Toughness

[farn]

I am just as worried about this defense as anyone. But while watching SD kick a FG to extend it's lead and keeping in mind the craziness of this week (wins by KC, Indy, Carolina, Philadelphia...) is there something to be said about going on the road, playing a HOT team (though some will downplay their run as lucky) and getting it done ?

NE may indeed lose early in the playoffs once again, but for the moment : this team won while so many others didn't. And they did so on the road vs a division leader. For one day - I think things are pretty good all things considered. I would say it speaks to this team's toughness and desire.

 

[brady199]

I think a lot of that is because BB is so good at keeping them focused on the game and blocks everything else out. So they are consistant, they almost never as a team look terrible like so many other teams do. People complain and worry when they look like they did the last few weeks against Indy and Washington, but they should take a look around the league and they would see teams like the Ravens losing to the Jaguars (LOL) and even today when the Packers were probably thinking before the game that they were just one week away from a 16-0 season. Woops!

 

[wyomingpatsfan]

There is no doubt that NE is a 'winner' when it comes right down to it...

The defense does have some obvious weaknesses, and perhaps as fans, if we keep pointing out those faults it will not be such a blow when they come back to haunt us, if indeed they do...

I am a fan because I believe in what the PATS have represented over the years: the team over the individual, winning as a selfless sacrifice, humility rather that public bravado, dedication to your teammates and fans, and SYNERGY: achieving more together than could be accomplished individually.

"On any given Sunday" so they say, but the Patriots seem to do it consistently on many more Sundays than most of the other teams......the reason I believe in them!!!!!

Go Pats!!!!!

 

[sevengables_2207]

I believe the Patriots team exhibited toughness today... on the road in hostile environment playing one of the hottest teams in the league who got off to a torrid start.

The defense did their job and excelled at the type of situational football that Belichick preaches... forcing turnovers on defense and not letting receivers get behind them for the most part from the second quarter onward.

The offense was its typical efficient and explosive self. It started up front with good pass-protection... with some good run-blocking sprinkled in to establish a bit of the ground game to augment the passing of Brady.

 

[BlueThunder]

One has to wonder what a healthy Spikes and Chung brings to the defense...

Ravens look vulnerable.....

If Pats can get #1 seed...I like their chances to win the AFCC

 

[Uncle Rico]

There is no doubt that NE is a 'winner' when it comes right down to it...

The defense does have some obvious weaknesses, and perhaps as fans, if we keep pointing out those faults it will not be such a blow when they come back to haunt us, if indeed they do...

I am a fan because I believe in what the PATS have represented over the years: the team over the individual, winning as a selfless sacrifice, humility rather that public bravado, dedication to your teammates and fans, and SYNERGY: achieving more together than could be accomplished individually.

"On any given Sunday" so they say, but the Patriots seem to do it consistently on many more Sundays than most of the other teams......the reason I believe in them!!!!!

Go Pats!!!!!

Your avatar, it looks familiar ...

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I was thinking of the "Football Life" episode NFL Network did on BB way back in week 1. That was filmed during 2009, and there was a part during that year's Saints game where BB lamented that he couldn't get the team to play like he wanted them to play. One his points being that they were mentally weak.

This team has a lot of faults, mainly on D. But it's a gritty bunch that handles adversity well. Not a bad thing this time of year.

 

[PrairiePat]

This team has a lot of faults, mainly on D. But it's a gritty bunch that handles adversity well. Not a bad thing this time of year.

This. I have a better feeling about this team than I have the past couple of years. Yeah, the defense is still their achilles heel, but they seem like a scrappy bunch, and they've made some big plays when it counts.

Go back and read the game thread around the end of the 1st quarter yesterday - people were jumping off bridges there. That was adversity, and the team completely turned it around from that point, on the road at an historically tough venue for them.

I thought it was a real team-building type of win - hope the effects carry over to the playoffs.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

This. I have a better feeling about this team than I have the past couple of years. Yeah, the defense is still their achilles heel, but they seem like a scrappy bunch, and they've made some big plays when it counts.

Go back and read the game thread around the end of the 1st quarter yesterday - people were jumping off bridges there. That was adversity, and the team completely turned it around from that point, on the road at an historically tough venue for them.

I thought it was a real team-building type of win - hope the effects carry over to the playoffs.

Agree 100%. Even though the Broncos aren't a very good team, playing in Denver is traditionally a house of horrors for the Patriots. This was a really good win on what turned out to be a very good Sunday for the Patriots.
I do worry about a letdown against a Dolphin team that is playing much better in recent weeks. A short week and coming off a very physical game on the road is a recipe for a sluggish game.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I am just as worried about this defense as anyone. But while watching SD kick a FG to extend it's lead and keeping in mind the craziness of this week (wins by KC, Indy, Carolina, Philadelphia...) is there something to be said about going on the road, playing a HOT team (though some will downplay their run as lucky) and getting it done ?

NE may indeed lose early in the playoffs once again, but for the moment : this team won while so many others didn't. And they did so on the road vs a division leader. For one day - I think things are pretty good all things considered. I would say it speaks to this team's toughness and desire.

Well said. That's exactly why I've been a contrarian out here on the value of the First Round Bye and even of Home Field all the way. Remember that two of the Patriots AFC Championships on the way to their three SB wins went through Heinz field.

