Stephen A. Smith makes statement on Patriots' Super Bowl chances

He answered the question when appearing on First Take , following the Patriots ' 45-17 blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. That lopsided performance came after the Patriots upset the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park in the previous week. "The answer to this question, the Patriots are obviously Super Bowl contenders. There's no doubt about that," said Smith. "You go into a game last night, you got Carlton Davis III out, you got Christian Gonzalez out, okay? Plus, you were down three other starters. A.J. Brown is out. Mack Hollins is out.