Massarotti : Careful Pats fans,Chargers are a trap

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Careful, Pats fans, Chargers are a trap - The Tony Massarotti Sports Blog, featuring Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics analysis

I can't agree this is a trap game,I think a trap game would be one where the Pats would play the Jets or Dolphins next week which they aren't.

In fact they play an NFC team which of course is slightly less meaningful than an AFC clash.

Unless the team is focused on looking ahead to the return of Randy Moss at Gillette next weekend and thinking of ways to stop his homecoming from being a successful one,I don't see the team not at full attention this Sunday afternoon,even though the Chargers are 2 1/2 games back of NE,this game could be for the last tiebreaker in a Wild Card scenario.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

I stopped reading Mr. Massarotti's writings a few seasons back.

 

[Sicilian]

I would hope most fans are not looking past the Chargers.

Playing on the road is tough. Playing on the road having traveled a long distance is tougher. Playing on the road, having traveled a long distance, AND playing a good team who plays better at home is even tougher.

Having Gates, Floyd, and Naanee out would help of course, but it should still be a dog fight.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I would hope most fans are not looking past the Chargers.

Playing on the road is tough. Playing on the road having traveled a long distance is tougher. Playing on the road, having traveled a long distance, AND playing a good team who plays better at home is even tougher.

Having Gates, Floyd, and Naanee out would help of course, but it should still be a dog fight.

I was probably one of the minority who picked SD in the contest,to win this week
I actually picked them to win by 13,I think SD breaks out of their slump and whips us which I believe will be a Pats team a little tired from the trip out west and a little worn from the physical game with the Ravens.

This game may be the Brady head scratcher game of the year where he gets pressured by a DL who dominates the OL and he throws a few picks,he usually has one or two of those each year.

Hope I am wrong by all accounts,but thats what I feel about this one

Besides columnist Gary Meyers who is a Jets junkie picked us as his best bet to win this weekend,that is the kiss of death right there.

 

[Disco Volante]

You're usually favorites in a trap game, Pats are underdogs.

 

[sieglo]

How could it be a trap game for the fans? The team plays the game, not the fans.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Every week you can lose to the worst team or best the best team depending on attitude and preparation. These blowhards just like to try to guess so they can say they called it.

 

[37Harrison]

 

[Lansdowne]

No sh*t, Mazz!

 

[jmt57]

How could it be a trap game for the fans? The team plays the game, not the fans.

I was thinking the same thing. If a team is going to perform based on how the fans feel, then San Diego is going to get blown out because most of their fans seem to be totally demoralized and are conceding defeat.


If anybody so desires - and yes, I do realize many, if not most have no desire to do so - below is an audio link to Mazz and Felger discussing the very same subject today. Mazz must have printed out the column because in the beginning he was using identical phrases. Felger doesn't think much of San Diego (in part due to injuries) and refers to them as a mess, but does see this as one of those sandwich games in which it would be better for the Pats if they were meeting at some other point of time on the schedule: the Pats are coming off a tough, emotional win, and two weeks from now they have the return of Randy Moss and the Vikings. Add in the cross-country trip and he sees it as something that could be difficult for the Pats to overcome. Mazz on the other hand focuses in on Rivers and the Chargers passing game, and how the Pats pass defense is still not a given. Mazz also thinks the Chargers are dangerous because they are in desperate need of a win.

Audio: Is This A Trap Game For The Patriots? 98.5 The Sports Hub – Boston's New Home For Sports

In the end Mazz seems to be convinced that San Diego will win, possibly in a blowout, while Felger sees it as a tossup that could very easily go either way. I think Felger is making a lot more sense than Mazz in this debate (even if that's not saying much.)

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Shows how little this guy understands the Patriots (or football for that matter). If the Pats lose to the Chargers, it won't be because they weren't ready or were lulled into complacency by last week's win or were looking a week ahead. They'd lose if Tommy threw up a stinker or the D showed too many growing pains...not because they were asleep at the switch.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If there is going to be a trap game this season for the Pats it will be on Thanksgiving against the Lions which is the game before the nationally televised MNF affair against the Jets which could be the game that decides the East division title.
The Lions despite a 1-5 record are vastly improved talent wise as well as confidence they haven't shown before and if we are caught napping in looking ahead to the Jets we could lose then,Detroit is not a stepping stone.

This game at SD is not a trap game...The Thanksgiving game COULD be

 

[SVN]

Didnt read it especially when he addresses us fans like he is the voice of reason and maturity and we are a bunch of &*$##$$ . why should we be careful and of what? the team needs to be.

 

[deters]

I never was a believer of teams overlooking opponents. A player should have the mentality of wanting to win every game and put forth the same effort each week. This is the NFL not High School football and I'm 100% sure our guys are focused.

 

[JoeSixPat]

It's only a trap if the Patriots take the Chargers for granted based on their record...

In terms of yards they're the #1 offense in the league, aren't they?

And beyond that the Pats want to build on a good game last week

None of that translates into the Patriots coming in to San Diego thinking this will be an easy win

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

YouTube - IT'S A TRAP


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[Nashua Patsfan]

Careful, Pats fans, Chargers are a trap - The Tony Massarotti Sports Blog, featuring Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics analysis

In fact they play an NFC team which of course is slightly less meaningful than an AFC clash.

NFC?

AFC WEST

 

[Fencer]

Bruschi says it has the potential to be a trap game, and that the coaches will address it (succeeding with some difficulty).

Norv Turner's three keys to the game are:

1. Make the downfield passing game work.
2. Get STs to keep it together.
3. Get everybody to play with enthusiasm.

All three seem pretty doable.

So it is indeed a dangerous game.

 

[BlueThunder]

EVERY road game is a tough game for Pats......

Using the Ravens game to build off of should be the defensive players goal. If they play like they did the last 30 minutes of the Ravens game, they will win without breaking a sweat...if they look like they did in the first quarter, they will be in a shootout.

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

YouTube - ITS A TRAP!