I hope people finally stop doing this now.....

[DTLB58]

In predicting today's AFC Championship game, I heard several say "it's hard to bet against Brady and Belicheck" so they just pick the Patriots.

Well, after two SB losses and a AFC championship game loss at home, I hope some would start giving some solid football reasons for picking them from now on Instead of just taking the easy way out and giving them the W based on history.

Personally, I think the run is over. I'm not saying they are going 2-14 next season, but no more SB's. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

What say you?

[Hootie]

they try to get a downfield target every year

last year they went with Ocho

this year they got Lloyd

I agree they need to find a 'Torrey Smith' but those don't grow on trees

they were 8 point favorites and lost, it was embarrassing, and Brady played poorly.

At least Manning gave himself an opportunity to choke. Brady couldn't even do that.

[DTLB58]

@SI_PeterKing: Playoff records since 2008: John Harbaugh 8-4, Belichick 3-4.

@ProFootballWkly: RT @SportsCenter: In his first 10 career postseason starts, Tom Brady won 3 Super Bowls (10-0). Since then, he's 7-7 (0-2 in Super Bowls).

[spades]

Cheating must really help.

[CoMoChief]

If you're consistent enough to get to those points in the season you're always going to be a major threat to win it all.

[CoMoChief]

Funny how people all of a sudden think the Patriots suck just because they don't win the SB every year and have lost their last 2 SB's.

People obviously don't understand how hard it is to win in the NFL on a consistent basis.

[FRCDFED]

Hate all you want. They are a dynasty! They have consistently picked low in the draft and coached the talent to the max. Tell me another team that has done the same without high draft picks! It is starting to catch up with them though. They are aging. They need a pass rusher and another playmaking WR on offense.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by DTLB58

I'm reading the Martyball book that just came out. I'm in 1986 right now. Gonna be some bad memories soon!

While you're in 1986, could you look up 1986 Bob Dole and tell him not to get married to that woman?

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by DTLB58

I'm reading the Martyball book that just came out. I'm in 1986 right now. Gonna be some bad memories soon!

Spoiler!

We end up punting

[Dayze]

Brady could retire tomorrow and still be a top 3 QB of all-time; arguably the best.

I would laugh my balls of if Brady just says "you know what?...I'm going to go out on top. I'm retiring"...just to see the train wreck and the end of the Patriot Way.....er, I mean the Brady way.

[Hootie]

How would retiring after that game be considered going out on top?

[warpaint*]

They haven't won a SB in 8 yrs it's not that hard.

[keg in kc]

I picked them because I thought (and still think) the Ravens are a mediocre over-the-hill (on D at least) team that I was shocked made it to the game in the first place. I underestimated Rice and Flacco, however.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by DTLB58

I'm reading the Martyball book that just came out. I'm in 1986 right now. Gonna be some bad memories soon!

How is the book?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

Belichick needs to work on his defense somehow...

and they need to add a speedy receiver to stretch the defense.

Other than that, this team is as good as any and will contend again next year.

Their defense is ascending, ever since the move to a 4-3. Needs some work, but the progress is there. Bellichick is still a terrific coach. He'll build a team that can win without Brady. However, the new realities of the league are that unless you have a clear franchise QB (more significantly, an elite QB), you're always going to have an outside chance at a Super Bowl. The answer to how Bellichick will do after Brady will depend on how stubborn he will be about the Parcells/Patriot Way of trying to find late round QB steals.

I actually think Bellichick is one of the only in that stupid Parcells tree who has been open to changing philosophy. So it'll be curious to see how they plan to replace Brady. Maybe it's possible Mallett is better than I would have pegged him to be.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I picked them because I thought (and still think) the Ravens are a mediocre over-the-hill (on D at least) team that I was shocked made it to the game in the first place. I underestimated Rice and Flacco, however.

Flacco has been really good in the playoffs the last few years after a shaky first 3 years or so. He would be going to the SB for the 2nd year in a row if not for Lee Evans. Hes just now entering his prime.