The one team that you think can knock the Pats out of the Playoffs... (1 Viewer)

[Pygmy Marmoset]

Jacksonville. Solid secondary, physical team, can get to the QB and cause pressure - overall one of the best Defenses in the NFL. Great ground game, QB who doesn't make a lot of mistakes and can extend the play. Great coach who can get unpredictable but stresses execution over gadgets.

If they play perfectly and if N.E. makes a couple of mistakes, Jacksonville will send them packing.

 

[Gr00vus]

I'm going to have to respectfully call you out for inadequate support of the Chargers. 4 big plays can easily be 24 points. LT will likely end up in to Top 5 of runningbacks all time. Gates is a freak of nature. Hatred doesn't work for skill position players on offense, but it works quite well on defense, if you combine the hatred with fulfilling positional responsibilities. The Chargers can make big plays on offense, and they can keep errors in the passing game to a minimum of they protect Rivers, like for example the Steelers did with Ben earlier in his career. 25 passes or less. Lastly, I'll remind you that NE STOLE that playoff game from SD last year by taking advantage of a coaching staff that didn't do what it needed to do to win. People might be pessimistic about Norv Turner, but the Chargers are executing, just like Alex Smith was learning to execute when Turner left SF.

I love my Bolts. But I'm a realist. The Pats are just as likely to get big plays as the Chargers, however, the one unit advantage the Chargers may have is on special teams, so yeah they could get some plays there. They're executing right now against bad teams - it's not that tough. They only have 2 wins this year against teams with winning records, and of those they really only earned the win over the Titans. Getting overly emotional on defense gets you stupid personal foul penalties, dropped picks, guys out of position, guys trying to return ints for touchdowns and then getting stripped instead of going down. Emotion only buys you so much - after that it starts costing you, plenty. Rivers currently is throwing off his back foot and making bad decisions even when there's no pressure - he can't be counted on right now, his head isn't right.The Pats would beat the Chargers at least 19 out of 20 times this year.

 

[Gr00vus]

Jacksonville. Solid secondary, physical team, can get to the QB and cause pressure - overall one of the best Defenses in the NFL. Great ground game, QB who doesn't make a lot of mistakes and can extend the play. Great coach who can get unpredictable but stresses execution over gadgets.If they play perfectly and if N.E. makes a couple of mistakes, Jacksonville will send them packing.

The Jags are the sexy pick right now, and they're playing good ball, but I think they're overrated in this conversation. They suffer pretty much the same weaknesses as the Titans although perhaps to a lesser degree. I don't think they'll present that much of a problem to the Pats if they make it there.

 

[purestrength]

Wouldn't the Jags have to get through Pittsburgh (if San Diego wins this weekend) AND Indianapolis in order to get to New England?

No chance in you know where. (OK, let's say very little chance.)

I see the Steelers getting revenge on Jacksonville in Pittsburgh, even without FWP.

 

[Green and Gold]

The Patriots will win all of their playoff games by 14 or more.

 

[Riffraff]

Wouldn't the Jags have to get through Pittsburgh (if San Diego wins this weekend) AND Indianapolis in order to get to New England?

Assuming the Chargers beat Oakland for the #3 seed:#3 Chargers vs #6 Titans/Browns#4 Steelers vs #5 JaguarsEveryone is assuming the Chargers and Jaguars advance. #1 New England plays the worst seed to advance: #5 Jaguars Jaguars would only play the Colts if they win and:1. Chargers lose against Titans/Browns, the Titans/Browns are now the worst seed to advance against the Patriots.2. Jaguars beat Patriots and the Colts beat the Chargers to meet in the AFC Championship.

 

[enfuego]

My vote, thread: Jacksonville

 

[purestrength]

Wouldn't the Jags have to get through Pittsburgh (if San Diego wins this weekend) AND Indianapolis in order to get to New England?

Assuming the Chargers beat Oakland for the #3 seed:#3 Chargers vs #6 Titans/Browns#4 Steelers vs #5 JaguarsEveryone is assuming the Chargers and Jaguars advance. #1 New England plays the worst seed to advance: #5 Jaguars Jaguars would only play the Colts if they win and:1. Chargers lose against Titans/Browns, the Titans/Browns are now the worst seed to advance against the Patriots.2. Jaguars beat Patriots and the Colts beat the Chargers to meet in the AFC Championship.

