Injuries can turn a team around in a hurry, just ask Oakland who appears to be without Carr for at least two games.  The Chiefs lose Smith for a four game stretch and they could suddenly be out of the playoff hunt.  Ditto if injuries hit Denver, specifically on the defense.  With NE, I'm pretty surprised that they haven't gotten the defense worked out.  Usually they don't go three and four games in row with things in disarray.  They tend to get them turned around fairly quickly.  To me, their defense looks like a complete mess and something that might not get completely turned around all year.