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Lonestar
07-20-2008, 02:40 AM
By Charean Williams McClatchy Newspapers
Sunday, July 20, 2008

The New England Patriots didn't do much this off-season, which is why not much has changed in the American Football Conference. New England did lose All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel, but otherwise looks like the same team that went 16-0 last season.


The Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't change much in the off-season, either, which is why they are given the best shots to challenge the Patriots for AFC supremacy this season.

1. Patriots

Last year: 16-0, lost to the New York Giants, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII

Training camp: Open camp on July 24, Foxboro, Mass.

Key stat: .387, The winning percentage the Patriots' scheduled opponents posted last season (99-157). The Patriots have the easiest schedule based on last year's records.

Biggest off-season news: The Patriots re-signed Randy Moss, who set an NFL single-season record with 23 touchdown receptions last season.

2. Colts

Last year: 13-3, lost to the Chargers, 28-24 in the divisional round

Training camp: July 24, Terre Haute, Ind.

Key stat: 21-0, The Colts' record in September and October since 2005.

Biggest off-season news: Marvin Harrison underwent off-season surgery on his right knee after missing 11 games last season with an injury to his left knee. Colts coach Tony Dungy has said he expects Harrison back up to speed this season.

3. Chargers

Last year: 11-5, lost to the Patriots, 21-12, in the AFC Championship Game

Training camp: July 20, San Diego

Key stat: 25-7, quarterback Philip Rivers' record in his first two seasons as a starter. Since 1967, only Tom Brady has a better record as a starter than Rivers.

Biggest off-season news: They lost key players in FB Lorenzo Neal, S Marlon McCree and CB Drayton Florence, but they either had capable replacements in-house or used draft picks on replacements.

4. Jaguars

Last year: 11-5, lost to the Patriots, 31-20, in the divisional round

Training camp: July 26, Jacksonville, Fla.

Key stat: 1-8, Jags' record against Tom Brady and Peyton Manning the past three years. They are 31-11 against everyone else.

Biggest off-season news: The Jaguars committed to David Garrard long-term, signing the QB to a six-year, $60 million deal.

5. Browns

Last year: 10-6, second in AFC North

Training camp: July 24, Berea, Ohio

Key stat: 8.5, sacks the Browns' defensive line totaled last season.

Biggest off-season news: The Browns had a busy off-season, re-signing starting QB Derek Anderson to a $24 million deal. They signed veteran WR Donte Stallworth and traded for D-linemen Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers.

6. Steelers

Last year: 10-6, lost to the Jaguars, 31-29, in wild-card round

Training camp: July 27, Latrobe, Pa.

Key stat: 39-16, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's record as a starter in the regular season.

Biggest off-season news: The Steelers didn't even make an offer to seven-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, letting him leave for the Jets. Chris Kemoeatu, who is 344 pounds, is expected to replace Faneca at left guard.

7. Titans

Last year: 10-6, lost to the Chargers, 17-6, in the wild-card round

Training camp: July 25, Nashville

Key stat: 17-11, quarterback Vince Young's record as a starter.

Biggest off-season news: The Titans replaced offensive coordinator Norm Chow with Mike Heimerdinger, who called the plays in Tennessee when Steve McNair was the NFL's co-MVP with Peyton Manning.

8. Texans

Last year: 8-8, fourth in AFC South

Training camp: July 25, Houston

Key stat: 94.6, WR Andre Johnson's league-leading yards-per-game average last season. The fifth-year veteran missed seven starts last season.

Biggest off-season news: Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman left to become head coach at Texas A&M, leaving 28-year-old Kyle Shanahan as coordinator. The Texans convinced former Broncos O-line coach Alex Gibbs to come out of retirement, and Houston will run Denver's zone-blocking scheme.

9. Bengals

Last year: 7-9, third in AFC North

Training camp: July 27, Georgetown, Ky.

Key stat: 12, losses for the Bengals in their last 19 games.

