The three teams that will challenge the New England Patriots will be the Cincinnati Bengalis, San Diego Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts. The reason why I choose these teams is because of quarterback play, offensive line, and takeaways. The Bengals have Carson Palmer at the helm with an offense that can score points with any team in the league. The offensive line can protect him and the defense can create turnovers. While the San Diego Chargers have the best player in the league and one of the best defenses through out the NFL. Indy is the defending champion until someone knocks them off they are still dangerous with Payton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and other role players and a defense that produced takeaways in the post season.
2007-08-04 02:20:26 · 26 answers · asked by Tim C 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I think the teams that are going to challenge the patriots are the Broncos, Ravens and the Chargers.
The Broncos will challenge because they gave second-year quaterback two more proven options in Brandon Stokley and Daniel Graham, and he has a much more experienced running back in Travis Henry. Dre' Bly will hopefully be good enough to make the team forget about the loss of Darrent Williams.
I see the Ravens because they added Willis McGahee to solidify the running game. They Also added Ben Grubbs, who will challenge for a starting Offensive line job as a rookie. The defense is still formidable, even with the loss of Adalius Thomas. Watch Out!!
The Chargers could also challenge with their formidable offense, and their very underrated defense. Any team with LT has a great offense, and they also have Rivers, Vincent Jackson, and Craig Davis. On defense, they have alot of talent, even with the loss of Donnie Edwards, so they will probably the team in the AFC Championship game.
2007-08-04 03:55:18 · answer #1 · answered by yo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Other challengers include Baltimore, who has a stifling defense, proven quarterback in Steve McNair, and an improved running attack with Willis McGahee. Also, Denver, who has a top notch offensive line, talented young quarterback, a solid ground game, and a revamped defense that is designed to create turnovers. The last potential challenger is from the Pats own division, and that is the New York Jets. Most underrated team in the AFC, people forget how good of a team they are just because Chad can't throw the ball 80 yards downfield. Look back two years ago, they went 4-12 without him, compared to last year when they went 10-6 with him, beat the Pats, and clinched a wild card spot. These guys also added Thomas Jones, so now their offense is more balanced, and with Eric Mangini's inside knowledge from his old team, I wouldn't count them out of the hunt at this point.
2007-08-04 03:50:59 · answer #2 · answered by Dan in Real Life 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you phrased the question wrong...I don't think you should be asking who will challenge the Pats, but the Chargers. The Pats will be weak in the secondary (Samuel will hold out) and Maroney is banged up. The wide recievers are going to be more of a headache than you Pats fans realize. I predict they get the 4th seed as division winners in a weak division and lose first game in the playoffs (I've already lost my vote, so now I'll tell you how I think the AFC will unfold).
The Chargers do have the best offense in the league (best running back and they outscored everyone in the NFL last season). They also have the defense to keep up with the Colts and Pats. Just cause the Pats beat them last year doesn't mean it's automatic this year. The only reason why the Chargers will lose in the AFC championship game is because they got rid of a great coach for an inexperienced one. Look for too many risk and many Charger fans upset. Prediction: #1 seed losing in the AFC championship game.
The Colts have a great team. They have Manning, Harrison, Wayne, Addai, Gonzo, and Clark on offense. The horrible run defense turned a 180 in the playoffs and stuff the Pats and Chicago who depend on the run. I can't say they will continue the one year wonder again because there are so many good teams in the AFC. The defense is vulnerable and could easy cause an early exit. I predict #2 seed and lose first game (after the bye).
The Ravens are my #3 seed. They have a new passing offense...the first one since they came back to Baltimore. They have Heap and Mark Clayton as their best recievers and Mason is still a good #3 option. McGahee is twice the running back Lewis was and will get about 200 more yards. McNair will have good games and average games and will play similar to last season. The defense is everywhere. It's hard to run and it's hard to pass. The pass rush is great (Pryce was a great pickup) and the secondary is very good. Although it seems they have no holes, they can't compete with their first round selection either and they also get beat right away.
4th seed-Pats-first paragraph (overrated).
5th seed is the Broncos. They have the best secondary in the league and a new d-line that will get to the QB. They still have 2 of the 3 LBs that were everywhere last year and I don't think Al Wilson leaving will hurt that much (similar to Thomas in BAL or Edwards in SD). The defense has fixed it's wholes (with Bly and the new D-line) and will be a top defense this season. On offense they improved at QB with Cutler over Plummer. Those who doubt that Cutler can do it, need to go back to '05 and watch how Plummer took this team to the AFC championship team. The Broncos are very unique in their stategy. Everyone knows what's coming, and yet no one can stop it. They will continue to run the ball down people's throats and now they have the best passing game they have had since Elway left. Javon Walker, Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham, Brandon Stokley (while Smith and Marshall are injuried, he's stealing the training camp show), Brandon Marshall, and Travis Henry will make d-coordinators having nightmares of how to effectively cover everyone. They have proven they can beat the Pats (4-1 since '02 and 1-0 in the playoffs...Shanahan is the only mastermind who can beat Belichick) and they finally have a 2nd CB to keep up with Wayne (Darrent Williams got toarched the last time they played the Colts). I predict they beat the Pats in the first round, beat the Colts in the second and beat the Chargers in the AFC championship and then go on to beat the Saints in the Super Bowl.
