We were not that far behind either of these teams last year. We were 8-8 (I don't care what the record books say about the Pitt game) and if that'd been our true stat we would have one at least 1 of our final games. Pick holes in that reasoning if you like, but if we were rightfully awarded the Steelers game, we'd have finished the season a little better
We beat both the SB teams, in their back yard (again, screw the official records).
We have improved a lot. We lost our crappy Special Teams coach, our senile Offensive coordinator, our QB coach> We added a huge amount of offensive speed and flexibility and our top 6 defense is even more loaded with talent this year.
I say we are more or less on a par with the Saints, though in a slightly tougher division. I think GB is an awesome team, considering what they achieved with so many injuries last season. We're still not that far off them.
We were a good team last year, with multiple handicaps, a lot of which are gone. Not every team improves year to year, so if you improve you have a chance of finishing with a considerably better record. Not a guarantee, a chance.
---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 AM ----------
Absolutely... can't say I disagree with that at all.
Cleveland beat the 14-2 Patriots last year, but that doesn't mean Cleveland was as good of a team as the Patriots anymore than it means Miami was as good of a team as the Packers because they somehow managed to beat them (without Clay Matthews).
Good luck getting any of the homers to use their own logic and apply it to teams like the Lions, Bills, or Browns who also beat Miami. Ask them if they think any of those teams are as good as Miami.... see what they tell you...
Lions are a good team. I'll give you that one!