Remember Last Year?

[brady77]

Remember when we were 5-3 and coming off two straight losses? Remember how the sky was falling and people were calling for TB's head? Remember how we turned it around against the Jets and rattled off 10 straight wins? What I'm saying is, don't over react. We've lost to three tough teams. Brady was sharp except for two or three throws and a tipped ball yesterday. I think BB will light a fire under the team's ass and we'll win Sunday and never look back. Never get too down on this team. They have a habit of catching fire when you least expect it.

 

[BadMoFo]

It'd be best to forget last year.

 

[brady77]

It'd be best to forget last year.

You get my point. We've been in this situation before.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

We also didn't play any great teams after starting 5-3 last year. The toughest game was the 8-8 Broncos.

This year it'll be alot harder to do that again or come close to it. I think we have a great chance to take the next 6 and be 9-3 heading into the 2 big games vs. Houston and SF, then we'll find out what we're really made of. 13-3 is a possibility considering both games are at home and we've seen in the past that if the team gets rolling it can definitely run the table. But that remains to be seen if we can put it together like that.

 

[chasa]

we still have 2 potentially huge losses(49's/texans) on the sched.

I'm not worried too much about miami(2) jets(2) bills(1) jags(1) or colts(1)

Fingers crossed we hit the playoffs at 11-5. Anything worse then that and we are in big trouble.

 

[ivanvamp]

It'd be best to forget last year.

Why? Last year was hugely successful, and the Pats were one yard away from winning it all (that's how close Gronk was to catching that hail mary at the end). I'd happily take another trip to the Super Bowl this year (though, obviously, I'd like to win it this time).

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

we still have 2 potentially huge losses(49's/texans) on the sched.

I'm not worried too much about miami(2) jets(2) bills(1) jags(1) or colts(1)

Fingers crossed we hit the playoffs at 11-5. Anything worse then that and we are in big trouble.

I doubt we lose both games in a row at home against SF/Hou but I also don't think we win both games...say 1-1..a win vs. SF,a loss against Houston

10-6 could win the division....that could be NEs magic number...I see a division loss,a Houston loss and a WTF loss ahead...10-6 is a possibility and a 3rd or 4th seed

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

we still have 2 potentially huge losses(49's/texans) on the sched.

I'm not worried too much about miami(2) jets(2) bills(1) jags(1) or colts(1)

Fingers crossed we hit the playoffs at 11-5. Anything worse then that and we are in big trouble.

11-5 is a safe fair bet right now IMO. It's probably a realistic scenario where we lose 1 of the 2 big games and 1 of the 3 road games that we should win but somewhat tough opponents (my guess would be @ NYJ, @ Stl or @ MIA).

The rest of the games we absolutely should win barring a Brady injury, no excuses and considering how bad our luck has been losing EVERY close game thus far one of those close ares are due to bounce our way.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

We've been to a Super Bowl at 11-5, hell we won it! No reason to think this team won't be in the playoffs. This will still be a dangerous team come playoff time. There's nothing to say this isn't a playoff team that isn't any different from last season. We have a better front 7 and a better running game. This team is still better than last season's.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

Best coach and QB in the game. We'll get our problems straightened out soon enough.

 

[ivanvamp]

I doubt we lose both games in a row at home against SF/Hou but I also don't think we win both games...say 1-1..a win vs. SF,a loss against Houston

10-6 could win the division....that could be NEs magic number...I see a division loss,a Houston loss and a WTF loss ahead...10-6 is a possibility and a 3rd or 4th seed

Past Super Bowl winners records:

2011 - NYG: 9-7 (#4 seed)
2010 - GB: 10-6 (#6 seed)
2009 - NO: 13-3 (#1 seed)
2008 - Pit: 12-4 (#2 seed)
2007 - NYG: 10-6 (#5 seed)
2006 - Ind: 12-4 (#3 seed)
2005 - Pit: 11-5 (#6 seed)

Average W-L: 11-5
Average seed: 3.9 (4)

So three of the past seven SB winners had 10 or fewer wins. If the Pats finish 10-6 or 11-5, having won the AFC East, they're pretty much in really good shape, historically speaking.

 

[supafly]

we still have 2 potentially huge losses(49's/texans) on the sched.

I'm not worried too much about miami(2) jets(2) bills(1) jags(1) or colts(1)

I am.

You are underestimating 4 very tough divisional games--2 of them on the road. 1 of which the preparation starts right now.

I expect to go 3-1, but to say that "you're not worried" is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.

How many times in the past 10 yrs have we swept the Jets? Those teams usually split 1-1 for the most part, no matter what.

And Miami will likely give us some problems too, and their defense is probably tougher than the Jets.

That isn't to say that I'm overreacting, b/c I'm not, but never underestimate 4 divisional games vs MIA and the NYJ.

We "should" beat almost any team, unfortunately that isn't the case.

 

[supafly]

If the Pats finish 10-6 or 11-5, having won the AFC East, they're pretty much in really good shape, historically speaking.

I agree that they should be in good shape for the playoffs still, but we're not going to get too far unless some of the glaring problems in the secondary are fixed, particularly the safeties.

Our secondary players like to wrap their arms around the opposition's waist while the catch is being made, rather than attempt to actually break up the play like they're supposed to.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

It'd be best to forget last year.

Yeah, because it really sucks when all you manage to do is get to a super bowl.

 

[ATippett56]

Remember when we were 5-3 and coming off two straight losses? Remember how the sky was falling and people were calling for TB's head? Remember how we turned it around against the Jets and rattled off 10 straight wins? What I'm saying is, don't over react.

Last season after a 5-3 start, the New England Patriots defense faced the following murderer's row of quarterbacks:

Sanchez
Palko
Young
Orlovsky
Grossman
Tebow
Moore
Fitzpicksix

 

[robbomango]

Last season after a 5-3 start, the New England Patriots defense faced the following murderer's row of quarterbacks:

Sanchez
Palko
Young
Orlovsky
Grossman
Tebow
Moore
Fitzpicksix

LOL, that's the bottom 8 right there. What a list, the Anti-probowlers.

 

[MoneyFX]

Hard to believe that the Patriots all lost to "bird" teams.

 

[jah]

There's a big difference between being .500 and 2 games over .500, even if the Patriots had 3 losses in both scenarios. I think they'll go on a big winning streak just because of the schedules, but I also have them losing four straight (from week 12 @NYJ to week 15 vs SF). Luckily, 9-7 should be enough this year.

 

[jah]

Hard to believe that the Patriots all lost to "bird" teams.

mind = blown. Looks like another 13-3 year.

 

[WhoaDirty]

Who knows what might happen by the end of the season. With the Ravens losing Webb and Lewis for the year, 11-5 could be a first round bye.