rams in London: Jeff Fisher with talented young players six time zones to the East the week before the bye: trap, trap, trap, trap.....

 

[ClevTrev]

I don't think the schedule is easy because of last year's records. I think the schedule is an easy one because it is...

1. Titans: Constant state of rebuilding since '08. Snot Locker doesn't scare me and Chris Johnson looked bad last season.

2. Cardinals: Explosive receivers... if only they had a quarterback to get it to them. Word is that John Skelton is the front runner in that race. Defense doesn't look capable of slowing us down.

3. Ravens: Always a tough game with them.

4. Bills: Depends on what their health looks like and if Fitzpatrick isn't serving up INT's like $5 footlongs. If their health is good and if Mario Williams returns to form, then should be able to give us some issues on defense. If Fitzpatrick is on and Jackson is running wild, as he tends to do against us, then we're in for a tough game.

5. Broncos: Depends on how Manning comes back. He looked like he was finally regressing in 2010. He's since had a season off due to neck injuries. On the defensive side of the ball, Brady carved them up like Thanksgiving turkeys in 2011. I see no reason for that to not continue this year.

6. Seahawks: How are we playing IN Seattle again? Either way, they're a talented team but their head coach is a cheerleader. Flynn doesn't have Green Bay's receiving corps to work with anymore and their defense is overrated right now, IMO.

7. Jets: Beat them by double digits twice last year. Neither game was especially close. Now they're rolling out a quarterback system that has never worked in the NFL, their O-Line can't protect them, their running game outside of Shonn Greene sucks, their #1 WR would be a #3 on this team, they have one older than dirt and one injury prone safety (neither of which can cover), and they can't generate pressure without blitzing.

8. Rams: Good draft at first glance but can they put it together quickly enough to even make this a game?

9. Bye: We'll beat the hell out of the bye week.

10. Bills: See Week 4.

11. Colts: Luck will be hard to stop but he doesn't have the weapons in place at this point to keep up with our offense. The defense isn't finished yet either.

12. Jets: See Week 7.

13. Dolphins: Is there any doubt that this team will be horrible? Their defense will be lucky if we don't have 52 by halftime.

14. Texans: This game could be a scary one. If healthy, the Texans are fully equipped to beat us. They can threaten every level of the field on offense. They have one of the top RB's and WR's in the game and their O-Line can protect. The only question mark is that Schaub is very fragile. If he's out then I don't see TJ Yates beating us. Their defense is extremely tough though. They could give us issues if the O-Line isn't up to the task.

15. 49ers: Another potential loss. They've had the best defense in the NFL for a few years, IMO, and Alex Smith finally made strides under Harbaugh in 2011. If health holds up on both sides of the ball for them, they should present a ton of problems for us. With the athleticism and sheer size of Willis and Navarro, they have two LB's that could take away our TE tandem.

16. Jags: I'll be going to this game. Anyway, this will be a blowout, simply stated.

17. Dolphins: See Week 13.

Good analysis and you saved me some space, as I agree with your assessments. The only thing I'd add is that while the Rams were weak last season, Fisher will have the defense playing take no prisoners and will be in the face of the Pats offense at every position.

I agree with those who are reluctant to call this an easy schedule. Too many minefields lurking . . . and any team's health and execution is usually fluid throughout the season.

 

[PatsGirl2011]

Well every year teams digress or become better , so its very difficult to predict how well teams will play. Some teams overachieve and others underachieve. No predicted SF would play like they did, and no one predicted Philly would be average all year. In terms of the Pats schedule, there are too many teams on it who have the potential to be good depending on whether or not the chips fall in place. I think Denver, Seattle, and Buffalo falls into that category.If everyone is looking for an evaluation of our defense against the competition, I think you will see it regardless. Teams are going to continue to throw the ball against our secondary until they garner some respect. We will find out early against Seattle, Buffalo and Denver. I'm not worried about the quality of teams because if the Pats are better they are just better regardless. I just don't want the team to peak too soon like in 2007.

 

[Keyser Söze]

7 games of concern:

Bills 2X - good all-round team with a pass rush. X factor is that the Patriots are their Everest and they beat the Patriots in 2011.

Ravens - a tough Harbaugh-coached team that believe they were robbed in the AFC Championship game. Their coach (call the timeout!), WR and kicker choked. It happens.

Texans - Excellent team with lots to prove

Forty-Whiners - Tough Harbaugh-coached team part II.

Broncos - Peyton Manning with lots of weapons and John Fox together with many reasons to want to beat the Pats.

Rams in London: Jeff Fisher with talented young players six time zones to the East the week before the bye: trap, trap, trap, trap.....

Been there, done that, and have succeeded. BB will have them ready for the business trip like he did against Tampa.

