I just have to say Del Rio is kicking some serious butt in Oakland. I predict New England vs. Oakland for the AFC title. The only problem is Del Rio has never been able to beat the Patriots....EVER. He's doing a great job there...sucks we ran him out of town because we thought Gene's picks were good. What do you all think?
Not sure how the matchups will be seeded but wouldn't shock me to see PIT and BAL. Not sure how far NE can get without Gronk and I see OAK being a quick out.
I think Oak gets there. And lose to the pats. Team is too young to beat Brady and Belichek in the playoffs. Unless the Ravens knock off the pats, I see this as an easy year for them to roll.
Its been cool seeing what Del Rio can do with a very good QB. Garrard was alright, but Del Rio never had anyone as good as Carr when he was here.
Quote:I think Oak gets there. And lose to the pats. Team is too young to beat Brady and Belichek in the playoffs. Unless the Ravens knock off the pats, I see this as an easy year for them to roll.
Its been cool seeing what Del Rio can do with a very good QB. Garrard was alright, but Del Rio never had anyone as good as Carr when he was here.
Definitely what I was thinking.
I can't stand Del Rios smug face. I really want them to get ousted the first game they play.
Quote:Not sure how the matchups will be seeded but wouldn't shock me to see PIT and BAL. Not sure how far NE can get without Gronk and I see OAK being a quick out.
Those two teams certainly have a history of playoff success, even as underdogs. I can certainly envision one AFC North team getting to the AFC Championship game.
Pittsburgh's Offense is very explosive. New England is as well coached as any team. Yet, Bill Belichick is taking a huge chance ( as a result of trades ) by going without arguably the two top Defensive playmakers in their front 7 from recent past seasons.
As for Oakland, one key question can they overcome a lack of playoff experience? Especially, since many of their best players are young, w/o playoff experience.
Denver and Kansas City have Super Bowl caliber Defenses but will that be enough?
Quote: Those two teams certainly have a history of playoff success, even as underdogs. I can certainly envision one AFC North team getting to the AFC Championship game.
Pittsburgh's Offense is very explosive. New England is as well coached as any team. Yet, Bill Belichick is taking a huge chance ( as a result of trades ) by going without arguably the two top Defensive playmakers in their front 7 from recent past seasons. The only team that has beaten Belichek in the playoffs with any consistency in recent years is the Ravens. Maybe also Denver in Denver. Steelers usually get beat down by Pats, and I don't think any of the teams have won in NE in the playoffs other than Ravens. This should be an easy bowl appearance for them if they get a top 2 seed IMO. Don't think they will win the SB, but I think they get there.
As for Oakland, one key question can they overcome a lack of playoff experience? Especially, since many of their best players are young, w/o playoff experience. Maybe for one round.
Denver and Kansas City have Super Bowl caliber Defenses but will that be enough? No
My thoughts above.
Quote:My thoughts above.
Good point regarding the Ravens playoff history in New England. John Harbaugh, Joe Flacco, and Terrell Suggs remain constants from those seasons. Flacco is one of the best playoff QBs I've seen going all the way back to the 1970 season.
The Patriots have arguably the best QB of all time. Otherwise though, the sum of their team, including the coaching, is greater than the overall talent on their team. Will that be enough for the Patriots to get to another Super Bowl? I'm less confident about it happening now than before the Jamie Collins trade and ' Gronk' going down. Yet, every other AFC team has significant question marks. The Patriots should be favorite and likely will be.
I'm looking forward to watching Khalil Mack in the playoffs. He's the type of player who could take over a game Defensively and throw the playoff experience factor out the window.
Denver only beat us by 10 with a gifted pick 6. Unless that offense gets going, I don't see them keeping up with Pitt, NE, or Oakland.
I voted no, just because I hate NE and we were supposed to be Oak this year so I don't want them to do anything
I could see NE and maybe a surprise team like the Ravens
Quote:I think Oak gets there. And lose to the pats. Team is too young to beat Brady and Belichek in the playoffs. Unless the Ravens knock off the pats, I see this as an easy year for them to roll.
Its been cool seeing what Del Rio can do with a very good QB. Garrard was alright, but Del Rio never had anyone as good as Carr when he was here.
Quote:I think Oak gets there. And lose to the pats. Team is too young to beat Brady and Belichek in the playoffs. Unless the Ravens knock off the pats, I see this as an easy year for them to roll.
Its been cool seeing what Del Rio can do with a very good QB. Garrard was alright, but Del Rio never had anyone as good as Carr when he was here.
Just goes to show you how good a coach can look when he has a good QB.
I don't trust the Raiders' defense. I don't think they's make the AFC title game.
Quote:Just goes to show you how good a coach can look when he has a good QB.
I don't trust the Raiders' defense. I don't think they's make the AFC title game.
Khalil Mack is the real deal. Whenever they need a sack, that dude produces...why didn't we draft him?!
Raiders > Patriots imo
Patriots defense frankly sucks and i dont think theyre strong enough on offense to get into a shootout with the raiders. Pats secondary can get burned, Crabtree will eat Logan thomas up. Will be an excellent game though.
Quote:Khalil Mack is the real deal. Whenever they need a sack, that dude produces...why didn't we draft him?!
Didn't we take Bortles? We also took Leftwich over Suggs too if I remember correctly.
Quote:Didn't we take Bortles? We also took Leftwich over Suggs too if I remember correctly.
Best GMs ever.
Quote:Raiders > Patriots imo
Patriots defense frankly sucks and i dont think theyre strong enough on offense to get into a shootout with the raiders. Pats secondary can get burned, Crabtree will eat Logan thomas up. Will be an excellent game though.
I agree talent wise. But Belichek has owned Del Rio every time they met. I cant pick oakland in that situation. If Jack couldnt get it done with the SB level Broncos with Manning, I dont see how it does it with Oak.
Well based on tonight game I think Oakland might win one playoff game (i.e. if they are 5th seed going against the AFC South Winner), but I don't see them going any further than that. I was apparently being too generous with thinking they would make it to AFC Championship game.