If the Pats can take care of business, next week's NFL schedule looking good

[Disco Volante]

Dolphins @ Jaguars (7-5)
Chargers @ Cowboys (8-4)
Bengals @ Vikings (10-2)
Broncos @ Colts (12-0)

The four teams (excluding the Jets) we're rooting against the most will all be road dogs against current playoff teams.

If the favorites win all four games and the Patriots beat the Panthers...

-Patriots will have a 2 game lead on the Dolphins in the AFC East
-Patriots will be 1 game behind the Bengals/Chargers for the #2 seed (Chargers @ Bengals = Week 15)

And of course we don't want the Broncos winning their division, as they'd automatically win a tiebreaker if it came down to it.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Cool. Honestly I dont care if we miss the playoffs this year. We wouldve had a better chance of "making a run" last year than we do this year.

Everything has fallen apart. Our defense has been exposed as being able to pass on any time the opposing team wants to. Our play on the road is atrocious. Our play in the 2nd half is consistently terrible. etc etc. Stuff like that isn't going to be fixed all of a sudden when it's been a problem the entire year.

We need to regroup and make some personnel moves. Player wise and coach wise.

This team is going no where with that pathetic pass rush. In BB I don't trust anymore. I've been calling for a stud OLB for the past 2 drafts and nothing came of it. Pats and Belicheck deserve to lose right now.

 

[Disco Volante]

Broncos = 3
Colts = 1
Dolphins = 1

Three losses by a combined 5 points. Had literally three plays gone differently the Patriots are 10-2 right now. It happens. Of course this does not excuse the record, but it does show how much potential this team has, as they're literately a play away from victory in the majority of their losses.

Usually when such is is said about a team (eg: Texans) they're recognized as dangerous to any team they play but on the outside looking in. Luckily the Patriots are still in fine position to be in the post-season and will have the opportunity to redeem their very correctable mistakes when it matters most.

The only team we were flat out dominated by were the 12-0 Saints on the road, a team who has also blown out the likes of the Eagles and Giants.

This team has a lot of potential, it really surprises me (well, not anymore really) to see how many people are giving up all hope on any significant playoff success when the largest conference defeat was by 7 points in week two.

We wouldve had a better chance of "making a run" last year than we do this year.

Through 12 games our offense and defense are both statistically better than they were last season through the same amount of games while the records are identical. Don't see how last year's team through 12 games looked any better than this team. (Though actually having two road wins could support your case)

 

[OtisCampbell]

In BB I don't trust anymore. I've been calling for a stud OLB for the past 2 drafts and nothing came of it. Pats and Belicheck deserve to lose right now.

If they don't listen to you, I agree, they deserve to lose. How dare they.

 

[ausbacker]

Broncos = 3
Colts = 1
Dolphins = 1

Three losses by a combined 5 points. Had literally three plays gone differently the Patriots are 10-2 right now. It happens. Of course this does not excuse the record, but it does show how much potential this team has, as they're literately a play away from victory in the majority of their losses.

Usually when such is is said about a team (eg: Texans) they're recognized as dangerous to any team they play but on the outside looking in. Luckily the Patriots are still in fine position to be in the post-season and will have the opportunity to redeem their very correctable mistakes when it matters most.

The only team we were flat out dominated by were the 12-0 Saints on the road, a team who has also blown out the likes of the Eagles and Giants.

This team has a lot of potential, it really surprises me (well, not anymore really) to see how many people are giving up all hope on any significant playoff success when the largest conference defeat was by 7 points in week two.



Through 12 games our offense and defense are both statistically better than they were last season through the same amount of games while the records are identical. Don't see how last year's team through 12 games looked any better than this team. (Though actually having two road wins could support your case)

What's that saying "you're as good as your record says you are". I don't care we lost games on the road by 1, 1 and 3. We lost them period. We're playing average football and not executing. Schedule or not, the 2008 team had more heart than this lot is putting out.

 

[Disco Volante]

What's that saying "you're as good as your record says you are".

