How the Colts Game Could Be the POSITIVE Turning Point for the Pats

[aluminum seats]

It's a trial by fire, a chance for this defense to forge an identity.

There have been many encouraging signs from the defense this year, and they played well Sunday up until the last few minutes. Now apparently some members of the defense--perhaps all--got their feelings hurt when Belichick went for it on 4th down.

So, what the defense needs now is for its leaders to emerge. Tom Brady is the leader of the team, but he is, obviously, the leader of the offense. Be it Wilfork, or Warren, or Mayo, or Meriweather....these guys have to step up--in a visible, vocal way (I'm not talking about the press/public, but to the team) and say, forget the whining, the finger-pointing (we're looking at you, Adalius), this is OUR team, and we're going to win a championship. There is at least one guy on the defensive line, the linebacking crew, and the secondary who is a candidate to do this. Whether or not they can, and do, could make all the difference. Great teams have talent, and coaching, and, usually, players on the team who step up as leaders of men.

Harrison, Vrabel, Bruschi, etc. aren't walking through that door. The time for the next generation of leaders to stand up is now.

 

[Intommywetrst]

It's a trial by fire, a chance for this defense to forge an identity.

There have been many encouraging signs from the defense this year, and they played well Sunday up until the last few minutes. Now apparently some members of the defense--perhaps all--got their feelings hurt when Belichick went for it on 4th down.

So, what the defense needs now if for its leaders to emerge. Tom Brady is the leader of the team, but he is, obviously, the leader of the offense. Be it Wilfork, or Warren, or Mayo, or Meriweather....these guys have to step up--in a visible, vocal way (I'm not talking about the press/public, but to the team) and say, forget the whining, the finger-pointing (we're looking at you, Adalius), this is OUR team, and we're going to win a championship. There is at least one guy on the defensive line, the linebacking crew, and the secondary who is a candidate to do this. Whether or not they can, and do, could make all the difference. Great teams have talent, and coaching, and, usually, players on the team who step up as leaders of men.

Harrison, Vrabel, Bruschi, etc. aren't walking through that door. The time for the next generation of leaders to stand up is now.

I totally agree with everything you said, but can we please stop talking about the Colts! There are plenty of things to talk about when it comes to the Jets.

Please, please no more Colts threads! Every time I see the word my stomach turns!

 

[shmessy]

I totally agree with everything you said, but can we please stop talking about the Colts! There are plenty of things to talk about when it comes to the Jets.

Please, please no more Colts threads! Every time I see the word my stomach turns!

I agree up to a point with you there.

However, let's just envision, the AFCCG in Indy in January 2010 - - this past game will be a HUGE advantage for the Patriots having experienced. We just saw Indy at almost full strength for THIS year (discount the IR's who won't be back, they were missing 2 bigtime players). The Pats were missing 7 bigtime players who will most likely be playing in January.

What it really comes down to is this: The game a few nights ago may turn out to be 10 times more foreshadowing than the 1st Rams game in 2001.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think the Colts and the rest of the NFL may regret winning last week's game in the long run, just like a lot of people regretted the Spygate incident.

The Pats will be on a rampage the rest of the season. The world has ganged up on BB for his 4th down decision, and the team will rally around him in an "us vs. the world" situation like they did after Spygate. They will destroy opponents and not let up. There's no excuse not to run up the score when you lost a key game with a 17 point comeback in the 4th quarter.

And if they somehow end up playing in Indy again this season I believe that it won't be pretty for the Colts. Though I think the Pats have a better chance of playing in the AFCCG right now than the Colts do.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

As mentioned before in another thread and articles on the net talk about the story of Barry Switzer and his similar 'gamble' in 1995 when the Cowboys loss vs. the Eagles was directly linked to going for it on 4th and short in their own territory which they also failed but let it be known that after that loss and after all the media called Barry a moron,the Cowboys never lost another game that season en route to SB victory.

That alone gives a reason to hope this is just a bump in the road and not a deep pothole that you cannot get your tires out of.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Sorry to be negative, but I will take the confidence of winning that game, and the boost in the standings (for a potential #1 slot) over "proof" that we can play with any team in the league. Brady is 32- he has the weapons around him to win NOW. Virtually any team in the league can play it close on any given day. Are the 49ers and Texans also happy with their losses to the Colts? After all, they barely lost too.

I don't know how the Colts would regret winning any game. Supposing we beat them in the playoffs, it has nothing to do with losing this game. Playing them on the road and giving them a huge mental edge lowers our chances.

Now, the silver lining is you don't have to be perfect to win a Super Bowl. This was a terrible loss, but teams have come back from worse losses. You look at teams like the Lakers and Yankees, former dynasties that lost some brutal games on the biggest stage... both of them won a championship this year.

 

[borg]

I'm sure AD is working really hard to rally the troups behind BB....on that note

Boom


1000th post

Thank you, thank you. To all my fans, thank you....Borg Out

 

[aluminum seats]

I totally agree with everything you said, but can we please stop talking about the Colts! There are plenty of things to talk about when it comes to the Jets.

Please, please no more Colts threads! Every time I see the word my stomach turns!

I hear ya, but the idea here is looking forward--starting with the Jets game, will the Pats' new leaders respond. I'm guessing they will.

 

[Wax Frog]

Please, please no more Colts threads! Every time I see the word my stomach turns!

Feelings like this are why I totally avoided this forum for the past two days (and had considered skipping today). The Jets game is the only reality for me, by choice...

 

[Schmo]

Something I have been glad to have all season was the depth on the Dline. Going into this game we were already down on both the DL AND OLB. This is what was a major contributor to the tiring and subsequent decline of the defense during the course of the game.

As long as the injuries heal, we should be fresh in the second half to easily take down the Colts in the playoffs.

