Doesn't this all sound familiar?

[patsox23]

How many times have we heard how outmatched the Pats were, heading into a playoff game? How Indy was "the most complete team in the NFL," and how their offense was "unstoppable," how the Patriots really had no shot, no matter what the line said? Seriously - over and over and over and over. Going into Pittsburgh - hey, the Stillers KILLED the Pats during the regular season and were 15-1! This was "their year" for payback.

Perhaps our newfound Charger friends aren't aware of it - and they're certainly not used to it - but we've seen this tired act for half a decade now. So welcome in. Keep on with all the posts. Stir the same old ****y garbage they always do. Then disappear from the site for the rest of time.

SD? Try SSDD.

 

[PromisedLand]

How many times have we heard how outmatched the Pats were, heading into a playoff game? How Indy was "the most complete team in the NFL," and how their offense was "unstoppable," how the Patriots really had no shot, no matter what the line said? Seriously - over and over and over and over. Going into Pittsburgh - hey, the Stillers KILLED the Pats during the regular season and were 15-1! This was "their year" for payback.

Perhaps our newfound Charger friends aren't aware of it - and they're certainly not used to it - but we've seen this tired act for half a decade now. So welcome in. Keep on with all the posts. Stir the same old ****y garbage they always do. Then disappear from the site for the rest of time.

SD? Try SSDD.

I've been thinking the same thing....

2001:
We'll never beat the Raiders...
We'll NEVER beat the Steelers on the ROAD...
We'll NEVER EVER beat the Greatest Show on Turf

2003:
We'll never beat the Colts - they went through two playoff games and didn't even have to PUNT fer crissakes...

2006:
We'll NEVER beat the mighty Chargers, at least not until their steroids wear off...

 

[wdkantro2]

I agree...but the national media gives a little more respect than they have in the past. Regardless of record, NO ONE wants to play the Pats in the playoffs. Let's wait til after the game to tell everyone that they were wrong

 

[miDeuce]

I was thinking the same thing this morning as I drove to work. It's been a lot of fun, in LA we pick up one of the San Diego sports radio stations. And all they've been talking about during my commute is the pats/chargers game. Imagine getting in your car at 6:30am to hear two dinks trashing the Pats for the last 3 days. I am shocked at how these guys all seem to think the Chargers will win by at least 10 points. I have all have respect in the world for their team but are all these prognosticators forgetting the that the way the Patriots dynasty was built? By knocking off these "powerhouse" teams that everyone thinks are unbeatable. The greatest show on turf, MVP Steve McNair, TD record setter Manning and his collection of weapons (twice), wunderkind Ben Roethlisberger where we already lost once that season. And I'm not even mentioning Oakland, 2001 Pittsburgh where we were bigger underdogs than Detroit had been, Carolina, and Philly.

All I know about this weekend is that it will be a war. And I can't imagine either team winning by more than a TD. But these dudes on the radio are coming off with this attitude that the 14 win season is proof that the Chargers are better and pretty much assures them of victory. But hey, I'm not complaining that much, it's just getting me more excited to see it all go down in person...

 

[DagoTom]

How many times have we heard how outmatched the Pats were, heading into a playoff game? How Indy was "the most complete team in the NFL," and how their offense was "unstoppable," how the Patriots really had no shot, no matter what the line said? Seriously - over and over and over and over. Going into Pittsburgh - hey, the Stillers KILLED the Pats during the regular season and were 15-1! This was "their year" for payback.

Perhaps our newfound Charger friends aren't aware of it - and they're certainly not used to it - but we've seen this tired act for half a decade now. So welcome in. Keep on with all the posts. Stir the same old ****y garbage they always do. Then disappear from the site for the rest of time.

SD? Try SSDD.

That's funny because I haven't heard that at all. I've heard it will be an extremely close game, I've seen just about as many pundits pick the Pats as the Chargers, and I see nothing but respect out there for the Patriots.

Nice try, though. If anyone is giving the benefit of the doubt to the Bolts it seems to be because of our being the home team.

