The AFC to me is pretty fascinating this year with how banged up the Patriots could be. If I thought they were healthy they would be the only team who could win the Conference. But I have doubts about health to a lot of key guys which opens it up to the point where any team is a Joe Flacco like run from being able to go thru.
The last time I saw Brady walk that gingerly as he did from that press conference on Sunday was when he went off the field in week one of the 2008 season. He'll start for sure when they play next, but Peyton Manning looked just fine until the St.Louis Rams racked him up at mid season last year. Ever since he hasn't been the same guy physically. Brett Farve...after the bounty gate game against the Saints, there was a noticeable decline in him physically. Will we see the same thing in Tom Brady in two weeks? As much as Edelman should be back, how recovered and effective will he be? Will Amendola be as good timing wise? The Patriot passing game will be challenged with their O-Line issues and if these guys aren't running as precise as they usually do, and Brady's throws aren't in the same rhythm, their offence loses a fair bit.
Pittsburgh has the QB that the other teams seem to be lacking. But they don't have the defence the Cincinatti, Denver, Houston, and Kansas City do.
The McCarron situation is quite intriguing....if he beats Pittsburgh, how do you go away from him the next week?
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"Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
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