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Who is the best team in the AFC after 14 weeks? (1 Viewer)
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Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Going to be an awesome playoffs.
Patriots are the Patriots
Steelers are the Steelers
Ravens might get the 1 seed
Texans might be the most complete team in the entire NFL, outside of QB
Jets have been to last two AFC CGs
Tebow
Patriots are the Patriots
Steelers are the Steelers
Ravens might get the 1 seed
Texans might be the most complete team in the entire NFL, outside of QB
Jets have been to last two AFC CGs
Tebow
Fensalk
Footballguy
Several of these teams are suffering from key injuries.
+ Bengals have lost several players to injuries, particularly hurting their DL rotation without Sims and Dunlap.
+ Broncos' Von Miller injured and wearing a cast.
+ Raiders still missing Darren McFadden.
+ Ravens missing Ray Lewis for 4 games to injury.
+ Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey and Ben Roethlisberger are hurt pretty badly and who knows what they're status will be in the future.
+ Texans lost Shaub and are trying to win a super bowl with QB T. J. Yates. Also lost Andre Johnson and Mario Williams.
+ Titans lost star WR Kenny Britt for the season way back in week 3, and now lost Matt Hasselbeck.
I think the healthiest teams right now are the Jets and Patriots.
+ Bengals have lost several players to injuries, particularly hurting their DL rotation without Sims and Dunlap.
+ Broncos' Von Miller injured and wearing a cast.
+ Raiders still missing Darren McFadden.
+ Ravens missing Ray Lewis for 4 games to injury.
+ Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey and Ben Roethlisberger are hurt pretty badly and who knows what they're status will be in the future.
+ Texans lost Shaub and are trying to win a super bowl with QB T. J. Yates. Also lost Andre Johnson and Mario Williams.
+ Titans lost star WR Kenny Britt for the season way back in week 3, and now lost Matt Hasselbeck.
I think the healthiest teams right now are the Jets and Patriots.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
The AFC teams continue to be flawed.
The Ravens still lost to the Jags, Seahawks and Titans by 13, while squeaking by the Cardinals at home.
The Pats lost to a couple of mediocre teams in Buffalo and the Giants -- and who is their best win? The Jets? The Patriots pass D is atrocious, one of just five in the league allowing more than 8 yards per pass attempt. Of the seven really good teams in the league, NE is 0-1 against them. Consider how bad their pass D would look if they had played GB, NO, Hou (pre-Schaub injury), etc.
Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh went 1-3 against NE, Hou and Bal. Outside of that they've beaten up on some not so great teams while struggling with Indy, KC, CLE and Jax. They also got murdered by the Ravens.
Houston has generally played well but they've been killed with injuries -- Schaub, Mario, Johnson.
The Jets are inconsistent on offense and not elite on defense. The Broncos appear to be terrible matchups with any of the AFC heavies.
Some team will get hot and win it. But it's anyone's guess who that is.
The Ravens still lost to the Jags, Seahawks and Titans by 13, while squeaking by the Cardinals at home.
The Pats lost to a couple of mediocre teams in Buffalo and the Giants -- and who is their best win? The Jets? The Patriots pass D is atrocious, one of just five in the league allowing more than 8 yards per pass attempt. Of the seven really good teams in the league, NE is 0-1 against them. Consider how bad their pass D would look if they had played GB, NO, Hou (pre-Schaub injury), etc.
Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh went 1-3 against NE, Hou and Bal. Outside of that they've beaten up on some not so great teams while struggling with Indy, KC, CLE and Jax. They also got murdered by the Ravens.
Houston has generally played well but they've been killed with injuries -- Schaub, Mario, Johnson.
The Jets are inconsistent on offense and not elite on defense. The Broncos appear to be terrible matchups with any of the AFC heavies.
Some team will get hot and win it. But it's anyone's guess who that is.
Fensalk
Footballguy
I used to think the Steelers would be the consensus #1 had they just beaten the Ravens once. But after watching the Browns DL rough up the Steelers' OL, including that goal line stand, I don't see how they survive the AFC playoffs.
