Payback or statement game?

[JaxPats]

Giving the fact that we got trunced earlier this season by the fish, it seems to me that payback is coming in a big way. I think we all know that BB usually comes back the second time with a vengence. Granted, the team has some major players out, but the core of quality players is still here. Cassels is playing better each week and man to man, we rate quite a bit ahead of the fish even now. They are still trying to find themselves and get confidence in playing the big games. Statement wise would be a fairly big score by the Pats. Your thoughts?

 

[signbabybrady]

Revenge is my only thought this week. I want to see us embarass this team. Squish the Tuna Fish.

 

[PatsFan2]

If it's even 11-10 score like the Game played by the Steelers and Chargers as long as the Patriots come out on top when the whistle blows its fine by me. The bottom line is a win is a win. If we lose on Sunday we'll be talking about the NFL Draft on Monday. I like the Draft but i don't like talking about it so early.

 

[makoute]

Playoffs is my only thought, they need to win this game to make their playoff chance better.

 

[JaxPats]

If it's even 11-10 score like the Game played by the Steelers and Chargers as long as the Patriots come out on top when the whistle blows its fine by me. The bottom line is a win is a win. If we lose on Sunday we'll be talking about the NFL Draft on Monday. I like the Draft but i don't like talking about it so early.

Ditto. Just the thought of talking about the draft right now makes me want to
puke.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm interested in two things:
- a W.
- the improvement in execution and the elimination of stupid mistakes necessary to keep playing better as a "team."

On a related note, I also want to read the names of injured players under the 'Full Participation' listing on the daily practice reports.

Cassel, Mayo, Guyton, and Woods have all been getting better as the season progresses. I want their progression to continue and the rest of the team to match their showing for each game going forward.

 

[BradyManny]

Basically, I'll take a W of any kind. This is almost a do or die game for us. I don't know how for real the Phins are, so realistically, maybe I can see us dropping a lot of points on them and blowing them out. But I'm not going to count on it. Just get the W.

 

[Tunescribe]

A win, period. I don't care if we win by luck and are out-gained by 400 yards. Miami has been the Pats' Bermuda Triangle even when we go down there fully loaded. It's simply a matter of escaping intact with a "W".

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't think we're going to put up much points on them. Pure and simple. This is Miami we're talking about. Every year except 2007 (which was an odd year for BOTH teams) we've been in close games with them. Things really aren't going to change. That wildcat offense is not going to work as well as it did so we will both have to grind it out to win. We're going to have to lean a lot on our defense this weekend.

 

[chrisfx811]

The 'payback' part is up to the defense. The offense needs to continue improving, and eliminate the dumb, drive killing mistakes that cost us on the opponents side of the field.

The D needs to pull it's collective head out of it's arse.

This is it for the playoffs, win or be prepared to sit home. We can't finished tied with Indy, and they have a reasonable schedule to contend with. We can't drop 2 games behind Miami with a loss Sunday, especially considering their closing schedule.
4-2 is a worst case finish just to have a chance at making the playoffs, 5-1 is what they really need.

 

[JSn]

As a spectator, it's interesting to wonder if Ball control is better or if attacking is better.

I think if we can bring the two minute drill in early and get SOME points on most drives, we could be playing ball control by the second half.

If we put up the same numbers offensively as last week, it's an easy W. But I think maybe the Fishies have a better D than the Jets.

Pees said the critical mess-up on 3-15 was a blown coverage. Fix the fundies and we should be ok.

 

[JaxPats]

I don't think we're going to put up much points on them. Pure and simple. This is Miami we're talking about. Every year except 2007 (which was an odd year for BOTH teams) we've been in close games with them. Things really aren't going to change. That wildcat offense is not going to work as well as it did so we will both have to grind it out to win. We're going to have to lean a lot on our defense this weekend.

I agree. I don't expect a big score either, but lets face it, this team is still a force to be reckoned with. A very good convincing score would however give us a nice needed boost right now while showing the rest of the league we are still in it hard.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

I think the first thought is just win. If we can school them in the proccess then I'll take that too but just win the game, pretty or ugly I just want a win right now.

 

[sieglo]

Pees said the critical mess-up on 3-15 was a blown coverage. Fix the fundies and we should be ok.

I really have to wonder how this happens. Isn't one defensive player out there with a radio in his helmet? Aren't the coaches watching, and can't they get the word out to that guy? Very odd.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Playoffs is my only thought, they need to win this game to make their playoff chance better.

That's exactly what they're playing for, the revenge/statement aspect of a W would be just icing on the cake. That said, I hope they play with vengence

 

[Kontradiction]

I really have to wonder how this happens. Isn't one defensive player out there with a radio in his helmet? Aren't the coaches watching, and can't they get the word out to that guy? Very odd.

Vrabel is not the guy with the radio in his helmet. If I'm not mistaken, it's Bruschi.

 

[JSn]

Vrabel is not the guy with the radio in his helmet. If I'm not mistaken, it's Bruschi.

Vrabel has a dot. He's talked a few times about having to switch helmets when he goes in to play TE.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

I don't think it's payback or statment or anything like that.

It's the biggest game of the year for the Patriots, and the first time they've played a must win this early in the season in a while. The payback aspects will be nice effects of winning, but the difference right now between 7-4 (3-2 division) and 6-5 (2-3 division) is enormous.

 

[makoute]

I don't think it's payback or statment or anything like that.

It's the biggest game of the year for the Patriots, and the first time they've played a must win this early in the season in a while. The payback aspects will be nice effects of winning, but the difference right now between 7-4 (3-2 division) and 6-5 (2-3 division) is enormous.

It has been a few years since we were in a must win game during the regular season. We've had the division pretty much sewn up at this point the past few years.

 

[Mark Morse]

Its both a payback and a statement game. They need to put Joey Porter in his place and shut his trap ... the only way to do that is to make a statement! Despite all the injuries, we are a much better team today than when we played them earlier this year. Cassel, Mayo, Guyton, Merriweather are better.

We need this game and the players should have Joey "the Mouth" Porter's words posted all over their lockers. Its time to put up or shut up!