What ace said. Don't compare Washington with New England. One is a culture of losing with a crappy owner, a revolving door at coach and quarterback, and no real hope in the short term. New England is a perennial contender, with a good owner (ugh), a great coach (puke), and a Hall of Fame QB (super puke). It's not a lock, but them bringing in a guy with that much physical talent who has had success in the NFL is always dangerous. Same with Ocho, who had an awful QB last year, though he's not nearly the potential difference-maker Haynesworth is. Especially with our CBs.
Did the pats loose any key players? If not, they have more upside than last year, which is scary... but I absolutely agree with Footballgod214 - don't forget, another year for Wilson who will be looking to proove himself on a team with two great DB's, I hope he steps up to the challenge and starts establishing himself.
In my opinion there are seven playoff caliber teams in the AFC. This includes the Patriots, the Steelers, the Ravens, the Colts, the Chargers, the Texans, and us (in no particular order). Between those teams, I have the Ravens missing the postseason this year. As far as who the favorite is, I refuse to call a team that we knocked out of the postseason the favorite. So if I have to choose a favorite, I'll go with the Steelers.
As someone who now lives in the DC area,I can attest to the foolishness that is the Foreskins.I dont like to play the race card but there is evidence that Shanahan is boderlining on racist.Either way,he doesn't have respect for players.He is stuck in a 80's-90's way of coaching and thinks he's a dictator.Belichick rules with an iron fist too but all his players know he means well.Shanahan would rather get his way than win,which explains why his son has a job.Haynesworth is a diva n time will tell if the best coach in football can change that.However, if he can...we're in trouble.As for Ocho, ppl always focus on his antics and overlook his play.The Bengals didnt suck becuz of him. He took all of the blame for being a malcontent while Palmer's bum ass got praise year in and year out for being an "elite QB" when he was no where near such.Funny cuz every year they threatened to oust Ocho, but it was Palmer who proved to be the diva and left them high and dry.Ochocinco always comes in shape,runs crisp routes and takes extra time out with the QB to build rapport.He even tried on more than one occassion to live with Palmer during the offseason, for them to get better, despite public criticism from Carson about Chad.I think Ocho can be as dangerous, if not more, than Haynesworth.He isnt as much a deep threat as he used to be but he's very quick off the line in an offense that is known for carving teams up with quick slants.
Pats are the Favorites. Based on how Moss turned it around under the Pats regime, I'm expecting Haynesworth to become productive again. Hanesworth+Wilfork are going to wreck offensive lines. Ocho Cinco will get a career resurgence because of Brady. Jets improved but Pats should still be favored to take division. Nobody except for Rex and his evil twin could defeat Pats last year & it wouldn't surprise me if it carried over to this season again. As long as the Pats avoid the Jets, who can take them in the playoffs?
Shanny doesn't have a race problem, he has an arrogance problem. He treats players like children because he thinks that he's the smartest person in the history of football, and that's why they all eventually tune him out. As to the original question, the Patriots are the favorite in the AFC until someone knocks them off.
The Pats. Hate to say it, but they were 14-2, have a bunch of young guys that will only get better, plus they made a few nice additions in the off season. They are the favorites.
I think they've gotten knocked off two years in a row now, actually. Hate to say this but the Steelers don't get enough respect. They've won two Super Bowls since the last time the Patriots hoisted the Lombardi and the Patriots have not won a playoff game in the last three years.
Its the Pats and there is no question about it. You all mentioned some key acquisitions they have gotten this year in Ellis, Haynesworth( who could prove to be a monster next to Wilfork if he is motivated) and Ochocinco. One thing that worries me is Leigh Bodden coming back from injury. He had elbow surgery last year and reports are he is 100%. Remember that game up in foxborough two years ago when Sanchez threw Bodden three INT's? That still burns in my mind. Bodden is a big physical Corner, him next to McCourty will be a very solid cornerback duo if they stay healthy. For all the jokes about their defense last year, they were 8th in scoring defense not to mention I read that they also had the youngest D in the league? All those young players are bound to improve which can only help I suppose. I doubt they improve on a 14-2 season as that would be hard to do but you can see that they have not regressed in any way this season, which is down right scary. I mean, who did they lose in Free Agency this year? I can't think of anyone that wasn't a backup/depth.
And they were the favorites until the moment that the last second ticked off the clock. Anything can happen on any given Sunday, especially when all the chips are down in the playoffs. Although we got them when it really counted, 14-2 is still pretty fucking impressive. Impressive enough that we'll have to beat them as underdogs again this season.
The Patriots didn't make the playoffs with Matt Cassel. They got blown out by the Ravens in Brady's first year back.
Patriots improved but not dramatically We stayed about the same in terms of personnel and so it all really depends on how Sanchez develops.
whoops. And all you had to do was know the recent playoff history of "your team" to avoid being exposed as a phony . . . oh well.
Jets can't really be evaluated until they get on the field cuz they have so many players that are unknowns.We're relying heavily on Plax and rookies. I think the Pats are the popular answer, and rightfully so, but I think the Chiefs did really well this summer.