I don't really trust Yates or Flacco, but they can control the line of scrimmage and run the ball, and either one could grind out an AFC title on the ground as long as they don't find themselves behind late and forced to pass to win.
The Patriots with their offense could be the ones to put the Ravens and/or Texans in a hole late, taking them out of their element and forcing them to pass.
I don't really trust Yates or Flacco, but they can control the line of scrimmage and run the ball, and either one could grind out an AFC title on the ground as long as they don't find themselves behind late and forced to pass to win.
The Patriots with their offense could be the ones to put the Ravens and/or Texans in a hole late, taking them out of their element and forcing them to pass.
Don't know about the others, but mine was just a joke. Ravens are the team I really like.
Iwannabeacowboybaby!
Footballguy
NE has no shot to get to the SB with that secondary.
It's between Pittsburgh and Baltomore for the right to get beat by Aaron Rodgers.
It's between Pittsburgh and Baltomore for the right to get beat by Aaron Rodgers.
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DocHolliday
Footballguy
Ravens by default for me.
NE has no defense.
Steelers were good but not great before the injuries.
Houston is a solid team but the major injuries will catch up to them.
Jets have Sanchez.
Denver is a crazy long-shot. I like the Tebow story but that team is being carried by a great D. The O is bad.
Cincy and Oakland are not even being considered.
NE has no defense.
Steelers were good but not great before the injuries.
Houston is a solid team but the major injuries will catch up to them.
Jets have Sanchez.
Denver is a crazy long-shot. I like the Tebow story but that team is being carried by a great D. The O is bad.
Cincy and Oakland are not even being considered.
sihaokills
Footballguy
I like the Ravens right now.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
I think one has to go with the Ravens here - but its rather amazing how flawed even the top teams are this year (especially in the AFC). It wouldn't be shocking for any of the listed teams to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
CommuterMan
Footballguy
I choose the Ravens because they control the #1 seed. If they win their last 3 games (@SD, Cle, @Cin) then the AFC playoffs run through Baltimore where the Ravens are undefeated. If NE or Pittsburgh manages to gain the #1 seed then I think that team becomes the leader in the AFC. Sorry Houston but I don't think you get to the #1 seed in the AFC...
For Baltimore, NE & Pittsburgh these are all vetern teams that come playoff time know how to win games and having the advantage of home field will be too much for the others to over come.
For Baltimore, NE & Pittsburgh these are all vetern teams that come playoff time know how to win games and having the advantage of home field will be too much for the others to over come.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Changing my vote because of this convincing post.
Lobary
Footballguy
Best defense in the NFL. Best rushing attack. Best team at time of possession. Brian Burke over at NFL Advanced Stats has had the Texans ranked #1 for most of, if not all, the entire season. There are numerous statistical categories that back me up, but just consider the fact that the Texans keep winning despite losing key players to injury. What other team has shown that type of resiliency?
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Baltimore.Philadelphia.
How many teams with the best time of possession in the league have ever won the Super Bowl?
Lobary
Footballguy
Baltimore and Philadelphia? What about them? Neither is more highly ranked defensively or in rushing or in ToP than the Houston Texans. Sorry, but your post is wrong and non-sensical.
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CommuterMan
Footballguy
Houston has a solid defense but without Schuab at QB the offense will sputter - especially in the playoffs. Add the fact that this will be the first time in the playoffs for the Texans and that they will most likely be on the road at some point in Baltimore, NE or Pittsburgh then I don't think that they get by those teams and make the SB. Good team and a welcome addition to the playoffs but injuries will prevent this team for going as far as they might have. Next year they will only be stronger and the dominance of the Colts in the AFC South maybe broken for the next few years.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Get a little grip, brother. They're pretty good and most of us here are pretty happy to see a new face come out of the AFC South. If they are indeed the best team, it is by the slimmest of margins and others are hardly "non-sensical" for thinking otherwise.
Lobary
Footballguy
I understand the skepticism about the Texans with regard to their injuries, but hold this on your tongue for longer than three seconds and see how it tastes: Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, and Arian Foster have played together for a mere FOUR QUARTERS this entire season. Despite that, the Texans are 10-3 and have the #1 seed right now.
