Guest Cerebus Report post Posted November 2, 2004 It's pretty safe to say that the AFC is the tighter of the two conferences which leads to the question of who's the best team in the best conference? I say the Patriots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 If this was the BCS both the Patriots and Jags should move down since they both lost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 If it was the BCS rankings the Eagles would hold the top spot with Pittsburgh #2 and NE and Jacksonville bringing up the rear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 BCS jokes? You suck It's hard to argue against the Steelers after doing what they did against the Patriots, but I think Roeth will eventually get hit with a case of rookie-itis, and the Patriots are good enough to bounce back from a loss stronger than ever... so I'm sticking with the Patriots Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 The champs finally lost, but you can't write them off yet. Lots of surprises so far - Jags (this year's Bucs/Panthers), Steelers, Chargers, and the Texans are all players this year - who've thunk it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 Steelers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted November 2, 2004 i still go with the Pats. Though the Steelers offense is suddenly quite awesome. and why in the holy hell are the Broncos on this list? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 Broncos are on the list because of strength of schedule since the only cheap win in the AFC West division is the Raiders. The South is strong but it is looked like a mid major since it has "expansion" teams which have not done much until recently. The Pats get favoritism due to East Coast bias while cheap wins over Bills and Dolphins get overlooked. The North is the weakest of the AFC because all of its teams has QB issues, Big Ben was the sleeper pick of the year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2004 If the Pats weren't hit so hard by the injury bug, they'd have played much better against the Steelers ... maybe not good enough to win, but they wouldn't have gotten shelled like they did. It's hard to compete when you're playing without your two starting tackles, #2 (or arguably #1) WR, your starting RB, and your #1 DB (and arguably best defensive player). If the Steelers can play that well against Philly, and if NE has to go an extended stretch with so many key players out, than I change my vote to Pittsburgh. Until then, though, I'm sticking with the Pats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted November 2, 2004 Why is this even a thread? It's the Pats, easily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted November 2, 2004 If the Pats weren't hit so hard by the injury bug, they'd have played much better against the Steelers ... maybe not good enough to win, but they wouldn't have gotten shelled like they did. It's hard to compete when you're playing without your two starting tackles, #2 (or arguably #1) WR, your starting RB, and your #1 DB (and arguably best defensive player). If the Steelers can play that well against Philly, and if NE has to go an extended stretch with so many key players out, than I change my vote to Pittsburgh. Until then, though, I'm sticking with the Pats. You know, I don't like to make excuses for teams that have a lot of injuries, but when you're as evenly matched as the Pats were against Pittsburgh, those injuries really make a huge difference, especially with homefield advantage also swinging in their favor. But make no excuses, now all the talk about the streak is over, and I think we're going tosee the Patriots start kicking ass soon again. I have a feeling that all the teams that are at the top of their conferences at the moment won't be there for much longer. Bring on Packers-Chiefs in Jacksonville!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted November 3, 2004 As fo Right now, Give me the Texans. Closely followed by the Steelers and the Chargers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 As fo Right now, Give me the Texans. Closely followed by the Steelers and the Chargers. Well the Chargers beat Texans, and yet they're behind Texans according to you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 I'll go with the Steelers. They just knocked off the Patriots, who are coming into a tough stretch of games with some legit injury concerns, and I think they'll knock off the Eagles this weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 But make no excuses, now all the talk about the streak is over, and I think we're going tosee the Patriots start kicking ass soon again. I don't know if the Pats will start kicking ass again too soon ... Law is out 4-6 weeks and Poole's not ready to come back yet. So, they're looking at Asante as one CB and Gay (an undrafted rookie who couldn't even start in college) as the other. Their other choice is to move Wilson back to CB and start either Reid or Gay at safety. It looks like the Pats will be in trouble against the Rams and their two burners at WR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 Gotta feel bad for the Jags though, losing Leftwhich for up to 6 weeks, I considered them the AFC darkhorse up to this point, may have to go with the Chargers as the darkhorse now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlwaysPissedOff 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 Garrard just needs to run the offense and not make mistakes, but the Jags need Taylor to be healthy and get some damned yardage for once. In all likelyhood, Leftwich going down will give the Colts the South again, but if they can at least get 3 wins while Byron's gone(if it lasts the full 6 weeks), then maybe they can snag one of the Wildcard spots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARTYEWR 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 Give the Bills an offensive line and wave a magic wand over Drew Bledsoe that he *doesn't* impersonate the Statue of Liberty every play, and it's them, I tells ya. Realistically, it's the Steelers. All their wins with Roethlisberger have been very convincing, and the defense is back to their old Steel Curtain ways. It still might be the Patriots, but they'll need a healthy Corey Dillon for a considerable claim of top spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2004 As a Bills fan, I must say I am disgusted with the state the team is in...is Bledsoe wearing cement shoes or what? can someone teach that dude how to scramble! All the talent on that team and they're 2-5, inexcusable, Mularky! