The Pats will go 11-5 this year.

[WilliamPitt]

Already in the books:

1. Chiefs: WIN (1-0)

To come:

2. @Jets: LOSS (1-1)

3. Miami: WIN (2-1)

4. Bye week

5. @49ers: WIN (3-1)

6. @Chargers: LOSS (3-2)

7. Denver: WIN (4-2)

8. Rams: WIN (5-2)

9. @Indy: LOSS (5-3)...(I'm assuming they're gonna get their shit together after that Sunday night debacle vs. Chicago)

10. Bills: WIN (6-3)

11. Jets: WIN (7-3)

12. @Miami: WIN (8-3)

13. Steelers: LOSS (8-4)

14. @Seattle: WIN (9-4)

15. @Oakland: WIN (10-4)

16. Arizona: WIN (11-4)

17. @Bills: LOSS (11-5)

Any other season, I'd say 11-5 would be a ridiculous prediction...but the Pats have the lightest schedule in the history of the universe this season. We'll lose a game each to the improving Jets and Bills in their home stadiums, the Steelers will beat the shit out of us, the Chargers will take their revenge, and the Colts will be better than they were Sunday last and rip up our shaky secondary. If we eke a win out of Indy, beware 'Zona and Wiesenhunt's AFC-North-style game planning.

BUT

Cassel will be satisfactory, and if not, we have that highly-touted rookie waiting in the wings.

5...count 'em 5 running backs. That's the key. Gonna be a lot more ground-pounding by the Pats this year. It should be good enough for 11-5.

"This shall be our finest hour." - Churchill

:)

[trumad]

1. I think the Phins will get them at home in Miami

and after watching the Broncos last night, will lose to them as well.

Dude--- sorry to say this but Brady is and has been the key to your success.

[hughee99]

2. It's always good to hear you predict a Pats loss :)

[Upton]

3. Seahawks always play well at home

without Brady that's a Seattle win.

[WilliamPitt]

5. Did we watch the same Seahawks game this weekend?

The Seahawks entered training camp feeling very good about their depth at receiver. They enter Week 2 with Logan Payne, Jordan Kent and Courtney Taylor manning the position. Those good feelings have turned to angst for a team with high standards for the passing game.

A shoulder injury suffered during preseason sidelined Bobby Engram until after the team's bye week Sept. 28. Engram caught 94 passes last season.
Deion Branch's recovery assumed a more realistic timetable as offseason optimism turned to regular-season reality. The starting flanker might miss another game and perhaps longer before he feels comfortable enough to play.

Ben Obomanu, a backup with value as a return specialist, landed on injured reserve after suffering a broken clavicle during preseason.

Burleson, the last experienced receiver standing for Seattle, caught a touchdown pass during an otherwise forgettable season-opening defeat at Buffalo. He suffered a torn knee ligament later in the game, ending his season.

Before all the injuries, the hard part for Seattle was going to be choosing which young players might round out the rotation. Payne, Kent, Taylor and Michael Bumpus flashed enough potential to merit consideration for the sixth and final roster spot at the position. Seattle liked these players -- as depth, not starters. The hard part now is choosing which players the Seahawks can insert into the lineup without sacrificing their passing game altogether.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-3-85/Seattle--From-WR-depth-to-deep-WR-concerns.html

[Upton]

6. 8-1 at Qwest field last year

including a playoff win over the Redskins. They are a completely different team at home. Inexperienced, even some experienced QBs have a hard time dealing with the noise level, Brady would have negated that.

[Angleae]

55. They were a completely different team last year too.

[opiate69]

9. Good teams don't always get seasons off to good start

JOHN MCGRATH; THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: September 8th, 2008 01:13 AM | Updated: September 8th, 2008 01:13 AM
The weather conditions were difficult on the visitors from the Pacific Northwest. The three-hour adjustment to Eastern Daylight Time did the Seahawks no favors, either.
The opponents’ defensive line, anchored by the imposing Marcus Stroud, simultaneously shut down the Seattle running game while putting the clamps on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The players looked confused, but more worrisome was the cluelessness of the coaching staff. Those poor guys appeared oblivious to the threat of trick plays that aren’t supposed to work in any contest more sophisticated than a game of two-hand touch in a schoolyard.

What made Seattle’s desultory opener especially difficult to endure was the fact the bruising didn’t come at the hands of a powerhouse but, rather, a middle-of-the-road AFC team with modest expectations.

All this happened to the Seahawks …

… on Sept. 11, 2005, when they got schooled by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

more:http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/columnists/mcgrath/story/475448.html

[Tektonik]

4. All depends on Cassell

They will have a winning season, but I'm not sure if they make the playoffs.

