Pats/Colts Spread

[VietCowboy]

I think it's the other way around. The Colts are undefeated playing a very tough schedule.

Colts 40, Patriots 37

Colts schedule
NO (3-4) 10 @ IND 41
IND 22 @ TEN (5-2) 20
IND 30 @ HOU (3-5) 24
DEN (3-3) 20 @ IND 38
TB (4-4) 14 @ IND 33
IND 29 @ JAC (5-2) 7
IND 31 @ CAR (4-3) 7

Opponents win:loss = 27:23

Pat's schedule
NE 38 @ NYJ (1-7) 14
SD (4-3) 14 @ NE 38
BUF (3-4) 7 @ NE 38
NE 34 @ CIN 13 (2-5)
CLE (4-3) 17 @ NE 34
NE 48 @ DAL (6-1) 27
NE 49 @ MIA (0-8) 28
WAS (4-3) 7 @ NE 52

opponents win:loss 24:34

even if you take out the miami game (to equal 7 games), patriots still beat opponents with total 24:26

 

[tomson75]

I can understand why people think the Colts can win, but I'm not sure what strength of schedule has to do with it. As has been said in defense of our own team numerous times this season, they can only play the teams on their schedule, and play them they have....outscoring their opponents by an average of 29 points a game (the colts, 17 points a game). Still, I don't really see how any of this provides an effective measure for either team. I'll take the Pats, and the over, all day.

 

[AtlCB]

I can understand why people think the Colts can win, but I'm not sure what strength of schedule has to do with it. As has been said in defense of our own team numerous times this season, they can only play the teams on their schedule, and play them they have....outscoring their opponents by an average of 29 points a game (the colts, 17 points a game). Still, I don't really see how any of this provides an effective measure for either team. I'll take the Pats, and the over, all day.

You could make a really strong case that the Pats wouldn't outscore the Colts opponents by an average of 29 points. The Colts don't have a cream puff on that schedule. The Colts' weakest team played so far is Houston. The Texans are better than the Jets, Bills, Dolphins, and the Bengals. The Colts' worst opponent would open up as favorites against half of the Patriots opponents. The 29 points are also misleading, since the Pats have run up the score in most of their games. The Colts have let up when they had a big lead.

 

[khiladi]

Dallas Clark is going to gain a significant chunk of the yardage in the middle against the Patriots linebackers...

 

[tomson75]

You could make a really strong case that the Pats wouldn't outscore the Colts opponents by an average of 29 points.

Not really, but you could try.

The Colts don't have a cream puff on that schedule. The Colts' weakest team played so far is Houston. The Texans are better than the Jets, Bills, Dolphins, and the Bengals. The Colts' worst opponent would open up as favorites against half of the Patriots opponents.

Possibly, but lets not forget that the Patriots dismantling of those teams palys a large part in where the casual fan views them. Without the point the Pats put up, some of those teams looks much better (sans the bengals, whose defense might be the worst I've ever seen). The dolphins just played a close game with what most people are calling the best team in the NFC. The Bills damn near beat us. etc..

I just don't buy into the strength of schedule argument. It's weak.

The 29 points are also misleading, since the Pats have run up the score in most of their games.

Actually, it is equally misleading that most of the points that the Patriots have alowed this season have been in garbage time. Not a good argument.

The Colts have let up when they had a big lead.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I've had the misfortune of dating a Colts fan up until the weekend before last, and had to endure her incessant ranting of how good they are while watching them play almost every weekend. The only difference I see is that the Colts offense isn't nearly as Prolific. They don't score as easily as the Patriots. I have yet to see a game where they tried to run the clock out on an opponent.

Anyhow, we'll see this weekend. Either way, I'm sure it will be one hell of a game.

 

[AtlCB]

Not really, but you could try.



Possibly, but lets not forget that the Patriots dismantling of those teams palys a large part in where the casual fan views them. Without the point the Pats put up, some of those teams looks much better (sans the bengals, whose defense might be the worst I've ever seen). The dolphins just played a close game with what most people are calling the best team in the NFC. The Bills damn near beat us. etc..

The four teams mentioned are horrible even if you take away the Patriots loss. The Bills are probably the best of the bunch, but would you really pick any of these teams to beat the Texans or Saints? How about the Jaguars, Titans, or Panthers?

I just don't buy into the strength of schedule argument. It's weak.

You look at the point differential in a vaccuum and put more weight into that argument?

Actually, it is equally misleading that most of the points that the Patriots have alowed this season have been in garbage time. Not a good argument.

The same garbage time where the Patriots are throwing long bombs to Moss and going for it on 4th down?

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I've had the misfortune of dating a Colts fan up until the weekend before last, and had to endure her incessant ranting of how good they are while watching them play almost every weekend. The only difference I see is that the Colts offense isn't nearly as Prolific. They don't score as easily as the Patriots. I have yet to see a game where they tried to run the clock out on an opponent.

Anyhow, we'll see this weekend. Either way, I'm sure it will be one hell of a game.

You must have missed the last two Colts games. I want to see the Colts win more, because the Pats organization is the most classless group in the NFL. I think both teams are very close. I believe the Colts haven't been as prolific on offense due to the level of competition. It's easier to score at will against the Dolphins, Jets, and Bills than the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars.

 

[tomson75]

The four teams mentioned are horrible even if you take away the Patriots loss. The Bills are probably the best of the bunch, but would you really pick any of these teams to beat the Texans or Saints? How about the Jaguars, Titans, or Panthers?

I think you're right. However, I think they are all poor to average teams, none of which are really the caliber team that I would brag about beating...with the exception of the Patriots rather convincing win over the Cowboys.

You look at the point differential in a vaccuum and put more weight into that argument?

No, I don't look at it in a vacuum. Which is why I stated I don't put much wieght into either argument. I do, however, think that the point differential argument has more legs than the strength of schedule argument.

The same garbage time where the Patriots are throwing long bombs to Moss and going for it on 4th down?

Yes, the same garbage time. Which is why I said it was equally misleading, and that the 29 point differential could go either way. They keep putting up points in the fourth, but garbage time is also where other teams have put up the most points against them.

You must have missed the last two Colts games. I want to see the Colts win more, because the Pats organization is the most classless group in the NFL. I think both teams are very close. I believe the Colts haven't been as prolific on offense due to the level of competition. It's easier to score at will against the Dolphins, Jets, and Bills than the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars.

I did miss the last two colts games, so I can't speak for them. It wasn't worth hanging out with that woman for another day. The previous weeks, however, I did watch.

I dislike the Patriots as much as you do, believe me. I'm on the fence with the whole "running up the scoreboard" thing, but there are plenty of other reasons to dislike them. I'm sure I don't need to elaborate. It's just my opinion, as much as I hate to say it, that the Patriots may be in a class by themselves when it comes to winning. I think the Colts and the Cowboys are close, but not as dominant. Any given sunday, I think either team can beat them, but in a series...the Pats win 3 out of 4. For now...