Pats should continue to own AFC for few more years

[mosslost]

at least..

AFC is hot garbage. What do we got out there now? Jags maybe coming up? Steelers? It is like the AFC is ill and we still very well.

We may just be getting on a roll now.

 

[Galeb]

Lana agrees.

 

[farn]

While I agree, Brady & BB’s life decisions will affect the balance of power once they call it a day.

While those two are rolling, NE is in great shape.

AFCE teams have yet to get lucky and « hit » on a great QB. Despite their incompetence, picking so high each year makes the odds one of them gets lucky one of these years pretty decent...

We’ll see. I look forward to the big game & the offseason. We’ll worry about those questions as they come.

 

[TB_Helmet]

If Watson is able to perform anywhere close to what he did last year before he got hurt, we'll be seeing the Texans in the playoffs again.

 

[Clonamery]

Lana agrees.

She's quite retentive.

 

[BradyFTW!]

While I agree, Brady & BB’s life decisions will affect the balance of power once they call it a day.

While those two are rolling, NE is in great shape.

AFCE teams have yet to get lucky and « hit » on a great QB. Despite their incompetence, picking so high each year makes the odds one of them gets lucky one of these years pretty decent...

We’ll see. I look forward to the big game & the offseason. We’ll worry about those questions as they come.

I think that perspective at least somewhat undersells the importance of developing QBs. It's entirely possibly that the Bills, Jets and Dolphins between them have drafted a couple QBs who could have been very good if they were developed within a competent organization.

 

[Tunescribe]

Blahbidy blah blah, happy slappy nappy -- shazam YEOWZA!

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Texans with the return of Watt and Watson should be good, if both can be near their previous levels.

Steelers are still a very good team.

Jaguars could land a quarterback and become an even bigger threat than the team that nearly just knocked us out.

Carr and Luck may both return to form as well.

If the Ravens actually came to terms with how badly Flacco sucks, they would be an instant contender. There are second string QBs that are much better.

We will see. Right now, though, the NFC is far ahead, mainly due to way more stellar QBs.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Good teams can turn bad and bad teams can improve pretty quick in today's NFL.
Which of course makes the consistency of the New England Patriots remarkable.

 

[resdubwhite]

Jana No?

 

[Mr.Bandwagon]

Lana agrees.

He sooo horny...

 

[Pessimistic Pete]

The Broncos with Kirk Cousins or the Jaguars with Eli Manning would certainly improve those two teams.

If Watson is able to perform anywhere close to what he did last year before he got hurt, we'll be seeing the Texans in the playoffs again.

Any Texans fan thinking he will be a franchise guy is deluding themselves.

He'll be like every other mobile QB who rapidly declines once teams get tape on + he's already proven to be injury prone and will continue to be at risk with his style.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

The Broncos with Kirk Cousins or the Jaguars with Eli Manning would certainly improve those two teams.



Any Texans fan thinking he will be a franchise guy is deluding themselves.

He'll be like every other mobile QB who rapidly declines once teams get tape on + he's already proven to be injury prone and will continue to be at risk with his style.

Well i been hearing that the donkeys might let Emmanuel sanders go. Demaryus Thomas's also up in the air.

 

[Gronk]

The Broncos with Kirk Cousins or the Jaguars with Eli Manning would certainly improve those two teams.



Any Texans fan thinking he will be a franchise guy is deluding themselves.

He'll be like every other mobile QB who rapidly declines once teams get tape on + he's already proven to be injury prone and will continue to be at risk with his style.

I don’t get the Eli in JAX thing. First off I think the Giants keep him, but also he’s not necessarily an upgrade over Bortles at this point. He hasn’t won a playoff game since 46 (grrr) and as a passer his greatest successes of late are throwing for lots of yards to ODB in losses. He’s a decorated Jay Cutler whose peak is 4-5 years gone.

Watson I don’t know, I don’t think it’s fair to pre-judge based on player type though I cant totally disagree with your assessment. He’s made some throws that have made me go “damn” and he seems like he’s got “it”. Whether the consistency is ever there we have to let play out - as it stands I think he’s at least got the potential to be a Cam type QB who maybe isn’t year-in year-out on the elite level, but can dominate and take a team to the Super Bowl. And not many guys are on that other level, we’re historically spoiled here, most of the league would kill for a single season from its QB like Cam had in 2015 and enjoy the SB ride. Around here we have the privilege of semi-disowning an undefeated team that couldn’t close it out while we admire the 5 rings they did get. Mike Vick never made it that far but he sure stunned the **** out of GB when he went up there and beat Favre in the playoffs, and that’s definitely the kind of mojo that Watson looks to have.

Broncos with Cousins makes too much sense not to happen, and that puts them back in play. Certainly their division may be there for the taking too - Raiders with Gruden we’ll see if last year was just injuries, Chiefs maybe in transition at QB and couldn’t sustain, Chargers...always a bridesmaid.

