I trust that most feel a bit better now

[mgteich]

Two weeks ago, the sky was falling here on this board and in Patriot Nation. Everyone was looking for scapegoats.

Well, we are now 9-5 and two games ahead in the division. We are currently the 3rd seed in the AFC. Our offense is #2 and our defense is #11. We've even seen an OK start from Brace.

We have no guarantees for a playoff spot; only indy and san diego have those. We won't have a bye, but most of us figured that out weeks or even months ago.
================

Curiously, this is exactly where most of us thought this team would be at this point in the season. Alos, both the offense and defense are about where most of us predicted.

The only open question was and is who will be healthy for the playoffs or even for the next two games. I expect to see Taylor play against the jags. We need Wilfork and Warren back. At this point, I don't think it much matters about the rest of the injured.
=================

So, I guess those who expected a 13-3 season or thereabouts are disappointed. For the rest off us, we look forward to the rest of season and to the playoffs.

 

[Tunescribe]

Two weeks ago, the sky was falling here on this board and in Patriot Nation. Everyone was looking for scapegoats.

Well, we are now 9-5 and two games ahead in the division. We are currently the 3rd seed in the AFC. Our offense is #2 and our defense is #11. We've even seen an OK start from Brace.

We have no guarantees for a playoff spot; only indy and san diego have those. We won't have a bye, but most of us figured that out weeks or even months ago.
================

Curiously, this is exactly where most of us thought this team would be at this point in the season. Alos, both the offense and defense are about where most of us predicted.

The only open question was and is who will be healthy for the playoffs or even for the next two games. I expect to see Taylor play against the jags. We need Wilfork and Warren back. At this point, I don't think it much matters about the rest of the injured.
=================

So, I guess those who expected a 13-3 season or thereabouts are disappointed. For the rest off us, we look forward to the rest of season and to the playoffs.

And isn't it amazing they pulled it off without Seymour? :singing:

 

[mgteich]

With Seymour, we'd still be in contention for the bye.

And isn't it amazing they pulled it off without Seymour? :singing:

 

[TriplecHamp]

And isn't it amazing they pulled it off without Seymour? :singing:

and Matty C :singing:

 

[Joker]

it's amazing they are where they are considering the porous secondary, lack of pass rush, one dimensional offense,loss of Taylor and Morris and the ineptness of O'Brien..but as Parcells drilled into everybody, you are what your record says you are and at 9-5 and two games up in the division the Pats are surviving...

 

[supafly]

With Seymour, we'd still be in contention for the bye.

I'd respectfully concur with that statement.

 

[Tunescribe]

I'd respectfully concur with that statement.

Didn't your parents teach you that two wrongs don't make a right?

 

[supafly]

Didn't your parents teach you that two wrongs don't make a right?

Sadly I left home at a young age.

 

[patsfan55]

With Seymour, we'd still be in contention for the bye.

Mathematically, we still are

 

[IcyPatriot]

I don't feel better now - but I have accepted this team for what it is. Bill tried to patch a few holes into a team in transition. I believe it was a good strategy. It was predicated on the offense carrying the team if Brady returned to form. I believe it was also predicated on the secondary being athletic enough to possibly be a force by years end.

I think overall the defense has been better than average and pretty good. But with the way Brady is playing due to several injuries I just don't see us getting past the 2nd round of the playoffs. With the better protection he is receiving thanks to Vollmer and Light he should be lighting it up ... but he isn't.

Also ... I like Edelman and Aiken. Tom has made receivers like them productive in the past and I think if healthy they are good enough #3 and #4 receivers to spread things out. If Brady starts throwing sideline passes to them I'll get excited. But he has stayed away from that benchmark pass ... with good reason I am sure.

If ribs and a shoulder and a finger can improve in a few weeks I think this team is good enough to challenge for the AFC title. If Bill can get Hoyer in and totally shut Tom down for a week or two I think our chances go up tremendously - we shall soon see. Beating the Bills by a TD does not get me excited --- it just doesn't ... to unrealistic to gloss over.

 

[reflexblue]

I don't feel better now - but I have accepted this team for what it is. Bill tried to patch a few holes into a team in transition. I believe it was a good strategy. It was predicated on the offense carrying the team if Brady returned to form. I believe it was also predicated on the secondary being athletic enough to possibly be a force by years end.


Beating the Bills by a TD does not get me excited --- it just doesn't ... to unrealistic to gloss over.

:ditto::agree:

 

[eagle eye]

Its always great to make the playoffs and that looks almost certain now. As far as this team goes though, I just don't believe that they will beat the really good teams, too many pieces missing to make a Championship run imo.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Its always great to make the playoffs and that looks almost certain now. As far as this team goes though, I just don't believe that they will beat the really good teams, too many pieces missing to make a Championship run imo.

That's how I feel also - but it will be great to be wrong.

I remember how I felt in 2001 - I had no illusions of making it past the 1st round of the playoffs. Had Denver not been beat i still don't think we win but that's another story. If the stars align properly and we don't have to go through Indy at Indy to get to the Super Bowl - then I'll end up being wrong and I'll be very happy to be wrong. Without a healthy Brady I don't see us beating Indy at Indy.

 

[D-Money]

I still had faith we would win this division.In terms of making a playoff run, i still have my doubts.This team hasnt beaten any of the superbowl contenders.I still worry about the pass defense against the elite.

 

[Deus Irae]

The team's 2-2 in the past 4 games, and has looked nothing better than mediocre even in the best game it's played during that span. I'm not sure that's "feel a little bit better" material.

 

[The Dynasty]

I still had faith we would win this division.In terms of making a playoff run, i still have my doubts.This team hasnt beaten any of the superbowl contenders.I still worry about the pass defense against the elite.

Defense isnt the top concern. The main concern is the offense's ability to score points and close out games

 

[D-Money]

I will tell u one thing, this team didnt like the USC LBs and they are looking good.

 

[letekro]

They're just like the 2005 team - incapable of beating good teams. That team, however, had a better defense (and an equally lame offense).

 

[emoney_33]

They're just like the 2005 team - incapable of beating good teams. That team, however, had a better defense (and an equally lame offense).

2005 Defense: 21.1ppg
2009 Defense: 18.0 ppg

They've only played 2 "really good" teams. They've played 5 "good" teams total. Losing the 3 road games and winning the 2 home games. The complete breakdown in NO, the OT loss in mile high, and the 2nd half gassed collapse in indy. We beat ATL and BAL at home.

This team has struggled on the road but that has a lot to do with their inexperience. Once in the playoffs, we have BB, a good running game and a very talented albeit inexperienced defense. We can do some damage!

 

[condon84]

YOu can throw out all the nice numbers and stats about this team, but realistically, I don't feel too confident about how they are playing right now going into the postseason. Anything can happen and we might turn it up and go on a nice playoff run, but unlike the three SB teams that we had in the past, this team is trending downwards. Two more weeks for improvement.