The Game

[denverpatsfan]

Been thinking about this game coming up and it doesn't look good for the Pats. Seyton Manning even though on a bad year is still much better than MC. Bob Sanders will be back to ignite the run D. Addai will be back to torment our "slow" linebackers. Our secondary is a mess with 1st year players looking to take a prominent role in covering a hall of fame WR. Also the return game will be hurt if Hobbs is truly out. Special teams was always a way the Pats could get and edge against the Colts.

With 2 losses in the conference already vs. 0 for the Stealers its not looking good for a bye at this juncture. Therefore we turn our attention to winning the division. Don't look now but the Jets are only 1 game back.

Thus I am not looking at the Colts game as too important. Rest up any players who may not be able to play. Get them ready for the division games coming up. Much more important in the larger picture.

 

[Peekaboo]

I would hate to play any Manning no matter how bad their team is. Belichick always pulls something out from that sleeveless hoodie though. Should be a close one.

 

[JSn]

I think the Colts may over-prepare for the wrong things and under-perform at the wrong times. We'll win and be told the Colts beat themselves.

 

[Lifer]

Oh thats right, theres a football game sunday Ive been so focused on the election I forgot!

I am so psyched at the possibility of the Patriots beating the Colts with Matt Cassel and going 6-2 on National TV. Can you just imagine? I would be laughing and laughing and laughing at all the Patriot haters and Belichick and Cassel bashers.

 

[captadamnj]

It really is a no lose proposition for the Pats...assuming they are at least competitive, which I have no reason to believe they won't be. Lose, and you were the underdog and supposed to lose. Win, and like you said, 6-2 after losing the reigning league MVP, dang, that sure looks good. Of course, the MSM will just belittle the victory when the Pats win, saying how it was against the "lowly 3-5" Dolts. There will be Dolts excuses all over the place.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Been thinking about this game coming up and it doesn't look good for the Pats.

At least you are consistent... Saw no hope against the Broncos, cautioned about overlooking the resurgent Rams and flat out gave up the season after the KC win...

I appreciate your positive outlook on things but the season is over. The Pats will finish with 7-10 wins at the most east schedule or not. The Chiefs easily could have tied it yesterday. Put that game in KC and MC has a tougher go. Things will get allot worse in NY before they get better week 3.

The season belongs to the SD Chargers, Colts or Stealers now unfortunately.

I just don't see MC having another decent game. He will have to learn as he goes and this will result in losing some games the team should be wining.

I will still watch and cheer but my expectations are certainly much, much lower.

 

[JSn]

At least you are consistent... Saw no hope against the Broncos, cautioned about overlooking the resurgent Rams and flat out gave up the season after the KC win...

LOL. Got to love the search and quote functions.

DPF: Do you feel a little more optimistic these days? Get the feathers outta yer teeth yet?

 

[JoePats]

Been thinking about this game coming up and it doesn't look good for the Pats. Seyton Manning even though on a bad year is still much better than MC. Bob Sanders will be back to ignite the run D. Addai will be back to torment our "slow" linebackers. Our secondary is a mess with 1st year players looking to take a prominent role in covering a hall of fame WR. Also the return game will be hurt if Hobbs is truly out. Special teams was always a way the Pats could get and edge against the Colts.

With 2 losses in the conference already vs. 0 for the Stealers its not looking good for a bye at this juncture. Therefore we turn our attention to winning the division. Don't look now but the Jets are only 1 game back.

Thus I am not looking at the Colts game as too important. Rest up any players who may not be able to play. Get them ready for the division games coming up. Much more important in the larger picture.

Except we play the Steelers, so conference record will not at all factor into any tiebreaker. The breaker goes to the winner of that game.

I agree that the focus should still be on winning the division until further notice. Even if we win this week, we'll either be one game up on Buffalo and the Jets, playing them in our next two games, or tied with Buffalo playing them next week. So it could go in any number of directions still.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Except we play the Steelers, so conference record will not at all factor into any tiebreaker. The breaker goes to the winner of that game.

I agree that the focus should still be on winning the division until further notice. Even if we win this week, we'll either be one game up on Buffalo and the Jets, playing them in our next two games, or tied with Buffalo playing them next week. So it could go in any number of directions still.