I feel that this 2011 Pats team, for whatever reason, plays best with a little bit of a chip on its shoulder and on the road. I'd love to see them have to go into Heinz field and prove themselves to a national audience in the AFCCG again; the very worst that comes out of it is that we all know we had two shots to beat the Conference champion and couldn't do it.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Well said. That's exactly why I've been a contrarian out here on the value of the First Round Bye and even of Home Field all the way. Remember that two of the Patriots AFC Championships on the way to their three SB wins went through Heinz field.

I feel that this 2011 Pats team, for whatever reason, plays best with a little bit of a chip on its shoulder and on the road. I'd love to see them have to go into Heinz field and prove themselves to a national audience in the AFCCG again; the very worst that comes out of it is that we all know we had two shots to beat the Conference champion and couldn't do it.

HFA isn't as big to me as first-round bye. Under the current format, IIRC, the Pats have never made the Super Bowl as anything other than the 1 or 2 seed.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Pretty much everything a Pats fan could hoped for (as far as game results) happend yesterday.

pats-beat Jean shorts Jesus
Jets-lose (and get humilated)
Giants-lose (that Skins win looks a little better today)
setting up a lose and go home game next Sunday! Imagine what Woody will do if Rex gets beat at home, by the Giants, to knock them out of the playoffs!!!!
Packers-lost to a BB disciple (did RAC just nail done the HC of the KCC?, if not, BRING HIM BACK!!!)
Ravens-lost( and didn't show up)
Houston-losses (the rookie looked like a rookie once they got behind).
Indy- wins, putting that Andrew Luck to Indy on hold.

Now if the 49ers can beat the Steelers tonight, then the Pats will control their own destiny for the #1 seed.

Both the Steelers and the Ravesn still have to play the Browns, good thing Houston lost because their remaing games are Indy and Tennessee

At least we have a reason to watch a Thrusday night game. Houston at Indy, if Indy wins, then the Pats beat Miami and they will earn a first round bye.......

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

I am just as worried about this defense as anyone. But while watching SD kick a FG to extend it's lead and keeping in mind the craziness of this week (wins by KC, Indy, Carolina, Philadelphia...) is there something to be said about going on the road, playing a HOT team (though some will downplay their run as lucky) and getting it done ?

NE may indeed lose early in the playoffs once again, but for the moment : this team won while so many others didn't. And they did so on the road vs a division leader. For one day - I think things are pretty good all things considered. I would say it speaks to this team's toughness and desire.

Lots to be said about that. The consistency exhibited by the Pats is truly amazing. Right now they have as good a chance as anyone of representing the AFC.

 

[farn]

Good points by all.

I am, as originally stated, worried that - at times - this defense looks like it would struggle stopping ME from marching down the field. I actually think NE will need a few key takeaways to defeat solid teams such as Baltimore or Pitt. Those two are the only teams that scare me (not saying another team doesn't have a chance, just that I would personally feel confident against other opponents).

Every team - even GB and their suspect D - is flawed. If NE had even a semblance of their 03-04 D they'd roll. Yes, even with Earthwind Moreland.

 

[reflexblue]

I thought this thread was going to be about Brady taking that hellasious hit, maybe the hardest i can remember him taking, and bouncing right back up.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I can't support it with evidence but I have a feeling the defense will look alot better in the playoffs. They will suprise. If it makes it far enough to face an NO or GB offense though it's back to bend but don't break.

 

[Patpartizan]

I thought Pats toughness was demonstrated by how they reacted after the 2 biggest hits of the game.

Woodhead got leveled and comes right back on the next play and runs 5 yards for the first down.

Brady gets absolutely crushed and immediately pops up and doesn't show any effects to an opposing team that must have thought he's done for the day.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

One has to wonder what a healthy Spikes and Chung brings to the defense...

Ravens look vulnerable.....

If Pats can get #1 seed...I like their chances to win the AFCC

What is this obsession with the number one seed? This Pats team plays best with a chip on its shoulder and on the road.

In the BB/TB era, they have had the number one seed three times and the results have been: Lombardi (2003), SB Loss (2007), One and Done (2010).

Two of their three SB's were won from the Number Two slot and there was no bye week in 2001, so the "bye" wasn't a bye "bye."

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Good points by all.

I am, as originally stated, worried that - at times - this defense looks like it would struggle stopping ME from marching down the field. I actually think NE will need a few key takeaways to defeat solid teams such as Baltimore or Pitt. Those two are the only teams that scare me (not saying another team doesn't have a chance, just that I would personally feel confident against other opponents).

Every team - even GB and their suspect D - is flawed. If NE had even a semblance of their 03-04 D they'd roll. Yes, even with Earthwind Moreland.

Just pray that the Ravens are heavily favored and/or the Steelers remember that the Pats own them. The POs look like they'll be interesting. I don't think there's any clear favorites right now, but I do think the Ravens have the inside line for the AFC since they've seemed to be able to consistently beat the other top tier teams.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

What is this obsession with the number one seed? This Pats team plays best with a chip on its shoulder and on the road.

In the BB/TB era, they have had the number one seed three times and the results have been: Lombardi (2003), SB Loss (2007), One and Done (2010).

Two of their three SB's were won from the Number Two slot and there was no bye week in 2001, so the "bye" wasn't a bye "bye."

Yeah, but you want to host the AFCC game. The only matchup that really worries me is playing at Pitt. If the Steelers win tonight, then that's about an 80% probability. So this year, getting a higher seed than Pitt is key, meaning the #1 seed. Go 49ers!

Also note that in the year we beat Jacksonville for the AFCC at home, we got lucky that they sprung a huge upset the week before even though they weren't a very good team, which is the only reason we hosted that game. We may not have won a title that year if we'd had to play at Denver for the AFCC (I think it was Denver).