Who's going to beat the Patriots?

[zenbooty]

Curious to hear your opinions.

Personally, I don't think its going to happen. Not for the rest of the regular season, anyway.

[gear02]

If the steelers play like they are tonight, the pats have a major battle.

[bachviet]

The Dolphins since they have to protect their perfect 1972 season. :P

[eSDee]

The AV equipment they have on their side make them hard to beat!

[uncledaddy]

Just choosing for the sake of my wish that some team tarnish their perfect record. Though I don't know if it's Pittsburgh that can do it. They would be my second choice. :D

Indy should have had that game, come on Manning...what the hell?

[Kevster]

The Steelers have the best chance to beat Belicheat. Heinz Ward can really put on the hit, especially in tonight's game.

[ray]

Eagles

[VTGreg]

Funny, they just beat the second best team on the road so I guess that whole cheating thing didn't give them much of an advantage.

I'm not sure who will beat the Patriots but I don't think they will go undefeated. If nothing else, they may rest players down the stretch if they have home field in the bag.

[Prngr44]

Funny, they just beat the second best team on the road so I guess that whole cheating thing didn't give them much of an advantage.

I'm not sure who will beat the Patriots but I don't think they will go undefeated. If nothing else, they may rest players down the stretch if they have home field in the bag.

I think if they have a shot at 16-0 they won't rest players. If they lose one game down the stretch, expect another 2 losses when everyone sits.

[VTGreg]

I think if they have a shot at 16-0 they won't rest players. If they lose one game down the stretch, expect another 2 losses when everyone sits.

See. I could definitely see the Patriots doing that. The same way they have sent a message to the league by running up the score in some spots, I could see them saying, "the heck with going undefeated, we are going to crush everyone on the way to a championship."

It will be very interesting to see what they do if they get to 14-0 or 15-0.

[zenbooty]

The AV equipment they have on their side make them hard to beat!
Oh bitter, bitter SD fan. :P

How about having to play against the officials Sunday? All 3 of those pass interference calls were both costly and ridiculously wrong. What was it, like 150 yards worth of penalties, with two of them long passes that weren't interference at all, setting up their first 2 field goals? Meanwhile our guys are getting hooked and grabbed all over the place, to no whistle.

Nah, no "home cookin'" going on their. But we still beat em. :thumbup:

[zenbooty]

The Steelers have the best chance to beat Belicheat.
The Patriot's communications system from coach to QB went out for most of the game yesterday.

Everybody does it.

[guiseppewv]

I think they end up with more than one loss by the end of the season.


The Patriot's communications system from coach to QB went out for most of the game yesterday.

Everybody does it.

If that is true then the Colts didn't have access to their comms either.

[zenbooty]

I think they end up with more than one loss by the end of the season.



If that is true then the Colts didn't have access to their comms either.
Not true. The rule about shutting down both sides communications applies only to the headsets between the field and the coach's box, not the coach -> QB communication. I read up on all this prior to posting, just to cma.

[guiseppewv]

Fair enough. You are right on that. It does not apply to coach to QB comms.

It isn't like the Patriots haven't done that too, so I guess they don't have a leg to stand on:


After the Patriots scandal broke, Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said the Jaguars experienced headset issues during a playoff game in New England.

ESPN LINK from 25 Sept 2007 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3035449)

[zenbooty]

Fair enough. You are right on that. It does not apply to coach to QB comms.

It isn't like the Patriots haven't done that too, so I guess they don't have a leg to stand on:



ESPN LINK from 25 Sept 2007 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3035449)
My point being, everybody's doing underhanded things to get an edge, so it makes little sense to jump all over one team (The Patriots) for it. Unless you're a media spoon like ESPN trying to make news for itself.

[uncledaddy]

New England is a good team. Their current record and stats so far make me wonder just how much they have gained by the "spygate" scam. The Indy game showed just what needs to be done in order to beat this team. Pressure Brady in the pocket and he will throw interceptions. Indy just didn't do it for the full 4 quarters. I seriously believe that Pittsburgh has the ability to hand them a loss, (though I said in my earlier post that I doubted it, it's because Pittsburgh/Dallas in the 70s, and I hate Pittsburgh :D), but they can do it. Roethlisberger & co. are having a heck of a season.

Should NE have a perfect regular season, they will have to, I believe, face Indy again and I don't think they will take it a second time.

Teams that are capable of pressuring Brady:

Pittsburgh
Indy & San Diego in the post season
Dallas should they face each other in the Superbowl.

Whew, long winded. :D

EDIT: If NE has a perfect season and wins the Superbowl, I'll eat my keyboard. :D

[guiseppewv]

You think SD will be able to pressure them this year? Are you crazy?