You're right. I actually thought of that after I made my previous post, but I was no longer on the computer. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Pygmy Marmoset]

Jacksonville. Solid secondary, physical team, can get to the QB and cause pressure - overall one of the best Defenses in the NFL. Great ground game, QB who doesn't make a lot of mistakes and can extend the play. Great coach who can get unpredictable but stresses execution over gadgets.If they play perfectly and if N.E. makes a couple of mistakes, Jacksonville will send them packing.

The Jags are the sexy pick right now, and they're playing good ball, but I think they're overrated in this conversation. They suffer pretty much the same weaknesses as the Titans although perhaps to a lesser degree. I don't think they'll present that much of a problem to the Pats if they make it there.

I agree that they're similarly built teams, but I think that the Titans are about 2-3 years behind the Jags in overall building. And the difference is why the Jags have a shot to knock out the Pats.

 

[GreenNGold]

Not sure about the playoffs, but the Green Bay Packers can definitely knock them out of the superbowl!

Not the GB Packers I saw last week

The patriots i saw over the last few weeks will not make the superbowl. While they remained undefeated, they barely beat teams they should have crushed. I predict they will lose one of their playoff games as a genuine good team would have definitely given them a loss over the last few weeks. As for the Packers, I think It will be Green Bay vs. Dallas in a very good NFC championship game. The winner will give the AFC a run for their money.

 

[Tanner9919]

The Jags and the Colts can both do it, IMO.

I don't think the Colts can do it because the game is in Foxboro. If it was indoors like last year, they may have a better chance. The Colts are also too banged up and I don't see them keeping up with the Pats much less getting far enough to see the Pats. JMO.

The Colts are no longer a finese team, so I see them playing very well in Foxboro no matter what the weather is like. Hell, the Pats are more of a finese team than the Colts. One thing the Colts don't get enough credit for is how physical of a team they are now. I guess their past preceeds them

I see any team in the AFC with a legit shot to knock off the Pats..NE has been in close games now for the past month and a half, some time soon, they're just not going to be able to pull the games out of the butts anymore...Philly's late INT, Eli's INT, Pitt without Polamalu, Dallas blowing a 4th Q lead, Baltimore's implosion, etc..the NE defense looks OLD and SLOW now, and they are worn down..a team with a good pass rush and a strong running game, should be able to give NE fits, that means SD, Jax, Indy..Indy will ALWAYS play NE tough, in the cold or @ home..Manning knows that running his hurry-up offense is the best way to wear that defense down...last time they played, Addai ran wild on NE, albeit it in a losing effort...NE has been lucky in a few games since mid-November...how much longer can that 'luck' continue..they've had some fortunate calls ,and some balls bounce their way..not sure it continues thru February....you just get a feeling NE will get picked off by someone this post-season..

 

[fred_1_15301]

The Jags and the Colts can both do it, IMO.

I don't think the Colts can do it because the game is in Foxboro. If it was indoors like last year, they may have a better chance. The Colts are also too banged up and I don't see them keeping up with the Pats much less getting far enough to see the Pats. JMO.

The Colts are no longer a finese team, so I see them playing very well in Foxboro no matter what the weather is like. Hell, the Pats are more of a finese team than the Colts. One thing the Colts don't get enough credit for is how physical of a team they are now. I guess their past preceeds them

I see any team in the AFC with a legit shot to knock off the Pats..NE has been in close games now for the past month and a half, some time soon, they're just not going to be able to pull the games out of the butts anymore...Philly's late INT, Eli's INT, Pitt without Polamalu, Dallas blowing a 4th Q lead, Baltimore's implosion, etc..the NE defense looks OLD and SLOW now, and they are worn down..a team with a good pass rush and a strong running game, should be able to give NE fits, that means SD, Jax, Indy..Indy will ALWAYS play NE tough, in the cold or @ home..Manning knows that running his hurry-up offense is the best way to wear that defense down...last time they played, Addai ran wild on NE, albeit it in a losing effort...NE has been lucky in a few games since mid-November...how much longer can that 'luck' continue..they've had some fortunate calls ,and some balls bounce their way..not sure it continues thru February....you just get a feeling NE will get picked off by someone this post-season..