Well if that was the case, the team with the best record would be crowned champion every year.

The '08 Titans, '07 Patriots, '06 Chargers and '05 Colts would be your last four SB champions. In reality, three out of the last four SB champions have been Wild Card teams.

You're as good as you perform in the post-season. The goal of the regular season is simply advancing and then ideally giving yourself the easiest road.

 

[patsfan-1982]

they should still win the AFC east but they will not get the #2 or #3 seed they will stay at the #4 seed and loose in the first round to what ever team they face

you can see it by the look on the players face's and by the way they are playing

they are not redy to come out fighting they look more like thay are about to fall a part and start pointing fingers

i would be amazed if they win 10 games

 

[ausbacker]

Well if that was the case, the team with the best record would be crowned champion every year.

The '08 Titans, '07 Patriots, '06 Chargers and '05 Colts would be your last four SB champions. In reality, three out of the last four SB champions have been Wild Card teams.

You're as good as you perform in the post-season. The goal of the regular season is simply advancing and then ideally giving yourself the easiest road.

I hear what you are saying, I'm just not enthused with how the team is currently playing and has played against quality opponents to be optimistic of a Giants like 2007 run.

 

[hyperpat]

I hear what you are saying, I'm just not enthused with how the team is currently playing and has played against quality opponents to be optimistic of a Giants like 2007 run.

It doesn't look that way, but things can turn on a dime in the NFL. The Pats make a few more plays a game and they win. BB has got to dig deep and devise some inspirational gambit to get these guys fired up. They can still turn this thing around.

It's been noted before, but the Brady/Moss connection now seems to be hurting this team. Brady is forcing too many balls to Moss when he should be spreading the ball around to the open guy. Throwing to a double-covered Moss in the end zone was a huge mistake that ended in a pick.

Also, Moss needs to work a bit harder. He whiffed on a block or two yesterday that would have given the Pats a first down and kept drives alive.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Im trying to be a optimist, but I need to see more killer instinct from this team, and its lacking ... With that said, I will enjoy the next 4 weeks.. and see what happens..

 

[RobertWeathers]

Im trying to be a optimist, but I need to see more killer instinct from this team, and its lacking ... With that said, I will enjoy the next 4 weeks.. and see what happens..

The need to show that they can finish games....Thats the #1 problem. Every loss (with exception of the Saints) was winnable. Good decision making, execution, fight....all traits that are required to win consistiently in the NFL.

 

[PrairiePat]

Broncos = 3
Colts = 1
Dolphins = 1

Three losses by a combined 5 points.

I hear what you're saying, and you're right to a degree, but I think the thing that separates this season from some others is the way we're losing the games. We had late leads in all 3 of those games, 14+ point leads in 2 of them, yet we lost all 3. There have been uncharacteristic things like wasted timeouts, turnovers in the red zone, bad 3rd down defense, etc that we didn't see recent Pats teams doing.

Maybe it's the leadership that we've lost, maybe it's talent erosion, maybe it's the inexperience; whatever the cause, this team has become very pedestrian, especially on the road, and lately has shown itself to be the opposite of clutch in tight games.

Can it be reversed? Sure, it's possible. They can stay on the field with any team but N.O. right now, and that's something - they're not far from winning these games. But the prospect of facing an Indy or S.D. (or both) on the road this playoff season doesn't bode well.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Cool. Honestly I dont care if we miss the playoffs this year. We wouldve had a better chance of "making a run" last year than we do this year.

Everything has fallen apart. Our defense has been exposed as being able to pass on any time the opposing team wants to. Our play on the road is atrocious. Our play in the 2nd half is consistently terrible. etc etc. Stuff like that isn't going to be fixed all of a sudden when it's been a problem the entire year.

We need to regroup and make some personnel moves. Player wise and coach wise.

This team is going no where with that pathetic pass rush. In BB I don't trust anymore. I've been calling for a stud OLB for the past 2 drafts and nothing came of it. Pats and Belicheck deserve to lose right now.

