Time to move on - Fins game is huge!!!

[PATSNUTme]

As I look at the threads on the front page I don't see any about the upcoming game (predict the score contest the exception).

Well my fellow Patriots fans this game on Sunday against the Fins is HUGE. Yes, all capital letters huge!

Will this team be tired after a Monday night game with a long travel and now a Sunday 1PM with a long travel? They looked tired Monday. It's been tough for the Patriots playing in Miami for the most part.

So, I'm concerned about this game. And I've stopped looking back about the NO game and looking forward to this one. Miami still has playoff hopes. A win on Sunday will put them back in the race.

The Patriots need to win this one and then make a run over the next 4 games.

Those who want to discuss this Sundays game, here's your thread. Those who want to keep whining and crying and looking back to last Monday, continue to post on the other 10+ threads.

 

[HarkDawg]

Re: Time to move on- Fins game is huge!!!

Vince wants to eat some Dolphin..... let us embarrass them with a Brady Clinic.

 

[Patjew]

I hope the players are moving on better than the fans are. I think this game will tell us more about this team than any other game this year.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

I agree, lets go in there have a Monster game regain some confidence. Put Saints game behind us. Division, Conference game is more important.

 

[HarkDawg]

I hope the players are moving on better than the fans are. I think this game will tell us more about this team than any other game this year.

Disagree...... any "WILDCAT" formation that is used predominantly in a game should be discarded as a part of a SAMPLE.......


THE Wildcat pisses me off and is very "unorthodox". and inaccurate in determining how a team can handle a standard football offense that is the norm.

 

[supafly]

I hope the players are moving on better than the fans are. I think this game will tell us more about this team than any other game this year.

Good point, PJ.

We'll be able to tell if this yr's team has the heart to come back on the road in a shortened week. If they win this upcoming game, I think it says a lot about our chances still. More importantly, I think it'll say a lot about their will, guts, moxy.

This game actually may be the toughest test yet, a divisional game in a tough enviornment, against a desperate team looking for revenge and a chance to continue their season. All of this coming off a devastating road loss in PT on MNF. Brady has had a somewhat hard time playing against MIA, specifically down there, so a win would indeed say a lot.

Not to mention the chance to pretty much nail down the division. I agree with the OP, this game is absolutely gigantic.

 

[Imperator]

Disagree...... any "WILDCAT" formation that is used predominantly in a game should be discarded as a part of a SAMPLE.......


THE Wildcat pisses me off and is very "unorthodox". and inaccurate in determining how a team can handle a standard football offense that is the norm.

I think he was referring to the teams mentality, not the game planning they're going to have to employ.

 

[mgteich]

We need to win the game and come out with as few injuries as possible. There is almost no value in a "monster" game other than to build FAN confidence.

We're getting healthy. Everyone is praticing in pads except Taylor and Lockett! We'll be healthier this week than at any time so far this year. And we can expect to have Taylor and Seau for the playoffs.

 

[HarkDawg]

We need to win the game and come out with as few injuries as possible. There is almost no value in a "monster" game other than to build FAN confidence.

We're getting healthy. Everyone is praticing in pads except Taylor and Lockett! We'll be healthier this week than at any time so far this year. And we can expect to have Taylor and Seau for the playoffs.

I agree.... staying healthy w/ the win is KEY. Health is synonymous with success in the NFL.

 

[supafly]

Disagree...... any "WILDCAT" formation that is used predominantly in a game should be discarded as a part of a SAMPLE.......


THE Wildcat pisses me off and is very "unorthodox". and inaccurate in determining how a team can handle a standard football offense that is the norm.

Where are you going with this Hark?

PJ is trying to say that this game will say a ton about the willingness of the team to rebound, focus, and show guts.

I don't believe he's talking anything at all about the wildcat.

It's about the grit and guts that it'll take to play 2 back to back road games in a hostile enviornment after their tough loss, etc.

Edit: while typing, another poster already commented

 

[juny]

I wonder if Joey Porter has a picture of his "0 tackle" performance on the Gillette scoreboard to help motivate him for this game. I feel he may have an impact but hopefully the offense overwhelms the rest of the D.

