hambone1818

It's a loss, no doubt...there were ugly moments, most notably the fumbling, the terrible reaction to the fake punt (can't remember who was on the outside--Arrington maybe--but whoever it was looked like he was going through the motions, backing up for his blocking and seemed completely taken by surprise) and allowing the kickoff return/quick TD after crawling back into the game.

All that said, this team showed a LOT in their comeback bid. First and foremost, the generic don't give up attitude; this team showed amazing resolve and knowing they'll have a tough road unless Denver gifts them the #2 seed they'll need it. The offense absolutely dismantled the best defense in the league for 25 minutes, Brady put on an absolute clinic in the second half and he did it without the best all-around weapon in the NFL. The defense, minus the Crabtree TD, was wholly dominant in the second half. Sure, Kapearnick had four TD throws, but San Fran started drives inside NE territory a ridiculous eight times, and inside the NE 30 on half of those occasions. I don't care what kind of D you have, you're giving up a lot of points when defending a short field all night, the fact that they shut SF's offense down during the comeback and basically gave up the one big play the last 25 minutes tells me a ton about where this defense has come.

And finally, I don't prescribe to the idea that a team needs to lose a game to get that 'fire in the belly' late in the year...but I think this game is the perfect thing to motivate this team: they have to be proud of the way they fought, but they also have to be embarrassed at the mistakes. They have to be pissed at the loss, but they also have to be encouraged that they dismantled the best defense in the league for 25 minutes. And finally, they have to be frothing at the mouth for a rematch, I want to see Kapaernick and the Smith's in the playoffs and I'm sure this team does too. Gronk's back this week, the team has two weeks to 'rest'--get everyone healthy and get the offense running on all cylinders and bring on the playoffs!

Froob

Kind of. Not happy about the defense making Kap look like Joe Montana. Offense looked great in the 2nd half against the best defense. Nearly 400 yards and 31 pts in the 2nd half . And that's without the best tight end in football. Going to have to go to denver tho unless the browns or chiefs get a huge upset. Browns have been playing teams close so who knows? Looks like Pats will play Steelers, Bengals, or Jets in the 1st round. Hoping for the bengals.

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Rob0729

Not more optimistic, but nearly the distraught as the mediots on the radio and many posters are telling me I should be. Sounds like we should already be prepared to go into Denver in the division round and get crushed.

I love that they didn't just lay down and die and fought back and that they wore down the best defense in the NFL, but I can't be more optimistic after a loss.

PATSYLICIOUS

No, we took a big step back on D. 4 fatal breakdowns: The Moss TD (they had 2 guys behind our D), The TD to the backup TE who was wiiiiiide open, The Crabtree TD on Arrington, the should have been TD to Vernon Davis who was just as wide open as the others if not more but Kap overthrew him. It's not a good sign and hopefully they get back on the right track defensively. That was the whole key to this year's team was they were supposed to have been playing much better on D which they were until last night. If we revert to a secondary who gives up multiple huge plays a game it's going to be very tough to go all the way with that.

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Ivan

Losing never makes me optimistic but the long winning streaks going into the play-offs always concern me, odd as that sounds. Teams always have an off day and i would rather have the Patriots falter now than a month from now. they have shown an incredible ability to win during the second half of seasons and I really believe this is just going to mark the start of another winning streak. I have a ton of confidence in this team and believe that overall they are one of the best teams in football and that will show up in the tournament. I'm feeling really good about this team and feel really good about their chances of winning it all this season.

I'm glad they faced two really good play-off teams the last two weeks, even though one was a loss, that should get them ready for january in a way that facing the also rans never could have.

Brady_to_Moss

No. #2 seed gone which means more games on road. Pats play better at home in playoffs

PatriotSeven

I'm not more nor any less optimistic. I feel pretty even keeled. I expected we would lose at least one of the two games and I looked forward to get this much needed experience against top defenses. I was thinking of an 11-5 record, losing one of these 2 games and possibly the last Miami game if it has no seeding implications and we could rest some of our starters.

The only thing I am down on right now is the special teams. ST has been a problem in our losses to the Giants and again last night. We keep getting exploited in the big games and I expected BB to do something about it by now.

What started off the season as us looking like we would roll through weak competitions, I would argue we ended up facing one of the toughest schedules in the league and certainly the toughest schedule of defenses in the league.

The key for me last night was if the 49ers expose our offense, which they did, and then if the offense would "figure it out" which they did. I expected our O to do this in the second game. I was encouraged to see them already beginning to key in on their coverage in the 3rd quarter.

I was happy because I didn't think Houston's defense gave us the test of a top 10 defense we needed. Well we got that for the 49ers. I feel ready for the playoffs.

But the only thing that will make me more optimistic than I already was, is if we get Gronkowski back, keep him healthy, and get him in playoff game shape quickly. Time to see Hernandez and Gronk back on the field at the same time.

BadMoFo

And what happened to Chandler Jones?

satz

It feels like more like the 07 gainst game 16.
we where right there , inches.

Harbaugh and his team outcoached BB and our team. I say team as in games we have seem mayo and vince do alot ingame adjustment which where missing.

next time we know we can beat the best of the NFC. till now we assumed that the NFC has the strongest teams. Another side effect we knock GB out of the Bye and in the 49rs path. That is the one team that can run with us if we make it to the SB.

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