Dallas and every other team in the NFC does not stand a chance against any AFC champion. The NFC is terrible and that includes Dallas.

[kimchicowboy]

i picked the steelers because it was sort of in the middle of the poll list. :P

[ShawnLee]

I voted my hopes and desire to see them undefeated. My fantasy football league rides on them.

[uncledaddy]

You think SD will be able to pressure them this year? Are you crazy?

Dallas and every other team in the NFC does not stand a chance against any AFC champion. The NFC is terrible and that includes Dallas.

Wrong, in the NE/Dallas game Dallas did put on a little pressure, they even pulled ahead in the third, they just didn't hold it. Given another match up I do believe the results will be different. Romo will be more comfortable having faced Brady and the NE Def. once before. Dallas very well has the weapons to achieve success.

And yes I think SD can put the pressure on Brady. I'm not basing my opinion on what they have shown thus far, just on what they have in the D. But this is just my opinion. If SD keeps on the way they are going then we won't have to worry about it. My point is that NE is a great team, but they are also beatable...

by Indy, Pittsburgh, possibly SD, and yes, Dallas. :)

[uncledaddy]

Just curious guiseppewv, why do you believe that no NFC team stands a chance against an AFC champion?

[VTGreg]

Just curious guiseppewv, why do you believe that no NFC team stands a chance against an AFC champion?

Because they aren't as good.

They stand a chance but the AFC team will be a prohibitive favorite in the Superbowl.

[guiseppewv]

Because they aren't as good.


:stupid:

I really think that the NFC champ will get stomped because they are not as good as the top AFC teams. Any NFL team can beat any other team on any given Sunday (see Miami over NE last year)but the NFC champ only has the slightest chance of winning the SB.

BTW - I will be SHOCKED if SD beats NE. The Steelers will be the team to take NE to the mat and end their undefeated season if NE makes it that long without a loss.

[Maarchk]

I hope they lose. no one is a real jerk on their team but they come off as arrogant to me and i just don't like them as a whole. its like hating the yanks or the lakers. You usually don't hate the people, you hate the team... Although kobe gets the hate, and steinbrenner gets the hate... ok i guess those 3 teams have absolutely no relation as i just described it... umm.. can't find.. backspace key...

[uncledaddy]

:stupid:

I really think that the NFC champ will get stomped because they are not as good as the top AFC teams. Any NFL team can beat any other team on any given Sunday (see Miami over NE last year)but the NFC champ only has the slightest chance of winning the SB.

BTW - I will be SHOCKED if SD beats NE. The Steelers will be the team to take NE to the mat and end their undefeated season if NE makes it that long without a loss.

Another example:
2006 Week 11, Indianapolis 10-0, Dallas 5-5. Final Score: Dallas 21, Indianapolis 14.

I really am in total agreement with you in that the top AFC teams are better than the top NFC teams. As far as being "stomped", I'm not so sure. I also would be shocked if SD beats NE, but as a resident of SD for 22+ years I just cheer on the Chargers in the AFC, right or wrong. :P :D

Last I agree that it's Pittsburgh that has the greatest chance of ending NE perfect season, but just read my earlier post. I'm a Dallas fan first, and as you know we've faced Pittsburgh in the SB three times, two of which they took from us. (Hmmm...maybe more proof that AFC teams are better than NFC teams?...NAH! :P) :)

[guiseppewv]

We didn't take anything from you. We won two SBs and then we gave you the other one. :P I think because Neil felt bad for you and he didn't want to be an NFL QB anymore. :P

[ShawnLee]

I hope they lose. no one is a real jerk on their team but they come off as arrogant to me and i just don't like them as a whole. its like hating the yanks or the lakers. You usually don't hate the people, you hate the team... Although kobe gets the hate, and steinbrenner gets the hate... ok i guess those 3 teams have absolutely no relation as i just described it... umm.. can't find.. backspace key...
See, I'd agree in general if the Colts were undefeated at this point, or running the scoreboard. Cause they have a Manning and have thus made a pact a la Faust.

But who hates Tom Brady? I mean, maybe Randy Moss - but he's been relatively quiet. No mooning people in Green Bay, or legal troubles, or accusations of malingering, or the like.

All in all, they're not an easy team to hate. It's not like their fans are obnoxious (like Raiders fans, or Eagles fans, or the like). They have talent. They have an appropriate ego. Eh.

[uncledaddy]

We didn't take anything from you. We won two SBs and then we gave you the other one. :P I think because Neil felt bad for you and he didn't want to be an NFL QB anymore. :P
:laugh:

[zenbooty]

Well, it wasn't the Eagles, for those two who chose them. Close one, though. Certainly closer than Baltimore will get, I'm sure.