:agree: This season it's division first. I know that each year we give lip service to that axiom but this time it's totally On The Real.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Been thinking about this game coming up and it doesn't look good for the Pats. Seyton Manning even though on a bad year is still much better than MC. Bob Sanders will be back to ignite the run D. Addai will be back to torment our "slow" linebackers. Our secondary is a mess with 1st year players looking to take a prominent role in covering a hall of fame WR. Also the return game will be hurt if Hobbs is truly out. Special teams was always a way the Pats could get and edge against the Colts.

Thing is, though, Vinatieri's kickoffs have become teh suck, so even a not-so-stellar return man has a decent chance of making things happen (the Colts tend to give up 5-6 yards more on KOs than the Pats have this season).

 

[godef]

OK, so Peyton is better than MC, but what about the rest of the teams. Not like Tom Brady's never been beaten.

Don't overlook that the Colts are coming off a must-win Monday Nighter. It's going to be a short week to muster up for another must-win. OTOH, it should be easier to do, cuz after all, it's the Patriots (toot-toot).

And so far as resting up any players, didn't you learn anything from the Giants last year? I expect the Patriots to go in this game at full tilt.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Thus I am not looking at the Colts game as too important. Rest up any players who may not be able to play. Get them ready for the division games coming up. Much more important in the larger picture.

And I am very glad that you are not the coach of the New England Patriots.

 

[JSn]

Nice little piece (from an amusement perspective) on the game at the NFP. Loving that site.

The National Football Post | Weekend Preview: What to Watch

New England (5-2) at Indianapolis (3-4)

This was supposed to be the game of the year. Somehow the NFL finds a way to match these two up every season—with good reason. Brady, Manning, two teams usually undefeated. What happened? Don’t’ worry my friends. This is still going to be a great football game to top off your Sunday. Grab a couple of more beers and find a nice spot on the couch. Why? Well, Matt Cassel has realized that Randy Moss can do some nice things when you get him the ball, the Pats still know how to play defense, Peyton Manning will play better, and Bill Belichick will wear clothes he borrowed from a bum outside the stadium. It is still good theater. I think the Colts are desperate, and there is talk that safety Bob Sanders (former Hawkeye) and RB Joseph Addai will be back in the lineup. There is still more time than you think left in the NFL season and 3-4 still gives you life in the AFC. Lots to play for on both sides here. Plus, John Madden will be back, so he can tell us how great the Patriots would be if Brett Favre was their quarterback. Indy needs to force some turnovers and score on defense, which I think they do at home in a nice win to get them back to 4-4.

 

[Mayday Malone]

Plus, John Madden will be back, so he can tell us how great the Patriots would be if Brett Favre was their quarterback.

That right there is the definition of classic.

 

[AzPatsFan]

NFL Network reported that Addai showed up at practice. He took two snaps tapped his helmet and said I can't go, and came out.

So much for Addai's return...

Marlon Jackson went on IR today, so if Hayden can play the Colt's are still hurting. If he can't its disaster time. IMHO Jackson is a much better player than Hayden to begin with.

 

[denverpatsfan]

I love this board. Thanks for the tough comments guys. Been down again this week. Not trying to get my hopes up ahead of this game. Denver game did surprise the heck out of me. I didn't think Scheflers absence would hurt their offense so much.

That being said, the Pats must not settle for FG's. Got to get the TD's as usual against this team.

 

[CheerforTom]

NFL Network reported that Addai showed up at practice. He took two snaps tapped his helmet and said I can't go, and came out.

So much for Addai's return...

Interesting. Have a link for that?

 

[TheComeback]

I love this board. Thanks for the tough comments guys. Been down again this week. Not trying to get my hopes up ahead of this game. Denver game did surprise the heck out of me. I didn't think Scheflers absence would hurt their offense so much.

That being said, the Pats must not settle for FG's. Got to get the TD's as usual against this team.

Right, the Broncos' offense just sucked because they didn't have Scheffler. Gotcha.

 

[woolster22]

This is a battle of the walking wounded, our db's are all beat up, same for indy. We're down our top 3 rbs and of course The Franchise. Colts may be down addai? Who knows wtf happens sunday, its a coinflip. But i deffinately wouldnt mind Seyton gettin up looking out his ear hole a few times...

 

[denverpatsfan]

Right, the Broncos' offense just sucked because they didn't have Scheffler. Gotcha.

Have you flippin watched the Donkee for the last couple seasons??!! He is a very important part of the team. He creates mismatches and provides Cutler with a safety valve. He should be back this week. Watch the Donkees offensive output for a week with him back in the line-up before you speak.