Biggest off-season news: The Bengals cut one troubled WR -- Chris Henry -- and have refused to give in to another -- Chad Johnson. Johnson has threatened to sit out the season if he isn't traded.

10. Broncos

Last year: 7-9, second in AFC West

Training camp: July 25, Englewood.

Key stat: 30th, the Broncos' defensive ranking against the run last season.

Biggest off-season news: The Broncos have made a lot of noise off the field this off-season, including releasing RB Travis Henry.

11. Bills

Last year: 7-9, second in AFC East

Training camp: July 25, Pittsford, N.Y.

Key stat: 17, Bills starters with five years of NFL experience or less.

Biggest off-season news: The Bills allowed 124.6 rushing yards per game last season, ranking them 25th in the league and prompting them to trade for DT Marcus Stroud.

12. Raiders

Last year: 4-12, tied for third in AFC West

Training camp: July 24, Napa Valley, Calif.

Key stat: 31st, the Raiders' ranking in rushing yards allowed last season.

Biggest off-season news: The Raiders signed WR Javon Walker and S Gibril Wilson, traded for CB DeAngelo Hall and drafted Arkansas RB Darren McFadden.

13. Dolphins

Last year: 1-15, fourth in AFC East

Training camp: July 26, Davie, Fla.

Key stat: 1, player -- S Yeremiah Bell -- the Dolphins have left on their roster from the 1998-2003 drafts.

Biggest off-season news: The Dolphins hired Bill Parcells as vice president of football operations, Jeff Ireland as general manager and Tony Sparano as head coach. The new regime has turned over the roster.

14. Jets

Last year: 4-12, third in AFC East

Training camp: July 24, Hempstead, N.Y.

Key stat: 9, touchdowns QB Kellen Clemens led the offense to in 88 possessions last season.

Biggest off-season news: The Jets spent some $120 million in restocking their roster. Newcomers include LG Alan Faneca, RT Damien Woody, OLB Calvin Pace, NT Kris Jenkins, rookie LB Vernon Gholston and rookie TE Dustin Keller.

15. Ravens

Last year: 5-11, fourth in AFC North

Training camp: July 21, Westminster, Md.

Key stat: 12, quarterbacks the Ravens have started the past nine seasons.

Biggest off-season news: Ravens replaced coach Brian Billick with John Harbaugh and lost LT Jonathan Ogden and QB Steve McNair to retirement.

16. Chiefs

Last year: 4-12, tied for third in AFC West

Training camp: July 25, River Falls, Wis.

Key stat: 12, rookies drafted by the Chiefs, their most since 1984, when the NFL Draft was 12 rounds instead of seven.

Biggest off-season news: The Chiefs traded DE Jared Allen, who led the league in sacks last season. It is part of their plan to get younger, which they did by drafting 12 players, and saying good-bye to veterans Eddie Drummond, Ty Law, Eddie Kennison, Samie Parker, John Welbourn and Casey Wiegmann.
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/jul/20/afc-analysis-pats-still-the-pick-in-afc/

Tned
07-20-2008, 06:42 AM
The only good news is that as many question marks as the Broncos have, the Raiders and Chiefs have move.

The Raiders should trade for Favre to make a run this year.

Ziggy
07-20-2008, 09:28 AM
The only good news is that as many question marks as the Broncos have, the Raiders and Chiefs have move.

The Raiders should trade for Favre to make a run this year.

Even if they get Farve, they won't make a run this year. The team that could though, is Minnesota. QB is the only position of major weakness on thier team, and they have two of the top lines in the NFL.

turftoad
07-20-2008, 09:38 AM
I read somewhere that the Pattsy's have the easiest schedule "EVER".

Sassy
07-20-2008, 10:30 AM
I REALLY hope that the Vikings suck this year. I live in Viking country and have an Uncle who is a huge Vikes fan...I really don't want to hear about it all year...UNLESS, it's like '98 and I get to hear about my Broncos too!

