Best team in the NFL now?

[Dave Gray]

I think you could argue that New England is the team to beat, after the way they handled the Texans.  Everyone else looks very beatable.

[TonyB0D]

Patriots.  I hate those asshats.

[Landshark]

They remind me of the Yankees and Bulls of the 90s.  Always finding that second wind late in the season

[Sunstroke]

49ers

...with the option to revisit the question after this weekend's Patriots-49ers game.

[Cathal]

Anyone who doubts the Patriots in any game is crazy. They will always be the best team so long as Brady and Bellicheck are there.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Patriots

...with the option to revisit the question after this weekend's Patriots-49ers game.

(this weeks game is huge)

[Brian Fein]

I think the Patriots are beatable.  You need to win it up-front though.  Stop the run and pressure Brady.

Don't be fooled by the margins of victory.  They might beat the Jets by 100, doesn't make them the best team. 

I never bought into Houston either, FWIW.

I think Atlanta is going to make the playoffs very interesting.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I think the Patriots are beatable.  You need to win it up-front though.  Stop the run and pressure Brady.

Don't be fooled by the margins of victory.  They might beat the Jets by 100, doesn't make them the best team. 

I never bought into Houston either, FWIW.

I think Atlanta is going to make the playoffs very interesting.

Of course NE is beatable.  Every team is.  What I like about NE is that they are playing their best football right now.  In 2007 they were blowing out opponents in Sept/Oct, but in Nov/Dec barely squeaking by mediocre teams.  This year they are improving each week.  Big test this week against the 49rs. 

Atlanta has the best record in the NFL, but have only played one team that is +2 over .500 and that was week 2 before Denver and Peyton was hitting on on cylinders.  And have struggled against not so good teams.  This weeks test against Giants is huge.

Right now, I would say the two best teams in the NFC are 49rs and Packers.  The two best in the AFC are NE & Denver.  Even though in all odds none of them will be the one seed in their Conf. 

 

[EKnight]

Brady is quietly going to win another MVP, IMO. It's unfair how good they are playing right now. I'd wager they would be a TD favorite against anyone in the AFC if the playoffs started now. With the way Atlanta got drubbed by Cam last week, I think they're one and done in the playoffs. -EK

[Brian Fein]

I disagree.  I think Houston is a better team than San Fran, and they got by easily.

However, I think San Fran matches up better against NE than Houston does, because their strengths are in their defensive front-seven.  That's the formula.  It'll be interesting to see the Smith brothers attack Brady and see who wins that battle.

[Phishfan]

I disagree.  I think Houston is a better team than San Fran, and they got by easily.

However, I think San Fran matches up better against NE than Houston does, because their strengths are in their defensive front-seven.  That's the formula.  It'll be interesting to see the Smith brothers attack Brady and see who wins that battle.

Houston is pretty nasty up front also. I'm not sure San Fran is all that much better overall.

[Brian Fein]

Outside of JJ Watt, I don't see much up front that strikes fear into their opponents.  I may be talking crazy, though.  I admittedly don't know a ton about Houston's defense.

[Thundergod]

Been on New England's bandwagon for quite some time. Picked 'em for the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year, and I aint backni' down! 

[masterfins]

There are four or five teams that could win on any given sunday, or saturday, but the Pats are picking up steam.

[Sunstroke]

Outside of JJ Watt, I don't see much up front that strikes fear into their opponents.  I may be talking crazy, though.  I admittedly don't know a ton about Houston's defense.

I really like Whitney Mercilus, and not just because "Mercilus" is an awesome name for a linebacker. I also like Johnathan Joseph in their D-backfield. Houston definitely has a solid defense, but...

Houston is pretty nasty up front also. I'm not sure San Fran is all that much better overall.

...San Francisco's front seven is at least a notch or two better than Houston's, imo... but where SF really trumps Houston are the units that are facing those front sevens, the O-lines. San Francisco has easily the best O-line in the league (per both pro football focus and football outsiders rankings), and might have one of the best run-blocking lines "ever." If we're talking about trench warfare between Houston and San Francisco, SF wins going away.