Classic letdown + sandwich + trap game. Yikes.

[pdangle]

Classic letdown / sandwich / trap game.

Pats post two big wins versus huge rivals, into an over-confident, favorite, non-conference situation, with a huge game versus a hated rival next week.

And, if that isn't bad enough...

Their opponent the Lions are a team who will quite likely play like this is their proverbial Superbowl for the year. They are sure to be fired up coming off 3 losses, in the middle of a disappointing season, on national TV, on Turkey day as a large underdog, at home and getting little respect.

I don't like it. Not one bit. Hopefully the loss at Cleveland was a wakeup call. Alas, human nature is second nature.

 

[JSn]

Don't worry too much. I think a normal week's rest would be cause for concern, but smacking the Colts and getting your playbook handed to you on your way home THAT night, oughta keep these guys in the game.

A lot of lessons have been learned on offense. Defense could struggle, but there's no reason we shouldn't outscore them.

 

[RayClay]

I predict victory + turkey + sandwiches on Friday.

 

[dalero]

I predict victory + turkey + sandwiches on Friday.

Piece of cake. Easy as pie!

 

[Sicilian]

I feel like it will be a tight game. I think what makes this different from the Cleveland game is that 1) The Browns are better than the Lions overall. 2) The Lions are less likely to employ trick plays (that always seem to trip us up the first time we see them) because their coaching staff doesn't have the same mentality as Mangini and they've had less time to come up with anything fancy.

 

[102 Pat]

Personally, I think the Browns game was a wake call that could end up being the game that turns the season around. Like the MNF game versus the Dolphins during the 04 season. Plus there's added motivation of playing in basically a prime time game.

I'm really excited for the game tomorrow. I'm taking the day off and am going all out as I'm cooking a turkey with all the fixings. I guess I'll temporaily become an American for a day!

LOL, can someone remind me to check on the turkey in the game thread tomorrow, I might get caught up in the game and forget...

 

[pdangle]

Not saying we won't win + eat turkey + nap happily, just that the emotional edge EARLY will clearly be in Detroit's favor.

Hopefully our superior talent will carry the day.

 

[jmt57]

More on the subject of this being a trap game here:

Patriots ready for possible Detroit trap | Mary Paoletti | CSNNE

 

[tombonneau]

I'm not worried about the trap concept. If it is a close game it will be do more to spectacular play by the Lions than lackluster play by the Pats.

 

[RayClay]

Piece of cake. Easy as pie!

There you go.

Fortunately, our coach knows to never think about desert before the main course.

It's all about carving the turkeys.

 

[PatsDeb]

I'm not too worried. I agree with others that the Cleveland game must have left a really bad taste and the young guys will only have to be reminded about how they felt after that game to not let this one get away from them. Also, I agree that this is a national game and they'll be trying to play their best.

The only thing that worried me a little is that Brady missed practice again yesterday, so I hope that won't interfere with preparation. I know it's been a regular thing, seemingly designed to help Brady last all season and rest whatever minor injuries he has, but does that mean they didn't have one practice with Brady? Anyone know if they practice today and leave tonight, or are they already en route?

 

[Ring 6]

First the Pats have played about 40 games in the BB era that have been called 'trap' games and lost about 2 of them.
Second, I will never understand the thinking that a team will be 'fired up' because they have lost 3 in a row and 8 out of 10, and that is supposed to make them better. Teams don't win because they are mad they suck or embarrassed. Teams win because they lack the flaws that make them suck or get emabarrassed.

 

[ATippett56]

A lot of lessons have been learned on offense.

Huh? The New England Patriots offense scored 31 points.

Defense could struggle, but there's no reason we shouldn't outscore them.

The New England Patriots defense needs to play for all four quarters, all sixty minutes.

 

[JSn]

Huh? The New England Patriots offense scored 31 points.

What I meant was that the offense, as a unit, I feel more confident in having learned the need to close things out.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Classic letdown / sandwich / trap game.

Pats post two big wins versus huge rivals, into an over-confident, favorite, non-conference situation, with a huge game versus a hated rival next week.

And, if that isn't bad enough...

Their opponent the Lions are a team who will quite likely play like this is their proverbial Superbowl for the year. They are sure to be fired up coming off 3 losses, in the middle of a disappointing season, on national TV, on Turkey day as a large underdog, at home and getting little respect.

I don't like it. Not one bit. Hopefully the loss at Cleveland was a wakeup call. Alas, human nature is second nature.

You are indeed correct in some ways. The Lions are 2-8, are without their starting QB and are coming off of 7 straight Thanksgiving Day losses.

You are incorrect that the Patriots won't be prepared for this game. You are incorrect that the this is the Lions "Super Bowl". The Lions have no Super Bowl and have no hope of a Super Bowl. If Thanksgiving Day is their "Super Bowl" every year, then we have great reason to be confident because they clearly must be chokers.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

How can a game be a 'trap' game when everybody and their mother is sitting there saying 'this is a classic trap game'. You think BB and the Patriots are going to listen to this all week and STILL somehow let themselves get caught up in the showdown with the Jets? The Patriots will be prepared mentally, and physically the Lions are in the exact same situation, coming off a Sunday game. The only thing to worry about is the Detroit Lions and playing in a place that's been a tough place to play this year.

 

[cincipatsfan]

.............They are sure to be fired up coming off (insert each year's losses here), in the middle of a disappointing season, on national TV, on Turkey day as a large underdog, at home and getting little respect........

This is the Lions every single year that they've been on TV on Thanksgiving. I believe their record is something like 2-10.

Why is this year any different?

The biggest hurdle for the Pats is the short week. If they can overcome that, this should be a fairly easy game.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

There you go.

Fortunately, our coach knows to never think about desert before the main course.

It's all about carving the turkeys.

Why would Belichick think about the 'desert' on Thanksgiving?

It's not much to think about,just dry and hot there

 

[D-Money]

This team cant have any letdown considering the jets are coming up after this game.Too much to lose losing to the lions.

 

[abdul7]

As long as we lead from the start, and don't turn the ball over especially in that first quarter, it will be just fine. Score first and let them chase the game is what we want from the start. They will turn the ball over and we must make them pay like we did to Manning! Happy Thanksgiving to you all.