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Since the last time the Patriots won the championship, New York and Pittsburgh have won 4 times and the rest have gone to Baltimore, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Seattle, and New Orleans. So I'd argue that the Pats have lived off the fat of the land and the decline of their division. They basically get 6 easy victories which they supplement by winning maybe half of the rest of their games. If they didn't get those division games, who knows if they'd even make the playoffs. Not sure who has it that easy outside the AFC East. But I'm sure someone will jump in and tell me who else coasts in the NFL. To me, it is a sign that maybe Belichick isn't some genius.
Edit-sentence deleted--"Maybe win half the other games". If they won exactly half (assuming they win all division games) that would be 11 wins. They have won more than 11 games for the last 4 years. Also, last year they were 8-2 outside their division. 9-3 if you count the playoffs.
Only to get knocked off by Peyton. I don't think that was a strong team. Tom was nasty mad most of the season. He acquired an aura early in his career and has cruised on it ever since. I've heard guys on TV say it doesn't matter what injuries the team has, if Tom is under center, they are favored. And that comes back to bite the forecaster. Some games he was on his butt every play.
I just don't see how a 350 pound tackle with an Achilles injury can be as effective as when he was healthy. I see an injury prone dead weight at defensive tackle. I don't think teams will be doubling up on him any more and if that happens he becomes a liability. The success of the Pats lies in their offense and they need to structure the team around Brady. Give him two hot receivers and get Gronk healthy and they will dominate the AFC.
I just don't see how a 350 pound tackle with an Achilles injury can be as effective as when he was healthy. I see an injury prone dead weight at defensive tackle. I don't think teams will be doubling up on him any more and if that happens he becomes a liability. The success of the Pats lies in their offense and they need to structure the team around Brady. Give him two hot receivers and get Gronk healthy and they will dominate the AFC.
His achilles injury should be ok by the start of the season. The deal has little guaranteed money and is based highly on incentives. I'm glad he is back and I think the defense actually has a chance to be very good for the first time in a while. Two big physical corners with Mcourty ranging at safety should be a good secondary. If Wilfork and Kelly are healthy that is a huge presence in the middle and Jones and Nink should be able to pressure the qb. Also, very interested to see how Collins plays next year, he came on very strong at the end last year.
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