KCL
07-20-2008, 10:54 AM
I read somewhere that the Pattsy's have the easiest schedule "EVER".

You're probably right.They start the season against the Chiefs! :rolleyes:

oh Lord....help us! :pray:

omac
07-20-2008, 11:03 AM
Wow, Browns over Steelers? I think the Steelers are the better team, with a usually solid defense and offense. The Browns made some major acquisitions for their defense, but that's not a sure thing yet.

I'd even put the Texans over the Browns if they didn't have such a brutal early schedule. The Texans have the nucleus for a very solid, young defense, and their offense only lacks a decent RB; their passing attack is pretty good. Also, they have some playmakers at special teams.

Den21vsBal19
07-20-2008, 11:03 AM
And we can't even blame the league for that anymore :tsk:

Hard reading, but we've got to many questions over the team to justify a higher ranking, IMO.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 12:08 PM
I read somewhere that the Pattsy's have the easiest schedule "EVER".

look at their division MIA, NYJ, BUF Twice then they play the AFC and NFC west with OAK and KC and then PHX and SFO. But they also play SEA, SAN PIT and IND. so they get alot of the worst teams with bad W-L from last year.. it happens to be the luck of the draw..

I think alot of those teams will be greatly better this year as most of the did well in the draft .. If they play them early they may beat them if the play them latter in the year they may have issues with them.. I think the ones in Red are wins for them the ones in yellow could be loses..

1 Sep 07 KC @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

2 Sep 14 NE @ NYJ 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

3 Sep 21 MIA @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

4 Bye

5 Oct 05 NE @ SF 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

6 Oct 12 NE @ SD 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

7 Oct 20 DEN @ NE 8:30 PM Tickets ESPN

8 Oct 26 STL @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets FOX

9 Nov 02 NE @ IND 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

10 Nov 09 BUF @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

11 Nov 13 NYJ @ NE 8:15 PM Tickets NFL NETWORK

12 Nov 23 NE @ MIA 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

13 Nov 30 PIT @ NE 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

14 Dec 07 NE @ SEA 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

15 Dec 14 NE @ OAK 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

16 Dec 21 ARI @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets FOX

17 Dec 28 NE @ BUF 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

kmonty
07-20-2008, 12:35 PM
Wow, Browns over Steelers? I think the Steelers are the better team, with a usually solid defense and offense. The Browns made some major acquisitions for their defense, but that's not a sure thing yet.

I'd even put the Texans over the Browns if they didn't have such a brutal early schedule. The Texans have the nucleus for a very solid, young defense, and their offense only lacks a decent RB; their passing attack is pretty good. Also, they have some playmakers at special teams.

It's tough. The Browns offense blows the Steelers out of the water, especially the offensive line and playmaking pass catchers. If Anderson is successful again, they're very dangerous.

The Steelers have the better defense, but their lack of pass rush hurts them. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Browns go 2-0 against them next year, especially if the trades they made for Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams at DT pan out, and their defense improves.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 12:42 PM
It's tough. The Browns offense blows the Steelers out of the water, especially the offensive line and playmaking pass catchers. If Anderson is successful again, they're very dangerous.

The Steelers have the better defense, but their lack of pass rush hurts them. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Browns go 2-0 against them next year, especially if the trades they made for Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams at DT pan out, and their defense improves.

Did I miss something when did the not have a great sack ratio? 36 for the year which is 3 short of being 8th out of 21 in the league..

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 12:55 PM
Hey i dont believe in easy schedules. Teams come out of the woodworks every year and be either good or atleast compete. So im throwing the easier schedule thing out personally. Because i sit back and look at the Broncos schedule and it looks easy but we just never know. Tom Brady and that Pats OL got exposed in the superbowl and they didnt do anything to adress it either. Could be the biggest weak spot they have.

Northman
07-20-2008, 01:06 PM
You're probably right.They start the season against the Chiefs! :rolleyes:

oh Lord....help us! :pray:

Oh, that is going to be a FUN game to watch. :lol:

Northman
07-20-2008, 01:15 PM
Did I miss something when did the not have a great sack ratio? 36 for the year which is 3 short of being 7th in the league..