Cool thread and I wonder what our pass rush would have been like if we had McKenzie and Crable etc. healthy.

We line up and are predictable....back in 01-02 etc- our guys would walk around the line and confuse....now we just set up a 34/43 base and the QB can read us and pick us apart. I'm a defensive guy and this year has got to be one of the hardest in a while. Having a weak secondary was one thing....zero pressure on the QB's is unreal.

no excuses but....The Pats have had bad luck (tough calls, tough mistakes, lost draft picks etc)

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Broncos = 3
Colts = 1
Dolphins = 1

Three losses by a combined 5 points. Had literally three plays gone differently the Patriots are 10-2 right now. It happens. Of course this does not excuse the record, but it does show how much potential this team has, as they're literately a play away from victory in the majority of their losses.

Usually when such is is said about a team (eg: Texans) they're recognized as dangerous to any team they play but on the outside looking in. Luckily the Patriots are still in fine position to be in the post-season and will have the opportunity to redeem their very correctable mistakes when it matters most.

The only team we were flat out dominated by were the 12-0 Saints on the road, a team who has also blown out the likes of the Eagles and Giants.

This team has a lot of potential, it really surprises me (well, not anymore really) to see how many people are giving up all hope on any significant playoff success when the largest conference defeat was by 7 points in week two.



Through 12 games our offense and defense are both statistically better than they were last season through the same amount of games while the records are identical. Don't see how last year's team through 12 games looked any better than this team. (Though actually having two road wins could support your case)

I kind of think that, in general, records reflect teams and that the Pats record reflects this team pretty accurately, to date. It's playing better than .500 in a weak Division and will make the playoffs where, as the saying goes, anything can happen. Like you, I don't write them off by any means.

But, I disagree with the logic of your post.

Things even out. Following your approach, I could also say that by all rights we should have lost the Buffalo game except for Leodis McKelvin's brain fart and that we would have lost the Ravens game if Mark Clayton doesn't drop that pass at the nine yard line with Flacco driving his team down the field at will. That would make us 5--7. So, what does that prove? Exactly nothing.

The Pats aren't a 10--2 team and they're not a 5--7 team. So far, they've played like a team that should be a little over .500, which is what they are.

 

[resdubwhite]

I kind of think that, in general, records reflect teams and that the Pats record reflects this team pretty accurately, to date. It's playing better than .500 in a weak Division and will make the playoffs where, as the saying goes, anything can happen. Like you, I don't write them off by any means.

But, I disagree with the logic of your post.

Things even out. Following your approach, I could also say that by all rights we should have lost the Buffalo game except for Leodis McKelvin's brain fart and that we would have lost the Ravens game if Mark Clayton doesn't drop that pass at the nine yard line with Flacco driving his team down the field at will. That would make us 5--7. So, what does that prove? Exactly nothing.

The Pats aren't a 10--2 team and they're not a 5--7 team. So far, they've played like a team that should be a little over .500, which is what they are.

Dead right.

Pats deserve to be where they are. Its how they get over the past four weeks that will decide the season. Realistically with the right mix of arm around the shoulder and kick in the backside this team could easily go 4-0 for the last four games. The wrong mix and easily it could end 2-2. Still probably good enough for the division but thats it I'm afraid.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

There is no doubt we still control our destiny and the schedule does favor us. They were discussing those two points on NFL Network Gameday last night.

If New England can finish with four wins over relatively weak opponents, they will win the division at 11-5, get a home wild card game, probably win it, and then go lose on the road somewhere.

All in all, a disappointing season by our standards, but a banner year in most NFL cities.

Steve Mariucci, who I normally do not like, made a good point last night - He said our defense is young and rebuilding and Belichick obviously recognized the need to get younger and rebuild, as evidenced by the trades of Vrabel & Seymour.

Losing to Miami just sucks for me personally, because having lived in SoFla for 35 years, I am taking loads of radio gaga from my boys down there last night and today.

That said, it's good to be home in the Commonwealth, where everyone feels my pain!

ADPF