Do we have a shot?

[brady_branch]

Do we have a shot at the Super Bowl this year? I think we do. We're not the odds-on favorite, but we're certainly in the running. The pass offense has been spectacular and the defense has been lights out. The running game has been pretty good too. If we can keep this up throughout the season, we might have a shot.

[football junkie]

I can't see the Colts ever winning the big-game. So they're no real threat. The Broncos already have a QB controversy and they're starting the wrong RB on their roster named Bell. Plus they just lost their long time offensive coordinator, they're not going anywhere.

The Jets brief run is done. The Chargers have a rookie QB, bust! The Ravens have their new QB Steve McNair -- too bad it's not about four years ago or they'd be dangerous.

I'm confindent that Herm Edwards can destroy any chance the Chiefs have of getting to the Superbowl -- perhaps with his excellent clock management!

I think New England will be good this year -- like 10-6 good. I just don't think they'll be as good as the Dolphins, Bengals or Steelers. Plus there will probably one surprise team that seemingly comes out of nowhere and starts winning -- probably Jacksonville, all the pieces are in place there. Every year has its cinderella story.

[brady_branch]

I must disagree. Have you seen the way this team has played in the preseason? I know, it's preseason, but 30-3 and 41-0 wins over teams that are expected to contend are making me very optimistic.

[football junkie]

The entire season probably depends on the health of Corey Dillon. If he's healthy and he rushes for 1,600 yards again -- smooth sailing. But that kind of thing only happens in the world of fairy tales and magical lolipops and 32-year-old surgically reconstructed knees that can withstand 19 to 20 full NFL games -- each one of which is the equivalent of being in about a dozen car crashes.

[brady_branch]

Even if he gets injured, we've got two capable backups in Faulk and Maroney.

[football junkie]

There's a huge difference between being "capable" and being a rusher who runs for 1,635 yards and a dozen touchdowns.

[brady_branch]

Well, yes, but when you've got a QB and defense this good, it's hard not to be optimistic.

[efin98]

Well, yes, but when you've got a QB and defense this good, it's hard not to be optimistic.

Defense this good???? Are you kidding me????

Their only real strength is on the defensive line and even there they have a problem adjusting to a new defensive scheme for the second straight year. Their secondary is in shambles, even with Harrison back they won't be up to the same level they were two years ago. Their LB core is decemated, they are one injury away from having to rework the entire defense.

Sorry, but they are lucky they are even contenders at all this year.


A 9-7 record at bare minimum, 10-6 probable. They may get to 11-5 if they catch lightning in a bottle again but that's a big if.

I can see them being the divisional champ due to an injury to Miami's QB but that's it. They may get lucky and make it to the second round of the playoffs if they match up with a young and inexperienced team again like Jacksonville.

[brady_branch]

I must disagree. The patchwork secondary did fairly well last year, and with Harrison back, should be pretty good. The LBs are down from last year, but still good, and the DL is among the best in the league. And we've got Tom Brady. And Culpepper won't last long, the Bills aren't ready yet, and the Jets just plain stink. The playoffs are a reasonable goal, maybe even the AFC Championship game. If and when we get there, all bets are off.

[efin98]

I must disagree. The patchwork secondary did fairly well last year, and with Harrison back, should be pretty good. The LBs are down from last year, but still good, and the DL is among the best in the league. And we've got Tom Brady.

Brady can't carry the entire team- look at what happened to the Patriots the years where Bledsoe had to carry the team, they either finished 9-7, 8-8, or worse. When they play a team like the Bears whose defense is simply monumental Brady's major influence is negated forcing the defense to step up, but with a patchwork defense they aren't going to be able to step up as much and it will cost them. At least one game will be lost due to the defense, just watch.

Last year they got lucky because they were able to adapt the speed of the LBs into makeshift CBs but that was last year- teams aren't stupid, they know how to adapt to overcome that change. Harrison is a major improvement but they are still going to have a major problem with their secondary. They are going to face the Colts and the Bengals and their passing QBs, I doubt that even the best days they will allow less than three TDs in a game- they simply aren't good enough to stop them.

Granted they are improved from last year but they are still hampered, they need another star or two to emerge or else the secondary will revert back to being the hole it was last year...

And Culpepper won't last long, the Bills aren't ready yet, and the Jets just plain stink. The playoffs are a reasonable goal, maybe even the AFC Championship game. If and when we get there, all bets are off.

The Bills ARE ready, they should have made it last year. Culpepper looks like he is back to his former self, he won't run as much but he is back. Don't underestimate the othe teams- set aside the hometown bias and actually look at what is going on. They will have a tough time this year, they will win but they will have a tough time winning.


Here's a game by game look at the season:

I can see them winning 2x vs. the Jets. They will beat the Lions, Packers, Vikings, Titans, and Texans. They will probably beat the Fish and Bills once.

Now comes the hard games: I think they will probably beat the Jaguars down in Jacksonville. They will lose to the Broncos, Bengals, Bills, Dolphins, and Bears.

The only game I can't make a call on is against the Colts. If they beat the Colts they will be 11-5. If they lose they will be 10-6. 11-5 gives them the division. 10-6 wins them a Wild Card berth.

[brady_branch]

Of course, all this can be completely skewed by an injury, like one to Daunte Culpepper or Carson Palmer, both coming off of severe injuries, or Rex Grossman and Brian Griese, the former is always injured, the latter is coming off an injury-plagued season, or Byron Leftwich, or even, dare I say it, our very own Tom Brady. Sure, we won't make a run at an undefeated season, but 12-4 is not too much of a reach, and 13-3 is, while not whatsoever likely, possible. 11-5 is certainly doable, and this team is easily good enough to go 10-6. The playoffs are a fair proposition, and once we're there, all bets are off.

But take it one game at a time.

[efin98]

Of course, all this can be completely skewed by an injury, like one to Daunte Culpepper or Carson Palmer, both coming off of severe injuries, or Rex Grossman and Brian Griese, the former is always injured, the latter is coming off an injury-plagued season, or Byron Leftwich, or even, dare I say it, our very own Tom Brady. Sure, we won't make a run at an undefeated season, but 12-4 is not too much of a reach, and 13-3 is, while not whatsoever likely, possible. 11-5 is certainly doable, and this team is easily good enough to go 10-6. The playoffs are a fair proposition, and once we're there, all bets are off.

But take it one game at a time.

I am starting to agree with you more and more on things(I'm not such a jackass after all:D )

Teams will be gunning for Palmer's and Culpepper's knees, any injury to the knee to either of them to make them less effective will come back to haunt them and could turn out to be to the Patriots' advantage.

Same thing with Grossman. If he is injured and or Chicago can't get it done of offense not even the top defense in the league can help Chicago beat New England, not with the way the Pats can adapt.

Any injury to any of those guys can turn them into 12-4 or even 13-3 teams. With that they could be looking at a first round bye and a game at Foxborough in a winter where we are expecting lower than average temperatures AGAIN! That right there screams danger...