Local media predictions for the Patriots' 2010 season

[Deus Irae]

Bob Ryan didn't give a single record, choosing to go with 9-10 wins.

 

[jmt57]

Here's a link to predictions from six writers for the Boston Globe.

Staff predictions on the NFL season - Boston.com

Monique Walker and Christopher Gasper have the Pats going 10-6; I was mildly surprised Gasper has them winning that many - and more surprised to see he was the only one to go with the Pats winning the division. Walker and Jim McBride have the Pats making the playoffs as a wildcard team. Breer, SMY and McBride are going with a 9-7 record while Dan Shaughnessy (why was he asked?) thinks (hopes?) the Pats will go 8-8. Half the panel went not with the Jets, but with the Dolphins to win the AFC East.



The Globe's Eric Wilbur has the Pats winning the division, Miami a wildcard, and the Jets missing the playoffs. Wilbur thinks the Pats will lose to the Ravens in the division round, and the Packers will beat the Ravens in the Super Bowl.

http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/wilbur/2010/09/2010_nfl_previe.html

 

[jmt57]

Boston Herald staff predictions

• Ron Borges: Jets win AFCE, Pats a wildcard; Ravens>Falcons in SB
  
  
• Ian Rapoport: Pats win AFCE, Jets a wildcard; Colts>Eagles in SB
  
  
• Steve Buckley: Jets win AFCE, Pats a wildcard; Cowboys>Colts in SB
  
  
• Dan Ventura: Pats win AFCE, Jets miss playoffs; Colts>Saints in SB
  
  
• Gerry Callahan: Jets win AFCE, Pats a wildcard; Packers>Ravens in SB
  
  
• Karen Guregian: Miami wins AFCE, Jets and Pats wildcards; Colts>Packers in SB

 

[Deus Irae]

I think today's a pretty good day to bump this thread.....

 

[Nikolai]

I think today's a pretty good day to bump this thread.....

Heh, even I look like a chicken little for my 11-5 prediction. What a difference a few months makes, eh?

 

[Uncle Rico]

Fred Smerlas at 12-4 seems most likely to come closest. There must be a thread somewhere with national predictions.

Madden sims had Pats-Packers in the Super Bowl:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/384190-madden-11-pats-win-super-bowl.html

 

[Nikolai]

Fred Smerlas at 12-4 seems most likely to come closest. There must be a thread somewhere with national predictions.

Madden sims had Pats-Packers in the Super Bowl:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/384190-madden-11-pats-win-super-bowl.html

Extremely plausible.

Falcons and maybe the Saints are the only real NFC teams that can challenge the Packers. Though the Pack plays the Bears and Giants before it's all said and done, so we'll have to see.

Not to mention a big game in two weeks.

 

[Deus Irae]

Fred Smerlas at 12-4 seems most likely to come closest. There must be a thread somewhere with national predictions.

Madden sims had Pats-Packers in the Super Bowl:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/384190-madden-11-pats-win-super-bowl.html

I can't remember if we did a national thread or not. You might send a PM to jmt57 and ask him. He might remember better than I.

 

[jmt57]

I can't remember if we did a national thread or not. You might send a PM to jmt57 and ask him. He might remember better than I.

I'll search but as I recall we only did the media predictions on the 2010 season in this thread, i.e., local media predictions. If I'm not mistaken we only started doing the national media predictions once the regular season began, on a week by week, game by game basis.


As I recall my own prediction was 10-6, so I'm not really in any position to point at somebody else for being off with their predictions. Three things held me back: the defense as a whole, and specifically the pass rush; season ending injuries to Warren and Bodden, Mankins' holdout, Welker's knee, and how all that put that much more pressure on both depth as well as having to count on that many more new starters to perform well; and what appeared to be a very difficult schedule. I saw four games the Pats should be able to count on winning: the Bills, Browns, Lions and Bills again - and twelve others that could go either way. I figured the Pats go 4-0 in the first group, 6-6 in the second, or 3-1 and 7-5, and end up 10-6.


Happy to say it looks like my own prediction was incorrect.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'll search but as I recall we only did the media predictions on the 2010 season in this thread, i.e., local media predictions. If I'm not mistaken we only started doing the national media predictions once the regular season began, on a week by week, game by game basis.


As I recall my own prediction was 10-6, so I'm not really in any position to point at somebody else for being off with their predictions. Three things held me back: the defense as a whole, and specifically the pass rush; season ending injuries to Warren and Bodden, Mankins' holdout, and how that put that much more pressure on both depth as well as having to count on that many more new starters to perform well; and what appeared to be a very difficult schedule. I saw four games the Pats should be able to count on winning: the Bills, Browns, Lions and Bills again - and twelve others that could go either way. I figured the Pats go 4-0 in the first group, 6-6 in the second, or 3-1 and 7-5, and end up 10-6.


Happy to say it looks like my own prediction was incorrect.

Indeed. There are so many things which change (Vikings collapse, Moss/Branch trades, etc...), that it's really just an exercise in time killing.

Shockingly, my 14 wins from Ian's week-by-week breakdown still has a chance.*



*Note: After coming to that total, I commented that it seemed high and I should look for a couple more losses, so I'm not bragging on it. I'm legitimately surprised that the team still has a shot to reach it.