The 6th seed is the Cincinnati Bengals. They have a horrible defense, but no one wants to have to play them in the playoffs. They are a dangerous team and can score at will. Palmer is the second best QB in the league and is closing the gap on Manning (Brady isn't even in my top 5 best QB in the NFL right now. He's no more than a game manager, similar to a Big Ben). The Bengals recievers are possibly better than even the Colts. Rudi Johnson is amazing at running back and Irons should be a good spell back. The defense has good days and bad days, but this can be a very scary team. I predict they beat the Ravens in the first and lose to the Chargers in the second.
All good things must come to an end. The Pats are the most overrated team in football right now and are not the favorites to win the super bowl this year. They have the benefit of playing in the weak AFC East and having an underrated defense (the best DL in the league, I'll give you that. Even better than the Vikings). Seymour is the best d-line in the NFL and Belichick is a great coach. You Pats fans forget you are playing in the AFC which has the most talent their has ever been in one conference.
And to answer your question...the Broncos are the team in the AFC that will challenge the Chargers. The Bengals, Colts, Pats, and Ravens will also all have a chance.
2007-08-04 03:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by Ergg 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The Patriots in basic terms 2 annoying circumstances to be the AFC representative for the super Bowl is the Colts and Steelers. With the Patriots having homestead field benefit for all video games in the AFC playoffs, this could supply them a sparkling benefit to flow to the super Bowl.
2016-10-09 04:58:15 · answer #4 · answered by fauntleroy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your assessment, the Patriots is the best team on papers, but the Colt's is the defending champion. And the others two team that will give the Colt's a challenge is the Chargers and Cincinnati beside the Patriots. The reason the Chargers can challenge the colt's is they got the best players in the league in LT and the best defensive player in Marriman. And the Cincinnati is a threat to the colt's is the passing attack of Palmer with Chad Johnson and TJ Huz. And the best threat to the colt's crown is the Patriots, you got the best under pressure player in Tom Brady who's boasted 12-2 playoff record, best ever. And this year they sign alot of offensive players in Moss and Stallworths. Also theirs defense is solid as a rock, great every year in defense. Offensive line is gonna be good again as usual. My prediction is the Patriots gonna win it all, just too good.
2007-08-04 05:22:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The question should have been, "Do the Patriots really think they have what it takes to match the Chargers for AFC superiority?"
The answer will become evident on week 2. But I can tell you that the answer is NO.
The Bengals and Colts will be right there with the Patriots fighting for the second seed! Oh and don't forget about the Ravens! They may not have the offensive power, but they are a defensive powerhouse!
2007-08-04 05:20:57 · answer #6 · answered by ivan_beals 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Colts will challenge the Pats once again. The Bengals won't even win the central let alone challenge to go to the Super Bowl. The Ravens will more than likely win the Central. Chargers will defintely win the West but will have a slight challenge from Denver and/or KC. My prediction for the Super Bowl is the Saints vs. Pats. In 2008 look out for the Browns baby!!
2007-08-04 03:29:16 · answer #7 · answered by clevelandrocks12 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Bengals??? The Bengals???? Give up 2 many points. The Jets won't just challenge them 4 the AFC, they'll challenge them 4 the division.
Believe me, Moss will cause some kind of commotion, he's bound 2, especially the way Brady throws. Hell, he'll throw the ball 2 tha ball - boy if he's open.
2007-08-04 07:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by yankeejet1410 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct.
But don't forget about the Baltimore Ravens either.
With the pick up of RB McGahee and WR Derrick Mason they have upgraded their offense immensely.
And it is common knowledge their defense is already awesome.
Remember, they went 13-3 last year and won their division by 5 games over Cincinnati.
Cincinnati will be much better this year, but Baltimore will be in a battle for the division with them once again.
And if you need a dark horse to watch, keep an eye on the Jets.
2007-08-04 04:02:28 · answer #9 · answered by Mr R 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Broncos and Chargers, NOT the Colts. The Colts defense was bad enough and they have now lost a few of their top guys so no chance for them.
2007-08-04 03:44:57 · answer #10 · answered by Will W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