Never imagined I would ever become a Patriots fan for one night at least.

I was actually rooting for the Patriots to run up the score and pour it on.

First, we all have made erroneous predictions about sporting events...its why people loose every day by gambling. (most of us do not boast ahead of time in a loud manner on a public forum, however, but hey, everyone has their own style)

I can't stand the Jets, but I have to be fair. The consensus on the boards is that the Jets are overrated and not as good as their record. That they somehow got lucky all these weeks and should be a 5-7 or 6-6 type team instead of 9-3. You can look at every game of every team and in a lot of cases make arguments for them loosing many of their games.

Let's take the BEST team right now in the NFC, Atlanta. Here are some of their great escapes:

1. Against the Saints, the Saints kicker missed a chip shot FG (under 30 yards) in OT...Atlanta comesback and wins
2. Against the 49er's: The 49er's intercept a pass in the closing minute (all they had to do was fall down and the game was over), only to have the returner fumble, giving the ball back to the Falcons. Falcons drive down kick a FG...Atlanta wins
3. Against the Bucs, they stop them on a 4th and 1 w/ 2 minutes to play...Atlanta wins
4. Agaisnt the Ravens and Packers, they need to drive down the field in the closing minutes to score to win both games.
5. They had close games against both Cleveland/Cincinatti

The Falcons are 10-2; with some bad luck, they could easily be 6-6

Take the Steelers. Here are 6 of their wins:

1. They beat the Falcons in OT
2. They survived two passes into the endzone in the closing moments to beat the Titans
3. They survived a controversial call (no fumble) in the closing minutes to beat the Dolphins
4. They allowed Cincinatti to drive down to their 10 yard line in the last minute before preserving a 6 point win
5. The Bills dropped a easy TD in OT, and the Steelers escaped minutes later
6. They squeaked by the Ravens in Sunday's blood bath

Heck, the Steelers, a team people consider one of the AFC heavyweights could easily be 5-7 or 6-6. But they are 9-3 because winning is ALL that matters. The NFL is a bottom line business. All that matters are wins (there are no style points).  

Who cares that the Jets barely beat the Lions, Browns, Texans. They did win these games and deserve to be 9-3. Winning in the NFL is not easy (its why teams seem to lack consistency, week to week)



-- Modified on 12/7/2010 9:18:29 AM

I would hazard to guess the jets care that they didn't spend enough time game planning/practicing as they did 'talking' about how good they are!!!
Also would guess RR is not happy that he was completely ill-prepared and dreadfully out-classed in every facet of the game (watch his press conf)!!
And I would guess (as a passionate NFL fan myself) the jets fanbase cares their team was exposed to be 'talkers' and not able to back their smack/talk!!
If none of the above is true, then they all need to reassess their commitments to the team/organization!

You mentioned 'consistency' and I couldn't agree more.
You cannot continue to play marginal football and hope your (supposedly) inferior opponent makes mistakes in order for you to capitalize/win.
This will only work against under-performing, struggling teams; and especially not the teams playing their best in December!!

And if you don't buy into the fact that they are currently a marginal team, you are over-looking the fact they beat 1 (one) team with a winning record (NE who was a different team in week 2)!!

you just don't have very good taste in football. I mean cmon the Stealers? Granted they have a good defense but how you going to win going foward. I figure next week you have to win by a score of 7-0, two safties and a field goal. Are your shorts getting a little tight, are the worried lines of concern begining to show on your face?

I haven't looked at the schedule yet because I'm hoping the NFL will change it and KC won't have to play San Diego. Yea Degio lost this week but they will be all over KC like tattos on sailors come Sunday.

But you right and every year you can look at the standings and a dropped pass here, missed field goal there, injury hear and there and everything could have been so different. And that's not even mentioning the odd ref call now and then.

Oh, by the way. Just in case the NFL dosen't wake up in time to change the schedule, can I borrow the Steelers umpires and ref's for the KC/Diago game this weekend or due you guys still need them?