Friday, October 4, 2013

The Underrated 4-0 Patriots



On my way to UVU today at about 11:30 am, I heard a sports radio talk show talk about the “four” undefeated teams - the Broncos, Seahawks, Saints, and Chiefs. The radio hosts talked about how great the Broncos and Seahawks are looking. They also talked about the Saints and Chiefs who are doing so good. Then they had a guest over the phone and they asked him “Besides the Broncos and the Seahawks, which undefeated team to you like more? The Chiefs or the Saints?” Last time I checked, there were five undefeated teams.

What about the only other undefeated team? Not even a mention?

How is a team with Tom Brady at quarterback being so overlooked? How is a team coached by Bill Belichick being so forgotten about? How are the New England Patriots being so left out of the conversation?

It can't be because the Chiefs' or Saint's have had a harder schedule. The best team the Saints have beaten are the Falcons and that game was played in New Orleans. The Patriots beat that same Falcon team in Atlanta. And the Chiefs? They have had the easiest schedule so far. The Jaguars, Giants, Eagles and Cowboys have a combined 3 wins.

I can't be because of the Chief's or Saint's have upside over the Patriots. The Saints and the Chiefs right now are as good as they're going to get. The Patriots are undefeated and have been without their two best receivers. Danny Amendola got hurt in the first game, and Rob Gronkowski (SUPERSTAR) hasn't even played a snap yet. Both will be back soon.

And It doesn't matter if Gronk or Danny come back next week or in week twelve. The Patriots are going to win their division and make the playoffs regardless. Then Amendola and Gronk will be healthy and the Patriots will be at their best.

It also can’t be because of the the Chief's or Saint's past success over the Patriots'. If the past tells us anything, it tells us the Patriots are always a great team. The Saints have only been in one Super Bowl before, and the Chiefs zero. The Patriots have been to five since 2002 and have won three of them.





Who made it the furthest last year of the five undefeated teams? The Patriots. (AFC championship game.)

Who was last team of the five undefeated go to the super bowl? The Patriots. (The year before last.)


So why is it? Why, of the five undefeated teams, are the Patriots being left out? The team that is going to get even better when Danny and Gronk come back. The team that has had the hardest schedule of them. The team that has had the most success.

Here is my prediction about those Saints and Chiefs that some of you love so much. First the Saints will make the playoffs and lose their first game to the 49ers or the Packers. Second The Chiefs will make the playoffs and lose their first game to the Colts or their second game the Broncos.

And here is my prediction for the Patriots that are being shrugged off and forgotten. They will win their division (again). Then they play the Broncos in the AFC championship game. It will be in Denver. It will be in January. It will be cold. Maybe windy. Chance of snow. We all know Brady is great in any weather, and Peyton can only play in "great conditions" (0-4 in playoff games that dip under 40 degrees F.). Patriots will win 21-16 and make it to the Super Bowl. Again.