Running the table? I wouldn't bet on it. Lower your expectations.

[PatriotSeven]

Looking at the remaining games, we have somewhat of an uphill battle with back to back games against the 49ers and Texans, two playoff bound teams with power house defenses, following 2 divisional games. We still have to face Miami twice who gave us a pretty good challenge late last year, and are looking just as prepared this year to do the same. You never know with these short week games so I can easily see the Beans stretching us again to the wire thursday. With Henne now in the line up for Jacksonvile, we can no longer overlook them either considering how they took the Texans into OT scoring 37 points. They can score now and are officially a trap game. A trap the Texans almost fell in.

With us missing Gronk and Hernandez still shaky, it doesn't make it any easier. Honestly, I'm not very confident about any talks of running the table. We looked great only over the past 4 games, it was still against weak teams, and I'm not ready just yet to conclude we have overcome the issues we had earlier this season of handing over a game late by 3 points or less now that we are getting ready to enter this stretch of very tough teams.

After our 59 point shellacking over the Colts it's easy to get caught up in it and start thinking we're there, but I think it's time to lower our expectations and come back to earth a little bit. So far we still have only beat 1 strong team. Denver. And that's a fact. And that was early in the season with Peyton still finding his groove.

Realistically speaking, 11-5 seems just as likely, if not more so, than 13-3.

Having said that, I am not concerned about our regular season schedule or seeding. I am actually quite happy with our remaining schedule, and the reason for that is that for once it appears as if this year we truly are being tested before we find ourselves in the playoffs or Superbowl running into a brick wall. We are getting ready to find out exactly what kind of team we are, and I'd rather know now than later.

I don't know about you, but personally I feel a lot more confident even if we enter the playoffs with an 11-5 record and a lower seed but having faced the Broncos, Ravens, Texans, 49ers, Seattle's and Arizona's defense than going in with a prettier record like last year, a higher seed and racked up against a bunch of weak teams.

I prefer being battle tested, scars and all, than having a nice shiny armor. It would be nice to run the table and get that high seed, especially having to go through the 49ers and Texans to get it, but I would not be demoralized with an 11-5 record, and going in somewhat under the radar.

 

[PatsDeb]

Forget it! I am not lowering mine until I am forced to do so! Go Pats!!

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't think we'll run the table, either. One of the Houston/San Fran games is going to be a loss. If I had to put money on it, I'd say it would be the game against the 49ers.

EDIT: I think that will be our last loss of the season, though.

 

[kennyb]

it would be nice to run the table. And possibly end up with a #1 seed!

It seems difficult. SF looked really good against the Bears. Da bears.

You never know what can happen. Could end up 10-6, could happen.

I think they win the division though.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Sounds like a thread title for JI.

 

[Foxypats]

I think that the niners game is the one that could likely be a loss. But right now, I am going to be positive and think we can run the table and it all starts this thursday. I dislike the Jets the most out of any team and cannot even fathom losing to them.

 

[PatriotSeven]

I don't think we'll run the table, either. One of the Houston/San Fran games is going to be a loss. If I had to put money on it, I'd say it would be the game against the 49ers.

EDIT: I think that will be our last loss of the season, though.

I'll be happy if we get out of this stretch with just 1 loss. I'm more concerned in how we look even if we do lose.

I hope at least one of these teams scrutinizes us thoroughly on all sides of the ball and tries to abuse us, just to see if there are any other areas that we don't know about yet which can be exposed and exploited. It will give us some time to address them before the games that truly matter.

 

[Deus Irae]

Tannehill sucks. Sanchez sucks. Gabbert sucks.

That should be 4 wins right there.


After that, it's just seeding.

 

[SacPete1]

As nice as it would be to get a 2nd seed and bye, its a pretty tall order at this point and honestly, I just want to see the following the rest of the regular season:
1. Defense improvement
a. Rush defense - a little concerned after the past 2 weeks
b. Points allowed
c. 3rd down defense

I know I'm stating the obvious by listing these items but I'm resigned to thinking that losing Gronk will certainly have an impact on redzone offense and we won't see as many points so its really up to the defense in the close games to come up big.

2. Health
Again this is obvious but the bigger picture is the playoffs and I would much rather been on the road with a healthier team than at home with too many starters missing

 

[Sciz]

I'm not planning on the Pats running the table, but I don't think people expected the Pats to run the table the second half of each of the past two seasons either. I'm definitely not ready to rule it out right now.