 

[mayoclinic]

As I look at the threads on the front page I don't see any about the upcoming game (predict the score contest the exception).

Well my fellow Patriots fans this game on Sunday against the Fins is HUGE. Yes, all capital letters huge!

Will this team be tired after a Monday night game with a long travel and now a Sunday 1PM with a long travel? They looked tired Monday. It's been tough for the Patriots playing in Miami for the most part.

So, I'm concerned about this game. And I've stopped looking back about the NO game and looking forward to this one. Miami still has playoff hopes. A win on Sunday will put them back in the race.

The Patriots need to win this one and then make a run over the next 4 games.

Those who want to discuss this Sundays game, here's your thread. Those who want to keep whining and crying and looking back to last Monday, continue to post on the other 10+ threads.

Every game is obviously important, but what's so huge about it?

We win and granted we virtually win the division, but we won't have proven anything in terms of our ability to win the big games that count. Oh yeah, at least we will have actually won a road game.

Lose and we're still a game up with 4 to play against very beatable opponents, and should still win the division.

I'm not crying. But I have a hard time seeing this as a huge game.

Yawn.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

Had the phins won on Sunday this game would huge, arguably the biggest of the season. It's still an important game as we can pretty much lock up the division and end Miami's playoff hopes, but the team's aren't going to be playing for 1st place in the East on Sunday

 

[Kontradiction]

Every game is obviously important, but what's so huge about it?

We win and granted we virtually win the division, but we won't have proven anything in terms of our ability to win the big games that count. Oh yeah, at least we will have actually won a road game.

Lose and we're still a game up with 4 to play against very beatable opponents, and should still win the division.

I'm not crying. But I have a hard time seeing this as a huge game.

Yawn.

Every game against the Dolphins is a huge game. Considering who we're looking at facing in the playoffs, I want to win out and go to 12-4 where we'll at least have a shot at the second seed and a bye. On top of this, we get a chance to sweep the Fish this year. This game is big and is going to be a lot closer than a lot of people think.

 

[mayoclinic]

Every game against the Dolphins is a huge game. Considering who we're looking at facing in the playoffs, I want to win out and go to 12-4 where we'll at least have a shot at the second seed and a bye. On top of this, we get a chance to sweep the Fish this year. This game is big and is going to be a lot closer than a lot of people think.

As I said, every game is important. And of course a division game is important. The result counts. But I really don't think it means much of anything, either way.

 

[HarkDawg]

Where are you going with this Hark?

PJ is trying to say that this game will say a ton about the willingness of the team to rebound, focus, and show guts.

I don't believe he's talking anything at all about the wildcat.

It's about the grit and guts that it'll take to play 2 back to back road games in a hostile enviornment after their tough loss, etc.

Edit: while typing, another poster already commented

I am saying this game is not a "fair" one to determine that..... Wildcat is..... it is so different.

sure a win would be great...... but the Wildcat is still unusual and should not be a factor for "winning"....... yeah a win is a win...... but the wildcat is like no other offense. It is very multidimensional..... and because of (PatJew).... I will use the term "unorthodox" again. if we lose this game; the wildcat should not negate our confidence...... and at the same time if we win it better not boost that confidence..... because in my mind any game versus Miami is a rare comparison to a normal game versus a different opponent that runs a familiar and standard offensive scheme.



Miami=anomaly

Tony Sparano=overrated and unpredictable much like the Miami Dolphin's condition of play in any given game.......


we should win this fight but this game is different than all other games versus opponents. It should be seen as a win versus Miami...... and not just a W.

 

[supafly]

As I said, every game is important. And of course a division game is important. The result counts. But I really don't think it means much of anything, either way.

Where I think the importance lies is the teams' ability to rebound and refocus after such a debilitating loss. It's another chance for them to gather themselves and try to refocus on putting the division away and making a late season push.

If they are unable to overcome this challenge, they will obviously be quickly heading into the wrong direction at a vital part of the year. If they can pick themselves back up off of a shortened week against an always tough, divisional foe in a place where they usually have problems already, then I think it'll go a long way towards rebuilding the team chemistry and confidence.

