Question for Amnorix
 

Amnorix,

How do you think the Patriots will handle the much publicized "hang over" effect of the Superbowl loser. In the past 7 or 8 years only one Superbowl loser has made the playoffs the next year. That was Seattle who went 9-7 the next year but played in a weak division.

The Patriots have a very favorable schedule which includes 2 games against the Jets, Dolphins, and Bills, plus one game against the Chiefs, Raiders, Broncos, 49ers and Rams. That's 11 games against teams that drafted in the top 12 of the draft. In fact it is 8 of the 12 worst teams in the league last year, and 6 of the 7 worst. So that should easily be 11 wins for the Patriots. Clearly, they'll make the playoffs again. The question is will they be able to bounce back enough to handle teams like Indy, San Diego and even Pittsburgh?

My honest opinions. Please note that this assumes that Brady doesn't have his leg fall off or whatever.

1. Winning the AFC East is a foregone conclusions, though I do expect the Jets and Dolphins to be more competitive this year, to be sure.

2. Getting a bye is key, and I think achievable. I think the 4 best teams in the AFC are Pats/Colts/Chargers and I'm predicting Jags. I think they are a VERY serious threat this year.

3. The Pats defense is their achilles heel. They're not getting any younger, to be sure, and the defense was the one that couldn't get the key stop in the AFCC two years ago and SB last year. Not that it's bad, but we'll see how they hold up this year with all these old-timers.

4. I don't see a SB hangover having much effect on them, to be honest. This team has huge veteran leadership, has already won SBs, and a coach and QB who are extremely highly driven.

5. Look for the offense to be absurd again. Maroney will only be better, and we'll have Morris, our other very good RB (who was averaging nearly 5 ypc last year before he was hurt) back. Another year in the system can't hurt Welker and Moss, who were phenomenal.


My prediction is an AFC East crown, and probably a bye, but after that, who knows? I think anything less than 12-4 would be a disappointment, and that we should at least win our first home playoff game. We seem to have SD's number, and I'll take Belichick/Brady over Turner/Rivers any day. Of course, I'd also take Belichick/Brady over Coughlin/Eli any day too, but that didn't work out so well one day in February this year... :banghead:

I predict Glenn Dorsey will kill Brady on the first play of the season. Cassel will come in and Moss will get pissed with all the shitty throws and will run off the field bawling. As he is running off the field he will throw is helmet in anger and knock the Patriots camera man off the balcony he is hiding on. Glenn Dorsey will see that the Pats were cheating again and get pissed, thus tackling Belichek and killing him as well. Later Albert will get pissed after Seymore looks at him wrong and will pick him up and toss him out of the stadium. Seymore will land next to a police officer who discovers that as Seymore landed, that Seymores shoulder pads are actually bags of weed..He will be arrested immediately. Roger Goodell, who is watching on tv, goes insane and kills himself.

Sounds reasonable. As I said, your schedule sets you up to win 12 or 13 games easily. I do think there will be a hang over effect though. That is a tough, tough loss to get over, even with veteran leadership, Belichick and Brady. It may be hidden some given the schedule. It will be evident if you aren't winning those 11 games I mentioned by an average of 25 points. I know it's a lot to ask, but you proved last year that your team is really that much better than those 11 teams. If you are winning those games by 10 points or less (ala the B-More game last year), I'd be very concerned about playing SD, Indy and J-Ville.

I suppose, but keep in mind that the way we lost to the Colts in the AFCC two years ago was also in a VERY crushing manner, and they bounced back fine. I think the Belichick Kool-Aid is still in effect -- one game at a time.

But yes, obviously, the SB hangover could be in play. No way to know until it happens.

I don't think it's unnecessary to outscore teams by 25 to prove we're better. That's not how it usually works in the NFL. Last year was an aberration.

FTPs ....