Yea, Pitt has a great team. People get to enamored with high scoring offenses and dont look at the bigger picture or how certain teams operate. The Steelers are a methodical/Grind it out type of offense with the backbone of a great defense. Look no further than in week one last year in Cleveland when Pitt blasted the Browns 34-7. Even in the second meeting they couldnt beat the Steelers albeit a much closer contest. The Steelers have a solid team and should never be overlooked.

omac
07-20-2008, 01:20 PM
look at their division MIA, NYJ, BUF Twice then they play the AFC and NFC west with OAK and KC and then PHX and SFO. But they also play SEA, SAN PIT and IND. so they get alot of the worst teams with bad W-L from last year.. it happens to be the luck of the draw..

I think alot of those teams will be greatly better this year as most of the did well in the draft .. If they play them early they may beat them if the play them latter in the year they may have issues with them.. I think the ones in Red are wins for them the ones in yellow could be loses..

1 Sep 07 KC @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

2 Sep 14 NE @ NYJ 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

3 Sep 21 MIA @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

4 Bye

5 Oct 05 NE @ SF 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

6 Oct 12 NE @ SD 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

7 Oct 20 DEN @ NE 8:30 PM Tickets ESPN

8 Oct 26 STL @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets FOX

9 Nov 02 NE @ IND 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

10 Nov 09 BUF @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

11 Nov 13 NYJ @ NE 8:15 PM Tickets NFL NETWORK

12 Nov 23 NE @ MIA 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

13 Nov 30 PIT @ NE 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

14 Dec 07 NE @ SEA 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

15 Dec 14 NE @ OAK 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

16 Dec 21 ARI @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets FOX

17 Dec 28 NE @ BUF 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

I can understand Buffalo beating NE; they could be resting their starters for the playoffs.

But how do you see Oakland having a chance against NE with their consistently poor rush defense? The last time they had a solid one was 2002, and every year since then, they've ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league, last year finishing 2nd to the last.

omac
07-20-2008, 01:31 PM
It's tough. The Browns offense blows the Steelers out of the water, especially the offensive line and playmaking pass catchers. If Anderson is successful again, they're very dangerous.

The Steelers have the better defense, but their lack of pass rush hurts them. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Browns go 2-0 against them next year, especially if the trades they made for Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams at DT pan out, and their defense improves.

If the 2 DTs they've acquired can make their rush defense decent, then the Browns will have a good chance against the Steelers. Otherwise, the Steelers should be able to run with impunity with Parker and newly acquired Mendenhall.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 02:32 PM
I can understand Buffalo beating NE; they could be resting their starters for the playoffs.

But how do you see Oakland having a chance against NE with their consistently poor rush defense? The last time they had a solid one was 2002, and every year since then, they've ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league, last year finishing 2nd to the last.


Later in the year anything can happen and while everyone on here hates the raiders and think they are a lousy team they have a lot of talent and could pull an upset.. it is a back a to back west coast away game, with PIT the week before that..

I think OAK with the players drafted and signed as FA are not all that bad a team if AL davis will stay out of the way.. Kiffin is not a bad coach.. They have a highly touted QB to play and by then he might have found the grove..

Let me add late December in BUF can be worse that being in Boston. so the game is not a lock to win regardless on how BUF does for the year..

kmonty
07-20-2008, 02:51 PM
Did I miss something when did the not have a great sack ratio? 36 for the year which is 3 short of being 7th in the league..

"3 short of being 7th in the league" is a very selective statistic. You're manipulating and turning everything around just to make something sound good.

They tied with two other teams for 13th. (AKA 13/14/15), just edging in the top half of the league.

I'm not overlooking the Steelers, and I'm not enamored with a flashy team like the Browns. I'm looking at it objectively. Who has the better offensive line? Browns, BY FAR. By really really really really far. Who has the better defensive line? I'd say Steelers, but only by a bit.

