Jan 4, 2016

I'm not talking about the upcoming years, I'm talking this year. And their O-Line has been a problem all year, but when Brady has had Edelman and Amendola in there to go along with Gronk he was able to get the ball out of his hands quickly and the O-line problems don't seem so big.

If the Pats offense produces 75% of what they did earlier in the season then that should still be good enough to get them through the weak AFC imo. Like I said it is hard to predict just due to not knowing where Edelman is really at health wise.

 

Jan 4, 2016

The fact that you even remember such a thing, I don't even remember you on SL in the first place lol

 

Jan 8, 2016

You're right, Butler shouldn't have had the opportunity to make that pick.

Because two plays earlier, he made a great play on the ball, knocked it down, and it miraculously ended in Kearse's lucky a--- hands.

Seattle shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR the goal line.

Luckiest catch I've ever f---ing seen. Even more so that David Tyree's bum a---.

Before the Giants game, the Patriots offense and defense were top 5 rated.

The offense couldn't be stopped, and the defense really started gelling.

Since the injuries to Edelman and Gronk, Belichick has started playing it safe and resting everyone. I've legit never seen him do this. I think that's what's been most shocking about this season. Belichick is notorious for playing everyone until the end of the season, and this season, he's been resting everyone since Gronk got hurt.

Like Edelman has been cleared to play for the past 2-3 weeks, and they chose to keep him out.

The only players that will miss the playoffs are Ryan Wendell, Nate Solder, Dion Lewis and Blount.

Trust me bro, the Patriots are not on the decline lol.

Brady hasn't sustained injuries like Manning and he still can fire the ball, unlike Manning. I don't see any decline of Brady, unless he sustains an injury.

As far as the offensive line, they have had to start practice players... But, again, the injuries have been scattered around. They haven't had full health. Their offensive line is actually very good, but it's tough trying to put in practice squad players when your backups are even hurt lol.

Mason, Kline, Vollmer, Shaq, Andrews, Cannon and Stork are all QUALITY linemen with a ton of upside.

The problem is, almost every single one of them have been injured and they've had to put unknowns like f---ing Waddle or Weddle, or Fleming or whatever in their place... It's been awful.

But, they're all healthy now.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Sorry for the double post, but people are REALLY underestimating the Pats' defense. This is not the same defense of a few years ago, trust me. They might have the best front 7, and one of the top secondaries in all of football. I'd rate them in the top 5, and the defense has won us several games this season.

If we had Hightower and Collins, we don't lose in Denver, point blank.

The Pats defensive line is f---ing scary bro. There is not one average linemen on their front 4.

Sheard and Jones compliment each other so well, and you have Brown, Siliga, Branch and Akiem Hicks at DT.

And I won't even get into their linebackers.

Plus, before McCourtey and Chung's injuries, the tandem of Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler was the highest rated cornerback tandem in the entire NFL.

Don't underestimate how great this defense can be. It's slept on.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Anyways, back to the question...

It's seriously between the Steelers and the Pats.

Steelers have kept up a level of excellence since the f---ing 70's. I have nothing but respect for that organization.

But, what the Pats have done in the salary cap era is what's most impressive to me.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Ik I'm not scared to watch the steelers face the pats this year in the playoffs. Now the way they were playing in September, that was the best team in the AFC, as much as I hate to admit it. Key in on Gronk and they're good to go. Don't get me wrong, Eddelman is good but seems like an average slot to me. He would definitely make it more tough on a spotty steelers defense.

Wow 6 am and talking football on a forum. This is how you pass time when you can't sleep some nights.

s---, I didn't realize this was the dynasty thread at first.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Steelers are the only team that can beat a fully healthy Patriots' team in the AFC.

A few days ago, I thought it was wide open, but there are reports that are saying the Patriots have been healthy for weeks and just gave away the number 1 seed to ensure being healthy.

I've NEVER seen Belichick do that, but it's true, because ever since that Gronk injury, it's like he pulled the plug on the season.

What hurts you guys is the injury to Bell.

Pats offense, at full health, is going to be really hard to stop, but the Pats defense at full health is top tier.

The emergence of Butler AND Logan Ryan has been insane. Especially Logan Ryan. I didn't think he was capable of having the season he's had.

Logan Ryan absolutely shut down Demaryus Thomas and DeAndre Hopkins in consecutive weeks.



But, again, a lot of that success has to do with McCourtey and Chung being healthy.

And since Sheard came back healthy, him and Chandler Jones have been insane together.

Good to see you back, Trent.

I work overnights, and I can talk about football for hours. Love this time of year.

 

Jan 8, 2016

I think the broncos would give the pats a better game than you think. Great defense and Peyton will be playing with a chip on his shoulder to beat Brady. I just have a feeling the steelers will be facing the pats soon, idk why.

I'm just worried of the steelers defense not putting pressure on Brady and he'll easily pick off the steelers defense. However, I could also see the steelers offense having a great game and it ending in a s---t out.

Yeah if the starting secondary will definitely be back I'll be more concerned. I couldn't really blame Belichick for resting some starters because of how the injuries were going all season for them. You guys got lucky with Butler lol They had a lot of faith in their defense getting rid of Revis, which doesn't seem to be a bad move now.

 

Jan 8, 2016

That Broncos game pisses me off lol.

We had a 21-7 lead in the fourth, and a muffed punt by someone who doesn't receive our punts, ends up changing the game around...

