teamplay

I'm reading all the post-game threads and this question surfaces: If this game was played 9 more times under identical circumstances (dome, flu, etc.), how many W's do the Pats take home?

Think before you answer...

I say the Pats would win 3 or 4 out of 10. We were just a few frustrating plays away last night, but these teams are both great. One key point about each team:

Pats: a lot of patchwork this season...expertly managed...but against an excellent team, those things get exposed.

Colts: The O matured, as someone said. But the BIG change was that Dungy finally got his small, fast D playing like the Tampa Bay team. I thought they'd get exploited in the playoffs. That they didn't is a scary thought for the future.

Bottom line: the Colts at the end of the season are a more complete and balanced team. The Pats has some holes to fill this off-season. My hats off to both teams.

richpats

I say none. The Pats would have never gone up 21-3 if played a million more times. If not for some spectacular plays by the secondary, the Colts would have gotten a big lead early. Make no mistake, Peyton was on target for most of the day, he just didn't convert it into points until the 2nd half.

upstater1

None?

Well, the last time we played in the RCA dome, the Patriots went up by a similar score, and almost blew the game in the same way. The only difference is we had a healthy defense on the field at the end.

chunkypony

I couldnt agree more. I think that was the 1 in 10 chance that the pats would win that game. And they still didnt win. The play of Hobbs and Samuel early on, as well as the run defense in the first half were the keys, and the run defense needed to continue to be stout. When that did not happen, in combination with other things, lead to the demise of the team last night.

Snarf

Peyton's frickin good.

Pats were simply outplayed.

They could have won if the luck had broken on their side, but... it didnt.

MoLewisrocks

The thing you miss is THIS TEAM never played in the RCA Dome before. That was another team and overall a better built team than the one we ultimately fielded this now past season.

richpats

Ironic the reversal in score from that game. I knew even when up 21-3, the Colts would rally. The Pats were fortunate to even be up that much. I believe a closer game would have favored the Pats, though. The offense and defense would have been a little more focused rather than trying to sit on an 18 point lead.

pao

Honest question, no trolling. Ask the same question about the Charger game the week before. It would be interesting to hear your answers.

pao

WestPat

I would say NE wins 5/10, because the lack of experience from the chargers squad will always be there...oh yeah and Marty and his dumb decisions.

upstater1

It all depends on whether the coaches have knowledge from the previous game. If not, then I expect the Patriots to do well.

Also, we could adjust from that offensive formation we came out of.