We're the Favorite Again (for 2008)

[VrabelMayeWin]

From covers.com, can't post a link as gambling sites are blocked at work :

New England Patriots: 3:1
San Diego Chargers: 11:2
Indianapolis Colts: 12:1
Dallas Cowboys: 14:1

Pittsburgh Steelers: 20:1
New York Giants: 25:1
Green Bay Packers: 25:1
Jacksonville Jaguars: 25:1
New Orleans Saints: 25:1
Cincinnati Bengals: 28:1
Philadelphia Eagles: 35:1
Denver Broncos: 40:

Cleveland Browns: 50:1
Washington Redskins: 50:1
Chicago Bears: 50:1
Minnesota Vikings: 50:1
Detroit Lions: 50:1
Carolina Panthers: 50:1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 50:1
Seattle Seahawks: 50:1
San Francisco 49ers: 50:1
Arizona Cardinals: 50:1

Baltimore Ravens: 60:1
New York Jets: 80:1
Buffalo Bills: 80:1
Tennessee Titans: 80:1
St Louis Rams: 80:1

Houston Texans: 100:1
Atlanta Falcons: 100:1
Oakland Raiders: 125:1
Kansas City Chiefs: 150:1
Miami Dolphins: 150:1

 

[Watson's IQ]

The 2008 Patriots have one of the easiest schedules in NFL history. Their 2008 opponents had a combined winning percentage of .387 this season. We play a grand total of four 2007 playoff teams (Indy, Pitt, SD, Seattle) and the rest is the dregs of the NFC and AFC West (Not to mention our own division again). Anything less than the #1 seed (14-2 or so) would be a big disappointment for next season.

In other words, not surprised.

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

couple things, this could change if certain free agents don't re-sign. Especially Moss.

Steelers 20:1...I'm surprised we are getting those odds. I figured 30:1 for sure. Having to win in the AFC increases the chances of failure.

The draft for the Pats will be very strong and will help them, LB out of OSU will look good in you're uniform...unfortunetly.

And of coarse you're the favorite, you're the stinking 3 time winning, Pats, with a close AFC title loss last year, a superbowl loss this year and the same coach, a HOF QB and an oline that but for one game, was fantastic all year and will all be back.

the defense is where they will spend money this off season...and that boads ill for all us other fans.

 

[DCSkinsFan]

Were those odds based on strength of schedule? Just curious.

 

[Watson's IQ]

couple things, this could change if certain free agents don't re-sign. Especially Moss.

Steelers 20:1...I'm surprised we are getting those odds. I figured 30:1 for sure. Having to win in the AFC increases the chances of failure.

The draft for the Pats will be very strong and will help them, LB out of OSU will look good in you're uniform...unfortunetly.

And of coarse you're the favorite, you're the stinking 3 time winning, Pats, with a close AFC title loss last year, a superbowl loss this year and the same coach, a HOF QB and an oline that but for one game, was fantastic all year and will all be back.

the defense is where they will spend money this off season...and that boads ill for all us other fans.

These Super Bowl odds have to factor in not only the odds of winning in the playoffs, but the odds of getting there. Every other division you can at least make the case for it being competitive for the division title next year, not so for the AFC East. Factor in the Patriots' ridiculously easy schedule and the fact that they're a virtual lock for the playoffs (and an incredibly solid bet for a first round bye) and it makes a lot of sense for them to be getting these odds.

 

[SavioKid]

The 2008 Patriots have one of the easiest schedules in NFL history. Their 2008 opponents had a combined winning percentage of .387 this season. We play a grand total of four 2007 playoff teams (Indy, Pitt, SD, Seattle) and the rest is the dregs of the NFC and AFC West (Not to mention our own division again). Anything less than the #1 seed (14-2 or so) would be a big disappointment for next season.

In other words, not surprised.

I agree that overall the quality of the schedule (home especially) appears to be easier than this year (a few bad teams do become good teams u know). However, one caveat is that the away games are some long freakin West Coast trips - to SD / Sea / SF / OAK ? right or is it Den?)....that's some hard travel compared to this year when they didn't even leave the east coast since week 9!!

 

[Watson's IQ]

I agree that overall the quality of the schedule (home especially) appears to be easier than this year (a few bad teams do become good teams u know). However, one caveat is that the away games are some long freakin West Coast trips - to SD / Sea / SF / OAK ? right or is it Den?)....that's some hard travel compared to this year when they didn't even leave the east coast since week 9!!

