Heading into the National Football League's ninth week of competition in their 2019 season there are only two teams that are undefeated: the San Francisco 49ers (7-0) and the New England Patriots (8-0). In my humble and lowly opinion, I think that one of these teams is overrated. If you took a look at the recent history of the two clubs, one would think that I would be talking about the San Francisco 49ers, but I'm not. I believe that the 2019 New England Patriots are overrated.
New England has been playing very well in the early part of the 2019 season, evident by their 8-0 record. They even have a great defence this year that ranks as one of, if not the, best defences in the NFL this year. New England has only surrendered a grand total of 61 points over 8 games (7.625 points per game), and of those 61 points, 40 were scored by opposing offences. That brings the points surrendered by the New England defence down to 5 points per game. This is a historically great defence. The defence is even joining in on the production. New England's defence has scored 30 points so far this season, and if you add the 14 points the special teams unit has produced. This defence is stifling opponents and helping the team to a +189 point differential in the first half of their season (+23.625 per game).
New England is putting up big numbers, but that's not what makes me believe that the Pats are overrated. The key thing for me is who has New England been playing: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets (twice), the Buffalo Bills, the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. The Pittsburgh Steelers are depleted this year without LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown, two of their top offensive weapons from 2018, and when they played New England they still had a healthy Big Ben, but were not good when they met. The Miami Dolphins are playing to win the Tua bowl. Washington is right behind Miami in second place for Tua Tagovailoa. Both New York teams are near the bottom of the league and the Browns have yet to break their stigma of perennial being basement dwellers in the NFL. New England's opponents so far this season have combined to go 14-37 (.275). New England has put up big numbers, but against teams that they should be putting up big numbers.
New England has some big tests coming up. They will play a fresh Ravens team coming off a bye, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City over their next 5 games. Those five teams are a combined 23-15 (.605), that's a swing of -23 to +8, 31 win difference. New England has a tough test ahead of them. Baltimore's offence is very multifaceted. They can run the ball down your through, outside, or pass it all over a defence any given Sunday. Coach Jon Harbaugh has all the confidence in the world in his starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has been asked on his opinion for fourth down gambles (which have not back-fired for the Ravens). Houston has a quarterback in Deshaun Watson who was called football' Michael Jordan, and is on his way to delivering on that with spectacular performances that do not disappoint. The key team in that stretch is the Kansas City Chiefs, who have one of the best offences in the NFL lead by up-and-coming NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes.
The Pats have done what they needed to, but will they be able to keep their momentum high against the big-name teams of the NFL, their next five games will let us know
La Cheeserie, Littles
Fight On, Sleepers
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