Why the New England Patriots won't win the Super Bowl

[Betfair]

Why the New England Patriots won't win the Super Bowl

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Patriots, yet they boast the best record in the league (14-2) and the honour of starting the playoffs as a 2.94 favourite to win the whole thing. The Contrarian's not having it, though...

The Super Bowl is often a tournament for underdogs.

In none of the last six seasons has the team with the best regular season record won the Super Bowl (including the Patriots' unforgettable shock loss to the Giants in February 2008, when they went unbeaten all the way to the final game, then folded like cardboard.) Four of the last five Super Bowls were also won by the finalist that won fewer games in the regular season. In the only one that went to form it took a last minute touchdown for Pittsburgh to avoid one of the greatest ever Super Bowl shocks against the Arizona Cardinals.

They're inexperienced.

In the playoffs the speed and intensity increases significantly from the regular season, and New England have key players, particularly at running back and cornerback, who have yet to experience this. This is not a veteran-heavy defense like the Pats had when they were winning Super Bowls early last decade, and a less experienced defense is more prone to making mistakes at key moments.

They match up poorly with Baltimore.

The Ravens, New England's most likely play-off opponents, have twice traveled to Foxboro since last January. The results were a resounding Ravens 33-14 playoff win and a 23-20 Patriots overtime win this past October in which Baltimore outplayed New England for three quarters before melting down in the fourth. Baltimore's physical defense can knock the smaller New England receivers off their routes and they're also effective at rushing the passer with four players, which allows seven to drop into coverage. This is the only way to stop Tom Brady, who makes such quick decisions that he kills defenses who try to blitz him (he gets the ball off before blitzing players get to him, and the fewer players in coverage leave receivers open).
There's a theory in the NFL that good teams who get blown out perform very well against the same opponent the next time the teams meet.

Continued:
Why the New England Patriots won't win the Super Bowl : NFL : Betfair.net

[Sweetleaf22]

[Serafino]

Why the New England Patriots WILL win the superbowl?
Because they can.