Controversial sports mouthpiece Stephen A. Smith is clearly well-known for voicing outrageous opinions in search of column inches and attention. Usually, he does so with the ambition of rocking the boat and angering individual players or coaches, but on this occasion, his latest claim is less bombastic than normal.
Smith believes that the New England Patriots, who are in red-hot form of late, are now a genuine Super Bowl contender, and to be honest, he’s not far off the mark. Clearly, Bill Belichick’s side fell in a big way once Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay and last season was nothing short of disastrous, but in 2021 things are looking up at the Gillette Stadium.
Now, if you are looking for the New England Patriots best odds to win the Super Bowl, then you will probably find a price of around (+1400), which is just long enough to warrant a wager, and those odds could have been even steeper when you consider the season started poorly for the Pats.
Without Brady last season, the Patriots were led by an average Cam Newton, and they ended with their first losing campaign in almost 20 years. Newton was forced out, and now it’s Mac Jones who is starting to deliver the goods and has one of the highest completion percentages in the NFL right now.
The Patriots were 2-4 after six but have turned it around, and Smith believe that the impetus for the turnaround lies in their defense;
“Right now, they are, I have to confess,” Smith said Friday on ESPN show “First Take.” “Here’s the deal: The Patriots defense is what does it for me. I’m looking at them and see (Kyle) Van Noy, (Devin) McCourty, (J.C.) Jackson and they’re the No. 2 ranked defense in the league. They are No. 2 against the pass and No. 2 against the rush. These boys are legit in that regard. So, for me, that’s what stands out.”
Smith went on to expand on the matter;
“I’m looking at the Patriots and saying, what wins in the playoffs, particularly when you have to travel? It’s defense and the run game, and they have both — that’s what stands out. What’s going to stand in their way? Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen could potentially stand in their way. Know what my problem is with all three guys? They’re all young and have to go against Bill Belichick. Patrick Mahomes did it (and won) the year (the Chiefs) went to the Super Bowl. … Belichick’s defense has given Mahomes a rough go of it from time to time. Belichick is a genius coaching on that sideline. He knows what he’s doing.”
As Smith’s rants’ go, this is one of his more measured and accurate displays and it’s hard to argue with his assertions. When it comes to topping the AFC East, week 13 will see the Patriots travel to Buffalo, and that will be a key encounter, and right now, the form book is well and truly with Belichick’s men. Their 25-0 clubbing of the Atlanta Falcons was especially pleasing and capped off a five straight winning streak that they’ll want to continue.
The rest of their schedule looks very favorable, and Patriots fans have every reason to be optimistic about what their side could achieve this season.