THEY JUST WIN.
THEY JUST WIN.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Houston - 208 points allowed; Baltimore - 202 points allowed. Houston - 4.7 yards per play allowed; Baltimore - 4.4 yards per play allowed. Eagles have 5.2 YPC to Houston's 4.3; Eagles have 114 rushing first downs, Texans have 108.
And, I ask again, how many teams with the best time of possession in the league have ever won the Super Bowl?
Lobary
Footballguy
That is not what I meant. I meant that his post did not make sense to me since it is factually incorrect. Unless he was making a different point...
Lobary
Footballguy
Except that is not how those rankings are determined. As for your question, I have no idea.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Who said anything about rankings? If you mean to say the Texans have the highest ranked defense according to yards allowed, and the most rushing yards in the league, then you should have written that. If you want to know how a team with that leads the league in rushing yards and overall yards allowed, while featuring a rookie quarterback plays, here you go.
(And Time of Possession is meaningless, so I was surprised to see you mention it.)
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The_Man
Footballguy
I'm a Baltimore homer, so that influences my opinion, but I'm not sure what the Ravens' great flaw is. Since the debacle at Seattle, where they fumbled two kickoffs inside their own 20, and Ray Rice inexplicably got 5 carries (like he also did in the Jacksonville loss), they have totally committed to the run game and they've been rolling. During that time Rice has 96 carries for 470 yards (117.5 per game). Their offense has good balance, their defense is playing at an elite level, and they're 4-0
And people bust on Flacco, but his 92-yard game-winning TD drive vs. Pittsburgh was big-time. Just imagine it was Tebow that did that.
Houston is good, but they are not the best team in the AFC wtih Yates at QB. Even with Schaub at QB, the Ravens beat them 29-14, holding the Texans to 58 yards in the fourth quarter.
And people bust on Flacco, but his 92-yard game-winning TD drive vs. Pittsburgh was big-time. Just imagine it was Tebow that did that.
Houston is good, but they are not the best team in the AFC wtih Yates at QB. Even with Schaub at QB, the Ravens beat them 29-14, holding the Texans to 58 yards in the fourth quarter.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Has Baltimore been committed to the run game of late, or are they just getting big leads in their most recent games? It looks like the latter, to me. They're 10-3 but are still in the top 10 in pass attempts.The Chargers game might be a good test to see if Baltimore is really different. But it's pretty clear what their weakness is: a mediocre passing game. Flacco's numbers aren't any better than Mark Sanchez' this year. Everyone loves the Baltimore D and Baltimore running game, but it's really hard to go far in today's NFL without a great passing game.
The_Man
Footballguy
You are wrong. Against Cincy, the Ravens were down 7-0 and then led 17-14 midway through the third quarter.Against SF, the #1 rush defense in the NFL (both total yards and ypc), they were tired 6-6 midway through the third quarter. They ran the ball 29 times (despite a 2.8 ypc average by Rice) and threw 23 times - showing commitment to the run.
Against Cleveland, they ran wild, amassing 290 yards on 49 carries. That is commitment to the run. Even then, it was only 10-3 midway through the third quarter before they broke the game open.
Against Indy, they ran 37 times -- this is the one game in the last 4 where the game was over early on and the Ravens just used the ground game to finish it up.
Khy
Footballguy
This needs to be said... how to you come to the conclusion that they will "most likely" be on the road in Baltimore, NE or Pit at some point this season? All 4 teams are currently tied at 10-3 and the Texans are currently a top the AFC and the #1 seed with Carolina, Indy and Tennessee to play. Assuming they beat all three of those teams (very likely) they would take the #1 seed in the AFC regardless of what Baltimore, NE or Pit do in the final three games. I'm not a Texans fan nor do I care how the AFC shapes up. However, immediately assuming they'll be on the road without actually looking at anything is silly.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Best way to beat the Ratbirds is with an accurate QB who has a very quick release. Either that or have Ben Roethlisberger make a couple of miracle plays late in the game. San Diego has the former, a guy who has put up some fairly lofty numbers against Baltimore in the past, especially out there. This one has upset potential written all over it.