[trotsky]

7. I think they'll come closer to going the reverse of that. 5-11.

You did watch Cassell in the preseason, right? That's probably a better indicator than his performance against a pathetic rebuilding KC squad.

1. Chiefs: WIN (1-0)

2. @Jets: LOSS (1-1)

3. Miami: WIN (2-1)

4. Bye week

5. @49ers: LOSS (2-2)

6. @Chargers: LOSS (2-3)

7. Denver: LOSS (2-4)

8. Rams: WIN (3-4)

9. @Indy: LOSS (3-5)

10. Bills: LOSS (3-6)

11. Jets: LOSS (3-7)

12. @Miami: LOSS (3-8)

13. Steelers: LOSS (3-9)

14. @Seattle: LOSS (3-10)

15. @Oakland: WIN (4-10)

16. Arizona: LOSS (4-11)

17. @Bills: WIN (5-11) (Because I suspect the Bills will win the division and be resting their starters in this game.)

[hughee99]

8. Perhaps Cassell throwing to receivers who aren't even on the roster

is not the best indicator of his abilities. In the 4 preseason games, Welker, Moss and Gaffney (the top 3 receivers) combined for less than 12 catches in 4 games. No, he's not Tom Brady, but if he can avoid making big mistakes, the Pats can still beat many opponents on this schedule.

[Forkboy]

13. Brady is hurt...not their defense.

I do agree that the Bills could end up as division winner, but the Pats will NOT go 5-11. That's just ignoring any football knowledge entirely. I'd still take the Pats defensive 11 over most of the NFL's top offensive 11.

[trotsky]

16. Very brave of you to wait until AFTER today's game to post.

:rofl:

[Forkboy]

20. True, true.

But I felt confident enough in them all week to go against my own long standing rule against betting on my home team's games, and took them as a easy Pick 'Em. And my wallet will be a bit fatter tomorrow morning for it.

You're right though, I was wrong to say it here after the game because I hadn't really said much of anything all week on DU. But it was too juicy to remind people that the Patriots are still as good as 2/3 of the rest of the NFL. I was in no hurry to remind people all week lest they take Pat's fans seriously and not pick the Jets, driving the spread apart, because over 2 1/2 points and I wasn't betting.

Sue me. :P

[cboy4]

10. They'll also lose in Seattle.

And San Francisco!!11!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. Matt Cassel...

:rofl:
:rofl: :rofl:
:rofl:

:rofl:
:rofl: :rofl:
:rofl:

:rofl:
:rofl: :rofl:
:rofl:



14 INT's...minimum

[joeybee12]

14. Hmm....guess you didn't see today's game n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

39. 16/23 for 165 yards. 0 TD 0 INT

Yeah, I saw it.

Matt Cassel

[Forkboy]

40. LOL

Wiseass. :)

With a healthy defense I'll take those numbers all year long. It's a tired old chestnut but it's true, "he doesn't have to win the game, he just can't lose it".

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

41. They'll make the playoffs easy.

I'm a Seahawks(0-2)/Washington Huskies(0-3)/Mariners(57-91) and Sonics(Hey, where did they go?!?) fan- so I'm just bitter.


:cry:


...wait...Seattle Sounders FC!!! :party:

[Forkboy]

42. Bring back the Pilots!

And hey, there's always this...



On the other hand...maybe you should just move. :evilgrin:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

43. Iow, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Canucks 39-33-10.

Fuck you!















:toast:

[Forkboy]

44. Heh...I I figured the Canucks were a bit of stretch there.

Good on you for calling me on it! :toast:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

45. They're too good to be rooted for!

I demand sub-par mediocrity from my teams.

Standards.

[Forkboy]

15. How 'bout them Saints?

:thumbsup:

[BOSSHOG]

12. Why? Has billicheat found new and improved ways to tape opponents??

[joeybee12]

17. Oh Boss, you're so bitter...

...put down that gun and religion and come towards the light!

[BOSSHOG]

19. I'm not a Pats fan why would I be bitter?

My teams win or lose. Hogs, Eagles, Saints. I won't defend them when they indulge in malfeasance, never have, never will.

[Forkboy]

21. I love it when you get all righteous.

I get a tingle up my leg.

[BOSSHOG]

22. UP your leg??

Is that the way its supposed to go? If only a member of Patriot Nation would take responsibility for wrongdoing. Now that would be "righteous."

[joeybee12]

24. I repeat, bitter, bitter, bitter...

...you're never going to let that drop.