 

[patsgo]

i couldnt of said it better it the same crap every year someone is always better, but guess what we win most of the time in the playoffs. this will be real close it will come down to the better qauterback and we know who that is, the chargers didnt exactly overwhelm the cardinals, seahawks, bills, and browns and we are are much better than all of them. pats win and control the game

 

[PatsDeb]

It all sounds very familiar, and hopefully the outcome will be the same. I have a nervous, but good feeling going into this game that if anyone can find a weakness(es) on another team and exploit it, while turning it up a notch themselves, it's the Pats. All we can do is watch and hope. Trash talking by either side is useless.

 

[patsox23]

Another favorite, this from 2004, I think: "The Colts haven't had to punt yet in the playoffs!" Then they finally had a punt opportunity against the Pats and hiked it over the guys' head for a safety. Classic!

 

[bolts_fan]

How many times have we heard how outmatched the Pats were, heading into a playoff game? How Indy was "the most complete team in the NFL," and how their offense was "unstoppable," how the Patriots really had no shot, no matter what the line said? Seriously - over and over and over and over. Going into Pittsburgh - hey, the Stillers KILLED the Pats during the regular season and were 15-1! This was "their year" for payback.

Perhaps our newfound Charger friends aren't aware of it - and they're certainly not used to it - but we've seen this tired act for half a decade now. So welcome in. Keep on with all the posts. Stir the same old ****y garbage they always do. Then disappear from the site for the rest of time.

SD? Try SSDD.

I call BS. Who has ever, in the recent past, call Indy the "most complete team"? Who? Their high-power offense is certainly not unstoppable and their defense sucks big time, saved perhaps, the performance last week.

The rest of your post merits no response from anyone.

 

[patsox23]

I was thinking the same thing this morning as I drove to work. It's been a lot of fun, in LA we pick up one of the San Diego sports radio stations. And all they've been talking about during my commute is the pats/chargers game. Imagine getting in your car at 6:30am to hear two dinks trashing the Pats for the last 3 days. I am shocked at how these guys all seem to think the Chargers will win by at least 10 points. I have all have respect in the world for their team but are all these prognosticators forgetting the that the way the Patriots dynasty was built? By knocking off these "powerhouse" teams that everyone thinks are unbeatable. The greatest show on turf, MVP Steve McNair, TD record setter Manning and his collection of weapons (twice), wunderkind Ben Roethlisberger where we already lost once that season. And I'm not even mentioning Oakland, 2001 Pittsburgh where we were bigger underdogs than Detroit had been, Carolina, and Philly.

All I know about this weekend is that it will be a war. And I can't imagine either team winning by more than a TD. But these dudes on the radio are coming off with this attitude that the 14 win season is proof that the Chargers are better and pretty much assures them of victory. But hey, I'm not complaining that much, it's just getting me more excited to see it all go down in person...

mideuce - I'm in L.A. What station are you listening to down there? 1090?

 

[FloridaPatsFan]

I was in the middle of justifying our chances of winning the game on sunday to some friends at work. But I stopped in mid-sentence.

And suddenly it hit me.....

We are going to win sunday.

The Pats are going to beat the Chargers.

 

[VJCPatriot]

The rest of your post merits no response from anyone.

ROFL, then why did you end up responding?

I agree with original poster. We've heard all the hype before. And it's going to end up the same way again. Chargers will get bounced with barely a whimper and the Pats will have their eyes firmly set on the next opponent. The Pats will handle it professionally like they always have. Next. Chargers who? Naah that was last weeks opponent, next! :singing:

 

[miDeuce]

mideuce - I'm in L.A. What station are you listening to down there? 1090?

Yup 1090. It's the Scott and BR show. They also had some not-so-fascinating talk this morning about deer hunting with David Wells. Other than that it was pretty much just a Chargers love fest. One would mention Merriman or Ladainian and the other would coo and cream his shorts then mention Rivers or McCardell and the cycle would continue. They are excited to win the game this weekend, I just don't think they realize they still have to play it...

Mike Dowling made an appearance and held his own with the question we're all sick of by now "why can't Philip Rivers do what Brady did in 2001". Besides the obvious supporting cast response Dowling also added that Brady never had to go up against a Belichick defense. Haha. 5am-9am, nothing will get you more pumped for the game than listening to them.

 

[Fixit]

I call BS. Who has ever, in the recent past, call Indy the "most complete team"? Who? Their high-power offense is certainly not unstoppable and their defense sucks big time, saved perhaps, the performance last week.