I'd say the Browns control the line of scrimmage pretty effectively and knock the Steelers in the mouth.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 03:19 PM
"3 short of being 7th in the league" is a very selective statistic. You're manipulating and turning everything around just to make something sound good.

They tied with two other teams for 13th. (AKA 13/14/15), just edging in the top half of the league.

I'm not overlooking the Steelers, and I'm not enamored with a flashy team like the Browns. I'm looking at it objectively. Who has the better offensive line? Browns, BY FAR. By really really really really far. Who has the better defensive line? I'd say Steelers, but only by a bit.

I'd say the Browns control the line of scrimmage pretty effectively and knock the Steelers in the mouth.



they had 36 sacks
the numbers above them were 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 53
If they would have had 39 sacks they would have 8th in the league in sacks so unless new math somehow proves me wrong I stand by my statement.. amending it to read 8th best in the league and not seventh.. there were several teams that tied a certain numbers of sacks giving a total number of 21 different totals of sacks for the year.. it would have put them in the top of the second tier in the thirds of the teams.

Sorry but I consider that better than 16 of 21 teams that the browns were last year..

With the additions that CLE had this year they should be improved in this area.. Seemed to be their biggest weak spot..

broncofanatic1987
07-20-2008, 03:32 PM
look at their division MIA, NYJ, BUF Twice then they play the AFC and NFC west with OAK and KC and then PHX and SFO. But they also play SEA, SAN PIT and IND. so they get alot of the worst teams with bad W-L from last year.. it happens to be the luck of the draw..

I think alot of those teams will be greatly better this year as most of the did well in the draft .. If they play them early they may beat them if the play them latter in the year they may have issues with them.. I think the ones in Red are wins for them the ones in yellow could be loses..

1 Sep 07 KC @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

2 Sep 14 NE @ NYJ 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

3 Sep 21 MIA @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

4 Bye

5 Oct 05 NE @ SF 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

6 Oct 12 NE @ SD 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

7 Oct 20 DEN @ NE 8:30 PM Tickets ESPN

8 Oct 26 STL @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets FOX

9 Nov 02 NE @ IND 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

10 Nov 09 BUF @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

11 Nov 13 NYJ @ NE 8:15 PM Tickets NFL NETWORK

12 Nov 23 NE @ MIA 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

13 Nov 30 PIT @ NE 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

14 Dec 07 NE @ SEA 8:15 PM Tickets NBC

15 Dec 14 NE @ OAK 4:15 PM Tickets CBS

16 Dec 21 ARI @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets FOX

17 Dec 28 NE @ BUF 1:00 PM Tickets CBS

I don't see how someone gives Oakland and Buffalo a chance to beat the Patsies but not the Broncos. That makes zero sense. The Broncos routinely beat the Patsies, even in Foxboro. They are returning to a more familiar defense with upgraded talent. How you don't give them a chance to win that games is ridiculous. If they had played last year, I would agree that the Patsies would have won without a doubt. This a new year though and the Broncos have upgraded their roster and will be playing the same kind of defense that they've used to beat the Patsies before.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 03:53 PM
I don't see how someone gives Oakland and Buffalo a chance to beat the Patsies but not the Broncos. That makes zero sense. The Broncos routinely beat the Patsies, even in Foxboro. They are returning to a more familiar defense with upgraded talent. How you don't give them a chance to win that games is ridiculous. If they had played last year, I would agree that the Patsies would have won without a doubt. This a new year though and the Broncos have upgraded their roster and will be playing the same kind of defense that they've used to beat the Patsies before.


we play them on national TV at night on the east coast and traditionally we do not play well on the east coast and certainly not at night on national TV..
Call me crazy but this team is awfully young with a new defense AGAIN for the third year under a suspect at best new defensive coordinator.. plugging in at least 5 new bodies into new starting positions with new folks around them..
As we speak I see this game as a loss .. does that make sense or is it still ridiculous

omac
07-20-2008, 03:58 PM
Later in the year anything can happen and while everyone on here hates the raiders and think they are a lousy team they have a lot of talent and could pull an upset.. it is a back a to back west coast away game, with PIT the week before that..

