The Rams beat the Patriots in the regular season in 2001

[Sivy]

They had a high powered offense too...Just saying.

 

[strongside]

They had a high powered offense too...Just saying.

Ya, but if you remember that 2001 team actually showed up for the game. They played the Rams tough and did some things (rough up the WR's, jump the slants) that would end up being part of the blueprint for BB's gameplan in the SB. That Pats team cam out of that game with a lot of confidence based on how they played.

I'm not sure how much confidence was gained when they walked out of the dome Monday night?

 

[Sivy]

Ya, but if you remember that 2001 team actually showed up for the game. They played the Rams tough and did some things (rough up the WR's, jump the slants) that would end up being part of the blueprint for BB's gameplan in the SB. That Pats team cam out of that game with a lot of confidence based on how they played.

I'm not sure how much confidence was gained when they walked out of the dome Monday night?

I'm smelling what you're farting, I'm just trying to keep some hope. I have faith in the team as a whole. Also, i think the vickings are going to the superbowl and not the saints anyway. Although it would be sweet if the colts and saints are both undefeated and the pats beat them both on the way to a 4th superbowl trophy.

 

[maverick4]

If you're going to take a lesson from the 2001 Rams, think about how we stopped their offense.

Martz stubbornly tried to win the Superbowl with his predictable slants and in cuts to receivers and Faulk out of the backfield. Belichick figured him out, we stopped Martz's favorite things, he didn't adjust, and the Pats pulled off a huge upset.

Teams are now effectively stopping our explosive offense because of predictability and over-use of shot gun, and inability to win if Welker doesn't have a phenomenal game.

 

[PatsGAgirl]

Although it would be sweet if the colts and saints are both undefeated and the pats beat them both on the way to a 4th superbowl trophy.

Now, that would be Patriot football that we all know and love

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Yeah, I thought that too, but that was a reasonably competitive game even tho we did give up nearly 500 yards to the Turf Show. Monday wasn't competitive; we can argue about when it became uncompetitive, but it wasn't competitive.

 

[dhamz]

After that game Mike Martz told his team they had beat the best football team they would play all year and marveled at how physical the Pats D played.

Do you think Sean Payton did that after Monday?

 

[Mack Herron]

I would not give up hope, but 2001 is not a good comparison for the reasons stated. That was a much more physical team that never failed to show. I walked out of the first Rams game feeling we could beat them, much as I feelt after the Colts game this year. But the 2001 team progressed and played to their capabilities, while the 2009 team has underperformed IMO and took a big step backwards Mon. We have a number of softer teams now against which we can try to correct problems. If BB is the coach we think he is, they will correct many of them.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

...

Although it would be sweet if the colts and saints are both undefeated and the pats beat them both on the way to a 4th superbowl trophy.

I would prefer not to have to play either of them again.

Realistically, if we're going to go to Miami (a big ******* "if"), we're probably the only ones who can beat the Colts.

I do think that the Vikings with wily Lord Favregaard could knock off the Saints, as well as two hungry, veteran teams in Philadelphia and Dallas.

We're far more likely, IMHO, to be watching Indy in Miami than the Saints. Just a gut feeling.

 

[mayoclinic]

We're far more likely, IMHO, to be watching Indy in Miami than the Saints. Just a gut feeling.

Much more likely.

But right now I still think that we can correct our problems enough to make it to the SB. There's no one in the AFC who I think is hands down a much better team. The Colts have to be the favorites, and deservedly so, but that doesn't mean they will make it to the SB.

NO and Minnesota look like the best teams in the NFL right now, and I think it would take a major upgrade of our pass rush to beat either one. If we somehow do make it to Miami against the Saints, I think that the biggest lesson we will have gained from Monday's debacle is that we will be better prepared for New Orlean's speed. Like the 2001 Rams, they have a lot of it, and I think it caught us by surprise. We would be better prepared next time. Whether it would make a difference is another question altogether.

 

[Mountain_Commando]

If you're going to take a lesson from the 2001 Rams, think about how we stopped their offense.

Martz stubbornly tried to win the Superbowl with his predictable slants and in cuts to receivers and Faulk out of the backfield. Belichick figured him out, we stopped Martz's favorite things, he didn't adjust, and the Pats pulled off a huge upset.

Teams are now effectively stopping our explosive offense because of predictability and over-use of shot gun, and inability to win if Welker doesn't have a phenomenal game.

I can't help but notice, BB has been a little TOO predictable this year. So much so that even Pats fans are asking if he's jumped the shark. Now, this may definitely be due to the new OC and a D flooded with rooks and missing half a dozen vets. But just maybe, BB is doing this deliberately? Saving his best for the last...maybe he knows that having predictable plays right now is enough to get us into the playoffs, by which time the other teams would have let their guard down somewhat.

I dunno, just speculating , but wouldn't it be cool if this were truly the case?

