The Patriots have the best coach and the best QB in the AFC East. Not saying they're going undefeated, but they're sure as fuck getting out of the AFC East. If there were more AFC East games in those first 4, I'd be concerned, but given that it's only the Bills with Matt Cassel and a new coach, I'm not worried. Also, here we go. Time to get off the high horses. http://yourteamcheats.com/
They won a game. Yeah. WOW. I love how pointing about how weak the rest of this division is clearly pure ignorance to you. The bills, dolphins, and jets are all projected 8 wins or less by the odds makers because... well, clearly they don't know the big secret either. Would you care to make a bet on this? I'll say the pats win the division with the other three teams not making the playoffs. You know, like any other bad division with 1 good team.
Go back and re-read our exchange. If you're still coming to the conclusion that I'd like to bet against the Patriots, try Hooked on Phonics. I left it out because it wasn't relevant. Even the fact that they won the game is only marginally relevant. What was relevant was that it was a nasty game against a terrific opponent where they crippled the best passing game in the NFL. The Bills weren't putting up big yardage or lots of touchdowns going into the game, but the Packers were. The AFCE is not a cakewalk division and even the team that was the "easy win" last year got incredibly better on defense during the offseason.
If you admit that the odds are only one team will emerge to the playoffs then you're admitting it's not a very strong division. The average division sends 1.5 teams to the playoffs so that puts it below average already. So far you are the only person who seems to think the division isn't weak and for good reason, it's fucking obvious. What are we arguing about again?
Not about the most important division, that's for sure. The only thing I feel even mildly certain about is that the Bears are going to suck again.
I don't see how the bears are anything but awful next season. That franchise is a complete mess right now.
I haven't sit down to seriously analyze everyone's moves, but at a glance the Packers mostly stayed the course, the Lions took a step back on defense, the Vikings filled a bunch of holes on paper with their draft, and the Bears still have lots of problems. So: Packers 12-4 Vikings 9-7 Lions 9-7 Bears 6-10 I'll probably change my mind as it gets closer to the start of the season.
*HOMER ALERT* A complete mess is a bit overstated. Its early but Ive been impressed with Ryan Pace, the new GM. He's made some shrewd and logical moves in FA and for the first time in YEARS, ive seen the Bears draft grades in the high B/low A range across the board which is something Emery never did. And John Fox might not win them a SB, but he'll stop the bleeding. I think 6-10/7-9 is likely. Not a successful season, but not "awful", especially for a rebuilding team. 5-11 is a worst case scenario and I only think that's possible due to the brutality of their schedule.
Well neither them nor the vikings will likely be a playoff team next year. Realistically both teams are going to need another year or two. Not sure about the lions, I think they take a step back and get 8-9. I think GB wins the division, but 12 is a bit much for wins. That offense is still one of the best in the league, but the defense is average at best. They're going to have to get more out of them to make another deep run. And maybe not give fucking games away on a silver platter.
Brandon Spikes reunites with the Patriots, wrecks his car in a suspected hit-and-run, flees the scene of the crime,and the Patriots cut him before his lawyer's phone even rang. They are not screwing around.
Yet I can't help but notice that one Tom Brady, who is currently suspended for the first four games of the season, is still on the roster...