The Patriots are pretty much already in the Super Bowl. They are the only really good team in the AFC.
Let’s put it this way, there are 5 teams in the NFC that have better records than every AFC team that isn’t New England.
The Pats have played a ridiculously weak schedule.
1
Sep08
Steelers 03 Patriots 33
2
Sep15
at Patriots 43 Dolphins 00
3
Sep22
Jets 14 Patriots 30
4
Sep29
at Patriots 16 Bills 10
5
Oct06
at Patriots 33 Redskins 07
6
Oct10
Giants 14 Patriots 35
7
Oct21
at Patriots 33 Jets 00
8
Oct27
Browns 13 at patriots 27
Compare to the Raiders schedule
Broncos 16 Raiders 24
2
Sep15
Chiefs 28 Raiders 10
3
Sep22
at Raiders 14 Vikings 34
4
Sep29
at Raiders 31 Colts 24
5
Oct06
Bears 21 Raiders 24
6
Bye Week
7
Oct20
Raiders 24 at Packers 42
8
Raiders 24 at Texans 27
The talk radio chatter here in Boston has pretty much taken a trip to Super Bowl 54 as a given, and is concentrating on 19-0 vs not 19-0, and Brady’s 2020 destination.
Please stop with the lazy OPs.
They usually do. They are in the easiest division in the NFL over the past couple of decades, though the Bills look decent this year. But they’re usually guaranteed 6 very winnable games a year.
The difference this year is that suddenly they have a fantastic defense to go along with their traditionally good offense.
I think you can debate which of the three teams is better; Patriots, Saints, or Niners. But in the AFC even factoring in their easy record the Patriots are scary good.
The only question left is who they will beat in the Super Bowl. I think NFC teams may start tanking games so it doesn’t turn out to be them.
My dream scenario is the 18-0 49ers (with Garoppolo) vs the 18-0 Pats, playing in Miami. Besides the great storylines, it would mean we’re guaranteed that someone would finally make the 1974 Dolphins STFU.
It would be even better if Miami pulls off the perfectly futile 0-16 in the same season. Extra credit if Cinncinnati is 0-14 when they meet in the second to last week of the regular season for a battle of the train wrecks.
I’d like it better if both teams go 0-15-1.
It’s interesting that almost their entire schedule so far is bad teams, and the one good team played them pretty close. I think it leaves open the question of whether they’re great or merely very good and beating up on bad teams. That question will be answered in the coming weeks.
Getting there is one thing, but winning it is entirely another. I look at the 49ers, Saints, and Packers and see teams that probably should beat them. Brady is an awesome first ballot Hall of Fame caliber QB, but those teams have awesome QBs of their own.
Except, of course, it was the 1972 Dolphins that had the undefeated season, capped by the victory over the Skins in Super Bowl VII on January 14, 1973.
Sure, they can shut up too! 
You’re somewhat getting your wish. 
Football’s toll: At least eight members of 1972 Dolphins affected by cognitive impairment
/buzzkill
[Moderating]
Agreed. If you have something to say, then say it. If you don’t have anything to say, then don’t say it. Any further OPs provided without discussion will be closed.
As the writer of the article wrote Baltimore could surprise and K.C. could be a factor once P.M. returns but if the Patriots gain home field then I don’t think it’ll matter.
I think there are 10 N.F.C. teams that will be vying for a playoff spot through Week 17. Deciding which one is going to make it to the S.B. is a bit of a crap shoot. Right now I’d lay money down on San Francisco first and “Nawlins” 2nd with G.B., the Rams, and Seattle in the next tier.
The Vikings are good(?) too, kind of, or sometimes they play like they’re good, so I’d count them as contenders as well.
I find it more difficult to watch football with unbridled enjoyment knowing the price the players are inevitably going to pay. I don’t wish that on anyone.
Eh. They may end up being a factor but I don’t have much faith in that franchise (for me, going 40+ years without even getting to a S.B., let alone winning one, will do that).