Hey, I'm just happy they're not in their usual position of being out of it already by this time

The difference between us and everyone else in the AFC east right now..

Their arrow is pointing down.. And ours is pointing up. JUST SAYING.

If you look at their remaining schedules.. I can HONESTLY see the Pats finishing 10-6. I can see the Jets finishing 7-9. The Bills I think will also be about 7-9. I think Miami realistically has a shot at 9 to 10 wins (If they continue in this direction). If we can split with New England SOMEHOW. That could be the game that makes or breaks us.

I see the Pats dominating the division and going 12-4 or even 13-3 - as usual. San Fran and Houston are the only tough games on their remaining schedule, and both are in New England. I think the Patriots' arrow is certainly pointing up, and will as long as they have Tom Brady.

I think the Jets, Bills and Dolphins will all win somewhere between 6 and 8 games, and none will sniff at the playoffs.

The Dolphins may have the brightest future in the division because of Tannehill, but until this team adds playmakers and depth that future will be just out of reach IMO.

I agree that the Pats arrow isn't pointing down so long as Brady is the QB. It's surprising that the defense hasn't been better. While they are vulnerable, they are one of the league's better teams.

While the Miami coaching staff is maximizing the talent, at some point the talent level is going to limit just how good this team can be, so it isn't realistic to expect this team to continue to get better each and every week. At some point the improvement has to level off, right? While it is possible, I don't expect Miami to win the division or to be good enough to get a wildcard spot. I'm pulling for it - just because it will be fun. In the short term I'm really excited to see how Miami comes out of the bye and hopefully beat the Jests.

Jests and Jills are both messes. The Jests, well, the Rex Ryan experiment peaked and they're dysfunctionally doing the best they can to scrape and claw their way through this season. Too many injuries and too many question marks. The Jills - man, is their defense underwhelming for the money they invested in it. If they get their act together they could do a 180, but it's frankly shocking they have played the way they have so far this season.

Regarding the Jests and Jills, it's looking like our QB will be far better than they have. And maybe already is. That's an advantage they will each have to address, or we will rise above them for a long time.

One can only hope. I love what I see out of Tannehill so far, but let's not put him in the HOF just yet.

We have gotten more from a rookie Qb than we could have ever expected. I do not expect to make the playoffs in 2012. I do expect tp make it next year. Ravens getting old on D, Houston never quite gets there, San Diego is dead. Denver is riding Peyton for a year, Pats are Pats til Brady goes. We should be a legit playoff team next season, pending good acquisitions.

It isn't pointing down, but I'd argue that it isn't exactly pointing up either. Losses to the Cards and Seattle show they are vulnerable. Yes, Brady is still dangerous, but I truly believe he has reached his ceiling, and we will begin to see a gradual decline.

If I told you in the preseason that the Pats would be 3-3 at this point, would you have believed me?

JMP thinks the Pats could go 13-3...which means 10 straight wins. I don't see that, though I do think the Pats should win the division. But I think we are seeing the beginning of the decline of the Pats dynasty. Is this like the Visigoths sacking Rome, which began the decline of the Roman empire?

Well, like I said, they only have two difficult games on their schedule - and both are in New England. They could lose to the 49ers or Texans...but I doubt they lose both.



I'd like to believe that, but if they do in fact win 12-13 games it's difficult to call that a 'decline'. IMHO, until one of the other AFC East teams learns how to beat them, the Pats are guaranteed a division crown every season.

The only thing that has declined on the Pats is their defense. When it was great they won championships. They lost guys like Seymour, Law, Harrison, Bruschi, Samuels, etc and never fully replaced them. They weren't just solid at DL, LB, and DB - they had great players in all three areas. Now they have question marks in all three areas. If some of those draft picks start to pan out - watch out. Because their offense is still tops in the league and shows no signs of decline.