[uncledaddy]

Well, it wasn't the Eagles, for those two who chose them. Close one, though. Certainly closer than Baltimore will get, I'm sure.

And my teeth were grittin' the whole game. No I didn't choose them but what a great game. I wanted so bad. :D

[Kevster]

I placed a bet at Cal-Neva in Reno on this game and made $100 thanks to the spread not being covered. :)

It would have been far better if the Eagles had pulled it out, but as long as people betting on the Pats are losing money, I'm still somewhat happy.

[guiseppewv]

Well, it wasn't the Eagles, for those two who chose them. Close one, though. Certainly closer than Baltimore will get, I'm sure.

It was a close one. I thought they were going to pull it off. After the way the Steelers have played the last few weeks I do not think they can do it but then again if the Eagles almost did then the Steelers have a shot too.

[VTGreg]

I placed a bet at Cal-Neva in Reno on this game and made $100 thanks to the spread not being covered. :)

It would have been far better if the Eagles had pulled it out, but as long as people betting on the Pats are losing money, I'm still somewhat happy.

This is one of the few times all season that the Pats haven't covered the spread. That's why the spreads in their games have grown to such ridiculous levels.

[Kevster]

Well my parents were up in Reno again this week (to go to Cabela's, among other things) and my Dad put $50 on Baltimore for me. It's a 20-point spread, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping the new 'template' for beating the Pats sees some improvement. :)

[Markel]

Well, I'd say New England lost tonight, except that they ended up with a few more points.

[attgig]

that SUCKED!
gave them WAY too many chances on 4th downs on the pat's last drive.

and that hail mary... freakin, if he could've gotten 2 more yards on that ball, or stepped up 2 more yards before throwing...

[attgig]

Well my parents were up in Reno again this week (to go to Cabela's, among other things) and my Dad put $50 on Baltimore for me. It's a 20-point spread, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping the new 'template' for beating the Pats sees some improvement. :)


I guess you made some dough :-)

[TofuNinja]

wow that was a close one at the end

The Ravens screwed themselves. THey should NOT have called that timeout..... sheesh losers.

[Kevster]

I guess you made some dough :-)

I'm thinking I might just let it ride on the Steelers this weekend. I'd need to drive up to Reno on Saturday to do it though, since my folks aren't going up there again.

As for the Ravens, they way they played up to about 8 minutes of the 4th quarter, it was their game to lose. Unfortunately for the players and Brian Belick, they found a way in their numerous errors on the last series. It was disappointing to see them do that to themselves after they played their heart out against a perfect* team.

[RIVERWIDOW]

Well, it wasn't the Eagles, for those two who chose them. Close one, though. Certainly closer than Baltimore will get, I'm sure.

How about a little mustard with that crow....ah, Raven ..They almost did it. Once again officiating stunk up the place. D*mn ,I was really rooting for Balt to take them down as the game went on.

[VTGreg]

How about a little mustard with that crow....ah, Raven ..They almost did it. Once again officiating stunk up the place. D*mn ,I was really rooting for Balt to take them down as the game went on.

Hmmm...

Were they border line calls, yes? Were they incorrect calls, no.

The defensive holding call was definitely defensive holding. The TD was disputable but I don't think there was enough evidence to rule one way or the other. If the pass had been called incomplete initially, that call would have been upheld becuase there wasn't definitive evidence one way or the other. The side judge didn't have any help on the call and was shielded from being able to see if Gaffney didn't bobble the ball.

[zenbooty]

How about a little mustard with that crow....ah, Raven ..They almost did it. Once again officiating stunk up the place. D*mn ,I was really rooting for Balt to take them down as the game went on.
Just win, baby! Leave it to Brian Billick and his Keystone Coaches to once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!

12-0, baby! Woohoo!

(Ok, so I drank the crow, instead of eating it. Old Crow. Woohoo!)


And to be fair, the officiating was just payback for the way we got jobbed playing against Indianapolis. But yeah, its going to take anyone some luck to go undefeated in the NFL.

[Thesifer]

Just win, baby! Leave it to Brian Billick and his Keystone Coaches to once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!

12-0, baby! Woohoo!

(Ok, so I drank the crow, instead of eating it. Old Crow. Woohoo!)


And to be fair, the officiating was just payback for the way we got jobbed playing against Indianapolis. But yeah, its going to take anyone some luck to go undefeated in the NFL.


The problem being after clinching home field advantage, it's almost retarded to play your starters for the final games. And then you have to consider, most of the other teams they will be playing could be playing for a Playoff spot or Wildcard. (Except the Dolphins, who I give a good chance of beating them.)

