The Pats are currently on a six-game winning streak, which is tied for the longest current such streak in the NFL. In some senses, it looks impressive; after all, winning six games in a row against anybody is a nice achievement. In other senses, it looks singularly unimpressive; look at the teams they've beaten.
I will submit that in the league this year, this is actually a pretty solid achievement by New England. Consider the teams they've beaten. It would seem like they're not good teams. But really? Here are some facts to go with each team:
W, 37-16 at NYJ. Any road win is a good win. To do so in the Jets' biggest regular-season game in years, after the Pats were losing 2 in a row while the Jets were on a 3-game winning streak, was a totally impressive performance. Currently, the Jets are a playoff team.
W, 34-3 vs KC. Clearly KC wasn't very good. Their QB was awful. Their coach was soon to be run out of town. Not a particularly great impressive win...but don't forget, this KC team just beat.....GREEN BAY. Yes, Orton improved them at QB for sure, but the D was the same.
W, 38-20 at Phi. Rough start, but in the end, a demolition of a tough opponent. Keep in mind that the Eagles just destroyed the Jets. Yes, Vick was at QB instead of Young, but still. A solid win.
W, 31-24 vs Ind. Again, not very impressive. But the Colts have been much tougher lately, actually winning this week against Tennessee, who is fighting for a playoff spot.
W, 34-27 at Was. Look, it's Rex Grossman. But (a) it's on the road, and (b) the Skins just went to NY and beat up on the Giants (who, need I remind us, beat New England). Washington clearly has the ability to beat you. Turns out, this was a pretty nice win, even if it was a bit ugly.
W, 41-23 at Den. The Broncos were on a roll. Tebow-mania, etc. The Pats got off to a slow start but then just pummeled Denver. Denver is currently a playoff team.
So the Pats went 4-0 on the road during this streak, including wins against two playoff teams (NYJ, Den). The bad teams they beat (Phi, Ind, Was, KC) all just won this week, against NYJ, Ten, NYG, and GB, respectively, so we know that these teams are capable of winning.
All in all, I think the six-game winning streak is a solid piece of work by the Patriots.
I will submit that in the league this year, this is actually a pretty solid achievement by New England. Consider the teams they've beaten. It would seem like they're not good teams. But really? Here are some facts to go with each team:
W, 37-16 at NYJ. Any road win is a good win. To do so in the Jets' biggest regular-season game in years, after the Pats were losing 2 in a row while the Jets were on a 3-game winning streak, was a totally impressive performance. Currently, the Jets are a playoff team.
W, 34-3 vs KC. Clearly KC wasn't very good. Their QB was awful. Their coach was soon to be run out of town. Not a particularly great impressive win...but don't forget, this KC team just beat.....GREEN BAY. Yes, Orton improved them at QB for sure, but the D was the same.
W, 38-20 at Phi. Rough start, but in the end, a demolition of a tough opponent. Keep in mind that the Eagles just destroyed the Jets. Yes, Vick was at QB instead of Young, but still. A solid win.
W, 31-24 vs Ind. Again, not very impressive. But the Colts have been much tougher lately, actually winning this week against Tennessee, who is fighting for a playoff spot.
W, 34-27 at Was. Look, it's Rex Grossman. But (a) it's on the road, and (b) the Skins just went to NY and beat up on the Giants (who, need I remind us, beat New England). Washington clearly has the ability to beat you. Turns out, this was a pretty nice win, even if it was a bit ugly.
W, 41-23 at Den. The Broncos were on a roll. Tebow-mania, etc. The Pats got off to a slow start but then just pummeled Denver. Denver is currently a playoff team.
So the Pats went 4-0 on the road during this streak, including wins against two playoff teams (NYJ, Den). The bad teams they beat (Phi, Ind, Was, KC) all just won this week, against NYJ, Ten, NYG, and GB, respectively, so we know that these teams are capable of winning.
All in all, I think the six-game winning streak is a solid piece of work by the Patriots.