I think OAK with the players drafted and signed as FA are not all that bad a team if AL davis will stay out of the way.. Kiffin is not a bad coach.. They have a highly touted QB to play and by then he might have found the grove..

Let me add late December in BUF can be worse that being in Boston. so the game is not a lock to win regardless on how BUF does for the year..

Yeah, I think Kiffin is a very good coach; he's brought their offense up to respectability. But their starters at the DL and LB positions are the same people they had last season. They could've helped make their team stronger by drafting Dorsey, who some believe was the best player in the draft, or Ellis, but they went with a luxury pick in McFadden, who seems more like Bush than Peterson (goes down too easily in college). Same DL and LB, same defensive coordinator, most likely same results with their rush defense.

The danger with JaMarcus is that they drafted him because of his physical attributes more than his quarterbacking brain. He has a strong arm and he's physically tall ... sounds a whole lot like Jim Druckenmiller. His work ethic has also been questioned. It was rumoured that Kiffin wanted Quinn, but JaMarcus was Davis' pick. Kiffin will have to design the offense with the intent of making JaMarcus' decisions simpler. Football Outsiders published an analysis of the quarterbacks taken in the draft during that time, and they had some red flags regarding JaMarcus.

omac
07-20-2008, 03:59 PM
Regarding the Buffalo whether, yup that can definitely be an equalizer.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 04:05 PM
You guys might aswell get used to the Oakland hype because alot of people are jumping on there wagon. As of right now many believe SD is the best team in the west and rightfully so they have won it the last couple years. But then the 2nd best team is Oakland.....Tough. So the only way to shut them all down is to punish oakland in the dumphole opening night.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 04:06 PM
Yeah, I think Kiffin is a very good coach; he's brought their offense up to respectability. But their starters at the DL and LB positions are the same people they had last season. They could've helped make their team stronger by drafting Dorsey, who some believe was the best player in the draft, or Ellis, but they went with a luxury pick in McFadden, who seems more like Bush than Peterson (goes down too easily in college). Same DL and LB, same defensive coordinator, most likely same results with their rush defense.

The danger with JaMarcus is that they drafted him because of his physical attributes more than his quarterbacking brain. He has a strong arm and he's physically tall ... sounds a whole lot like Jim Druckenmiller. His work ethic has also been questioned. It was rumoured that Kiffin wanted Quinn, but JaMarcus was Davis' pick. Kiffin will have to design the offense with the intent of making JaMarcus' decisions simpler. Football Outsiders published an analysis of the quarterbacks taken in the draft during that time, and they had some red flags regarding JaMarcus.


I never ever count a really athletic QB out of the equation.. Look at the clown in TEN.. ..

I think he might be on track that late in the yea. and NE looking past them..

I'm just guessing right now and if I had to put money on someone to upset them this could be one of them.. Not guaranteeing a lose for the Brady bunch just saying it could happen there..

broncofanatic1987
07-20-2008, 04:17 PM
we play them on national TV at night on the east coast and traditionally we do not play well on the east coast and certainly not at night on national TV..
Call me crazy but this team is awfully young with a new defense AGAIN for the third year under a suspect at best new defensive coordinator.. plugging in at least 5 new bodies into new starting positions with new folks around them..
As we speak I see this game as a loss .. does that make sense or is it still ridiculous

It's still ridiculous to assume the Broncos will lose that game. They've gone into Gillette stadium before and beaten the Patsies. Many of the new guys on defense have significant NFL experience. That's going to help them overcome the unfamiliarity with their new teammates. From an objective stand point, I wouldn't guarantee a victory for the Broncos, but I would definitely give them a chance. The history of the two teams head to head demands that this game be viewed as a possible win for the Broncos.

bengaaaaals1688
07-20-2008, 06:16 PM
It's tough. The Browns offense blows the Steelers out of the water, especially the offensive line and playmaking pass catchers. If Anderson is successful again, they're very dangerous.