[BOSSHOG]

28. I don't understand

Joey I'm going to assume that you are a Pats fan. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If someone trick fucks you out of half of your savings would you just gaff it off? No big deal. billichick is a proven cheater. Does that not bother you (I'm assuming you are a Pats Fan.) The argument is easily made that the Pats won games because billicheck is a cheater. Does that bother you? Or is it easier to just fuck off justifiable criticism for your teams lack of morals by calling others bitter? I could not possibly care less who wins a super bowl year in and year out but lordy it would be nice if all those concerned would have more then an ounce of decency in them to make some sort of effort to abide by the rules. That's why I pity Patriot fans who apparently don't give a fuck about right and wrong. Your Super Bowl "victories" are tarnished so incredibly bad that you and those like you should be bitter. So much easier to pose isnt'it Joey?

[joeybee12]

35. You've gone overboard...there is no proof that any of the taping

occurred during playoff games or the Super Bowl or affected any outcome. Bill can be a real prick, but I believe him when he says he thought it was legal, and because he can be such a prick, it's easy to pile on him and think things are worse than they are. They broke the rules, but those Super Bowls are not tarnished. And, quite frankly, I do believe other teams do it, but the nature of the media is such that once they've found their claws into whomever they've found as the bad guy, they don't let go, and will never, ever check to see if anyone else did it.

[BOSSHOG]

36. Joey, I'm a Sailor, I would not go overboard

Your post offers an awesome chuckle and no proof. Your team sucks, your coach sucks, they cheated and you don't give a fuck. So there's proof that your wife fucked five guys in the neighborhood but not the sixth. My post makes as much sense as yours Joey. The most important element is that you and others who cheer on the Pats is that you don't give a fuck that they cheat. The Pats need to give up the trophy or trophies. Fuck what you and the rest of Patriot Nation think. Do the right thing. Will it happen? NO. Because Patriot Nation don't give a fuck about right and wrong. One could assume that you are republicans.

[Forkboy]

25. Well shit, it's not up to me, dude.

Go check my posts after the cheating scandal broke after the Jets game last year. I was one one of the ones saying the game should have been forfeited to the Jets, and that the Pats should lose a top draft pick, plus pay the monetary fines.

You were in some of those threads.

So here, here's your member of Patriot Nation fessing up and asking for your divine forgiveness.

Now, will you stop being a knucklehead and talk some fucking football? :P

[BOSSHOG]

31. No

I won't stop being a knucklehead. If I did why would I (and you) be in this forum? Talk football?? Okay. The Broncos must be channeling billicheat with their win today. shanahan is almost as disgusting a motherfucker as billicheat. And Ed Hochuli is now out of my Hall of Fame. And how bout Darren Mcfadden?

As long as you Patriot pukes continue to accept a chump change fine as sufficient "punishment" for billicehat egregiousness, I'll continue to be a knucklehead.

[Forkboy]

33. You must be a blast at parties.

:crazy:

What would you like me to do, personally, to fix this egregious affront on your sensibilities? Should I camp out in front of Patriot Place all year, holding a picket sign saying "Kraft is a oily fat bastard!" and eating weevils and hotdog leftovers from the dumpster? Would that you make you happy, Boss?

Try the decaf there, Gunga Din. :eyes:

[BOSSHOG]

34. My partying days are mostly over

and the ones ahead of me are of the slower variety. But I'd love for the Patriots to be buttfucked every which way to Sunday, "cheated" out of wins and have bad calls made against them, fail to make the playoffs because of opponents chicanery and then have the likes of you "wine" about right and wrong. You still don't get it kid. Championship trophies are not made of video tapes. Except in New England. You still don't get it kid, or did I already say that. Why would you hold a picket sign? You don't give a fuck about right and wrong.

[Forkboy]

37. This is Freeper satire, isn't it?

because no sane DUer would ever post this...

But I'd love for the Patriots to be buttfucked every which way to Sunday, "cheated" out of wins and have bad calls made against them, fail to make the playoffs because of opponents chicanery...

..followed by this...

You don't give a fuck about right and wrong.

:rofl:

Classic shit, man...classic shit!

[sniffa]

48. Now I see what you were talking about

:rofl:

[Forkboy]

51. Told you it was worth it.

:D

[sniffa]

52. You still don't get it kid

:D

[trumad]

49. Boss--- you're traveling into idiotsville with that last post---

[Awsi Dooger]

18. I just want them to lose 1 game

15-1 is acceptable.

I can't believe New England was underdog to the Jets today. Even I was smart enough to figure that one out. Totally bizarre. The wise guys did jump in on New England today, moving the final line to New England -1.

