Patriots getting more vulnerable in playoffs past 3 years - New England Patriots Forums

PATRIOTSFANINPA · 02-04-2008, 03:44 PM

Its apparent that no team is truly worried or scared to play the Patriots in the playoffs anymore - BB and Tom and Co.'s record,While still very good is starting to show a bit of wearing down

2005 - Losing Divisional game to Denver
progressing to
2006 - Losing AFCCG to Indianapolis
progressing to
2007 - Losing Super Bowl to Giants

While the Patriots have progressed thru the past 3 years to get further in the playoffs it is the same result for NE - A loss

Somehow this team is becoming very vulnerable in the playoffs - Big change when we looked at things back in 2004 as if we just had to get to the playoffs to win it all....No more is that the case

the Patriot · 02-04-2008, 03:50 PM

Well if being vulnerable translates to not winning Superbowls then yes. But honestly, winning SBs is against the norm. Our postseason record following 2004 is 5-3 which is good but nothing special.

patsfaninpa · 02-04-2008, 03:58 PM

It's hard to win playoff games. We got a little spoiled. Your premise is right. We are a little more vulnerable. But, some of those games we won. We were extremely close to losing. Raider game, Tennessee game in 03(their wr drops ball..Giants wr catches it), 04 run was pretty impressive. Nothing flukey that year. Ironically, this was the easiest past to a championship we ever had.

01 AFCCG in Pittsburgh, 14-2 Rams.
03 Titans and Colts 12-4, white-hot manning come into AFCCG.
04 12-4 Colts, 15-1 Steelers and Eagles 13-3(rested starters and lost 2 reg. season game.)
05 We were just too beat up.
06 At 14-2 SD, at 12-4 Indy
07 Wild-card Jags 11-5 at home, SD 11-5 at home with depleted offense
and Wild-Card Giants 10-6 in Super Bowl.

Need to get to the qb in the 4th quarter. We need some speed off of the edge. Hard to find. But, not many great teams get the 7th pick either. I want a pass-rusher first, then a couple of cb's. I'll be satisifed with a veteran ilb and moving A.Thomas back inside.

MrTibbs · 02-04-2008, 04:00 PM

Whats been the key in all of those losses? Critical offensive playcalling at crucial times and an aging defense that wears down by games end.

patsacolachick · 02-04-2008, 04:06 PM

Or you can look at it as we have gotten further along in each of the past three years-meaning next year is ours, baby!

Ernestine · 02-04-2008, 04:17 PM

I don't think you can say that. 2006, Denver was the better team IMHO. Last year, the Chargers were the best team and we were lucky to steal that game. However, they should have beaten the Colts. It really was no excuses. The pats simply should not have lose that game.

Although the giants D controlled the Pats all game, it was still the Pats to lose in the end. I think that is the most frustrating thing about the game. The Pats were basically 1 play away from winning like they were last year. It sucks, but i can't blame the defense. They played FAR better than the offense did until the 4th quarter.

The Pats were the most talented and best team all year. In the superbowl, you only have to be the best that day. The giants just were better this given Sunday!!!It sucks, but you can not win it ever year. Did you expect the Pats to win 10 SB in a row?

Carpentier · 02-04-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOTSFANINPA

Its apparent that no team is truly worried or scared to play the Patriots in the playoffs anymore - BB and Tom and Co.'s record,While still very good is starting to show a bit of wearing down

2005 - Losing Divisional game to Denver
progressing to
2006 - Losing AFCCG to Indianapolis
progressing to
2007 - Losing Super Bowl to Giants

While the Patriots have progressed thru the past 3 years to get further in the playoffs it is the same result for NE - A loss

Somehow this team is becoming very vulnerable in the playoffs - Big change when we looked at things back in 2004 as if we just had to get to the playoffs to win it all....No more is that the case

Look at the positive
Next years superbowl is ours for sure now.

Jimke · 02-04-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTibbs

Whats been the key in all of those losses? Critical offensive playcalling at crucial times and an aging defense that wears down by games end.

The Pats haven't had a good trio of cornerbacks since they had

Ty Law, Tyrone Poole, and Asante Samuel in the 2003 season.

This year Randall Gay looked lost out there, Ellis Hobbs gave up key

touchdowns, and Asante did not take a step up during the

playoffs. The only way a defense can cover for average to below

average cornerbacks is to have a real good pass rush like the Giants.

***richpats*** · 02-04-2008, 04:43 PM

If someone looked at the 2005-2007 Patriots in a vacuum (i.e. no recognition of the 2001-2004 teams), they would see a team that had a SERIOUS problem finishing the deal in the playoffs. There comes a point where Belichick and the players aren't immune to their mistakes anymore, and this is it. Maybe the problem is the Pats always THINK they are champions but they don't PLAY like champions.

patsacolachick · 02-04-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpats

If someone looked at the 2005-2007 Patriots in a vacuum (i.e. no recognition of the 2001-2004 teams), they would see a team that had a SERIOUS problem finishing the deal in the playoffs. There comes a point where Belichick and the players aren't immune to their mistakes anymore, and this is it. Maybe the problem is the Pats always THINK they are champions but they don't PLAY like champions.

Oh for heaven's sake, they are not going to win the Super Bowl every year, okay? They play extremely well MOST of the time, but there has never been a team that plays like a champion EVERY SINGLE PLAYOFF GAME.