Yes, that's true, but it hardly offsets the overall dearth of quality on the schedule. West coast trips or not, this will be one of the easiest schedules the Patriots (or any team) has ever played. I'm not complaining at all, although I can't wait to hear what the idiots who said the Pats "played no one" this year will say next season.

As for bad teams becoming good, sure. But most bad teams stay bad for more than one year. Other than maybe Arizona or Denver, I'm not sure who you can count on to be significantly better among those West coast teams.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The 2008 Patriots have one of the easiest schedules in NFL history. Their 2008 opponents had a combined winning percentage of .387 this season. We play a grand total of four 2007 playoff teams (Indy, Pitt, SD, Seattle) and the rest is the dregs of the NFC and AFC West (Not to mention our own division again). Anything less than the #1 seed (14-2 or so) would be a big disappointment for next season.

In other words, not surprised.

It's like we should all break into a chours of ...the sun'll come up...tomorrow, tomorrow..bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun... :singing:

That said, while the schedule is not particularly difficult based on those teams performance LAST season, the travel will be with 4 west coast trips. Depends on how it all lays out and who does what in the draft and FA.

 

[makewayhomer]

I don't think there is anyway we are 3:1 and Indy is 12:1, that team was pretty close to us last year and they won't have any losses (in fact they should be healthier, while we can't really hope to be as healthy)

I also think Jax at 25:1 while San Diego at 5.5:1 is really weird, those 2 teams are pretty close to one another.

 

[Watson's IQ]

It's like we should all break into a chours of ...the sun'll come up...tomorrow, tomorrow..bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun... :singing:

That said, while the schedule is not particularly difficult based on those teams performance LAST season, the travel will be with 4 west coast trips. Depends on how it all lays out and who does what in the draft and FA.

Of course you can never be sure what teams will improve, but tell me who you would guess will be significantly better next year among this group: Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams..

I can make a strong case for the Cardinals, Broncos, or Bills, but otherwise I expect those other teams to be pretty subpar again. Of course, you can never say for sure. My general point was the weakness of the schedule helps explain why we have such great SB odds right now. Vegas does factor that in.

 

[Watson's IQ]

I also think Jax at 25:1 while San Diego at 5.5:1 is really weird, those 2 teams are pretty close to one another.

The Jaguars are currently behind another team in their division, San Diego is not. Also, their division is far tougher over all. Even though the teams are close talent-wise, these odds factor in the fact that SD is a far safer bet to make it back to the playoffs. Ditto the Pats.

 

[SavioKid]

Of course you can never be sure what teams will improve, but tell me who you would guess will be significantly better next year among this group: Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams..

I can make a strong case for the Cardinals, Broncos, or Bills, but otherwise I expect those other teams to be pretty subpar again. Of course, you can never say for sure. My general point was the weakness of the schedule helps explain why we have such great SB odds right now. Vegas does factor that in.

Agree hard to make a case but look at GB this year: coming into the season (they were like 5-11 the year before right?) NO ONE saw that coming. It seems to be the norm so I expect one of those teams on our schedule that u mentioned will become a 'GB lite' just for no apparent good reason!

But I agree , I will be disappointed if the PATS don't get a #1 seed next year...barring no crazy important injuries of course.

 

[makewayhomer]

The Jaguars are currently behind another team in their division, San Diego is not. Also, their division is far tougher over all. Even though the teams are close talent-wise, these odds factor in the fact that SD is a far safer bet to make it back to the playoffs. Ditto the Pats.

yeah, but I don't think thats enough for the huge difference

 

[Watson's IQ]

Agree hard to make a case but look at GB this year: coming into the season (they were like 5-11 the year before right?) NO ONE saw that coming. It seems to be the norm so I expect one of those teams on our schedule that u mentioned will become a 'GB lite' just for no apparent good reason!

But I agree , I will be disappointed if the PATS don't get a #1 seed next year...barring no crazy important injuries of course.

Green Bay was 8-8 last year including winning their last 4 games and just missing the playoffs. So there were plenty of signs that that was coming, and many (including myself) believed if Favre played well they'd be a serious contender with that D. He was, and they did.

Your point is correct that sometimes teams will come out of nowhere and play well, but far more often there are signs and indicators, and I just don't get that sense with most of those teams. The Cardinals I think have the best shot to improve significantly among the "dregs" of our schedule.

 

[Watson's IQ]

yeah, but I don't think thats enough for the huge difference

Yes it is, it's more than enough.