 

[Metaphors]

The Colts threads are getting a little old, but this take is actually an interesting one. Championship teams can generally look back and see the seminal moment when the season turned in their favor. And typically that moment is a response to some kind of adversity that hardens the team in preparation for the gauntlet of the playoffs.

The 2007 team really didn't have that. In fact, it was quite the reverse. They faced challenges but didn't have to work through a gut punch until the playoffs...when they received the ultimate kick to the nether-regions.

The Pats already know they can play with anyone, but this season has really put a lot of extra focus on their opponents:

Buffalo...How can you cover TO and Evans? Answer: Have Trent Edwards throw them the ball.

Jets...Their Superbowl

Atlanta...Rising team with Matty Ice coming home

Baltimore...Most complete team, offense and defense (so we were told). Payback for "cheap" win in 2007.

Denver...McDaniels and unbeaten team effectively playing their Superbowl too

Miami...What genius scheme will they use to beat the Pats this year? Single wing. Then the option. Next year? Student body right, baby!

Indy...Game of the year. Every year.

All this while Brady shakes off the rust and the defense manages significant turnover. Still, the Pats should only have one loss at this point...and that is the Buffalo game. Outside of that game, they have lost every time they didn't play with precision and intelligence. Just like they will face in the playoffs.

The Pats are poised for a huge stretch run. Outside of Buffalo, every team they face is good enough to beat them if the Pats give a weak effort. Each loss this year has left a sour taste in their mouth, getting progressively worse each time. I'm not sure they go undefeated the rest of the way, but I do suspect that the teams on their schedule are not looking forward to seeing this Pats team with a bitter edge to their game.

Sorry Tubby and the San-grenade. You're up...

 

[BadMoFo]

I think the Colts and the rest of the NFL may regret winning last week's game in the long run, just like a lot of people regretted the Spygate incident.

The Pats will be on a rampage the rest of the season. The world has ganged up on BB for his 4th down decision, and the team will rally around him in an "us vs. the world" situation like they did after Spygate. They will destroy opponents and not let up. There's no excuse not to run up the score when you lost a key game with a 17 point comeback in the 4th quarter.

And if they somehow end up playing in Indy again this season I believe that it won't be pretty for the Colts. Though I think the Pats have a better chance of playing in the AFCCG right now than the Colts do.

Exactly how is that?

Colts only have to win one game at home to get there.

 

[Metaphors]

Exactly how is that?

Colts only have to win one game at home to get there.

It will likely be against SD or Pittsburgh. Pressure defenses with top tier quarterbacks. The Colts would never go 1-and-done in the playoffs against the Steelers or Chargers.

The Colts have played two playoff caliber teams this year (I don't count the Cards). The Texans put up almost 400 yards on them and the Pats almost hung half a G. The Colts have to be pulling for the Broncos to somehow make the playoffs and get out of the wildcard round. Other than that, the Pats, Bolts, Steelers, Ravens and even the Texans/Bengals aren't great matchups for the Colts.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

I have no problem with Pats play. As for injuries,everyone has them. PATS outplayed Colts unfortunately it was for 58 1/2 mins. OUR D hung in there held their own and if BB wanted to punt I felt confident D would get it done. This week will a 2 different teams playing from when I went to 2nd game of season VS Rats. If anything I expect Pats D to come out FIRED UP with a chip on their shoulder with something to proove. Brady has Welker now that changes things from 1st time we met. I like our chances rest of way. Lets get a home game in playoffs. By then hopefully we'll get some players back and team will be more polished.

 

[Wolfpack]

My best attempt in spinning this into a positive for the Pats is that it is now more likely that Pittsburgh will face indy in the playoffs, and we will get to sit back and play the winner. In all honesty, I like Pittsburgh in that matchup, setting up a potential AFCCG in Foxboro.

Pittsburgh and Indy are the 2 teams that legitimately concern me in the playoffs. I would much rather go into Cincy than host either one of those teams. So I want them 2 to play each other.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I would say that the Pats would step on their throats when the Colts are down but they tried that and turned the ball over twice in the second half. We all know had Brady tucked the ball in and used his legs (he easily had 5-10 yards of space in front of him) and Maroney taking better care of the ball, we're potentially looking at a 38-14 lead in the 3rd quarter. If these two teams meet again, I hope the Pats use the blueprint they used back in 2004 - keep the Colts off the field. It's great to have a quick strike offense, but it doesn't take much time off the clock which allows Manning more than enough time to catch up.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

For some reason I think we always match up with Steelers no matter where we play them. Stopping their run and having Ben throw at us I'm still not convinced. With that said we need some sort of pass rush. Is Cincy for real?

 

[DaBronxPats14]

If We finished with exact same record as Bengels, what is 1st tie breaker?

 

[patsinthesnow]

It will likely be against SD or Pittsburgh. Pressure defenses with top tier quarterbacks. The Colts would never go 1-and-done in the playoffs against the Steelers or Chargers.

The Colts have played two playoff caliber teams this year (I don't count the Cards). The Texans put up almost 400 yards on them and the Pats almost hung half a G. The Colts have to be pulling for the Broncos to somehow make the playoffs and get out of the wildcard round. Other than that, the Pats, Bolts, Steelers, Ravens and even the Texans/Bengals aren't great matchups for the Colts.

I said in another thread a few days ago, if we are 12-3, or 11-4 and cannot get the #2 seed. We must win/lose to dodge the Chargers so the Colts can play them.

 

[patsinthesnow]

If We finished with exact same record as Bengels, what is 1st tie breaker?

1. Head-to-Head
2. Division Record
3. Common Games
4. Conference Record
5. Strength of Victory


If we beat the Saints, The Saints and Vikings could both go 15-1 and the tiebreaker would be #5. So it teaches you running up the score is BS!