Contenders or Pretenders?
- Thread starter rick32883
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DolfanISS
Perennial All-Pro
Here's the way I see this. I don't see anyone beating NE. Right now they look heads and toes above everybody and the level of competition may be the lowest it's ever been. Pittsburgh is as trendy a pick as it always is but I don't like that team, a team that has NEVER beaten Brady and Belichick in a meaningful game, going into Foxboro and winning Big Ben or not. I don't like Denver with Semien, Oakland with that defense or KC with their lack of offensive fire power. Basically I can't see anyone in the AFC displacing the Patriots unless some dark horse emerges.
In the NFC I like Dallas, and I don't think they'll beat NE with a rookie QB and that defense. I feel like folks are waiting for Seattle but with that O-LINE I think they'll be waiting a long time. Minnesota's offense is already in shambles and I don't believe in GB. Atlanta may be able to give NE a run in a shootout but again they can't rely on the defense to get stops.
With the level of competition that exists it's not impossible for Miami to emerge. I understand they have their own issues in the from the LB's back on defense and they haven't proven they can win games when they need to rely on the passing game. The formula we've seen in the last 2 games is a good one though. If Miami's O-LINE, running game and pass rush can be consistently good and the passing game can produce when it needs to you never know. To this point outside of NE and Dallas in my eyes nobody else is really that good.
In the NFC I like Dallas, and I don't think they'll beat NE with a rookie QB and that defense. I feel like folks are waiting for Seattle but with that O-LINE I think they'll be waiting a long time. Minnesota's offense is already in shambles and I don't believe in GB. Atlanta may be able to give NE a run in a shootout but again they can't rely on the defense to get stops.
With the level of competition that exists it's not impossible for Miami to emerge. I understand they have their own issues in the from the LB's back on defense and they haven't proven they can win games when they need to rely on the passing game. The formula we've seen in the last 2 games is a good one though. If Miami's O-LINE, running game and pass rush can be consistently good and the passing game can produce when it needs to you never know. To this point outside of NE and Dallas in my eyes nobody else is really that good.
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I struggle with "strength of division." I notice the writer skipped over the NFC South and West and the AFC South. I get his point, but few divisions have 3 teams legitimately competing for the playoffs. That said, and not to beat a dead horse, that's why the Jets game is so big. Lose and they are exposed as pretenders. Win and they will begin to be taken seriously. Maybe not "contenders," but seriously.
Any team worth a damn would beat the Jets. Tannehill better pass for 300 3 TDs. This is HIS game. The run will be shut down but the Jets have no secondary. The Browns just hung 28 points on them where McCown threw for 341 yards
Too early to say. In a few weeks once KC, Denver, and Oakland have all played each other we'll have a better idea of where those teams stand. If Miami wants to be relevant, they have to at least win their next 3. Miami hasn't been anything special despite their 2 game streak but then again neither have the Jets, Chargers, or Rams.
Miami has to win a road game to be considered okay. So far they're 0-3.
Miami has to win a road game to be considered okay. So far they're 0-3.
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Correct, Of the Jets last 6 games, they've scored 3, 17, 13, 3, 16, 24 (including a -1yd drive for a FG and a 5yd drive for a TD), and 31 on the Browns. Getting Fitz out of rhythm is one key. I still see the air as more promising for Miami (2nd key). I don't think the Jets are as bad as their record (sans secondary), but, once more, NFL respect hinges on this game.
P
psfign
Most important part of the article:
Yep. The game is won and lost in the trenches. Cliche', of course, but it's the adamant truth.
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The loss of #20 automatically = NO.
For this team to "win" games the other team needs to lose -- if you know what I mean in a self-destruction way. But the NFL is rapidly becoming an obviously dysfunctional league where a chosen few franchises have the wherewithal to win consistently, so there certainly should be some "wins" that are less than convincing.
Personally I am still not sold on Ajayi as a viable long term solution @RB. Tho I will concede the kid has shown more than I thought he had. But I just cannot see him staying NFL healthy given his "running style." He's going to get blasted right out of the game...