The rest of your post merits no response from anyone.

I'm pretty sure patsox23 was referring to 2004, when Indy's defense was about average. Don't forget that last year Indy was #2 in points allowed, a fact that the Indy ball-washers conveniently forget when they talk about how many rings Manning would have if he ever had a defense.

 

[Iverson]

I've been thinking for the past month or so that we needed Harrison back to beat the Chargers. But the more I think about this game the more I realize that the Patriots are going to win. How often does the team with the better QB, better coach and better defense lose in the playoffs? I can't imagine that it happens very often. San Diego has a great team and they have had a great season. Hell, they might have more pro bowlers this season than the Pats have had in their 3 Super Bowl seasons. LT might be the best RB I've ever seen and he is in his absolute prime right now. The problem for SD is that RBs don't win championships in the NFL nowadays.

I don't think people understand just how good the Patriots defense is. Sure, they are only giving up 14.8 points per game compared to San Diego's 18.9. But the Patriots give up only 3.9 yds/rush with 11 TDs given up compared to 4.2 yds/rush and 13 TDs for the Chargers. But most importantly is the Patriots pass defense, giving up a QB rating against of 66.1 (2nd in the NFL). While yardage and completion% are about even, the difference between these two team here is points and takeaways. The Patriots have given up only 10 TD and picked off 22 passes while SD has given up 19 TD to 16 INTs. The Chargers can have all the pro bowlers they want on defense, but the bottom line is the Pats rush defense is better and their pass defense is significantly better as they have an outstanding +12 pass defense TD-to-INT ratio compared to San Diego's -3. San Diego's 17 extra sacks is not nearly make up for the Patriots dominance on pass defense.

Next we get to coaching. I don't necessarily buy into the Martyball hype - that he is the worst coach in the playoffs and that he is going to choke away this game. So much has been made about his conservative decisions in the past that I find it nearly impossible that this Chargers team is going to lose this game due to his decision making. What I do think, though, is that Belichick has something special on both sides of the ball for the Chargers. I have much more confidence in BB being prepared for what the Chargers are going to do than I would in the Chargers being ready for BB's plan. Whatever weakness the Chargers might have, you can be sure that Bill is ready to attack it with something that San Diego has not seen all year long.

Then there is Brady. This guy is just money in the playoffs and he is throwing the ball better now than he has all season. He has thrown 11 TDs to 3 INTs since week 11. Pro Bowl Rivers has 9 TDs to 6 INTs over this stretch. Rivers has played well this season, but I don't see how can you trust him against BB's defense in the playoffs.

Right now, the Patriots are peaking, having beat 3 successive teams basically playing to continue their season. San Diego has won 10 games in a row, but they haven't faced a team in the same class as the Pats in quite some time. Even their best wins in the past 2 months were against teams coming off multiple losses (Denver - 3 games, KC and Seattle - 2 games). But you can only beat who's on your schedule so I can't knock the Chargers for doing just that. However, they are taking a huge step up in competition this weekend and I think they will be shocked by the Patriots right from the start of this game. To top all of this off is the fact that the Patriots are starting to play the no respect card, which in the past has always meant trouble for the opponent.

Not to say that the Patriots are guaranteed to win by any means. The Chargers could come out and just run the ball right down the Patriots throat, score a few times early and unleash the pass rush against the Pats. Or they could hit some big plays which the Patriots have been prone to give up this season. And certainly if San Diego wins the turnover battle by 2 or more, it will be almost impossible for the Pats to win. I consider the Chargers the biggest obstacle in the Patriots path to their 4th SB in 6 years. But I just have to go with my original premise that the team with the better defense, coach and QB plus a proven track record of coming through in big games will be enough to overcome this great San Diego team, even with home field advantage and a week off.

Maybe I am a homer who never thinks the Patriots are going to lose, but something about these guys this time of year that makes me believe they can and will do it. Can't wait for Sunday... go Pats!

 

[jcdavey]

How many times have we heard how outmatched the Pats were, heading into a playoff game? How Indy was "the most complete team in the NFL," and how their offense was "unstoppable," how the Patriots really had no shot, no matter what the line said? Seriously - over and over and over and over. Going into Pittsburgh - hey, the Stillers KILLED the Pats during the regular season and were 15-1! This was "their year" for payback.

