Which Segment of the Season Will Be the Toughest?

[Sportswriter79]

Some writers say the schedule is easier this year, but have you noticed that from Nov 8 through Dec 6 we play the Colts, Titans, Colts & Jags - 4 divisional opponents in a row! (Try to find another NFL team that does that.)

While this season definitely starts off more fan-friendly than last year, which of these segments of the season do you think will be toughest?


1. THE FIRST MONTH: Sept 13 thru Oct 4 - Jets(h), Titans(a), Jags(h), Raiders(h). 3 out of 4 games in Reliant.

2. THE LONG ROAD TRIP: Oct 11 thru Nov 8 - Cards(a), Bengals(a), 49ers(h), Bills(a), Colts(a). 4 out of 5 games are away. Road trip ends with the Colts.

3. THE FINAL DIVISION GAMES: Nov 23 - Dec 6 - Titans(h), Colts(h), Jags(a). 3 consecutive AFC South Divisional games.

4. THE BATTLE FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT: Dec 13 thru Jan 3 - Seahawks(h), Rams(a), Dolphins(a), Patriots(h).

[zanth91]

We need to continue to improve in the division as well as on the road.

[TLW]

The long road trip games.

[A-B]

Battle for a playoff spot b/c the Pats do not want to have another 11-5 season and be sitting at the house come playoff time. I fully expect them to bring their A game and that is going to be a tough one.

[TK_Gamer]

I mentioned before in another thread I think the best chance for us this year is to have a good start and win the lion share of the division games and win the division. Then the last games against the Pats and the Phins won't matter as much because we wont be fighting for a wildcard.

[TLW]

Battle for a playoff spot b/c the Pats do not want to have another 11-5 season and be sitting at the house come playoff time. I fully expect them to bring their A game and that is going to be a tough one.

I had forgotten they had such a good record and didn't make the playoffs last year. That must have left a nasty taste in their mouths. They'll be gunning this year.

[A-B]

They will win their division, The Phins won games with the wild cat formations, it won't happen this year. I hope we would have made the play offs before we play New England. That way we will be playing them relaxed. We need to make a statement by beating them in that last game.

I know one game the fins didnt win with the wildcat last year!;)

[mike gomez]

I dont think we have to worry about the Pats, I think Brady will be hurt by then.

[RichieVar]

With Rex Ryan now in the same division as the Dolphins, he should be able to shut down the wildcat. Remember when the Dolphins tried it against the Ravens, they pretty much made the wildcat useless against them by blitzing and holding certain lanes so there was no where for Brown to go. Other teams will see that and use that same strategy to shut down the wildcat as well.

[Houston Texans_]

WOHOOO 1 of 3..I think we will playing for a playoff berth

[srstex]

The first month with out a doubt. 0-4 will not cut it, 1-3 won't either. If we have learned anything over the last few years, it's that a good start is a must for a playoff run. Yeah, I know there are teams that put together that great 10 win run at the end of the year to get in. But, wouldn't it be great to be in the driver's seat for a change.

[Se7en]

In my opinion having 3 AFC south games so close together is going to be a little rough. We MUST do well during this stretch in order to solidify our spot on the top of the South.

[HJam72]

Our road record sucks and, while it will hopefully improve some, I still see that "road trip" as the toughest part. The good news is that I see the that 3 division game series at the end as a big part of why we go 4-2 in our division this year! Barring major injury problems, we will just about dominate at home this year. The road trip is likely to be the only part of our season that doesn't have the media on our jock for a change.

The bad news is we go on the road in the playoffs and lose in week 1.

[infantrycak]

3. THE FINAL DIVISION GAMES: Nov 23 - Dec 6 - Titans(h), Colts(h), Jags(a). 3 consecutive AFC South Divisional games.

It is actually four division games in the row with one at Indy on 11/8 and then a bye week before the stretch you mention. Never seen that kind of stretch before. That is the key stretch IMO as it is double duty adding W's to our record and L's to division opponents in a division that looks like it could end up with a 10-11 win scrum at the end of the season.

[Sportswriter79]

It is actually four division games in the row with one at Indy on 11/8 and then a bye week before the stretch you mention. Never seen that kind of stretch before. That is the key stretch IMO as it is double duty adding W's to our record and L's to division opponents in a division that looks like it could end up with a 10-11 win scrum at the end of the season.

Yes, there are four division games in a row. That is the single factor that makes this season's schedule much tougher than it appears at first glance. When I separated out the the schedule for this post I just decided to put the first Colts game in the road trip segment.

[edo783]

Yes, there are four division games in a row. That is the single factor that makes this season's schedule much tougher than it appears at first glance. When I separated out the the schedule for this post I just decided to put the first Colts game in the road trip segment.

Absolutely. The season will be won or lost during that 4 game run IMO. I do think we will come out the other side in good shape though.

[raginbull]

the stretch where we see buffalo in week 8 followed by the colts in week 9. A well placed bye week in week 10 then we see the titans in week 11 and colts in week 12. this stretch will be the deciding factor in our playoff hopes! as far as the pats go they will have the division wrapped up before week 17 and will probably be resting starters. like them odds!:D