Are the Patriots Super Bowl contenders?
NO – Kevin Carpenter
In order to address this question we need to look no further than the last Patriots team that went to the Super Bowl. Everyone knows that the 2007 Pats had one of the best offensive seasons in the history of the NFL. What most people don’t remember is that they had a defense that ranked fourth in points allowed. It doesn’t matter if you happen to give up 300 yards a game through the air, as long as you keep your opponents from scoring more points than you, you win. In 2009 the Pats had a high scoring offense but a much lower ranked defense and they lost their first playoff game to a second ranked Ravens defense. Last year the Pats once again had a high-powered offense, but again lost to a higher ranked Jets defense.
This same formula will repeat this year. The Pats once again have an offense that is in the top three in scoring points, but their defense is ranked 19th in points allowed. This is the kind of defense they had even before they lost their number one defensive stud, Jerod Mayo. Now they will be even worse. It also seems appropriate to mention their “great” off-season pick-ups Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis have no sacks between them. They will have to face the Ravens in the playoffs if they want any chance to make it to the Super Bowl. The Ravens are currently the number one ranked defense. How can you make it to the Super Bowl when you can’t stop the Bills from putting up 34 against you? They have no shot.
NO – Kadeem Mcntosh
This season is going to be disheartening for Pats Nation. They have to pack their dreams up and head home to Gillette and wait for next season. Listen guys, this is coming from a Pats fan as well. Not to sound like a pessimistic sissy pants, but let me say this: DEFENSE. WINS. CHAMPIONSHIPS. And THAT is what the Pats do not have. They are 32nd in the league in total yards allowed with a record of 5-3. How they are still tied for the AFC East lead is still baffling to me. Maybe it’s resilience, or maybe it’s faith, or maybe is just gosh darn luck, but let me tell you something, running hope will not take you far.
I can see the Pats making the playoffs, (it’s the hopeful side of me), but actually being worried is far from my thoughts. Being a pass-oriented team going into the playoffs is already scary enough. With the bitter cold of Jack Frost nipping at us, a pass game may be effective, but not as effective as it needs to be for Brady, who doesn’t seem as robotically perfect as seasons past. The Pats are going to have to utilize a run game, but if we continue to just be an air team and only go to Green-Ellis, Woodhead, and Ridley as scapegoats instead of an actual running, then it seems that this winter is only going to get colder for the Patriots.
