Sleepers for a Super Bowl Run

As we enter the final two weeks of the NFL season, the top four contenders in the league are clear. The New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers have distanced themselves as the clear favorites to make it to Glendale. It would surprise no one at this point if those were the teams playing for a Super Bowl berth in late January. As for the sleepers there are a few in my book. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers stand out in AFC, because of the coaching and proven quarterback play. Both Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger are former Super Bowl MVPs and quietly having career years for their teams. It would not surprise me if one of these teams made a run to the AFC title game as a wild card team. In the NFC, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are both teams I could see going to the Super Bowl. The Lions still have one of the best defenses in the league statistically, and the Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson connection can win games offensively. The Cowboys still have the great offensive players at every important position. One of the best offensive lines in the league leads the charge, while Tony Romo, Demarco Murray, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten is as good as it gets for a QB-RB-WR-TE combination. We'll see come 2015 if these sleepers take their game to the next level.

Important For Patriots to Win Out

New England plays host to Miami this weekend, and look to continue their dominance of the AFC East. The Pats finish the season with Buffalo and the Jets as well, all very winnable games. If they win out then home field advantage is theirs. However, with Denver looming, if the Pats drop even one of these games then home field could be lost. We saw last year just how important that home field advantage is, when the Pats went to Mile High and lost in the AFC championship game. The Patriots almost never lose at home, and with the team looking as well-rounded as they have in recent years, I would like their chances against Denver in the title game. Lets hope that the injury bug does not bite them for a second consecutive postseason, and that Brady and co. are back in the Super Bowl come February.

Patriots Need to Bounce Back in San Diego

After New England's close defeat at the hands of the Packers last week, the Patriots head into the weekend tied with Denver for the best record in the AFC. Now they currently hold the tie breaker over the Broncos because they won the head to head matchup, but with four games left the Pats do not have a lot of wiggle room. Denver has a pretty weak schedule to finish out the year, making this weeks game for the Patriots very important. San Diego is coming off a huge come from behind road win in Baltimore, making them currently 8-4. Brady will lead the Pats to the win, and the corners will not let Rivers operate at the same level he is used to: 38-20 New England.

New England Once Again the Class of the NFL

What a difference seven weeks make. Seems like a long time ago that the Patriots were being man handled on Monday Night Football at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. The blowout loss on the road resulted in a week full of doubt provided by the media. Is Belichick done? Is Brady going to be traded? End of an era?A quick answer to all of those questions was and still is: No.

After last nights impressive 42-20 road victory in Indianapolis, the Patriots are sitting atop the AFC. Amazing that after so much scrutiny thrown the teams way, New England has to be considered the favorite. Much like many predicted at the start of the season.

Perhaps the most encouraging part about last nights win was the dominance of the run game. Led by little known running back Jonas Gray (38 carries for 199 yards and 4 touchdowns), the Patriots dominated the game on the ground. This spells great things for the team going forward, and with Denver losing a second game in a row, the Patriots are in the drivers seat looking to wrap up home field advantage.

It won't be easy. Upcoming road games in both Green Bay and San Diego should be tough, but would anyone be surprised if Brady and Belichick came out of this next stretch at either 14-2 or 13-3? I know I wouldn't.

It seems like every year we must all be reminded never to question the "Patriot way". Yet, every season whenever the Patriots face adversity they just prove the doubters wrong. So as we head towards Thanksgiving and the stretch run of the regular season, I advise all members of the media to not question the genius that is Bill Belichick. I know I won't.

Patriots Last Place in the AFC East?

As I look at the NFL standings, following the first Sunday of the season, there is something shocking about the AFC East. There are three teams tied for first in the division: the New York Jets (W 19-14 vs OAK), Buffalo Bills (W 23-20 vs CHI) and Miami Dolphins (W 33-20 vs NE). This leaves just one team sitting dead last, and that team, is the New England Patriots.

For the first time since 2003, a Tom Brady-led squad lost in week one of the season. The Patriots, as usual, are Super Bowl contenders this year. So, an opening week loss to an injury-plaugued Miami team comes as a bit of a shock to most fans, including myself. Now don't get me wrong, the Patriots and Dolphins always play great games in Florida, but never have I seen Miami's defense so dominant. After a strong first half from Brady and the offense, Miami ramped up the pressure. The Dolphins were able to get to Brady four times, twice forcing fumbles. Miami defensive end Cameron Wake forced both of the those fumbles, the last of which all but sealed the win.

New England was dominated in the second half of Sunday afternoons game, and were left as a last place team. However, the last two times the Patriots lost their opening week matchup, they went on to win the super bowl. That is not to understate how bad the Patriots looked in the second half, but it is interesting. Going into this year the Pats are once again favorites to compete for the Lombardi trophy. Most view them and the Broncos as a lock for a rematch of last years AFC championship game. One that saw the injury-riddled team come up short at Mile High.

This years team is revamped. Especially on the defensive side. The addition of shutdown corner Darrelle Revis is huge for the Pats, considering they let Aquib Talib go to the Broncos. It also gives gives Belichek one of the best corners in the game. Perhaps the biggest addition of all is simply the return of multiple players from injury. From tight end Rob Gronkowski, to middle linebacker Jerod Mayo, New England had many players finish last year on injured reserve.

So, the return of players like Vince Wilfork and Rob Gronkowski should make for a very successful regular season in Foxboro. Whether or not the offensive line holds up is another question. I'm not too concerned just yet, but if the Patriots have more performances like they did in South Beach, a trip to the AFC championship might not be so easy.