I really thought the Chargers could cause a lot of problems for the Colts, and if they would have gotten by NE, they would have beat the Colts in San Diego and gone to the SB. That 3-4 defense with Phillips and Merriman could shake up Manning. The Chargers looked like they were on their way to that form again and they got smacked by the Vikes yesterday. I think that the only teams that can play with NE and IND are the Cowboys and maybe the Giants. Chargers and Steelers looking in. Packers will get exposed by Dallas soon.
Not all aspects of the past are history. I still think Manning can be prone to have a critical mistake if you can pressure him, or if the pressure rises due to the importance of a game. This includes last years SB run, where he played like crap...not counting 1 quarter and a half...
Brady is better in pressure than Manning (both I think big game pressure and pass rush pressure), but no superman either. Let not forget the game he chucked away at Denver in the playoffs 2 years ago, and he has had 6 INTs in the last 2 games versus the Colts. Neither guy is that mobile, so it all starts with protection for both. But I think Indy has the better running game and better release valve in Addai (best between the tackles runner between them and guy for screens), that is one way to slow down the pressure. If I were NE I'd really work on getting better balance and getting Maroney (who is good but needs to prove he can be a workhorse) and the run game in peak form--I think if they are too pass happy it will catch up to them, the top AFC teams are better than when they advanced with little run game.
The Chargers are weird. I think they and the Stealers have the next most talent in the AFC and both will probably take the divisions, I just can't see Chargers getting their act together enough to be a serious threat. They will be round 2 fodder along with probably Tenn and JVille (not a Clev believer because their defense is horrible--sooner or later their O will cool and they will have nothing to fall back). The Stealers, who I will dispise forever, I have to acknowledge they could be scary for anybody to play (they could break NEs streak). Indy better stay focused or they might not maintain the #2 seed--and then have to go to Pitt in the winter and then if they survive that would go to NE in the winter, those back to back games would doom them.
I think the Steelers/NE game will be very interesting. My prediction right now is that game ends NE's streak. The Steelers are the one team in the league that has the defense to slow down anyone. The question is whether their offense can do its share. If Big Ben has time in the pocket to throw deep and all their receivers stay healthy, I think they are the biggest threat to NE.
I like the way the Steelers play defense and their style and schemes, but I think they have some questions as to how they guard Moss, Stallworth and Welker. Their corners are average at best and their LBs are not as good as a couple of yrs ago, when they got embarrassed by New England in the AFC championship. On offense, they can still run it and Roethlisberger is playing really well. With all of the attention on Brady and Manning, Big Ben has thrown 20 TDs and only 6 INTs, a pace of 40 and 12. He is playing great. However the Steelers did lose to the Broncos and Cardinals, neither of whom is good. New England has won in Indianapolis and crushed Dallas,San Diego and Washington. The Steelers may be able to play with the Pats for a qtr or two, but theyr'e not in the same league.
The Stealers have played some bad games. But they also have played great games... 34-7 at Cleve (and Cleve does have offense) 26-3 Buf (not a terrible team, medicre) 21-0 Sea (ditto, but with more O) 38-7 Bmore (just physically destroyed the most physical team last year) Th Stealers most probably have the best defense in the league. Far ahead in YPG (including passing) and PPG right now. The formula to beat NE would be how they beat the Colts 2 years ago. Mix of run-run-run-with big down field passing plays, and on the other sid eof the ball make the offense be one dimensional where they get after the QB. If NE can't mix in some runs or screens to Marouney effectively, and Pitt knows they will pass I think it would be extremely difficult for NE offense to do much. Particularly in bad weather. I am not saying it would happen for sure--and I hope it wouldn't because I despise the 12 man superbowl winning* Stealers, but I could see it.
Absolutely - on a season-long basis, they aren't as good as either the Patriots or Colts. They definitely have consistency problems (especially on offense). But when they play their best, I think they are the one team that can compete equally with those two teams. They have a lot of the pieces that other teams don't have - their ability to put pressure on QB's is great, and they have the ability to throw downfield. That means they don't have to try to put together a 10-play drive against a good NE/Colts defense 5 yards at a time. We'll see - but if the Patriots lose in the regular season, my bet would be on this game.
Agreed I also believe that the Patriots will not go defeated, somewhere area of 15-1 or 14-2. I don't think they will totally run away from the pack in the regular season or even the playoffs. 1) I think they will have home-field advantage, without a doubt. Even if they lost on Sunday, they would still have a good chance of ending up with homefield. Their schedule slightly easier than Colts who still have to play Baltimore, S.D, and host of divisional opponetns. With that being said, Pats do have some games, like the Ravens (on the road), Steelers, and even the Giants. Even throw Buffalo in there. I always think it is premature to say a team will go undefeated, especially in the NFL where everything changes every week. Teams get better, teams get worst. 2) I think the Colts have really good defense, maybe a top 5 or 6. Mainly, because of team speed, getting pressure on the QB, and strong pass coverage. Still, I think there are a few better defenses in the league....the Steelers are definitely one of them, with Titans, Ravens (at home), and maybe the Jags/Chargers. Hard to say with the last two. 3) As good as the Patriots offense is this year, I don't see them blowing out the Steelers, Titans, and Ravens. I think a good defense know how to limit Randy Moss and has enough talent and speed around the field to slow down the extra yards, as well as get to Tom Brady. The Giants are another team that could give N.E., some problems especially with Strahan, Tuck, and Osi U. The Giants lead the league in sacks. It's safe to say they should be able to get to the QB. 4) I maybe one of the naysayers, as one of the few people who don't believe the Patroits will sweep the NFL Season en route to the Super Bowl. There's too much football to be play with too many good teams out there. Even as if they do happen to win all 16 regular season games, there's still a chance they meet team, like the Titans or even the Steelers again. Come into New England and sneak out with a 1 to 6 point victory. By keeping the game close, and controlling the clock. I would not be shocked or have heart attack if a team like Titans or Steelers or even the Jags ended up in the Super Bowl, instead of Patriots or Colts.
I think the Giants are a very dangerous team - the only team that can threaten the Cowboys in the NFC, and can definetely threaten the Patriots/Colts. I absolutely hate the Giants, being a Cowboys fan and also hating any NY team, but they are very balanced team. They have a very good o-line and can pound you with Jacobs for yardage, Eli is playing a lot better, Burress is a matchup problem, Toomer and Shockey are good weapons. They can bring bug pressure on your QB without blitzing and they are decent at LB and secondary. They have to stay healthy and Coughlin needs to keep it going in the locker room. This sunday's game at NY is huge and I cant wait. And I would be shocked if the Titans, Jags or Steelers wound up in the Superbowl, unless Brady, Moss or Manning got hurt.
