SVN

you do realize that the pats are the worst in the league in stops on 3rd down ...right ? until that last 3 drives of the 4th quarter and overtime our 3rd down defense was nowhere to be found and this isnt flacco .So chargers may have struggled on 3rd down but they will be better against our D for sure...
Regarding STL, they are much better outfit than people think. People are going on last yr's record but this is a different team and they were playing at home in front of their crowd which was a big advantage especially in disrupting the chargers o-line. Chargers wont have any such issues at home IMO.

TBradyOwnsYou

When you are playing from behind and have repeated offensive drives because of ST TDs, your offense's stats tend to be padded. I'd stick with the 2-4 record as a more decisive account of your team.

Now this is pretty delusional. Even after our 5 stops in a row last week to win the game we're STILL 32nd in the league in allowing 3rd down conversions. I still expect Rivers to march down the field on us, tearing up our secondary. However, I think we dominate on STs and our offense gives us a buffer zone allowing our defense to play soft and prevent Rivers from throwing deep as he loves, maybe even causing an INT or two.

DaBruinz

I think the 5 stops in a row speak to a level of maturity and consistency that the 3rd down defense is beginning to achieve. The question will be whether the defense can bring that consistency and maturity into this game. I think they will.

Over the last 2 games, the Pats defense has matured significantly. I believe that the younger guys are showing a lot more confidence in their understanding of the defense and understanding that they need to execute the way they've been shown.

Rivers isn't going to have Floyd as his top receiver and Crayton is best out of the slot. That leaves Buster Davis or Legendu Nanee as the top WR. Nanee has the speed, but not the route running ability. And Davis isn't 100% healthy.

As for Gates, there is a huge question as to whether or not he'll play and just how effective he'll be if he does. Randy McMichael is a good pass-catching TE, but he's 2-3 rungs below Gates' level.

I think that the Pats can shut down this offense. I don't think they have the weapons to hurt the Pats as much as if they had Jackson, Floyd, and a healthy Gates and Mathews.

A.C Vegas

I am expecting at least a blocked kick or kick return for the pats if not both of them.

The Chargers need a lot more help then people think but always make a late year run adn i think they will finish 9-7 and lose the West in a tiebreaker to KC

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TBradyOwnsYou

Ya don't get me wrong, I think we're growing and getting better each and every game, but each week is a new test where we must attempt to learn consistancy if we truly want to be a dominant team. We are playing too many good teams down the stretch, and in to the playoffs, that continuing to allow offenses to walk all over us for most of a game will burn us bad enough that even a few critical stops at the end of the game won't be enough for us to come back.

BlueThunder

My guess is that the Offense will have to put up 24+ points to beat the Boltz...

Kid~Brady

you rock

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redsx8827

I don't think it's delusional. The Patriots are 4-1 despite a 32nd ranked 3rd down Defense. The chargers are 2-4 in part because of a poor 3rd down offense, among other things

This charger's fans point was that 'hey we're #1 in yards on offense and defense and soon enough, probably this week vs NE, our scoring numbers will correctly reflect the yards gained/given up on defense." What i'm saying is that the chargers gain yards, but cant consistently convert on 3rd down. I think there will continue to be a huge inconsistence with the high number of yards they gain and the relatively few points they score. I think this will remain true because of their poor 3rd down offense. it's the way their offensive personnel is set-up that both allows them to have explosive plays that garner long yards, yet not convert consistently enough on 3rd down to score touchdowns as often as the Patriots. So, ignoring our 3rd down defense is not delusional on my part. Our team is playing well even if our 3rd down D sucks. if it continues to improve, like we all expect it to and like we are all seeing in recent play, then our team can be a super bowl contender. But that's not the point here.

DaBruinz

With the Bolts top 2 WR likely not playing on Sunday and with Gates playing injured, who is going to provide the offense for them? Crayton?