[Maarchk]

Oy, that game was stupid. Ravens should have won 3 times. Stupid coaches, stupid refs... Oy. oh well. i'm glad it was a good game and i still think that the pats wont go perfect.

[zenbooty]

The problem being after clinching home field advantage, it's almost retarded to play your starters for the final games. And then you have to consider, most of the other teams they will be playing could be playing for a Playoff spot or Wildcard. (Except the Dolphins, who I give a good chance of beating them.)
Belichick will coach a herd of goats he picked up from a truck off the I-90 to victory against the Jets and Giants.

[Kevster]

Belichick will coach a herd of goats he picked up from a truck off the I-90 to victory against the Jets and Giants.

Not to completely derail this thread, but this herd of goats would include Stevie Nicks, right? [/South Park]

[des1969]

I'm not a big fan of Tom Brady but he seems pretty untouchable this year. Steelers this weekend, should be a good game

[Thesifer]

I'm not a big fan of Tom Brady but he seems pretty untouchable this year. Steelers this weekend, should be a good game


I wouldn't say "Untouchable" he has his moments..

Welker is pretty good for an undrafted out of college player that was considered "Too small" to play at the NFL level. At first, at least.

[zenbooty]

And then there were three...

[Kevster]

Yeah, well so much for the Steelers being our best hope... maybe the Giants? (and that's a BIG maybe).

I didn't get to Reno yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to put any money on the game. I guess I jinxed it guys, sorry.

[GraingerGuy]

Well....I was wrong...:)

[Markel]

Seeing it was Miami, the only Superbowl-era team with a perfect record (14-0 regular season), that upset the Bears attempt at a perfect record (15-1 in the 1985 regular season), I think it would be poetic justice if Miami ends up with a 1-15 record (beating the Patriots).

[des1969]

Somebody PLEASE take Brady down a notch or two. I live in San Diego and I can see his ego from here....

[zenbooty]

Somebody PLEASE take Brady down a notch or two. I live in San Diego and I can see his ego from here....
That's just his luminescent glow you're seeing, there.

[uncledaddy]

Well, three more games left and the one team I thought had a chance didn't even come close. So I'll go off the limb and say that NE will probably go perfect, but I sure hope I'm wrong. You never know, only two of us thought Philly would do it, and none of us thought Baltimore had a chance and those are the only two teams that came close. So if neither the Jets or the Dolphins defeat NE than it will be the first and probably last time that I'll ever root for the :puke: Giants. :D

[VTGreg]

Well, three more games left and the one team I thought had a chance didn't even come close. So I'll go off the limb and say that NE will probably go perfect, but I sure hope I'm wrong. You never know, only two of us thought Philly would do it, and none of us thought Baltimore had a chance and those are the only two teams that came close. So if neither the Jets or the Dolphins defeat NE than it will be the first and probably last time that I'll ever root for the :puke: Giants. :D

Looking back on the past few games, the Iggles and the Ravens matched up well with the Patriots. The Steelers, Dolphins and Jets, not so much. The teams that played them close were able to match up on the outside and put additional pressure on Brady. Pittsburg may have been able to put pressure on Brady but they just don't have the athletes on the outside to match up with the Patriots receivers.

New York can get pressure with their front four and may be able to do enough in the secondary to stay within reach. It looks like they may have a playoff spot wrapped up for the final game of the season so we will see.

I'm thinking the Patriots put up about 60 this weekend against the Jets.

[zippyjuan]

Let's see. Jets have three wins. The Dolphins are chasing their own version of the perfect season. Maybe the Colts?

[Nija]

This is going to be awesome. The Pats are going to spank BOTH of those g-ddamn Manning babies.

/DIAF Archie Manning Spawn!

[ShawnLee]

That's just his luminescent glow you're seeing, there.
Everyone mark this moment: ZB and I agree. Woot! Go Brady!
This is going to be awesome. The Pats are going to spank BOTH of those g-ddamn Manning babies.

/DIAF Archie Manning Spawn!
I think that's my policy - more than I'm rooting on the Pats, I'm hating on the disease that is Manning.

[zenbooty]

And thanks for playing all who guessed anything less than 16-0! Enjoy your door prizes, and we'll see you in two weeks, as the Pats enjoy the bye week and will be waiting for y'all there, fully rested!

[uncledaddy]

And thanks for playing all who guessed anything less than 16-0! Enjoy your door prizes, and we'll see you in two weeks, as the Pats enjoy the bye week and will be waiting for y'all there, fully rested!

I knew they would go 16-0. :P