Given the insecurity of the Pats fans on this board, I believe you've just extended this thread minimum of 3 pages...... ETA: EOM is already in here so make that a minimum of 4 pages........

 

[David Yudkin]

The Jags and the Colts can both do it, IMO.

I don't think the Colts can do it because the game is in Foxboro. If it was indoors like last year, they may have a better chance. The Colts are also too banged up and I don't see them keeping up with the Pats much less getting far enough to see the Pats. JMO.

The Colts are no longer a finese team, so I see them playing very well in Foxboro no matter what the weather is like. Hell, the Pats are more of a finese team than the Colts. One thing the Colts don't get enough credit for is how physical of a team they are now. I guess their past preceeds them

I see any team in the AFC with a legit shot to knock off the Pats..NE has been in close games now for the past month and a half, some time soon, they're just not going to be able to pull the games out of the butts anymore...Philly's late INT, Eli's INT, Pitt without Polamalu, Dallas blowing a 4th Q lead, Baltimore's implosion, etc..the NE defense looks OLD and SLOW now, and they are worn down..a team with a good pass rush and a strong running game, should be able to give NE fits, that means SD, Jax, Indy..Indy will ALWAYS play NE tough, in the cold or @ home..Manning knows that running his hurry-up offense is the best way to wear that defense down...last time they played, Addai ran wild on NE, albeit it in a losing effort...NE has been lucky in a few games since mid-November...how much longer can that 'luck' continue..they've had some fortunate calls ,and some balls bounce their way..not sure it continues thru February....you just get a feeling NE will get picked off by someone this post-season..

I've been over some of this in other threads (heck, maybe even in this one).The Pats won three SBs by "barely winning," "getting lucky," and perpetually on the verge of getting beaten. One of their SB years they won 11 games by 10 points or less. They won 21 games in a row at one point and these boards were filled with "they haven't played my team yet and my team will take them out," very similar to this year's threads of who was going to "punch NE in the mouth" each week.IMO, this NE teams is better than any of their other SB winning teams while the rest of the league is weaker than at the very least the teams they faced in 2004 (perhaps even in their other years).In the Brady era, NE is 28-1 after Thanksgiving at home with Brady at QB.Clearly any team in the NFL can win or lose any game if they play pooly and the other team plays well. At this point this season, no team has shown that they can play better than NE for 60 minutes. I personally don't think anyone will beat them this year, as they have more horses to ride than other teams.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I'm going to have to respectfully call you out for inadequate support of the Chargers. 4 big plays can easily be 24 points. LT will likely end up in to Top 5 of runningbacks all time. Gates is a freak of nature. Hatred doesn't work for skill position players on offense, but it works quite well on defense, if you combine the hatred with fulfilling positional responsibilities. The Chargers can make big plays on offense, and they can keep errors in the passing game to a minimum of they protect Rivers, like for example the Steelers did with Ben earlier in his career. 25 passes or less. Lastly, I'll remind you that NE STOLE that playoff game from SD last year by taking advantage of a coaching staff that didn't do what it needed to do to win. People might be pessimistic about Norv Turner, but the Chargers are executing, just like Alex Smith was learning to execute when Turner left SF.

I love my Bolts. But I'm a realist. The Pats are just as likely to get big plays as the Chargers, however, the one unit advantage the Chargers may have is on special teams, so yeah they could get some plays there. They're executing right now against bad teams - it's not that tough. They only have 2 wins this year against teams with winning records, and of those they really only earned the win over the Titans. Getting overly emotional on defense gets you stupid personal foul penalties, dropped picks, guys out of position, guys trying to return ints for touchdowns and then getting stripped instead of going down. Emotion only buys you so much - after that it starts costing you, plenty. Rivers currently is throwing off his back foot and making bad decisions even when there's no pressure - he can't be counted on right now, his head isn't right.The Pats would beat the Chargers at least 19 out of 20 times this year.

Bumped to say let's see who's right, me or Gr00vus, as to whether or not the Boltz can hang with the Pats. He gives them a 5% chance; I give them a 50% chance (and have been roundly abused even by my own brethren for saying so).

