Gwedd

Heh.. I like that.

I also like your post. Good write up. Would that some of the professional writers out there would also start to use facts rather than quick observations.

My own assessment of the game was that it compared very well with the Superbowl against the Packers. We got behind, started to catch up, and then that bassid Desmond Howard ran a kickoff back. Just killed us. I was having flashbacks to that game all through the Jets game.

I have to say that, more than any mental mistakes, more than any dropped balls, allowing a runback for a TD was what killed us. If the Patriots stop that runback, we win. Plain and simple.

Respects,

BlitzFritz

I am down with the 6-0 bandwagon....not logically, just emotionally.

It is totally possible -- beat miami and pittsburgh, then 4 soft games, finish 12-4.

As for the causes of the Indy and Jets close losses, I find all of our detailed analyses interesting. But in the end, the game comes down to a few plays. One weak link, and we lose. No weak links, someone makes a play, and we win. We used to OWN the last 5 minutes, think back to that long run over 2003-2004.

My own view is that we are missing some key veterans, and we have a lot more youth on the team. They screw up sometimes.

But that is why i feel ok. These rookies and this team are getting better.

I'm looking for the 6-0 end of season run (like 2001).

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"If you counted out the Patriots, you just don't get it." Adam Schein, September 2008

“We are building a big, strong, fast, smart, tough and disciplined football team that. consistently competes for championships.” Guess who.

NEPatriot

We have to win all 6 games to have a spot in a playoff game and hang on to our AFC East title.

Wendel

Uh yeah, we haven't even won 3 straight games this year yet we're going to triple our current longest streak (2 games) with 2 of our toughest opponents of the season (Steelers/Cardinals) still to go?

This team will be lucky to go 3-3 at this point.

Bad teams like the Chiefs lose games they should win, the Patriots have done this 2 weeks in a row. The Chiefs "should" be 4-5 and still in a division hunt, but alas their season is over. The Patriots "should" be 8-2 and in a #1 seed hunt, alas they will probably miss the playoffs.

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The Lawfirm

272 Yards (5 TDs)

richpats

Good observation. No matter what positives we take away from those 2 games (and there are a good deal of them), there were still critical mistakes that were made. Personally I think this team can play with any team in the league, but some of these situational blunders make me wonder whether they have what it takes to go far in the playoffs. Hopefully we turn the tide in Miami.

Pat the Pats Fan

Jsn, good write up as usual. Agree with your comments.

To me, the Pats didn't get beat in either of these games.

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TB3 is now just TB. Tedy and Troy for Pat's HOF!!

blackglass3

Should we still bench Matt Cassel? And maybe we can get the mods to unlock the genius "Disapproval of Matt Cassel" thread you started a few weeks ago.

Every time the Pats lose a game you start looking over the side of the bandwagon for a soft spot to land when you jump off. It's almost at the point where I hope they don't make the playoffs so jagoffs like you go cheer for the Titans or Giants or whatever flavor of the week the media will be on the jock of in January.

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...do SOMETHING besides rolling over and dying like we do in every big game we've played ever since Pees took over as DC.

darkone

In years past, Arizona might be considered soft but not this year. It is at home but still ..... I would say 3 tough games and 3 easier games (although Buffalo may be tight as well). Only because BB is the coach, does this team have a shot at 6-0, and also because Ariz. and Pitt. are at home.

At this point, I would say at Miami and at Buffalo will be tough division games on the road with a lot at stake for both teams. The Patriots will split these. (1-1) They will also split the Arizona and Pittsburgh games (1-1). They should win against Oakland and Seattle, barring miscues (2-0). So, I think 4-2 is most reasonable, and who they lose to will determine their WC status if any.

JoeSixPat

Not a bad recap JSN - but let me simplify even more.

Every defense and every offense has one or two bad plays in every game.

Every officiating crew makes mistakes in every game as well.

Sometimes those mistakes are inconsequential and hardly noticed.

Sometimes those mistakes happen at the most inopportune times and have a major impact on the outcome of the game.

In the Patriots case, there were a few calls and a few plays both the defenese and officiating crew would prefer to do over - and that was the difference in the game.

fumbrunner

Agreed. The analysis is good and all that, but the fact of the matter is two key plays lost the game for the Pats. The call on Vrabel, where we would have held them to a field goal, and the 3rd and 15 in overtime. Stops on either of those would have put us in a position to win the game.