A loss here would equal only their 2nd in a row in 6 seasons, let at least one if not two teams back in the race, and set a tone of overall disappointment after losing 3 out of their last 4 games. It's certainly not where anyone wants to be. A win will put a spark back in the team, keep them alive for #2, and pretty much put away the division. More importantly, I believe it would set the tone for the stretch run, and prove to themselves that they are indeed able to conquer and overcome major challenges. Remember, they are dealing with the dreaded "MNF rule" here--meaning that a team who loses on the road during MNF then has to travel again in a shortened wk for the next game only has a 15% chance of victory. That coupled with their general mediocre to poor performances in Miami would mean a lot, IMO.

 

[supafly]

I am saying this game is not a "fair" one to determine that..... Wildcat is..... it is so different.

sure a win would be great...... but the Wildcat is still unusual and should not be a factor for "winning"....... yeah a win is a win...... but the wildcat is like no other offense. It is very multidimensional..... and because of (PatJew).... I will use the term "unorthodox" again. if we lose this game; the wildcat should not negate our confidence...... and at the same time if we win it better not boost that confidence..... because in my mind any game versus Miami is a rare comparison to a normal game versus a different opponent that runs a familiar and standard offensive scheme.



Miami=anomaly

Tony Sparano=overrated and unpredictable much like the Miami Dolphin's condition of play in any given game.......


we should win this fight but this game is different than all other games versus opponents. It should be seen as a win versus Miami...... and not just a W.

There's no doubt you have a good point regarding the theory on the WC, but I was just thinking that he was going somewhere else with his statement about being able to tell exactly what kind of team we'll have.

They have to be able to overcome some kind of obstacle that is going to be meaningful, and possibly equal a turning point to the season. If they do not win this game, they will not have proven to us or themselves (more importantly) that they can win when the odds are somewhat against them, not to mention in a hostile enviornment. These are the kinds of attributes that define a team and a season, IMO. These are the kinds of things that will instill confidence and it could lead to a turning point, so to speak.

Everyone who'll state that they can lose this upcoming game and still make the playoffs and make a run is of course correct still--that's obvious. But it'll be week #13, and they'll have yet to prove much, IMHO. This years' specific version of the Pats has yet to win a big road game, etc. More importantly, I'm not sure they've been able to re-adjust to adversity like they did in the past.

It could be a dilluted theory, or I could certainly be on to something, different people will always have their different opinions. There's always 2 or more ways to look at everything. I just don't think that they'll ever regain their 'swagger' by playoff time with wins over somewhat mediocre teams, at least not the types of wins it takes to make a proper SB push.

Regardless, you are correct in your theory of the wildcat, but I really don't think it matters too much, considering they won't play MIA again. We've got bigger problems/challenges than the wildcat coming up.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Why is this game huge? Let's see. We are 7-4. Lose this one and we are 7-5 and it's a division game. And the Fins are 6-6 and right on our tails.

The first step to winning a championship is is winning the division. I classify that as huge.


All this blah blah blah about beating a good team on the road and proving that you can do it during the regular season is semi-media wanna be talk. When the playoffs come everyone starts off 0-0. Making the playoffs is the first big step. That's when you start proving things.

 

[Kontradiction]

Why is this game huge? Let's see. We are 7-4. Lose this one and we are 7-5 and it's a division game. And the Fins are 6-6 and right on our tails.

The first step to winning a championship is is winning the division. I classify that as huge.


All this blah blah blah about beating a good team on the road and proving that you can do it during the regular season is semi-media wanna be talk. When the playoffs come everyone starts off 0-0. Making the playoffs is the first big step. That's when you start proving things.

Agreed. I'm not sure why anyone WOULDN'T think this game is huge, given what's on the line. Also, as someone else mentioned, it will be important to see how this team responds after being blown out the way they did this past Monday. Come out flat, and that's a very bad sign. Come out on fire (like they did against the Jets) and it's obviously a very good sign.