Look at it this way: It's not a stretch to say that the Chargers should win the AFC West easily next year. Considering the fact that they get to play both their own division, and the AFC East, I would consider them as having a pretty good shot at a first round bye, at the very least they'd be a four seed.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, have to not only leapfrog a team in their own division but hold off wildcard challengers. You could make an optimistic projection for them overtaking the Colts, but they're also going to face pressure from up and coming teams like Cleveland. My point is, it's a lot easier to project a strong team forward in a weak division than it is to project a WC winner.

Add to that the fact that if they both make the playoffs, odds strongly favor SD having an easier path, because despite what the Giants just showed, it's far easier for division winners to take home the crown than WC teams.

Once you add up ALL of these factors, it becomes more clear how these odds are put together. The talent of the team is only one small portion, you also have to factor in how difficult a task it will be to get to the playoffs at all. Considering the divisions they play in, NE and SD are (in my mind) two of the only LOCKS to be playoff teams next year (Throw Indy in there too if you want). That's a huge deal.

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

Oh and for you Steeler haters...cause I know some of you are...check out our schedule for 08

AFC North...Bungles, Browns, Ravens...twice...ok, not bad...

Home, Houston, Indy (PO Team) Dallas (PO Team) Giants (SB Team) SD (PO Team)
Away, Jags (PO Team) Tenn (PO Team) Philly, Wash (PO Team) and of coarse...NE (SB Team)

So the Steelers play 8 Playoff teams from this past season.

That's going to be loads of fun. Guess if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Oh and for you Steeler haters...cause I know some of you are...check out our schedule for 08

AFC North...Bungles, Browns, Ravens...twice...ok, not bad...

Home, Houston, Indy (PO Team) Dallas (PO Team) Giants (SB Team) SD (PO Team)
Away, Jags (PO Team) Tenn (PO Team) Philly, Wash (PO Team) and of coarse...NE (SB Team)

So the Steelers play 8 Playoff teams from this past season.

That's going to be loads of fun. Guess if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

No doubt at all, the Steelers have a far tougher road. There were plenty this year who said the Pats played a soft schedule, and it couldn't have been further from the truth. Judging the 2008 schedule today, if you were to say the same thing, you wouldn't get any argument from me.

Oh well, I'll take it.

 

[SavioKid]

Oh and for you Steeler haters...cause I know some of you are...check out our schedule for 08

AFC North...Bungles, Browns, Ravens...twice...ok, not bad...

Home, Houston, Indy (PO Team) Dallas (PO Team) Giants (SB Team) SD (PO Team)
Away, Jags (PO Team) Tenn (PO Team) Philly, Wash (PO Team) and of coarse...NE (SB Team)

So the Steelers play 8 Playoff teams from this past season.

That's going to be loads of fun. Guess if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

No doubt Stiller nation u got a tuff road & will probably get in as the WC looking at that schedule. But hey, the WC thing worked out in SB XL for ya so no crying there! I think the AFC is still the toughest conference overall & should get the Lombardi trophy back..

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

Its a tough road, that's for sure. But since we are the Ultimate Force in the AFC north and the rest of those clowns wish they were us with our 19 or is it 20 North/Central titles...well that's all but locked up. Remember, we hate the browns, bengals and ravens much more than we can ever hate you guys...

It'll be a blast though, I'm heading to the Tenn game this year for sure. Never did like Fisher, since he was in the AFC Central at one point as were the Jags...anyway...if we don't improve our oline we are doomed...but I'm sure our young hungry coach will get things going for us, and protecting the QB will be the priority in 08.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Its a tough road, that's for sure. But since we are the Ultimate Force in the AFC north and the rest of those clowns wish they were us with our 19 or is it 20 North/Central titles...well that's all but locked up. Remember, we hate the browns, bengals and ravens much more than we can ever hate you guys...

It'll be a blast though, I'm heading to the Tenn game this year for sure. Never did like Fisher, since he was in the AFC Central at one point as were the Jags...anyway...if we don't improve our oline we are doomed...but I'm sure our young hungry coach will get things going for us, and protecting the QB will be the priority in 08.

Don't sleep on the Browns. That said, I've always been of the belief that great QB play decides a division. Though it might be an unpopular opinion around here, I have a lot more faith in Big Ben continuing his evolution into an elite QB than Derek Anderson catching lightning in a bottle again. As for Palmer, until that team gets a defense don't talk to me. I'd agree with you that the Steelers have to be overwhelming favorites in that division.

I was assuming if we won the SB that Pitt-NE would be the opening Thursday game, but now I don't know when they'll play. Hopefully we'll get the better of it.