BoTown

Note: This is me getting some thoughts out about my feelings about this season. Sorry because I know we get a bunch of these threads around here. But I wanted to share this with you guys because more than anyone else, you would understand. I post this in a general sports/NFL forum and all I would get is venom from others.

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Count me among those who feel the Jets were the best matchup for the Pats for the divisional round. Their quarterback is awful and the Pats have gotten the better of the Rex Ryan-era Jets in Foxboro every time. I'm not lacking for confidence. But the possibility, as remote as it may seem, that the season could potentially end for us on Sunday strikes fear in me.

Now, don't get me wrong. We all know what's at stake every time the Pats are in the playoffs: win or go home. That concept has never changed.

But personally, I have cherished this year's Patriots team so much that it would sadden me to see it end now. Not necessarily because they would fall short of expectations. After all, those expectations were fairly low, even within New England, going into the season. No, not for expecting a championship. But rather, because this team has been just so damn fun to watch each and every game.

Yes, every season is unique. But this one really stands out to me. 1996 was pretty fun, though I admit I don't remember a whole lot of the regular season, I missed too many games. 2001 was crazy and I couldn't believe it was happening as it was unfolding. It was pretty surreal. That's the closest thing I've felt to how I feel about this season. 2007 was special too, but it wasn't as much fun for me. It felt more personal. I couldn't talk to non-Pats fans because of all the Spygate crap. I wasn't allowed to enjoy any of those wins without asterisk this or cheating that or blah blah blah. Then when they fell short in that horrible final game, everyone else on those forums rejoiced at my expense and nobody sympathized. I never felt so bitter about a whole season. I had too much invested emotionally.

But with this 2010 team, it's different. It really is. Sure, I'll be disappointed if they fall short of Brady getting his fourth ring. But that won't change the fact that I really enjoyed this team and this season. Watching the kids grow up before our very eyes. Watching Belichick and Brady put on an absolute clinic as leaders and mentors. So many great moments that there are too many to list and single out. Just pure, genuine joy.

I have a colleague at work who is anti-Boston, and he asked me my thoughts about the playoffs. I told him quite simply I don't want it to end yet for the Patriots, that I'm having too much fun. He said I had plenty of fun in 2007, 16-0 team and such. I told him that wasn't fun, it was too personal and not getting the last laugh ruined it for me. That taught me never to take any Patriots game for granted. I told him that 2010 isn't anything like that, and that it's more about the journey than the destination, and it's true.

We're approaching that destination, which is only a few short weeks away. This has been the most fun and enjoyable Patriots season of my life, and like all of you, I don't want it to end. But it has to end at some point, and I just hope that when it does, that it's concluded with a victory parade in the streets of Boston.

Looking forward to Sunday, with hopefully another game to follow.

maseehpat

I couldn't agree more. What a stark contrast to last season, which was relatively joyless.

This group of guys is so special. They've pulled out pretty much every close game of the year, and at least 5 or 6 times I've run around my apartment screaming and jumping in joy as the Pats manage to pull it out. (I dream of doing the same on February 6)

Because of what happened in 2007, it makes me realize anything can happen in the playoffs. All it takes is a muffed punt, etc to ruin an entire season. I pray this won't be the case. What gives me some confidence is the amount and depth of preparation these players and coaches partake in.

At the end of the day...we are so lucky to have three Superbowls. BUT it feels like we could've had many more. If Brady doesn't throw that Bailey pick in Denver, we host the AFCCG against a team we had beaten and play an OK seattle team. If we just make one of many plays against the Colts in 06, we play the Bears and win convincingly IMHO. 2007 speaks for itself. We could've done really special things in 08 with that schedule had it not been for Pollard. It really feels like Brady should have 5 rings (at least).

Because of that, and the great vibe of this team, it kind of feels like we are due. The last five years have been full of so many near misses, but I think when you are as consistently great as an organization as the NEP are, bad luck can only derail you for so long.

Lets get em.

Wax Frog

Wrongly assuming, as so many did, that this would indeed be a rebuilding year, I decided from the get-go that I would just enjoy each week as it came, and save my rooting interest for Jets misery (which seemed a safe enough bet). By that measure, Sunday is my Super Bowl - I want my main emotional payoff. In this pleasant surprise of a season, anything else is gravy

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BlueString94

Great post. I was thinking the exact same thing, I love this team. In fact, this year and 2001 are the only years when I'm thinking "you know what, Super Bowl would be awesome, but even if they don't get it, I'm happy how far we've come." We have such a young team that can move forward from the this season, with great draft picks. In the 2001 playoffs, I was thinking how we might've found ourselves a young franchise quarterback.

Sean Pa Patriot

i just dont want it to end vs the jets.... the jets should not be overlooked.. the 2005 colts, blew out the steelers and then faced them in the playoffs.. we all know what happend ... 2007 the giants lost to the cowboys in dec 2007, and beat them in the playoffs... i know the pats are the better coached and qb team,but its not going to be 45-3...


The future is very bright , and the team will be favored to be in the super bowl , the next few years... but to lose to the jets at home, would be a punch in the gut, even though this has been a succesful season...

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We going to take it one game at a time

RayClay

This is the year, every year. Forget that, "oh it's OK because we're young stuff." The season just started and we've got the team. According to the Mayan calendar, this is the last Super Bowl anyway, so none of that stuff about next year, it doesn't exist.

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ausbacker

Honestly, if the awful event occurs and the Patriots lose this weekend I will be in this state..

vat haha

This season is NOT ending this coming Sunday.
This Patriot team couldn't have gotten a better matchup for the first playoff game!
No worries this week. Not even gonna be one of those "down to the wire games".
For the rebuilding Patriots this is just first step to years of competing for more super bowls.
Go Pats!

BlueString94

Lol actually next year will be the last. Dec.. 2012 is when it ends.

And what's wrong with saying its ok cause we're young? As fans, if we have a reason for optimism, we get optimistic, if cautiously optimistic. This season has been a great run, and if doesn't work out, whatever, we'll look ahead. There are a lot of teams that are on the way down.

sevengables_2207

Excellent post. I echo similar sentiments in regard to genuinely liking this team. I enjoy watching them go out there each week and play hard for 60 minutes and execute at an uncanny level of efficiency whilst having fun doing so. The entire team exudes exuberance. It is easy to see that they love playing the game and that the coaches love coaching this team.

I feel that a lot of people are worried about this Sunday because the Jets are the antithesis of the "Patriot Way" and to, dare I say, lose to them would not only signify the end of the season, but also the end of the season at the hands of a team we despise, with a self-centered braggart for a head coach and a roster littered with smack-talking thugs who feel that preparation for an upcoming game involves speaking endlessly to the media about how great you are and how you are going to beat the other team, etc.

I am confident that the 2010 Patriots journey does not end this Sunday in Foxborough. The destination can be glimpsed on the horizon, but there is more road to be tread before it is reached. This team is not there yet, and there is still some more great football left to be enjoyed.

Go Pats!