The New England Patriots
That’s the theme of this year’s season in New England. This young, dynamic Quarterback, Matt Cassel, has taken the league by storm.
Sure he’s not Tom Brady. He lacks the rings, the credentials, and the experience. But boy is he getting the job done. The Patriots are 7 and 4. They are as formidable as ever. Randy Moss is back. Imagine if they had a running back?
Cassel has thrown for 400 yards in his each of his last 2 games. Not bad for a guy who hadn’t started since high school.
The Patriots depth is undeniable and remains their strong suit. Injuries just don’t effect them. Coach Bill Bilichick has every last player on that team ready to play.
The Pats have three easy wins remaining on the schedule, all of which happen to be on the road. They should roll through Oakland, Seattle, and Buffalo and never look back.
Patriot’s strengths:
Coaching, coaching, and more coaching….they come ready to play.
Randy Moss. Watch the highlights of last weeks game against Miami if you want to know what happens when Moss isn’t double teamed. The catch 22 is that if you double cover Moss, Wes Welker breaks loose.
A formidable defensive line anchored by Richard Seymour and the new dirtiest player in the game, Vince Wilfork. Sorry Rodney.
Patriot’s weaknesses:
Matt Cassel. Sorry to contradict myself, but the main drawback of Cassel vs. Brady. Cassel turns the ball over. That happens to be a significant issue.
Shallow at runningback. Benjarvis Green-Ellis? Don’t bring kool-aid to a grown man’s party. Right Stuart Scott?
Linebackers. They are getting old. Definitely not the dominant group from years past. Still a respectable unit, just not elite. Jerod Mayo has emerged however and looks like a franchise linebacker.
Dan Dierdorf and Greg Gumble recap the game.
Playoff Picture:
Are the playoffs allowed to occur without the Patriots? Well they actually could. The Pats missed the playoffs at 9 and 7 after their first Superbowl. I am going to say that they will in fact make the playoffs because of the 3 wins I mentioned. They made need help to get in. 10 wins might not be enough this year in the AFC.
Best Case Playoff Match ups:
Denver, Buffalo, Tennessee
Worst Case Playoff Match ups:
New York Jets, Indianapolis, Miami
Season Prediction:
10 and 6. They will make the playoffs, although they may be the 6 seed. Look for a possible spoiler in Buffalo week 17. This is the only possible way they fail to make the playoffs.