 

[dannydyn]

Honestly, these two games can go either way...

For Houston, we may get the Houston the ripped the Ravens a new one, or it could be the Houston that almost lost to the friggin Jags.

For the Niners, it could be last night's Niners (ripped the Bears), or it could be the Niners from last week, who almost lost to the 5hitty Rams...

With home field advantage and the cold weather (and the Niners also traveling eastbound through three time zones), which neither one of these teams is accustomed to, I'm cautiously optimistic we can actually take both.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Tannehill sucks. Sanchez sucks. Gabbert sucks.

That should be 4 wins right there.


After that, it's just seeding.

Gabbert lost his job to Chad Henne.

 

[Deus Irae]

Gabbert lost his job to Chad Henne.

Henne was an injury replacement. Henne sucks too, although he's much better than Gabbert.

 

[Big-T]

Henne was an injury replacement.

Henne has the start next week too.

Or is Gabbert still injured?

 

[Kontradiction]

Henne has the start next week too.

Or is Gabbert still injured?

According to our local papers and press around here, Henne has the start regardless of whether Gabbert is injuried or not.

 

[Deus Irae]

Henne has the start next week too.

Or is Gabbert still injured?

Gabbert's still injured, and he's listed as questionable, although Mularkey made it sound as if Henne would have gotten the start even if Gabbert were definitely good to go.

If Gabbert can't play, the Jaguars (1-9) will promote John Parker Wilson from the practice squad to serve as Henne's backup.

"Blaine's injury is still up in the air," Mularkey said. "It's still questionable about the strength in that hand. I'd be cautious to say that he has a chance to play this week."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8652918/chad-henne-jacksonville-jaguars-start-vs-tennessee-titans

 

[JJDChE]

Most reasonable people wouldn't expect their team to win 10 games in a row at any point, but how could anyone be surprised if this team did? Only 2 of those 10 are against difficult competition. Both of those games are at home. It's certainly possible. In the Brady/BB era they are .687 win % in the 1st half and .833 in the second half, including running the table 4 times.

EDIT: I'm curious how many teams have gone 8-0 in the second half since 2001. I don't recall it happening too often, but I have to guess it's happened a few times. Doing it 4 times seems pretty crazy. I wonder if any team has done it more than once?


FTR, I had them at 12-4 with the only loss in the second half vs. HOU.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I never lowered my expectations unless it was closing time. Even then I always went home with a "10"..whether she really was a smokin' 10, or a 5 + 5 beers. I'm joking of course, as I never ended up with anyone lower than an 8 as I was playing in the band, and... wait, what were we talking about again?

I guessed The Pats would be 12-4, and I still think it's very possible. 13-3 would surprise me a little, but I'm not about to give up on the possibility. Keep your expectations low and that's likely what your life will end up as. Suckah.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Honestly, these two games can go either way...

For Houston, we may get the Houston the ripped the Ravens a new one, or it could be the Houston that almost lost to the friggin Jags.

For the Niners, it could be last night's Niners (ripped the Bears), or it could be the Niners from last week, who almost lost to the 5hitty Rams...

With home field advantage and the cold weather (and the Niners also traveling eastbound through three time zones), which neither one of these teams is accustomed to, I'm cautiously optimistic we can actually take both.

I honestly hope we get their best shot. I WANT their best shot.

We sort of know what to expect from the 49ers. Bruising defense. Heavy running and a day where Moss might go off on us. But they did tie with the Rams and got demolished by the Giants. They're also on the verge of a potential QB controversy which could affect their focus.

I expect Houston to give us a better test than 49ers. They just seem a stronger, more balanced team all around. Some people say they have been exposed, or looked weak, but I don't think that's any different than how we looked against the Jets, Bills or our losses to Arizona and Seattle. They are still 9-1 and their only loss came to Green Bay. They have the #3 offense in the NFL right now, and Schaub just came of of a 500+ yard passing day. They have the defense and special teams to go along with it. They also have Arian Foster.

I believe them to edge us on defense and in rushing, so we're going to find out if our passing edge will be enough to overcome those two disadvantages.

 

[Kontradiction]

Gabbert's still injured and listed as questionable, although Mularkey made it sound as if Henne would have gotten the start even if Gabbert were definitely good to go.

He should. As bad as Henne is, Gabbert is that much worse. Captain Checkdown.