I think the gap still remains the same - their strongest asset, their D has taken some steps back with the lack of a proven, effective pass-rush and some of their players are also getting long in the tooth, on that side of the ball.
However, on the offensive side of the ball, Garrard seems to have the swagger, leadership and talent to finally provide some spark for their inept offense. I actually like Garrard and think he is, unfortunately for us, a winner and a million times better than Fatty McButterpants (wonder where he'll end up?). Plus the addition of Ronald Curry looks to shore up that dreadful WR corps.
Either way, they always play us hard. Speaking of beating each other up - it still aches me how badly we mauled the Chargers, only to lose that game in the play-offs and wind up serving them to the Pats on a platter. I think in that game we knocked out LT, Rivers and Gates - that must've been a dream for the Pats.