[Dark Horse]

Pretty boy Brady will not win another Superbowl. People think it's the old Pats back for another round, but this defense isn't close to that level. This D's lack of experience will show in the playoffs. It already showed in the home game against the Packers, when the Patriots had little info on the rookie QB they had to face. The film from that game should give playoff opponents all they need to know.

[BoS_010]

It seems BALT is getting the most love followed by PITT. I thought I told you guys any team but them haha. If it comes down to NE and BALT, their D better play all 4 quarters, which I'm not so sure they can. I'm beginning to lean towards NE/Indy only because I always enjoy watching Brady vs Manning.

Some of guys mentioned NE losing to the Browns. Since that embarrassing loss (I bet the Browns +4.5 so I enjoyed that game) the Patriots have won 8 straight by an average margin of +21.8 (thanks SI) and beating 5 playoff teams by an average margin of +18.2. That's a pretty sick stat. With that all being said though, playoff football is a whole different ball-game. If I had to choose the AFC in order of best shot to beat NE I'm going with PITT, BALT, INDY, KC, NYJ.

[BoS_010]

I was trying to figure out if there are any teams worth a play to win the AFC. I think Indy at +800, odds-wise, brings the most value. Every team, especially teams that are + money to win their respective conference will always be off and favored in the side of Vegas; I had Indy calculated at roughly 10.5/1 odds. I'm not saying they will win it, but I believe the odds for the other 5 teams are off too much to be worth an investment, outside of maybe the Patriots. The Pats could be worth a play strictly because they are such a hot team right now; I had them calculated at roughly -125 to win the AFC, I see them at -160 at most shops which doesn't surprise me. If anything, I'm surprised that number isn't a little higher. I wonder if Vegas is maybe trying to entice action away from PITT and BALT who opened the season at 13/2 and 11/1 to win the AFC respectively, whereas NE opened at 9/2.

[HilltopTony]

Pittsburgh will win another SB

[Vol_Bengal]

Balt has NE number. Blowout win last year in NE. They blew a big lead in NE earlier is year. If anybody can go into NE and win, it is the Ravens.

This... probably gonna put some down on Baltimore super bowl... they're 15 / 1 last I checked. Good run game, good defense, and throw it when they need to with Boldin.

Indy can. Indy is the only team who can go into New England and win, yes it's true. Indy had them on the ropes there earlier this year.

I love Indy with Manning my favorite NFL'er... but if they go to NE with the cold and snow, and their inability to run it at all they'll lose by 10-13... Indy is built for indoor / good weather - not 10 degrees and snow...

[tomcast]

I think people are getting carried away with New England. I do pick them to win the AFC but I don't see it as the slam dunk that many analysts do.

[Glitch]

steelers packers sb

[walshy83]

Im a life long Pats fan here for all 27 years anyways. I obviously would love to see the Pats go all the way again. But theres some uncertainty here for sure. Even I can admit that. As well as the team has played, i'm still skeptical as to which defense might show up. The D has really improved but hopefully they can continue there climb up to establishing themselves to being really good. I have a lot of faith in the offense. Seems to me the offense has more energy than the 07' team did. Hopefully our offense can continue to put up some serious points and our defense can hold strong with key turnovers as well. Best of luck to everyones teams that are in the playoffs on here. Ill go out and predict the Pats will at least make the AFC TITLE GAME HERE. Anything after that, ill have to wait and see.

[floridagolfer]

No it's not idiotic at all. Not only have the Patriots not lost since the Cleveland game, but they have destroyed every team in their path except the Packers, who they don't have to worry about to reach the Super Bowl. The New England offense is unstoppable right now and I just don't see any AFC team coming within seven points of them.

You're not hearing me. I haven't said New England won't breeze through the playoffs. What I'm saying is that this team can throw in a mediocre effort without any of us seeing it coming. It's called not being perfect.

[rsnnh12]

Pretty boy Brady will not win another Superbowl. People think it's the old Pats back for another round, but this defense isn't close to that level. This D's lack of experience will show in the playoffs. It already showed in the home game against the Packers, when the Patriots had little info on the rookie QB they had to face. The film from that game should give playoff opponents all they need to know.

Kinda like how the great Packrs D got dominated by Vick when they played earlier this year? Not having enough film on the opposing QB will affect any defense, no matter how good the D is. Also, Brandon Spikes will be back for next week, which was a huge loss in that LB corps. Dline should be healthy, as well as Welker, Branch, and Hernandez.

Its going to take a complete let-down game for the Pats to lose at home this year. Not saying it can't happen of course, but Brady is a machine right now. Best QB in the league, and its not even close

[LT Profits]

You're not hearing me. I haven't said New England won't breeze through the playoffs. What I'm saying is that this team can throw in a mediocre effort without any of us seeing it coming. It's called not being perfect.

That won't happen during the playoffs though, they will be focused every game. The Cleveland game came right before Pittsburgh, they won;t be looking past anyone in the post-season.

[BoS_010]

When was the last time there were talks about so many teams, both AFC/NFC, who have legit shots to win their conference, especially the NFC. You could make arguments for 10 of the 12 teams although I think the wildcard teams in the NFC (Saints, Packers) have a better shot at making a run than the AFC (Jets, Ravens; although I think the Ravens have a much better shot than the Jets). The word has been used throughout the whole regular season but I gotta use it again; talk about parity. It seems like we're set up to have great games each and every week. Maybe it is a Falcons/Patriots Super Bowl and there's no major upsets. Either way I think there will be a lot of great football being played.

[DwightShrute]

Steelers will be in the super bowl

(dark horse is the Jets)

[samdapatriotsfan]

The last time folks were so high on New England, David Tyree caught a pass with his helmet and they went 18-1. That was in most of our lifetimes.

That one hurt Lou, I almost got a Felony that night

Thanks for re-opening that wound

[BoS_010]

"Upon the Las Vegas sportsbooks opening the lines, the Sharps sided with all of the underdogs with three of the four all getting three points. Much of the attraction has to do strictly with the value of “3” this season, a margin of victory that has landed 47 times this season totaling 18.5% of all games. It’s the highest total seen in the league for some time. Consider that just two years ago, only 28 games (10.5%) landed on this short margin."


That's off an article from VegasInsider. Talk about value of 3-point spreads.