The Steelers have the better defense, but their lack of pass rush hurts them. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Browns go 2-0 against them next year, especially if the trades they made for Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams at DT pan out, and their defense improves.

Anderson won't be successful again because as the last half of the season showed, once he is figured out he won't play well. And he has been figured out. And I wouldn't say blows them out of the water, the Steelers have a pretty good offense, not extremely explosive or high scoring, but it doesn't need to be. That's where their defense comes in. Their defense is what runs that team, the offense just happens to have the ability to even more than is absolutely necessary from time to time.

The Steelers lack a pass rush?? You must be nuts. The pass rush is the reason why they are so good on defense, their secondary is decent but far from great. It's their pass rush that allows them to stop the passing game. Sacks don't tell the whole story, they still rush the passer very well and they put a lot of pressure on the QB. Your not always going to sack the QB, but they do a damn good job at making the QB get rid of the ball before he wants to.

Northman
07-20-2008, 06:18 PM
we play them on national TV at night on the east coast and traditionally we do not play well on the east coast and certainly not at night on national TV..
Call me crazy but this team is awfully young with a new defense AGAIN for the third year under a suspect at best new defensive coordinator.. plugging in at least 5 new bodies into new starting positions with new folks around them..
As we speak I see this game as a loss .. does that make sense or is it still ridiculous

Personally i can buy Buffalo maybe beating NE but not Oakland. The Bills almost beat Dallas last year and even though Oakland is improving it also is a mindset thing for them. Look no further than their chokejob against Detroit last year. It will be a while before they are back to the so-called "excellence" they are used to.

Northman
07-20-2008, 06:22 PM
Anderson won't be successful again because as the last half of the season showed, once he is figured out he won't play well. And he has been figured out. And I wouldn't say blows them out of the water, the Steelers have a pretty good offense, not extremely explosive or high scoring, but it doesn't need to be. That's where their defense comes in. Their defense is what runs that team, the offense just happens to have the ability to even more than is absolutely necessary from time to time.

The Steelers lack a pass rush?? You must be nuts. The pass rush is the reason why they are so good on defense, their secondary is decent but far from great. It's their pass rush that allows them to stop the passing game. Sacks don't tell the whole story, they still rush the passer very well and they put a lot of pressure on the QB. Your not always going to sack the QB, but they do a damn good job at making the QB get rid of the ball before he wants to.

Although i agree that once you get film on yourself people start to figure out your tendencies. I guess this year we will see if he is for real or not. But, also cold weather plays a factor a lot even with guys like Brady and Manning. As the season progresses and the weather becomes a little more unpredictable it leads to bogged down numbers and not so spectacular play. Having played in snowstorms when i was younger i can symphasize with how weather can affect normal play.

AFGAHNI_BATTLE_DONKEY
07-20-2008, 07:05 PM
we play them on national TV at night on the east coast and traditionally we do not play well on the east coast and certainly not at night on national TV..
Call me crazy but this team is awfully young with a new defense AGAIN for the third year under a suspect at best new defensive coordinator.. plugging in at least 5 new bodies into new starting positions with new folks around them..
As we speak I see this game as a loss .. does that make sense or is it still ridiculous

last time we played the patriots was on national tv at night on the east coast and we kicked thier ass

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 07:37 PM
We own the Patriots for a while now.

bengaaaaals1688
07-20-2008, 08:37 PM
Although i agree that once you get film on yourself people start to figure out your tendencies. I guess this year we will see if he is for real or not. But, also cold weather plays a factor a lot even with guys like Brady and Manning. As the season progresses and the weather becomes a little more unpredictable it leads to bogged down numbers and not so spectacular play. Having played in snowstorms when i was younger i can symphasize with how weather can affect normal play.

