I was about to start a thread today (my first), but I pulled it back, figuring I'd jinx it. Anyway, here goes...
"No way I'm giving up on this team. Reading some of the rabble-rousing sportswriters, I have to just sigh and shake my head, like with Bedard and his "this offense stinks" knuckleheadism...
To state the obvious: the Pats are 6-2 (edit: 7-2) and 3-1 in the division. Two game lead, and the two teams chasing them have to play each other twice, while we only play Miami one more time.
They are a smart football team, with much better communication in the defensive secondary. You don't see nearly the blown coverages this year as in years past.
Even without Wilfork, Kelly, Mayo and Talib, they shut out the Dolphins in the second half. This defense is deep and NFL kids have stepped up big time. That says a lot about the character of the team.
Their offense is nowhere near elite right now, I agree (edit: wait...what?). But...Brady and Dobson are getting better each week, Vereen will be back, Ridley looks like a beast, Gronk is back, Amendola is back - and KT and JE are ready to come in when necessary.
With the return of Gronk, Amendola and Vereen, they will be very deep at the skill positions.
They'll make the playoffs barring a meltdown, and once in there, it's wide open. There are no super teams this year.
In the AFC: Cincinnati doesn't scare me. Dalton is mediocre and their defense needs a huge pass rush to cover up a mediocre secondary. The loss of Atkins is HUGE for them.
No other team in the north is scary at all.
Indy is a good team, but certainly not a great team. The loss of Reggie Wayne really hurts a team that relies on those 4th quarter comebacks, and while their defense is pretty good, it's not deep (and getting banged up more and more).
KC will be tough, perhaps, but they really haven't played anyone yet. They won't blow out anyone, much less New England, and I always like the Pats in a close game.
Denver might be the class of the AFC, but their defense is not very good and the more I watch Manning, despite the gaudy statistics, the more I'm sure he's on a big decline. Anything he throws over 20 yards floats and wobbles, and that will only get worse as the weather gets colder. They are beatable.
Who's coming out of the NFC? I have to think Seattle if they hold onto home field advantage. Good team, but nowhere near great outside of Seattle. Again, a good team beats them away from home.
I think this Pats team has as much a chance as anyone of getting a ring this year.
Having said that, even while cheering through this second half, how can you not be excited about the prospects for this team next year? Their injured list looks like a dream team of free agents returning next year, and those kids will only get better (edit: Like Dobson today, wow)."
They need Talib back, though - they really do.