After he fails, if indeed that happens, we will be very exposed on O. I have lost about 80% of my confidence in Thill as a legit NFL QB. The kids inconsistency and lack of positional mastery gets exposed too often for any type of long term "we can count on him" viability.
I think Gase has done a decent job -- but it took him way too long to jettison some of the trash like Thomas etc. on the OL. In addition, Gase has had to adjust his primary goal once it became obvious Thill is NOT the kind of QB you can put at the top of the priority list when it comes to game planning. And of course, lets not forget Gase is saddled with TBum and a highly suspect FO to generate productive roster moves and provide him with the core talent he needs to move the program forward.
Sure, we might back our way into the playoffs. But it will effectively be meaningless. Tho Ross will probably cash in a bit. But this team still has a TON of glaring issues including AGE in a number of bad places (with no obvious talent in the wings).
Last, I'd like to be honestly optimistic -- but the honest part of that equation has me leaning towards the realization that a few wins cannot possibly erase the consistent ineptitude this franchise has demonstrated under Ross' ownership.
BNF.
For this team to "win" games the other team needs to lose -- if you know what I mean in a self-destruction way. But the NFL is rapidly becoming an obviously dysfunctional league where a chosen few franchises have the wherewithal to win consistently, so there certainly should be some "wins" that are less than convincing.
Personally I am still not sold on Ajayi as a viable long term solution @RB. Tho I will concede the kid has shown more than I thought he had. But I just cannot see him staying NFL healthy given his "running style." He's going to get blasted right out of the game...
After he fails, if indeed that happens, we will be very exposed on O. I have lost about 80% of my confidence in Thill as a legit NFL QB. The kids inconsistency and lack of positional mastery gets exposed too often for any type of long term "we can count on him" viability.
I think Gase has done a decent job -- but it took him way too long to jettison some of the trash like Thomas etc. on the OL. In addition, Gase has had to adjust his primary goal once it became obvious Thill is NOT the kind of QB you can put at the top of the priority list when it comes to game planning. And of course, lets not forget Gase is saddled with TBum and a highly suspect FO to generate productive roster moves and provide him with the core talent he needs to move the program forward.
Sure, we might back our way into the playoffs. But it will effectively be meaningless. Tho Ross will probably cash in a bit. But this team still has a TON of glaring issues including AGE in a number of bad places (with no obvious talent in the wings).
Last, I'd like to be honestly optimistic -- but the honest part of that equation has me leaning towards the realization that a few wins cannot possibly erase the consistent ineptitude this franchise has demonstrated under Ross' ownership.
BNF.
zach attach
Active Roster
We got hot for 2 games. We could get cold in 1 game here. Consistency builds fan faith in the team. We loved the 2 game spurt last year where we destroyed teams. That's fun. So win more often than losing this year. Start there. I'm ready to love my team again, but I won't be fooled with a fake product anymore.
xXwarXx
☠️ Banned ☠️
Were not a really good team but the good thing is we should be getting better as the season goes which we have already seen.
And on the bright side, the NFL is terrible this year. There really isn't many teams you should fear. It's really too bad we didn't take that game at Seattle. I'd be feeling pretty good right now if we won that.
And on the bright side, the NFL is terrible this year. There really isn't many teams you should fear. It's really too bad we didn't take that game at Seattle. I'd be feeling pretty good right now if we won that.
You have to wonder where Gase truly stands on Tannehill. His vision of implementing the no huddle so soon failed. Was it truly at the o-lines fault, or was Tannehill just not as talented as Gase had hoped. We can't expect 200 yards every game. At some point it's going to depend on Tannehill controlling games with his play. I do think this offseason Gase starts the search for "his" guy, even if it's a late round guy.
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39wildman
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it feel good going to sport bar...we need win...I don't care how if thill17 can not get job done. then trade for tony romo next yr. Miami is not bad team they are not good team. they are avg team that need make playoff...