PATRIOT64

Nice article and a feel good article from Burt about the chances NE can shock the world this year and get the job finished and done in 2008/09

While I am one of millions of Pats fans who think the Pats secondary is simply not good enough for the team to go far this year,Bill puts a different positive approach to what the future may hold for the rest of the season ....

10 reasons the Patriots are in position to finish the job this time - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

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Pat the Pats Fan

Thanks for sharing....

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A sarcastic Bill Belichick on Tom Brady's finger injury, "It's not life threatening."

Fencer

In a typical power ranking, the Pats are 5th-best in the AFC, behind the 3 teams w/ better records and Indy.

The Pats lost in OT to the Jets, who then went and trounced the Titans. If the Pats beat the Steelers next week, with the rapidly-improving Cassel's play holding up, it would be very reasonable to say they're a strong second in the AFC.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that just as Peyton Manning didn't remain a choker, it's quite possible that Favre won't either.

xmarkd400x

Agreed. Although, I can't really get on the "Favre won't throw INTs" bandwagon. The reason Manning threw picks against the Pats was because BB had really good players and a really good scheme. Typically, Manning does not throw INTs. Favre throws INTs because he is Favre, and loves to just chuck it up there like it's a backyard game. I remember 2001 when the Rams played the Packers. Favre cost the Packers the game. Even if the rest of the Packers were all time greats at their positions, the 6 picks Favre threw would have cost them the game.

Favre can certainly hit a sweet spot for a while, maybe even half a season. But when all is said and done he is still a turnover machine.

sieglo

Well, I've been expecting the Jets meltdown for a while and it hasn't happened yet. The team is riding high, and has basically forced the Pats into a position where they will need to win out to even make the playoffs. That's a tough order.

billdog3484

he must not have seen our Defense

richpats

I'm surprised he didn't mention "finishing the job" as one of his reasons. If any team in the history of sports has a reason to "finish the job", it's the '08 Pats.

aluminum seats

But he's having so much fun out there! He's just like a little kid!

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Metaphors

Anyone know the last time an 11-5 team missed the playoffs? If it has happened, it hasn't happened very often. I think the Pats could still lose a game and still be fairly confident about making the playoffs. I know there is a possibility that there are 5 teams with 11+ wins (plus the AFCW winner), but that would be very unlikely. Bear in mind:

- The Jets schedule looks workable, but they will spend the rest of the season alternating coasts...and their home games could be problematic if they lose focus.

- The Colts have won 6 games by less than a touchdown. Kudos to them for winning the close ones but they are hardly locks to finish 11-5 or better with Browns, Jags and Titans left on the schedule.

- The Ravens finish with the Skins, Steelers, Pokes and Jags. Not a stretch to find at least 2 losses there considering they are 1-4 (only win at Miami) against teams with a winning record.

- The Steelers next 4 (at Pats, Pokes, at Ravens, at Titans) are killer and a loss to the Pats would give the Pats the tie-breaker.

I think the Pats have a reasonable shot at the division and would be in fine shape with one more loss (particularly if that loss isn't against the Steelers). Nobody...NO-BA-DEE...wants to see a relatively healthy Pats squad in the playoffs.

Miguel

Since the NFL went to 4 divisions in each conference, there have been 12 11-5 teams. All of them made the playoffs. There have 23 10-6 teams. 3 of them did not make the playoffs.

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