2007 NFL Preview – Should We Just Crown the Patriots Now?
Today we begin the 2007 season preview, and I pose the above question not simply because I’m an obnoxious Patriots fan (and proud of it!), but because that’s how every football expert out there appears to be thinking. Take a look for yourselves at these predictions for Super Bowl XLII (care of USA Today):
- Athlon Sports: Patriots over Cowboys
- Pro Football Weekly: Patriots over Saints
- Sporting News: Patriots over Cowboys
- Street & Smith’s: Patriots over Saints
Even those smart-asses over at Kissing Suzy Colber seem to be drinking the red, white & blue kool-aid (although I detect just a trace of sarcasm there…).
The consensus seems to be that the off-season acquisitions of Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and of course, Randy Moss, should be enough to push Belichick, Brady & company past their AFC Title game appearance last year, and onto their 4th title in seven years. I feel that this is a dangerous assumption to make. Consider:
- Assumed success in free agency doesn’t necessarily translate to success on the field. See: Washington Redskins.
- The Patriots still have some weaknesses that we not fully addressed in the offseason.
- The possible holdout of Asante Samuel would leave a rather large hole in the secondary.
- Brady’s combined duties as father to Ms. Moynahan’s offspring and bo to a high maintenance supermodel will affect his performances on Sundays (God, I hope that just stays a joke…).
Finally, let’s remember that the Patriots won their first Super Bowl in 2001, when everyone and their mother was predicting that the Rams would win it all. You just never know what’s going to happen once the season starts…
Of course, that’s not going to prevent me from making some wild assumptions and comically bad predictions for all 32 teams! We’ll begin this week, with team breakdowns division-by-division. We’ll cap things off with a full playoff prediction, culminating with the Super Bowl champion.
And by the way, I’m not picking the Patriots to win it all. (See? Not all Pats fan are obnoxious homers…)
Anyways, it should be fun (or at least fun to laugh at in December), so stay tuned!
NFL Preview, 2007, Regular Season, Predictions, Prognostications, Throwing a Dart at the Wall
July 10th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Dear Brian,
I am now starting to make my plans to host this year’s Patriot’s Superbowl party, and I have a few questions for you. What do you predict will be the hot new appetizer in 2007? I want to keep the menu at our party fresh, and when you host Patriot Superbowl parties as often as I do, you need to start planning well in advance of the inevitable appearance. Also, do you have a recommendation on what year of Dom Perignon I should purchase to pop open after Stephen G kicks the game winning FG?
July 10th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Dennis, ony 2 ingredients are essential for a successful Super Bowl party: hookers & cake.