 

[patfanken]

OK I'll bite. Since its too early to do our pick the wins and losses thread, and on any given Sunday any NFL team can beat another; I'll break this down to 3 categories. The games will be: 1. Easier than expected. 2. Harder than expected. 3. About what we expect

Titans - Harder than we expect - Good defense, great RB. Good receivers. Solid QB if Hasselbeck starts as I think he will - away game.

Cardinals - About what we expect - Great receivers good defense - no QB

Ravens - About what we expect - A great test of where we are early in the season, Also a good test of what kind of road team we will be. Its one of our 3 toughest games, but we expect it to be just that.

Bills - Tougher than we expect - Maybe not for me, but too many Pat fans are locked into the Pathetic Bills of the last decade. Well they lost that pathetic title last season. They had even more injuries than the Pats, and made a concerted effort in the draft and FA to improve their defense (Williams, Anderson, Gilmore). If we get the Fitzpatrick that played in the first half of the season (pre rib injury), We will be in the fight of our lives, especially in Buffalo.

Broncos - Easier than Expected - I know its Manning but its more than just Manning. Their defense still has holes and the OL still has problems. It will still be early in the Manning recovery, AND its at home.

Seahawks - Tougher than expected - I know its hard to take the Seahawks seriously, BUT, They have a lot of talent and if one of their QB's turns out to be effective, they have a good running attack to go with it.. Also Seattle is one of the true home field advantages. If the game is close and the crowd is into it, it could be a long day.

Jets - Easier than Expected - I know its the Jets, but I don't see them as being close to the threat that Buffalo provides - Poor WR's, Mediocre to poor running attack, no offensive depth, and although it is a very good defense, its a very good defense that we put up 30+ points against TWICE last season. And did I mention the QB's..... Its a great rivalry, but just not a great game.

Rams - Easier than expected - They will be better than last season, BUT they aren't good yet, and we will be playing them in our home away from home. The Brits should see another Pats blowout.

Bills - see initial comments on them - But is should be a bit easier since we are at home, and after a bye.

Colts - Easier than expected - There is a lot more wrong with the Colts than losing Peyton Manning. At home just makes it tougher on them. They will be back because they seem to be going about the rebuilding process in the right way. Just not next year.

Jets - Easier than expected - My opinion doesn't change just because we are playing them in NJ. I think its funny that Jet fans have absolutely NO respect for the Bills and their fans. Its ironic that they maybe entering a few years where they may BECOME the Bills of most of the last decade.

MIami- Harder than Expected - I thought Miami was a better team than most last season. I think they can have a pretty good defense. I don't think it will be a "hard" game, just harder than most people expect, especially down in Miami

Houston - About what we expect - which is one of the 3 toughest games on the schedule

SF - About what we expect - Which is one of the 3 Toughest games on the schedule....on the road - a 2 game stretch that will tell us a lot about the team we have near the end of the schedule

Jags - About what we expect - An easy game against a rebuilding team, just trying to get to the end of the season

Miami - About what we expect - See the Jags comment

The thing I like about this schedule is the way it breaks down, especially the last 4 games. We get perhaps our 2 toughest tests, home and away, in games 13 and 14. Great indicators of where we are going into the playoffs, then they are followed by 2 games against what are likely to be bottom feeders, who are struggling to get to the end of the season. 2 game we probably will be in position to rest some starters and an opportunity to get healthy for the playoff run.

 

[BananaRepublican]

6. Seahawks- 7-9. should reverse that record

15 49'ers 13-3 - may be a better team but will not have as good a record

Since the game is @seahawks and since they have a very tough defense, that game should be a real concern to the 16-0 crowd. That is not the 2011 Seahawks.

The Niners go in the opposite direction. They are meant to run the ball and control field position, etc. Adding deep threats causes a deviation from that winning formula. I just don't have the faith in Alex Smith to transition to a deep ball kind of QB. With Harbaugh anything is possible but I don't see it.

But that game is in Foxboro and while I count it as a win it certainly will be against a pretty good defense and pretty good team. By that time maybe they will have thrown Moss off the team and gone back to basics.

I thought your ideas on the Rams were pretty much right on. They are going to be a shaky and young group but a talented group if they stay healthy. They are not last year's Rams.

Overall I see us facing two winning teams and two losing teams from that division. All games winnable but that division is not as easy as last year's results indicate.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Titans - Harder than we expect - Good defense, great RB. Good receivers. Solid QB if Hasselbeck starts as I think he will - away game.

Locker pretty much s***t his bed the other night didn't he? I expect Hasselbeck and being fresh and healthy he makes them a tough out. Well, a bounce back year from Chris Johnson makes them a tough out. He scored twice the other night.

I think the Pats will be ready for anything they've got but I don't call that a gimme. It's a road game. Green Bay had one of those to KC last year.