And, we didn't have our two best run stoppers in that game, Collins and Hightower, and I believe Sheard was out too lol. And what do we lose on? A f---ing 50 yard run...

Denver's defense is great, but remember we didn't have Edelman that game too, and Brady still threw for 3 TD's. When they have Amendola, Edelman, Gronk, Chandler and LaFelle, with James White in the backfield? I don't think it matters what defense you have, not many can key in on all those versatile weaponry.

It's not like the Steelers were you basically have three deep threats with big play capabilities. It's basically, how can you stop all those weapons from gaining at least 4-7 yards CONSISTENTLY through an entire game. Plus, can you get to Brady within 3 seconds, because odds are, Amendola, White or Edelman will be open underneath within that time frame.

It's incredibly difficult to cover.

Edelman just takes so much pressure off of that offensive line, man. He's hands down better than Welker was, I'm not going to lie, and I hated that they let go of Welker... Edelman is so god d--- quick.

Steelers scare me though, those receivers, I feel, can find a mismatch. I think Butler can at least compete with Brown, but Brown will make plays. I think Logan Ryan can play Bryant great, but then IDK how we're covering the others lol. I mean, I guess we rely on our front 7 to generate the pass rush, which they're great at, but, idk.

And yeah man, I hated them letting go of Revis and Browner, I thought it was moronic. But, man, Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler have been incredible this season.

Logan Ryan especially. I can't overstate that enough. I watched Butler in training camp, and I knew he was going to be special, but wtf, Logan Ryan is playing as good as Butler this year... Blows my f---ing mind.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Yeah bro, I'll argue with you most evenings lol actually probably heading to docs in few hrs for some conditions that make it uneasy to sleep. This last week has been f---ing rough on me. Gotta work today too yet. Hope all is well with you btw and the overnight is going good.

The steelers still have the best dynasty though

 

Jan 8, 2016

As much s--- as I give, I respect the Steelers organization. Their philosophy is my favorite type of football. Granted, they've turned into a more pass happy team over the past couple of years, but for 30 years, they were known as smash mouth football. I respect them, and I'm glad they're rivals with the Pats.

I hope the Pats make the AFC Title Game, just so I can watch either Manning vs Brady or Pats vs Steelers. Either game would be a ton of fun.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Truuuuue, but I think you're still underestimating the broncos. I'm actually surprised you see the steelers more as a threat. I did forget Brady still threw for 3tds without his best targets. I mean, they should beat the broncos, but you never know in the playoffs. James White is pretty impressive for backing up Lewis. I picked him up in fantasy earlier this year. I'm surprise Lafelle didn't break out into a great wideout with Brady being his qb tbh. Idk if they'll keep him after this year, you think???

this. I don't see Brown having anymore than 100 yards against the pats, but I'm sure you can count on him having a few breakout plays.

I'll be honest, I really have no idea on how good this Logan Ryan is and haven't paid attention to the pats defense this year much. So I can't really give an opinion on him.

Pretty cool you could tell Butler was going to be good just by watching him in camp. I normally make it to one or 2 camp days per year, during the steelers training camp. I'm not really into it enough to start guessing who tHe starters should be, however.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Word. But you have to lean on the passing side these days.

But I agree, it will be fun to watch whoever in the AFC championship this year. If Steelers lose first round, I'll be rooting for the Broncos more than likely.

 

Jan 8, 2016

I knew Butler was special when he intercepted Brady in practice and started talking s--- to him immediately after. The kid has zero fear.

Logan Ryan was like our fifth CB last season lmao. I think a lot of his success has to do with McCourtey though. Ryan has been on the Pats for a few seasons, and he's never looked this good. I don't get it. He shut down Hopkins and Thomas in consecutive weeks, and he's been great all year. I don't get it lol.

Plus, they play Chung more as a linebacker now, it's weird.

Sometimes they'll have two safeties deep (Harmon and McCourtey) who both are great over the top, which I think helps Ryan and Butler to cover underneath and be aggressive, but Chung ends up on tight ends or running backs, and he f---ing locks them down.

I hated Chung when he was on our team a few years ago. He sucks in zone, but he's great in the role he's in. He helps against the run, and shuts down tight ends and backs.

Yeah man, IDK, Denver's offense doesn't scare me. Some of the hits Brock took against the Pats front 7, I don't think Peyton can handle. Especially Sheard and Chandler Jones off the edge... The front 7 is ferocious, especially when they dial up blitzes with Hightower and Collins.

Steelers create more problems, because I don't think you can blitz Ben, because he can roll out.

That LeVeon Bell injury is a killer though. I was really scared of that match up, although I think the Pats front 7 can limit him, but they didn't really stop DeAngelo Williams in week one, even though it's week one and you can't tell what you have then. I mean, Malcolm Brown looked f---ing awful in week one, then ended up being a huge presence for us as the year went on.

Again, this is assuming that all of these reports of the Pats being healthy, are true. If they're still hurt, I don't see them going far.

 

Jan 8, 2016

Yeah that's pretty d--- impressive and kind of worrisome (for me) since he's getting better late in the season.

True; I was going to mention something about this. I'm a little concerned for Peyton if he's relying on some shots and painkillers before the game to be able to even play.

I'm not too worried about losing Bell because of the way Williams has been playing all year. It doesn't look like he'll be ready for Saturday, but I'm not too worried about our run game against the bengals.