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted November 4, 2004 As fo Right now, Give me the Texans. Closely followed by the Steelers and the Chargers. Well the Chargers beat Texans, and yet they're behind Texans according to you? Yah, due to Home Feild. I feel the Texans are almost unbeatable at Home. I would not say that about San Diego. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 As fo Right now, Give me the Texans. Closely followed by the Steelers and the Chargers. Well the Chargers beat Texans, and yet they're behind Texans according to you? Yah, due to Home Feild. I feel the Texans are almost unbeatable at Home. I would not say that about San Diego. Chargers beat Houston on the road... meaning Houston lost to Chargers in Texas. Let's see.... Chargers' losses are to Denver (in Denver), Atlanta (in Atlanta) and New York Jets (in San Diego)... which means San Diego only lost once in San Diego, and Houston lost in Houston to San Diego. Your theory is so wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabbageboy 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 I'm surprised the Colts weren't even a choice on this list. I know they are just 4-3 right now but if their defense could simply stop allowing fucking 35 pts. a game they'd cruise to the division title. They should get back on track this week with an ass kicking of the Moss less Vikings. I'd always take Manning over the Texans or Chargers. Best team in the AFC right now is the Steelers. How can the Pats be at this point? The Steelers crushed them and now Ty Law is hurt for 4-6 weeks. What I noticed that the Steelers did was stuff that no one else has done to the Patriots: they BLITZED the shit out of Tom Brady (Why hasn't anyone succeeded in this before? Guy isn't that mobile), they got up early, and they stuffed the run down their throats. Steelers vs. Jets in the AFC title game perhaps? As far as the NFC goes, I don't even know who would play the Eagles in the NFC title game. It's that mediocre of a league. Vikings have the talent but always seem to screw up. Rams and Seahawks are both lame. Falcons can be real good but they can be REAL bad (see 56-10 vs. KC). I might actually have to go with the Giants if Kurt Warner can stay upright. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 I'm surprised the Colts weren't even a choice on this list. I know they are just 4-3 right now but if their defense could simply stop allowing fucking 35 pts. a game they'd cruise to the division title. but their D is allowing 35+ points per game, and that fact can't be ignored. It's hard to choose a team that allows that many points as the best in the conference. What I noticed that the Steelers did was stuff that no one else has done to the Patriots: they BLITZED the shit out of Tom Brady (Why hasn't anyone succeeded in this before? Guy isn't that mobile) The main reason the Steelers were able to blitz so effectively was because of the injuries the Pats had suffered. Take Dillon off the field, and it's pretty obvious that they're going to be passing, and passing, and passing some more. And then take the two starting tackles off the field and the protection becomes noticably worse. Other teams have tried to blitz the Pats, and normally haven't had too much success in doing so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 yeah it's a little hard to blitz on a very accurate, quick release QB, those little passes will kill you everytime... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B. Brian Brunzell 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 I gotta go with the Steelers. They've been playing great football since Big Ben took over, both offensively and defensively. Even Bettis got 65 yds. against the Pats on Sunday, which probably doubled his rushing total for the season (not sure of his exact stats). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabbageboy 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 Regardless of injuries the Steelers just physically manhandled the Pats. Wasn't the Steelers' one loss to the Ravens in the game where Maddox got hurt? I wasn't saying earlier that I thought the Colts were the best team in the league, since right now they aren't. I'm saying that they have the potential to get there and should be on this list ahead of the Chargers or Texans, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 Regardless of injuries the Steelers just physically manhandled the Pats. Wasn't the Steelers' one loss to the Ravens in the game where Maddox got hurt? I wasn't saying earlier that I thought the Colts were the best team in the league, since right now they aren't. I'm saying that they have the potential to get there and should be on this list ahead of the Chargers or Texans, etc. They have the potential, but they aren't living up to it, so that's why I rate the Chargers ahead of them for the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARTYEWR 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 As a Bills fan, I must say I am disgusted with the state the team is in...is Bledsoe wearing cement shoes or what? can someone teach that dude how to scramble! All the talent on that team and they're 2-5, inexcusable, Mularky! It's been a lousy season so far, but I'm beginning to have hope for the future again. McGahee's looked pretty good so far, better than I thought he would be, making me believe the leg injury is fine and all. The defense is solid, and with Terrence McGee, we have a threat at kick returner now. I wish some players were utilized more to their strengths. Lee Evans is a speedster; use him the way Peerless Price was used 2 years ago. Having two good backs is great and all, but where's a good blocking fullback when you need it? That could help Bledsoe a-plenty. Bledsoe needs work on his decision-making; his 8/17 numbers against Arizona baffles me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 I may regret this, but they should work out some kind of deal getting rid of Travis Henry and/or Drew Bledsoe for SOMETHING... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2004 Wait ... Lushus, you're a Bills fan? I don't know why, but I'm stunned by this revelation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