Jax division looks like it’s getting tougher with the (prob) 2 best QBs missing most or all of this season, and I think they were very very good this year and nearly played well enough to beat NE at home in the AFCCG, but for some reason I just don’t see them repeating that regardless of QB...maybe this was their 2012 Seahawks season and they’ll be back to dominate next year and be in the mix for several years. But I think it’s just as likely they got fat on some bad teams this year, were inconsistent throughout, played a couple of really really excellent playoff games against NE and PIT...and they’ll win 9 games and miss the playoffs next year.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Texans with the return of Watt and Watson should be good, if both can be near their previous levels.

Steelers are still a very good team.

Jaguars could land a quarterback and become an even bigger threat than the team that nearly just knocked us out.

Carr and Luck may both return to form as well.

If the Ravens actually came to terms with how badly Flacco sucks, they would be an instant contender. There are second string QBs that are much better.

We will see. Right now, though, the NFC is far ahead, mainly due to way more stellar QBs.

Steelers are currently $2.5M over the cap for 2018 and that's without Bell. They're going to have to make some changes.

I think the Ravens know, they just ****ed themselves with the contract extensions and are stuck with him. They couldn't cut him this year without getting hit with a ridiculous $53M in dead money. Even next year, that's still $28M so they can't really do much other than wait for that deal to pass on and hope Flacco doesn't suck as much.

 

[Nehalem]

Look at the likely Super Bowl starters for the Patriots. How many aren't under contract next year?

2 I think. LT Solder and CB M. Butler.

And we get Hightower, Edelman, Mitchell back.

Not to mention hopefully Hogan doesn't miss half the season and have to play with one shoulder. Which really hurts considering the other WR injuries.

And the only position I would be worried about getting old in is safety.

Pats looking good.

 

[lancerman]

Patriots are losing an OC whose been with the team in some capacity since 2001 aside from a three year hiatus from 09-11 (two of the only one and done years in franchise history). They are losing a DC whose been with the team in some capacity since 2004 and essentially rebuilt the defense into a championship caliber level that made tremendous contributions to us winning titles again. Julian Edelman is a question mark coming off his second season ending injury. We are also likely losing Butler which means we will need to find another CB or I'm not going to be happy about our prospects in the secondary.

The reality is if Tom Brady plays at a high level and Belichick doesn't decide to hang them up, we will be competetive. But we will be facing some adversity.

Meanwhile..... if the Texans get Watson back and he plays at a high level they are going to be formidable. The Colts with Luck and McDaniels could become an issue. the Jags could have a huge upgrade at QB next year and we know they can play. The Steelers will always be a threat with Brown and Bell there assuming Ben doesn't have a decline. Denver's one QB away from being highly competitive again.

We should probably consider THIS year as the weak year for the AFC and assume more challengers will arise.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Lana agrees.

I'm pretty sure that is "Jana"

 

[Tunescribe]

She's quite retentive.

I think she's full of crap.

 

[BobDigital]

Maybe. They will take a step back next year in the coaching department but they have ways to make up for it.

The offense should be fine. McDaniels is the OC I want to run it but Brady has so much experience in that system that with a less experienced OC it will still be very effective. Edelman and Amendola will both be a year older and you will have to wonder how they'll look. I think If the unit stays healthy and Solder comes back they will be just as good if not better even with inferior coaching. And they will need to be.

On defense I don't see how the unit is all that much better. Not only do they lose their DC but there is a great chance Butler is gone. They will need to replace him and even if he hasn't been amazing this year that isn't easily done. C/J Jones are unlikely to fill the role well and Rowe is just a role player. It will be an issue probably.

I think the DL will be better next year. A lot of youth is going to gain experience and they won't lose anyone who matter a ton this year. Rivers is an interesting prospect to get back and you wonder how Wise and Butler will look. I expect the unit to become solid all around. They will lack that one star Player but Trey Flowers is pretty damn good on that DL. I don't think Harrison comes back next year as this is likely a 1 and done but you never know. I'd welcome him back as a role player but i think this is not going to be that kind of situation. Either he retires or goes else where.

At LB of course Hightower back will be huge. Van Noy looks solid next to him but who is the 3rd guy? McClellin? Roberts? I think it's a spot they need to look to address in the draft. I just don't like their options there.

One guy i'm curious about is M. Flowers. Does he stick after this year or not? He's played well but you never know.

I think the AFC will be better next year.

Jags if they get a QB will be trouble. The Texans could be interesting though I just never trust a running QB tbh. In the back of my mind I can't help but think the Ravens could make a run. They have a good D and if their offense improves they'll be a real threat. The Chargers might be poised to really get it together next year. They have a lot of key pieces in place and just need that tiny bit more. I think they can be next years "Eagles" or "Rams" if things break right for them.

The AFC will be better next year but it will have nothing to do with the Steelers. I think this is finally they year it starts to fall apart for them again and they go back to being 8-8 for a while even with that talent.