How can PATs win SB XLI? - New England Patriots Forums

JR4 · 12-15-2006, 04:50 PM

I know to many it seems a dream at this point in the season.
Looking at the injuries PATs have and teams like Chargers and Ravens
it seems difficult.
But here are a few thing that I feel need to happen to make it a reality.

1. PATs need to Clinch the Division then get injured starters healthy
and other starters rested if possible.
It would be nice if PATs could clinch this week but that won't happen
without help from the JETs
I'm thinking the PATs will need to win the next two games to be able to
rest starters. They may have to do it without Watson and Wilfork.

2. Three players have to really step up.
Wright for Wifork and Thomas for Watson. This has been in past the time
that second stringers have had a chance to excell and as result PATs
had better depth going into Playoffs.
The third guy is Jackson. I really think he needs to contribute in a big way
if PATs are going to have the fire power to take on teams like Ravens and
Chargers.

3. Rodney needs to be healthy. he will have probably two weeks to knock off the rust.
Can he do it? I am not sold on any of the other Safties.
Hawkins will be fine with Rodney in there. Rodney is crucial to stopping
the run. With Seau gone the run D has not looked good. Rodney can
change that if he is healthy.

4. Other players that need to get healthy and I don't care if they need to rest the next 3 weeks.
Wilfork, Watson, Hobbs, Graham, O'Callaghan.
These guys need to be as close to 100% as possible.

5. PATs need to win the next two games ... especially Jacksonville ... in
order to gain a high degree of confidence. The substitutes need to meld in
and the team need to soldify in the next two weeks.

6. The front seven needs to come together and show they can stop the
run. I was not impressed with Banta Cain last week and I hope there are
changes but I do not know how this unit can play like they did when
Seau was in there. Maybe Rodney is the only hope.

7. PATs need to put it all together and make a strong showing in
wild card weekend. I am really hoping the injury report is empty
at that point.

If all of the above happens I think PATs will have a real good shot. They will
be competitve with Chargers and Ravens. Is this too much to hope for?

MrBigglesWorth · 12-15-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR4

I know to many it seems a dream at this point in the season.
Looking at the injuries PATs have and teams like Chargers and Ravens
it seems difficult.
But here are a few thing that I feel need to happen to make it a reality.

1. PATs need to Clinch the Division then get injured starters healthy
and other starters rested if possible.
It would be nice if PATs could clinch this week but that won't happen
without help from the JETs
I'm thinking the PATs will need to win the next two games to be able to
rest starters. They may have to do it without Watson and Wilfork.

2. Three players have to really step up.
Wright for Wifork and Thomas for Watson. This has been in past the time
that second stringers have had a chance to excell and as result PATs
had better depth going into Playoffs.
The third guy is Jackson. I really think he needs to contribute in a big way
if PATs are going to have the fire power to take on teams like Ravens and
Chargers.

3. Rodney needs to be healthy. he will have probably two weeks to knock off the rust.
Can he do it? I am not sold on any of the other Safties.
Hawkins will be fine with Rodney in there. Rodney is crucial to stopping
the run. With Seau gone the run D has not looked good. Rodney can
change that if he is healthy.

4. Other players that need to get healthy and I don't care if they need to rest the next 3 weeks.
Wilfork, Watson, Hobbs, Graham, O'Callaghan.
These guys need to be as close to 100% as possible.

5. PATs need to win the next two games ... especially Jacksonville ... in
order to gain a high degree of confidence. The substitutes need to meld in
and the team need to soldify in the next two weeks.

6. The front seven needs to come together and show they can stop the
run. I was not impressed with Banta Cain last week and I hope there are
changes but I do not know how this unit can play like they did when
Seau was in there. Maybe Rodney is the only hope.

7. PATs need to put it all together and make a strong showing in
wild card weekend. I am really hoping the injury report is empty
at that point.

If all of the above happens I think PATs will have a real good shot. They will
be competitve with Chargers and Ravens. Is this too much to hope for?

The only way I see them winning the superbowl is if the offense suddenly comes together or they get extremely creative on offense or they play 4 perfect games.

I mean creative like half back passes, points on special teams, fake punts or kicks. I don't see them doing that.

JR4 · 12-15-2006, 05:00 PM

Darn roman numbers .... XLI not XVI ( already played

)

shakadave · 12-15-2006, 09:50 PM

Let's add to this list something about the WRs and something about the O-line.

I honestly wrote my new signature before seeing this thread, but this seems like the perfect place to debut it!

***BelichickFan*** · 12-15-2006, 10:06 PM

Good defense, good running game and quit the turnovers. This could easily be a better version of the 2001 team, not good enough offensively to light up the scoreboard but good enough defensively to keep the game within winning range. I'm not saying it's the same, with Dillon, Maroney, Watson and a veteran Brady it's a better offense than 2001 for sure (when they're all healthy) but the way they can win would be along those lines.

***BelichickFan*** · 12-15-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEM

No huddle offense

Man, watch our passing game. Slants or not, we aren't winning the SB running a no huddle consistently. We need a big time running game and a moderate passing game to go along with it.

***BelichickFan*** · 12-15-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEM

The really strange thing about this year's defensive team. While they have played very well in several games, and have been very instrumental in preserving victories for the offense.....they have yet to score a defensive touchdown...

Safeties, Yes..... but not one TD via returned Interception or returned fumble.

Very unusual.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that because I believe in the law of averages" we are going to see some of those devensive TD's during the final stretch run.

Difficult to disagree as we're tied for 5th/6th in INTs (more likely to go for a TD than fumble recoveries). You would think we would return one if that INT rate continues.

JR4 · 12-15-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

.........This could easily be a better version of the 2001 team, not good enough offensively to light up the scoreboard but good enough defensively to keep the game within winning range..........

Talent wise this team probaly has more than the 2001 team. But there is
one very very big difference ... Belief in themselfs.the plan BB has and
the coaching staff.
This confidence I think has been additionally eroded by the lack of offense,
turnovers and the losses to Miami and the Jets.
In 2001 no one gave them a chance but they believed in BB, his
game plan and the coaches they had.
It may be that the loss of Romeo and Charlie is too big for this team to overcome.
As BB said in his PC he doesn't do very much one on one coaching.
That he leaves to his staff.
But you know his staff is not what it use to be.

***BelichickFan*** · 12-15-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEM

And remember, if I am not wrong, didnt we go quite a few games into the season before we got ONE int, and then had relatively few for several games into the season?

Through 3 games we only had one INT and that one was Bruschi's game ender vs. the Jets on a pseudo hail mary, not a real INT. That was before Samuel got going

***pats1*** · 12-16-2006, 08:48 AM

How can the Pats win the Super Bowl?

Win each of their playoff games.

No need for 7-point "if's."