 

[Gr00vus]

I'm going to have to respectfully call you out for inadequate support of the Chargers. 4 big plays can easily be 24 points. LT will likely end up in to Top 5 of runningbacks all time. Gates is a freak of nature. Hatred doesn't work for skill position players on offense, but it works quite well on defense, if you combine the hatred with fulfilling positional responsibilities. The Chargers can make big plays on offense, and they can keep errors in the passing game to a minimum of they protect Rivers, like for example the Steelers did with Ben earlier in his career. 25 passes or less. Lastly, I'll remind you that NE STOLE that playoff game from SD last year by taking advantage of a coaching staff that didn't do what it needed to do to win. People might be pessimistic about Norv Turner, but the Chargers are executing, just like Alex Smith was learning to execute when Turner left SF.

I love my Bolts. But I'm a realist. The Pats are just as likely to get big plays as the Chargers, however, the one unit advantage the Chargers may have is on special teams, so yeah they could get some plays there. They're executing right now against bad teams - it's not that tough. They only have 2 wins this year against teams with winning records, and of those they really only earned the win over the Titans. Getting overly emotional on defense gets you stupid personal foul penalties, dropped picks, guys out of position, guys trying to return ints for touchdowns and then getting stripped instead of going down. Emotion only buys you so much - after that it starts costing you, plenty. Rivers currently is throwing off his back foot and making bad decisions even when there's no pressure - he can't be counted on right now, his head isn't right.The Pats would beat the Chargers at least 19 out of 20 times this year.

Bumped to say let's see who's right, me or Gr00vus, as to whether or not the Boltz can hang with the Pats. He gives them a 5% chance; I give them a 50% chance (and have been roundly abused even by my own brethren for saying so).

Now wait a minute! Hanging with the Pats is not the same as beating them. I expect the Chargers to put up a better fight this time than back in September, with or without the injuries. The Chargers are out of the adjustment period after the regime change and seem to be implementing the game plan Norv et al had in mind for them from the outset. However I don't think it'll be enough to beat this Pats team. The Chargers currently thrive off other teams' mistakes. The Pats generally don't make enough of those to live off of. So we're talking about a) a perfect game by the Chargers themselves and b) multiple costly mistakes by the Pats required in order for the Chargers to win. I'd say there's about a 5% chance of that this week.The one thing the Chargers have in their favor is that they've got absolutely nothing to lose, as everyone is expecting them to get blown out. I can see them playing much looser than they did in their previous two meetings and perhaps Norv will concoct a surprise or two which could change the game if it pays off. Anything can happen, I'll enjoy this one regardless.You don't need it, but best of luck Pats and Pats fans. I hope (and expect) the Chargers can give you a competitive game at the very least.

 

[Jersey35]

I'm going to have to respectfully call you out for inadequate support of the Chargers. 4 big plays can easily be 24 points. LT will likely end up in to Top 5 of runningbacks all time. Gates is a freak of nature. Hatred doesn't work for skill position players on offense, but it works quite well on defense, if you combine the hatred with fulfilling positional responsibilities. The Chargers can make big plays on offense, and they can keep errors in the passing game to a minimum of they protect Rivers, like for example the Steelers did with Ben earlier in his career. 25 passes or less. Lastly, I'll remind you that NE STOLE that playoff game from SD last year by taking advantage of a coaching staff that didn't do what it needed to do to win. People might be pessimistic about Norv Turner, but the Chargers are executing, just like Alex Smith was learning to execute when Turner left SF.

I love my Bolts. But I'm a realist. The Pats are just as likely to get big plays as the Chargers, however, the one unit advantage the Chargers may have is on special teams, so yeah they could get some plays there. They're executing right now against bad teams - it's not that tough. They only have 2 wins this year against teams with winning records, and of those they really only earned the win over the Titans. Getting overly emotional on defense gets you stupid personal foul penalties, dropped picks, guys out of position, guys trying to return ints for touchdowns and then getting stripped instead of going down. Emotion only buys you so much - after that it starts costing you, plenty. Rivers currently is throwing off his back foot and making bad decisions even when there's no pressure - he can't be counted on right now, his head isn't right.The Pats would beat the Chargers at least 19 out of 20 times this year.