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Ya, but if you remember that 2001 team actually showed up for the game. They played the Rams tough and did some things (rough up the WR's, jump the slants) that would end up being part of the blueprint for BB's gameplan in the SB. That Pats team cam out of that game with a lot of confidence based on how they played.

I'm not sure how much confidence was gained when they walked out of the dome Monday night?

exactly. it was a completely different scenario. the pats played a good game with the rams during the regular season and they felt that if the rams were the best the league had to offer then they could hang with them if they met again. second, the team had a lot of veterans back then.

as for monday night, there wasn't anything positive to take away from. even gostkowski struggled. we have a lot of young players on D who could get scared again if brees starts hitting his receivers.

 

[maverick4]

I can't help but notice, BB has been a little TOO predictable this year. So much so that even Pats fans are asking if he's jumped the shark. Now, this may definitely be due to the new OC and a D flooded with rooks and missing half a dozen vets. But just maybe, BB is doing this deliberately? Saving his best for the last...maybe he knows that having predictable plays right now is enough to get us into the playoffs, by which time the other teams would have let their guard down somewhat.

The play calling is an issue but it's not deliberate.
Belichick is doing everything he can and is involved with film review, pre-game-planning, etc. He wouldn't give up any games.

Unfortunately he can't be 5 places at the same time, he doesn't call the plays during the game. His coordinators start out following the game plan, then revert back to their predictable personal tendencies. This is why our 2nd half stats are so pathetic and we choke so often now.

 

[Mountain_Commando]

The play calling is an issue but it's not deliberate.
Belichick is doing everything he can and is involved with film review, pre-game-planning, etc. He wouldn't give up any games.

Unfortunately he can't be 5 places at the same time. His coordinators start out following the game plan, then revert back to their predictable personal tendencies. This is why our 2nd half stats are so pathetic and we choke so often now.

Ok, you do agree that play calling is a big part of our woes. Like you said, it appears that it starts out decent, but lets up as we put some points up. I'm not saying BB is giving up games, but I still think its possible that BB and the coordinators are purposely easing back on the throttle specifically for misleading the other teams into thinking that we've become predictable, and will continue to be so. I also think that this would be a good strategy, just as long as it doesn't jeopardize our playoff chances, which has been pretty secure so far.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Much more likely.

But right now I still think that we can correct our problems enough to make it to the SB. There's no one in the AFC who I think is hands down a much better team. The Colts have to be the favorites, and deservedly so, but that doesn't mean they will make it to the SB.

NO and Minnesota look like the best teams in the NFL right now, and I think it would take a major upgrade of our pass rush to beat either one. If we somehow do make it to Miami against the Saints, I think that the biggest lesson we will have gained from Monday's debacle is that we will be better prepared for New Orlean's speed. Like the 2001 Rams, they have a lot of it, and I think it caught us by surprise. We would be better prepared next time. Whether it would make a difference is another question altogether.

I'd agree with your assessment of the AFC. We're the only team who could beat Indy, which says a lot about Indy since we couldn't stop them last game.

As for the NFC, I just wouldn't rule out the Eagles and Cowboys. Those are two hungry, veteran teams with the clock ticking on Coaches and key players. I'd agree that NO and Minnesota are superior, but the best team isn't always the team that goes to and/or wins the SB; it's the team that plays its best and is better on the field on a particular day.

 

[Jimke]

I attended that game. It was a night game and it took me a

long time to get frisked before I got into the stadium. The

game was decided by a couple of Patriot mistakes. Final score

was 24 to 17.

Monday's game was a complete blowout. It was a complete domination

by the Saint's offense and defense. The Patriots had better come up

with some innovations of their own or this season may be in jeopardy.

I'm sure the Dolphins are studying the Saint's game film to see how

they shut down both Welker and Moss.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I attended that game. It was a night game and it took me a

long time to get frisked before I got into the stadium. The

game was decided by a couple of Patriot mistakes. Final score

was 24 to 17.

Monday's game was a complete blowout. It was a complete domination

by the Saint's offense and defense. The Patriots had better come up

with some innovations of their own or this season may be in jeopardy.

I'm sure the Dolphins are studying the Saint's game film to see how

they shut down both Welker and Moss.

Yep. Pats win that game if A. Smith hadn't fumbled on the goaline or the PA in the 3rd qtr on O-T-I-S.

Pats wern't outclassed that game. Monday night they were...

 

[Sivy]

You all suck, I'm just trying to be positvie pants over here.

 

[RobertWeathers]

You all suck, I'm just trying to be positvie pants over here.

It's a solid effort to be uplifting. Thanks.

There is plenty of optomisim to be had. Pats go 12-4, 1st round bye. Colts get waxed in their Div game and the Saints fall to Minny in the NFCC. Either way, I still like the Pats chances vs the Colts in Indy or anyone else at home.

I like my chances against a "gunslinging" Brett Farve who no since 1997 has come up big in a title game.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

They also didn't put a 38-17 beat down on us