PatsWickedPissah

Had to watch in a sports bar on the island surrounded by Giants fans watching "Battle of NY" and listening to their laughter and loudly expressed disparaging remarks about all things Patriots for the 1st half. But it's Christmas before dinner and I thought as a homer I'd focus on the positives...

(1) Adjustments: for the 2nd game in a row it was obvious that substantive adjustments were made both to offense and defense that totally transformed the game. This capability had seemed missing previously, especially in 2010. Props to the coaches here.

(2) Team character: After looking like rodeo clowns for a half, somehow this crew got it together, focused on the prize and played better on both sides of the ball for the W. Didn't see much of this team character the last 2 seasons.

(3) OL Depth: Although I just about lost hope watching The Franchise get slammed around viciously for 30 minutes the makeshift line minus Light, then Mankins rebounded and performed well including late game run blocking for the W. Dante, you freakin Rock man.

(3) Running Game: Awful start but when it was needed it was there. Ridley is showing that he can be trusted out there in all phases of the game. Speed kills...and gets 1st downs outside the tackles. My man, The Woodchuck, was his usual squirmy, reliable stuff as he burrowed his way under center deep into enemy ground.

(4) TFB: Under heavy pressure he was, but he was also off target missing Welker and Gronk when open. Great catch by 85 on a ball thrown behind him. Again TFB got control of himself and the situation, avoiding critical mistakes and made nice moves to stay free on the Branch TD throw. Excellent 6 yard run up the middle for a 1st down. Brady needs to do this on occasion to keep defenses from cheating.

(5) Welker: Minitron continues to shred records and perform at an elite level.

There's more like minor points about Dane Fletcher adapting to game speed as he in year 2 learns the Bruschi role.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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Patriot_in_NY

I agree with much of what you say...

As I sit here and reflect (after the win), I have to say that this team is shaping up to be one of my favorites in awhile. As frustrating and maddening as they are to watch, they have a heart and soul like no team I can remember is quite some time.

It makes for crazy game days, but there is nothing quite as "weirdly" exciting as watching a defense and not knowing whether they are going to give up of 50 yard bomb, or get a game-changing Int/fumble on any given play.

The offense is about the closest thing to live action madden as you can get when they are clicking.

Fun team.

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Tunescribe

So, did you toss any shyte back their way when the Pats won?

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SanAngeloState

#3, I thought Mankins did NOT come back.?!?

PatsWickedPissah

Actually in person I'm not the seemingly scholarly, erudite person posting here on the Internet but instead pretty much a wise ass. But totally out of character and maybe maturing in the brief months left before death in old age I turned to the one other Patriots fan there and said "They're jealous and fearful."

As the 2nd half wore on I could hear them say, "No! You can't make that kind of mistake (turnover) against the Patriots" and "Ohhhhh! Here comes Brady. He'll eat them alive" and "Look at that! No 2 guys can tackle Gronkowski". Even the haters know we're the bomb.

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PATSYLICIOUS

Can't remember this many double-digit comebacks in any one season previously. When you think of the last 2 playoff debacles and how inept our offense was once we got down and became one dimensional this is a great sign. Let's just hope the defense can do a little bit better containing the other team while we're in a funk, better red zone D like it was earlier in the season.

Mesko and the punt coverage continues to bail us out of tough situations too that's going to be crucial.

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PatsWickedPissah

Mankins did not come back. I did not refer to him, I believe.

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TBradyOwnsYou

I was forced to watch RedZone so didn't get to see much of the game, but what I did get to see (and hear about) was an absolute turd of a first half that somehow turned in to a win when we needed it to. THAT is how we need to play going in to the playoffs. Not the first half turd part, but the ability to overcome adversity. The ability to mentally overcome mistakes and to perform when you absolutely have to. This type of game actually makes me feel good looking forward towards the playoffs.
Remember back to just 2009? We had the mental toughness of a two year old. Last year we stepped up our game, but weren't tested enough (I don't think) to really prepare us for the playoffs.
Now, in the last two weeks we've overcome adversity, overcome a media frenzy, won on the road and won at home against a division rival. We are in a great position with the 1st seed and with how some of the other top AFC teams have been playing of late, I think we are once again the legitimate favorite to come out of the AFC.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Boxing Day and whatever else you may celebrate this time of year!

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larryo

I liked seeing McCourty make some nice plays, OL depth, and seeing Mayo play with attitude. Seeing Mayo get into the faces of several Dolphins was great to see and I would like to see more of that. With some good play from Fletcher and the Spikes return looming this linebacking group is shaping up nicely.

Pat the Pats Fan

Agree with your points, glad you had a great time on the isle....

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A sarcastic Bill Belichick on Tom Brady's finger injury, "It's not life threatening."