Bumped to say let's see who's right, me or Gr00vus, as to whether or not the Boltz can hang with the Pats. He gives them a 5% chance; I give them a 50% chance (and have been roundly abused even by my own brethren for saying so).

No offense here, but if the Bolts win, who was right? If they lose, who was right? You've both given them a % chance to win and a % chance to lose. No outcome proves whose guess at their chances was right.

 

[North]

The Patriots-specifically the defensive unit. The only way the Pat's lose is to beat themselves.

Get your act together defense!

 

[Gr00vus]

No offense here, but if the Bolts win, who was right? If they lose, who was right? You've both given them a % chance to win and a % chance to lose. No outcome proves whose guess at their chances was right.

If the Chargers won, I'd say SeniorVBDStudent would definitely be considerably more "right" - and I'd definitely be considerably more .

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

You don't need it, but best of luck Pats and Pats fans. I hope (and expect) the Chargers can give you a competitive game at the very least.

Thanks. Same to ya.I have no doubt this will be a competitive game.

 

[Jersey35]

No offense here, but if the Bolts win, who was right? If they lose, who was right? You've both given them a % chance to win and a % chance to lose. No outcome proves whose guess at their chances was right.

If the Chargers won, I'd say SeniorVBDStudent would definitely be considerably more "right" - and I'd definitely be considerably more .

LOL. Fair enuff.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I'm going to have to respectfully call you out for inadequate support of the Chargers. 4 big plays can easily be 24 points. LT will likely end up in to Top 5 of runningbacks all time. Gates is a freak of nature. Hatred doesn't work for skill position players on offense, but it works quite well on defense, if you combine the hatred with fulfilling positional responsibilities. The Chargers can make big plays on offense, and they can keep errors in the passing game to a minimum of they protect Rivers, like for example the Steelers did with Ben earlier in his career. 25 passes or less. Lastly, I'll remind you that NE STOLE that playoff game from SD last year by taking advantage of a coaching staff that didn't do what it needed to do to win. People might be pessimistic about Norv Turner, but the Chargers are executing, just like Alex Smith was learning to execute when Turner left SF.

I love my Bolts. But I'm a realist. The Pats are just as likely to get big plays as the Chargers, however, the one unit advantage the Chargers may have is on special teams, so yeah they could get some plays there. They're executing right now against bad teams - it's not that tough. They only have 2 wins this year against teams with winning records, and of those they really only earned the win over the Titans. Getting overly emotional on defense gets you stupid personal foul penalties, dropped picks, guys out of position, guys trying to return ints for touchdowns and then getting stripped instead of going down. Emotion only buys you so much - after that it starts costing you, plenty. Rivers currently is throwing off his back foot and making bad decisions even when there's no pressure - he can't be counted on right now, his head isn't right.The Pats would beat the Chargers at least 19 out of 20 times this year.

Bumped to say let's see who's right, me or Gr00vus, as to whether or not the Boltz can hang with the Pats. He gives them a 5% chance; I give them a 50% chance (and have been roundly abused even by my own brethren for saying so).

Now wait a minute! Hanging with the Pats is not the same as beating them. I expect the Chargers to put up a better fight this time than back in September, with or without the injuries. The Chargers are out of the adjustment period after the regime change and seem to be implementing the game plan Norv et al had in mind for them from the outset. However I don't think it'll be enough to beat this Pats team. The Chargers currently thrive off other teams' mistakes. The Pats generally don't make enough of those to live off of. So we're talking about a) a perfect game by the Chargers themselves and b) multiple costly mistakes by the Pats required in order for the Chargers to win. I'd say there's about a 5% chance of that this week.The one thing the Chargers have in their favor is that they've got absolutely nothing to lose, as everyone is expecting them to get blown out. I can see them playing much looser than they did in their previous two meetings and perhaps Norv will concoct a surprise or two which could change the game if it pays off. Anything can happen, I'll enjoy this one regardless.You don't need it, but best of luck Pats and Pats fans. I hope (and expect) the Chargers can give you a competitive game at the very least.

Bumped for Gr00vus. I'd say we "tied" in terms of "who's right". Your boys got 3 picks, but much to my surprise the difference was NE's red zone defense.GUTSY performance by Rivers today; the future looks bright for SD.

 

[Tornacl]

I didn't pick the Giants, but I'm sure glad they did it.