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Very true but I remember people saying (me included) that Arizona was never going to go far when they ended up in the SB. Never won anything so wait until postseason and they'll be exposed and fold.Pats defense I believe is ranked last, behind Indy. They again aren't going far in postseason with a horrid defense.
Currently #1 I believe and yes they've played Indy and Miami but also Pit, NO and Oak
The rules don't change that much from regular season to the playoffs.
But Houston's offense has played as well, if not better than the Pats and the Texan defense has been as good as Baltimore's defense so far this season.
Agreed. And if you're lacking ballhawks (besides Troy) in the secondary, the next best way to turn the other team over is to pummel the QB. Harrison's showing the other night, along with the others getting healthy, will help in that aspect immensely.If I had to pick right now, I'd go with the Ravens. But all of the top teams have weaknesses.
I remember people saying that when the Pats played the Rams in the SB, the Pats have no chance. Anything is possible when you play one game.
Good article on Reed. One impression I get about the effects of Mario out that they don't mention though, is that while Reed has done admirably in filling Mario's spot in production... the production of the rest of the pass rush has dropped off now that Mario is not commanding the constant extra attention.JJ Watt's actual sack total is the same (1 in 4 full games with Mario, 1 in 4 full games without, none in the one Mario was hurt), but I don't see him getting as much pressure now. Antonio Smith's sacks have dropped off noticeably, 4 sacks with Mario and playing like a BEAST, a half sack in the game Mario was hurt, and no sacks since (though sat out much of the last game injured). Connor Barwin, the other starting OLB, 2 sacks with Mario, 1 sack without. And again, I'd say he's getting a little less pressure than before. He used to get a number of unblocked runs at the QB with Mario, I don't see those going to him anymore.Don't have the stats to confirm, but my perception is the Texans are still getting pressure in terms of hurrying throws, but they are getting fewer actual hits on QBs since Mario went out. Mostly, makes me wonder how the Texans D would look with Mario and Reed out there together, and Barwin as the sub to keep them fresh.
Certainly the Pats played a tremendous game against the Rams, but unless Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator/head coach, then I don't think the Rams lose that Super Bowl. Stubborn, prideful, genius, Mike Martz played right into the Patriots game plan. Despite the fact that Faulk was carving up the Pats, had won the regular season Offensive MVP Award, and would have probably won the Super Bowl MVP had the Rams made him the focus of the offense, Mike the Mad Bomber was bound and determined to prove that he could win on the strength of the passing game, without having to lean too heavily on Marshall. 30 combined touches for Marshall would have been enough to change the outcome of that Super Bowl IMO.
To add another grain of salt, is if you take into account that Jacksonville & Cleveland have the #30 & #32 offenses in the league. Tennessee is like #22 but also is considered to have one of the worst offensive lines in football. The defense has looked good without Mario but they've played some very bad offenses the last 3 games.
Baltimore's passing game doesn't have a question. It unquestionably stinks. If I were a fan the struggles against sub par teams would be alarming.Pittsburgh is a resilient team, and could run the playoffs if they avoid facing Baltimore. They have bounced back well this season, and are trending upwards.The texans could make some noise, but I think my gut is ignoring stats, and just saying the team isn't mature or experienced enough to be a contender. New England can flip a switch and go into domination mode, but until that happens, I would leave them out if the discussion. Cinci, that are what they are. It's kind of a place where football dreams go to die. And they are so young.
Give me the Texans. Nobody is going to be able to stop them once Andre comes back. Nobody can even slow that running game down. And they are deep.
So far, we've got Texans' QB Matt Schaub out with an injury, and Roethlisberger has a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Both teams have the top 2 seeds. That throws this into even more turmoil.
The problem is the pats defense is a literal sieve. They're going to have to score 30+ every game to win playoff games. Brady is elite, but I don't think this offense is.
See the thing is the Patriots always seem to look out of sorts early in the year and play their best ball in the second half. I don't know if Belichick uses the first 8 games as a laboratory to determine how best to use his current edition of players or what. It just seems like things gel later.
