I really do find it hard to believe the Pats will lose back to back games at home. I'm not sure that's even happened in the Brady/Belichick era like, ever...

Losing Gronk definitely hurts alot against those good defenses though, no question. Pats are largely a Hernandez/Welker team now, and that's not really good enough. We learned that Moss/Welker couldn't win it all, though they came close, obviously. Now we have a running game, but the defense is very meh.

Fair to say that if they do lose two games out of four, then they won't deserve one of the top few seeds anyway.

Sure, it's asking a lot - but these are 2 very tough and very good teams with HOU and SF. So, it won't be easy wins for NE by any means. Win 1 of them and it's a moot point really, but I don't think they win both.

Y U NO HATE HIM 4 TAKING LIF FRUM A HOOMAN? /all the n00bs

It's amazing going through a thread how someone always has to mess it up with bs

I remember when Arrowhead used to be that way. I think I was in my 30s.

I was looking back on the first 5 games for Denver and man... they let a few games get away too early. Losing @ NE and @ ATL isn't horrible, but the way the played in the 2nd and 3rd quarters was not great, plus Manning throwing 3 INTs so early against ATL - just not good. They lost to HOU in Denver - and while they rallied in all 3, it just wasn't enough.

I do like the way both the offense and defense are playing now compared to the first 5 games. NE is the last team to beat Denver and when you look at the 3 losses, those teams are a combined 31-5 ... that's just nasty.

Denver scored 21, 24 and 21 in those losses, but they gave up too many points. And, I think they've gone a long way towards improving on defense. Denver has scored 30+ points in 8 of their games... it's all about the defense continuing to improve.

Denver needs to go 4-0 down this stretch and they definitely need to defeat Baltimore in their house to prove they're not just riding the easier part of their schedule to wins. The Tampa win was a solid one as they really clamped down on their run game, which I definitely did not expect.

What we need is the Texans to lose a game and the Broncos to keep winning so they won't be resting players the last week of the season.

You shouldn't be worried so much about the Texans. It's actually NE and BAL... Denver can surpass them more easily than Houston. Denver needs to defeat Baltimore and at worst finish with the best record there, but they need to see NE lose 2 games.

Hate to say it but it looks like the Patriots are gonna win it all. Tom Brady with a running game isn't fair.

It's too bad the Patriots can't get an Arrowhead-like crowd behind them at Gillette. Call it the Razor if you want, but it's because of Brady/Belichick and has very little to do with the fans. It's really too bad they can't/don't generate more noise.

Hard to see winning both, I agree, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If Pats win out then I'm pretty confident we at least get the 2nd seed.

I don't really care what happens with the other games, but I really, really want a Colts/Broncos game.

All I care about is Denver having something to play for on the last week of the season. I don't want them resting the starters against the Chiefs.

Who knows? I think one of the great mysteries/unknowns is we will finally get to see what Matt Schaub is made of. Is he a true franchise QB or not? I dont think hes ever started one playoff game.

By no means are they in the driver's seat at this point. Houston has a hell of a team and will give NE all they want and more. I only hope the 49ers kick it up a notch compared to some recent efforts.