The_Man
Footballguy
This is wrong. If all of the 10-3 AFC teams win out, the Ravens are the #1 seed. Right now the Texans are listed as #1 because they are 8-2 in the AFC and the Pats and Ravens are 7-2. That would change this weekend, as the Texans would remain 8-2 with a win over the Panthers, while the Ravens and Pats would match them at 8-2 with AFC wins.If all 3 teams finish 13-3, the tie-breaker would be Strength of Victory. Here are the current standings in that category:
Baltimore - 67
Houston - 52
New England - 51
CommuterMan
Footballguy
Additionally, if SF beats Pittsburgh next week Houston would fall below NE to the #3 spot if all 3 teams (Balt, Hou & NE) finish 13-3 for the season due to the lose of Strenght of Victory points caused by a Pittsburgh lose. Thus even though Houston is the #1 seed at the moment they could possibly fall out of that spot and be forced to win on the road in either Baltimore or NE
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
10 carries for Ray Rice last night. The Ravens are a pass-happy team, unless they get a big lead. And I don't trust the Ravens passing attack.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
I waited until this morning to vote for the Ravens.
jurb26
Footballguy
I still like Balt a great deal but their problems on the road are impossible to ignore at this point. All 4 of their losses have been on the road and this weeks was pretty hurtful IMO as it will likely erase them from any home games in the playoffs.
I'd have to rank them:
Pitt
NE
Balt
Hou
Cinci
Den
SD
NYJ
Tenn
Oak
I'd have to rank them:
Pitt
NE
Balt
Hou
Cinci
Den
SD
NYJ
Tenn
Oak
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Way too early for that. The Steelers are banged up and on the west coast. If the Steelers lose then Baltimore controls their own destiny (as far as the AFC North goes).
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
NE's defense stinks at times, but you gotta go with them. Yesterday showed that they are vulnerable against the run as well as the pass, but you have to be able to do both well, or be able to do the other well if they shut the other down, for 60 minutes, and I am not sure there will be an AFC playoff team that can do that.
David Yudkin
Footballguy
Warts and all on defense, the Pats are 68-3 when they score 30 or more points with Tom Brady starting (.958). Two of those losses were shootouts with the Colts.
They are also 53-5 with Brady (.914) when they don't turn the ball over and 48-7 (.872) when only coughing the ball up once. With 2 turnovers in a game, the Pats still hold a decent advantage (21-8 .724). Where NE generally becomes mortal is when they turn it over 3 or more times a game (14-22 .389).
People can poke fun at their defense (as they should), but if the Pats offense doesn't turn the ball over and they can hang 30 points on the board, they are nearly unbeatable.
That being said, there are likely teams that might be able to keep them from scoring 30 and might be able to force some turnovers.
They are also 53-5 with Brady (.914) when they don't turn the ball over and 48-7 (.872) when only coughing the ball up once. With 2 turnovers in a game, the Pats still hold a decent advantage (21-8 .724). Where NE generally becomes mortal is when they turn it over 3 or more times a game (14-22 .389).
People can poke fun at their defense (as they should), but if the Pats offense doesn't turn the ball over and they can hang 30 points on the board, they are nearly unbeatable.
That being said, there are likely teams that might be able to keep them from scoring 30 and might be able to force some turnovers.
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Why are you not sure when the Steelers already did that this year? And going along with Yudkin's post, beat them by holding them to less than 20 points and not forcing a TO
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
With HOU not having a QB, Id put SD firmly as #4 in the AFC right now. Yeah, they still need help to get into the playoffs, but if were ranking teams currently, I dont see how they aren't 4th.I still like Balt a great deal but their problems on the road are impossible to ignore at this point. All 4 of their losses have been on the road and this weeks was pretty hurtful IMO as it will likely erase them from any home games in the playoffs. I'd have to rank themittNEBaltHouCinciDenSDNYJTennOak