[Forkboy]

23. Couldn't believe it was a Pick 'Em almost all week.

It's like everyone forgot the 11 guys on defense.

Smart players, smart coaching...still a good bet to me. :shrug:

The jig will be probably up next week against Miami though.

And they'll lose more than 1 game, fear not. :)

[trumad]

26. I'm changing my prediction that Miami will take one from the Pats

The Phins look worse than last season.

[Awsi Dooger]

27. Defense looked awful today

Arizona was basically playing catch.

Pennington can't put points on the board, that's the bottom line. The ball takes a vacation before arriving.

Henne looked very good but it would be extremely unwise to start him too soon, or on the road. Wait until later in the year.

I predicted 6 wins for Miami. :rofl:

[Forkboy]

30. Today wasn't a good one.

The Pats will have to win ugly though, so you never know. I don't see them losing to the Phins either, but I remember enough games where I was sure they'd win and got spanked. If the Pats defense plays an average game this year it'll end up as a loss, because what you saw of the Pats offense today is about what we'll be seeing all year I suspect.

The Phins are such a work in progress this first year under Parcells that it's hard to expect too much. The Pats may be weakened, but both the Jets and Bills are better this year, and the Phins still need a year or two to get the right personal. Parcells first year as coach here they were only 6-10, then they gelled the next year.

Hopefully they won't keep Pennington too long like the Jets did. He's one of those guys that looks good just often enough to make someone think he still has potential. He doesn't. :)

[trumad]

38. Chad Henne seems to be our future...

The Meeeeeshign boy seems to have some of his Alumi Brady's attributes.

[Awsi Dooger]

29. Top pro teams invariably play great in their first outing minus a star player

Then they hit a wall later in the season, when the missing component is obvious and needed.

It really helped the Pats to be playing a division rival today, since they are familiar with the personnel and schemes. Favre was a new variable but in general New England would have been in worse shape playing a team they didn't know.

Now they get a poor Miami team at home next, more time for Cassell to get his feet wet.

[Forkboy]

32. I'm a little worried about the long term durability of the defense.

The pressure is on them as much, if not more, than Cassell. They'll be expected to hold teams under that magic 17 points all year, no easy task.

I still think Will's 11-5 prediction is where they will indeed end up.

If Seymour, Wilfork or Warren go out though, I'll get back to you on that record. :)

[cboy4]

46. I would like the 49ers to kick your ass.

Oh my Lord would that make me happy,

[cboy4]

47. HAHAHAHAHA

Look at the happy faces!11!


The Seattle Seahawks let a two touchdown lead slip away and lost on a 49ers field goal in overtime, 33-30. Seahawks fans were left stunned after San Francisco's comeback victory.

[Forkboy]

50. Hey, I'm not even playing!

;)

I loved the Niners win this week. I like them anwyays, but I also dislike Seattle, so it was good all around. Love that pic in your other post here! :)

[hughee99]

53. Kicking for revisiting NFL predictions...

WP good call on the 11-5, who would have thought that it wouldn't be enough to make the playoffs.

I was at CBS Place next to Gillette earlier tonight, you'll never see that many people cheering for the Jets in there again.

[trumad]

56. Yeah---as a Phin fan, breaking the Pat's and the Jet's hearts in one night...

will be one of my best lasting memories....

[Forkboy]

57. LOL...bastid.

:P

I was just mentioning to cboy that he may not like it here much through the playoffs because with the Pats and Bears out I'm rooting for Miami now. I've always liked them (big Marino fan as a kid) and what they did this year was super cool to see. I'd love to see them make a good run (though game 1 is already a tough one).

This year is what the AFC East should always be like. Last year was fun in it's own way, but this was a more exciting year for me. It's a bummer to see the Pats out (feels weird here today), but thankfully the Bruins are kicking major ass so far this year to soften the blow.

[SpiralHawk]

54. A tip of the Stetson to Senor Pitt from Ye Olde Hawkstradamus

You nailed it. The sad part is, 11-5 should have earned the Pats a place in the playoffs. Still, the season had its moments of nobility.

Wait till next year...

[Forkboy]

58. I think Belichick did his best coaching this year.

With the amount of major injuries they had he did great to this team to 11-5. I really enjoyed the Pats season, even with it's premature end. I saw a lot of really good things from the team this year. Cassel becoming a true leader, Mayo playing downright frightening at the linebacker spot, Moss handling the ups and downs with actual maturity and developing into a team leader himself. It wasn't a bad year at all.

[WilliamPitt]

59. Argh.