Perhaps our newfound Charger friends aren't aware of it - and they're certainly not used to it - but we've seen this tired act for half a decade now. So welcome in. Keep on with all the posts. Stir the same old ****y garbage they always do. Then disappear from the site for the rest of time.

SD? Try SSDD.

doesn't this sound familiar - new england vs another afc west team on the road?

forget about stats and the past....players play the game on the field, not on the rotowire

everything else means zip when they meet on the field sunday, because there you've got to earn it...those 3 lombardis aren't going to win you anything because this years pats team is brand new as is this years chargers team...hey but whatever gets you through the week to find comfort in...good luck.

 

[NEPat]

I get worried whenever I think about the Pats trying to stop LT this weekend, but all I know is I will never be as scared facing an opponent as I was when I knew the Pats had to somehow stop Warner and Faulk in the Superbowl. Now that was frightening.

This game could go either way, but the Pats will be prepared. Maybe LT will run all over the Pats and Rivers will have the best game of his life, and if that's the case then hats off to the Chargers. But I think the Pats will be well prepared.

 

[bolts_fan]

I don't think people understand just how good the Patriots defense is. Sure, they are only giving up 14.8 points per game compared to San Diego's 18.9. But the Patriots give up only 3.9 yds/rush with 11 TDs given up compared to 4.2 yds/rush and 13 TDs for the Chargers. But most importantly is the Patriots pass defense, giving up a QB rating against of 66.1 (2nd in the NFL). While yardage and completion% are about even, the difference between these two team here is points and takeaways. The Patriots have given up only 10 TD and picked off 22 passes while SD has given up 19 TD to 16 INTs. The Chargers can have all the pro bowlers they want on defense, but the bottom line is the Pats rush defense is better and their pass defense is significantly better as they have an outstanding +12 pass defense TD-to-INT ratio compared to San Diego's -3. San Diego's 17 extra sacks is not nearly make up for the Patriots dominance on pass defense.

Just some observations.

1. Yes, the Patriots' defense is excellent.

2. The Chargers' defense isn't that bad either.

3. I see you mentioned that advantage that the Pats have in YPC for rush plays (3.9 vs 4.2) but failed to mentioned that it was the reverse in YPC for pass plays (5.7 NE vs 5.3 SD). Instead, you chose to focus on the opposing QB's rating as a measure of pass defense.

4. I do agree that a difference is in take-aways. Pats defense may generate slightly more take-aways from INT's (we're essentially the same for fumbles), but you overlook one glaring difference. The Pats have given away almost twice as many INT's/fumbles as the Bolts (27 to 15). Brady has thrown 12 INT's to Rivers' 9 and your team fumbled almost 3 times as much (15 fumbles compared to 6 for the Bolts).

5. From #4, I feel confident that the Bolts D's match up way better in terms of give-aways/take-awys to the Pats O. Conversely, the Bolts just don't fumble and do not throw nearly enough INTs that the Pat's D can take advantage of. Bottom line, I like our O against your D and our D against your O.

Aside from that, you make many decent points. GO BOLTS!

 

[Nikki]

It is like deja vu all over again..........

Every year we hear how the Patriots can't beat _________.

People under-estimate us. They disrespect us. They count us out. Tell us to not even bother to show up, the win is already in the bag for our opponent.

And then we prove them all wrong.

 

[spacecrime]

I call BS. Who has ever, in the recent past, call Indy the "most complete team"?

You must be a recent fan. Did you watch any football in 2003, or did you start following a month ago when it became apparent the Chargers were going to teh playoffs?

As the poster said, we have heard this all before. Since you must not have read the original post, let me give you my version: Many teams have been better than us on paper. In 2001 we were 9 point underdogs to the Steelers, who had superior players to us, and 14 point underdogs to teh Rams, who had far superior players to us. The 2003 Colts were called the most complete team in NFL history, again and again and again.

All those collections of players were better than us, much much better than the Chargers. The difference is that we were the better team, and won.

So forgive us if we yawn and grow bored at your yapping. We have heard it all before. For us, it is comical.

If the game was played on paper, you'd be in the AFCCG. You may still make it. But you coach better do you right, because if not you are about to be sucker punched.