farn

I am just as worried about this defense as anyone. But while watching SD kick a FG to extend it's lead and keeping in mind the craziness of this week (wins by KC, Indy, Carolina, Philadelphia...) is there something to be said about going on the road, playing a HOT team (though some will downplay their run as lucky) and getting it done ?

NE may indeed lose early in the playoffs once again, but for the moment : this team won while so many others didn't. And they did so on the road vs a division leader. For one day - I think things are pretty good all things considered. I would say it speaks to this team's toughness and desire.

brady199

I think a lot of that is because BB is so good at keeping them focused on the game and blocks everything else out. So they are consistant, they almost never as a team look terrible like so many other teams do. People complain and worry when they look like they did the last few weeks against Indy and Washington, but they should take a look around the league and they would see teams like the Ravens losing to the Jaguars (LOL) and even today when the Packers were probably thinking before the game that they were just one week away from a 16-0 season. Woops!

wyomingpatsfan

There is no doubt that NE is a 'winner' when it comes right down to it...

The defense does have some obvious weaknesses, and perhaps as fans, if we keep pointing out those faults it will not be such a blow when they come back to haunt us, if indeed they do...

I am a fan because I believe in what the PATS have represented over the years: the team over the individual, winning as a selfless sacrifice, humility rather that public bravado, dedication to your teammates and fans, and SYNERGY: achieving more together than could be accomplished individually.

"On any given Sunday" so they say, but the Patriots seem to do it consistently on many more Sundays than most of the other teams......the reason I believe in them!!!!!

Go Pats!!!!!

sevengables_2207

I believe the Patriots team exhibited toughness today... on the road in hostile environment playing one of the hottest teams in the league who got off to a torrid start.

The defense did their job and excelled at the type of situational football that Belichick preaches... forcing turnovers on defense and not letting receivers get behind them for the most part from the second quarter onward.

The offense was its typical efficient and explosive self. It started up front with good pass-protection... with some good run-blocking sprinkled in to establish a bit of the ground game to augment the passing of Brady.

BlueThunder

One has to wonder what a healthy Spikes and Chung brings to the defense...

Ravens look vulnerable.....

If Pats can get #1 seed...I like their chances to win the AFCC

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Your avatar, it looks familiar ...

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SoonerPatriot

I was thinking of the "Football Life" episode NFL Network did on BB way back in week 1. That was filmed during 2009, and there was a part during that year's Saints game where BB lamented that he couldn't get the team to play like he wanted them to play. One his points being that they were mentally weak.

This team has a lot of faults, mainly on D. But it's a gritty bunch that handles adversity well. Not a bad thing this time of year.

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PrairiePat

This. I have a better feeling about this team than I have the past couple of years. Yeah, the defense is still their achilles heel, but they seem like a scrappy bunch, and they've made some big plays when it counts.

Go back and read the game thread around the end of the 1st quarter yesterday - people were jumping off bridges there. That was adversity, and the team completely turned it around from that point, on the road at an historically tough venue for them.

I thought it was a real team-building type of win - hope the effects carry over to the playoffs.

RhodyPatriot

Agree 100%. Even though the Broncos aren't a very good team, playing in Denver is traditionally a house of horrors for the Patriots. This was a really good win on what turned out to be a very good Sunday for the Patriots.
I do worry about a letdown against a Dolphin team that is playing much better in recent weeks. A short week and coming off a very physical game on the road is a recipe for a sluggish game.

PatsFanSince74

Well said. That's exactly why I've been a contrarian out here on the value of the First Round Bye and even of Home Field all the way. Remember that two of the Patriots AFC Championships on the way to their three SB wins went through Heinz field.

I feel that this 2011 Pats team, for whatever reason, plays best with a little bit of a chip on its shoulder and on the road. I'd love to see them have to go into Heinz field and prove themselves to a national audience in the AFCCG again; the very worst that comes out of it is that we all know we had two shots to beat the Conference champion and couldn't do it.

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