4 AFC teams that could prevent NE from getting to the Super Bowl

[Sons Of Shula]

By Ben Voilin

Patriots fans woke up Monday morning to an unusual and unexpected sight — their team wasn’t in first place in the AFC.

That distinction belongs to the Raiders, who have the same 8-2 record as the Patriots and vaulted ahead thanks to the NFL’s fourth tiebreaker — strength of victory (.469 to .390 after Thursday’s games).


Of course, there are six games to go, and the Raiders still have road games at the Chiefs and Broncos, plus games against the Panthers, Bills, Chargers, and Colts.


But the Patriots are no longer the lock for the No. 1 seed that many of us expected them to be, and not just because the Raiders are playing well. The Patriots may be 8-2 but are showing signs of trouble — they can’t consistently get to the quarterback, they aren’t forcing turnovers, they’re benching or trading away key players on defense, and now the injury bug is starting to hit, with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski dealing with issues.


The Patriots should still be considered the favorites in the AFC, but they won’t coast to another Super Bowl appearance. Let’s take a look at the AFC teams that could prevent the Patriots from getting to Houston:

. . .

Dolphins: The 6-4 Dolphins are currently the No. 7 seed, and the Patriots would rather they don’t make the playoffs.


They’re one of the hottest teams in the NFL with five straight wins, and they have many elements that give the Patriots trouble — an athletic, mobile quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, a great offensive line bolstered by three first-round picks, a resurgent running game led by Jay Ajayi, playmakers at wide receiver in Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker, and a fearsome defensive line anchored by Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh.

Not to mention, first-year coach Adam Gase learned at the foot of Josh McDaniels — and by extension, Bill Belichick — and knows how to craft an offensive game plan.

Scoff all you want at the Dolphins, but they’ve been trouble for the Patriots. The Dolphins have beaten the Patriots in Miami three straight times, and the Patriots still have to play down there in Week 17. And Tannehill tore up New England for 387 passing yards in a 31-24 Patriots victory in Week 2, before the Dolphins got rolling.

Full Article: 4 AFC Teams

 

[ANUFan]

Always liked Ben and you sense that he'd rather be here than over there.

 

[McMichael81Fan]

4 first round picks

 

[DisturbedShifty]

Always liked Ben and you sense that he'd rather be here than over there.

I remember when he left for Boston for that job. There were quite a few people upset he was leaving. But when a good job comes along, you gotta take it.

 

[DolfanISS]

Always liked Ben and you sense that he'd rather be here than over there.

Yes I don't think they like Ben here. NE fans like rainbows and butterflies. If you find a criticism you suck here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Digital]

Always liked Ben Volin! Good to see him continue to be true to his roots! In all honesty, I do not see us as a threat in any way to the Patriots. But the love from Volin is most appreciated in a sea of mocking media.

Check out that link, and when the pop-up comes up close it out in its top left corner. Good full article with several others underneath it.

 

[hoops]

Need a gronk answer

I still dont see it

12 personnel vs that team advantage new england with gronk and blount

 

[LoneStarPhin]

i stopped reading at "great offensive line".

how about "an OL that is playing much better than last year, whenever it can manage to have its starters healthy. "

 

[datruth55]

Always liked Ben and you sense that he'd rather be here than over there.

Boston Globe is a prestigious job plus more money. He probably misses the weather in Miami though.

Always appreciated his honesty without a ton of opinions, just facts and trends.

 

[DolFan in NE]

Yes I don't think they like Ben here. NE fans like rainbows and butterflies. If you find a criticism you suck here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Exactly....someone who points out negatives is a orange. If you don't follow the cool aid drinking neophytes up here you're the enemy. It's like living around the Stepford Wives.

I'm drunk.....I don't know what an "orange" is.

 

[Bumpus]

Exactly....someone who points out negatives is a orange. If you don't follow the cool aid drinking neophytes up here you're the enemy. It's like living around the Stepford Wives.

I'm drunk.....I don't know what an "orange" is.

"orange" = h ater
"aqua" = h omer

(Remove the space)

We got ****ing sick of the blatant overuse of those terms. :idk:

 

[andyahs]

"orange" = h ater
"aqua" = h omer

(Remove the space)

We got ****ing sick of the blatant overuse of those terms. :idk:

Hard to figure out that code.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DolFan in NE]

"orange" = h ater
"aqua" = h omer

(Remove the space)

We got ****ing sick of the blatant overuse of those terms. :idk:

Thanks Bump....I thought I was losing my mind.....or drunk....most likely both.

 

[russianbear]

Thanks Bump....I thought I was losing my mind.....or drunk....most likely both.

i thought tanne-oranges became a new finheaven phrase overnight lol

now it makes more sense

 

[BlueFin]

4 first round picks

Exactly....Albert was a high pick of the Chiefs.

Bushrod was a 4th rounder....but a pro bowler.