Very true, and I can understand that aspect, but his play dropped too far in comparison to what it was the first half and what people want it to be this season. As it goes, we will have to see this year, but I don't expect much out of him, personally.

WARHORSE
07-21-2008, 08:38 PM
We own the Patriots for a while now.




Stopping Welker will be the key.

I think Champ and Co. will take care of Moss.


Put Brady on his back a coupla times.


Run the ball down their throat.................then pass deep seam and towards the deep outs......their weaknesses.

Inkana7
07-21-2008, 08:48 PM
Stopping Welker will be the key.

I think Champ and Co. will take care of Moss.


Put Brady on his back a coupla times.


Run the ball down their throat.................then pass deep seam and towards the deep outs......their weaknesses.

Their weakness was/is the inside running game. That and an incredible reliance on the Randy Moss deep ball to make the offense works. Brady sometimes looks like Jake Plummer looking for Rod Smith out there when he keeps flinging it into coverage to Moss.

Lonestar
07-21-2008, 09:47 PM
Stopping Welker will be the key.

I think Champ and Co. will take care of Moss.


Put Brady on his back a coupla times.


Run the ball down their throat.................then pass deep seam and towards the deep outs......their weaknesses.


if I remember correctly they play the 3-4 defense one that we really seem to have trouble running against.. maybe now with some semblance of a real OLINE that will be different.. But I still see it as a loss as we speak..

broncofanatic1987
07-22-2008, 02:41 PM
if I remember correctly they play the 3-4 defense one that we really seem to have trouble running against.. maybe now with some semblance of a real OLINE that will be different.. But I still see it as a loss as we speak..

You mean the same 3-4 defense that we've been beating routinely during the Belichek/Brady era? That 3-4 defense?:rolleyes:

Kaylore
07-22-2008, 02:44 PM
LOL @ the Browns at number 5.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-22-2008, 02:46 PM
You mean the same 3-4 defense that we've been beating routinely during the Belichek/Brady era? That 3-4 defense?:rolleyes:

No bull, we have been smacking around there 3-4 everytime we played them, Home or away. I dont get how people who are suppose to ride for there team dont even give there team a chance to win a game before its even been played. I guess thats the differance between a fan and a player. I doubt theres one player on our team that actuall expects to lose the game before its played. Hell why even show up? Lets just forfeit the Pats game now since were going to lose anyway.:coffee:

pnbronco
07-23-2008, 12:52 AM
I guess the press really does not think we have a chance this year. I was really looking at the schedule tonight and noticed that the Broncos do not have a NBC, Sunday night game this year. In fact there are no night games a Invesco at all for the regular season.

I saw that the Pats have 3 and went to the Chargers site and saw they had 3 as well (the Pats and Chargers do play each other on a Sunday night). Should be an interesting season.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-23-2008, 01:24 AM
I guess the press really does not think we have a chance this year. I was really looking at the schedule tonight and noticed that the Broncos do not have a NBC, Sunday night game this year. In fact there are no night games a Invesco at all for the regular season.

I saw that the Pats have 3 and went to the Chargers site and saw they had 3 as well (the Pats and Chargers do play each other on a Sunday night). Should be an interesting season.

Does not really matter with the flexible schedule. I remember the other year we were playin at night so many times i could not believe it with the flexible schedule. Im sure towards the end we will get more games if were good.

Lonestar
07-23-2008, 03:02 AM
I guess the press really does not think we have a chance this year. I was really looking at the schedule tonight and noticed that the Broncos do not have a NBC, Sunday night game this year. In fact there are no night games a Invesco at all for the regular season.

I saw that the Pats have 3 and went to the Chargers site and saw they had 3 as well (the Pats and Chargers do play each other on a Sunday night). Should be an interesting season.


rarely does a losing team have the biggie games scheduled out right and since DEN is a small market TV ratings place even less Chance of it happening unless they come on like gang busters there will be very little prime time for us..