Anybody Else have a Bad feeling??

[supafly]

What worries me is once the Pats get flustered on offense(against i.e Jets, Giants, Ravens), they never are able to get into a rhythm until the final drive of the game when they are doing the no-huddle. By then its usually too late.

I have actually been quite impressed this year with the team's ability to change up their approach on the fly, making many necessary adjustments throughout.

The early part of the year was a bit of a learning curve, but since then they have been able to pretty much adjust when needed.

I do see your point in some of the specific examples that you pointed out, but I also have seen some good things in their adjustment aspect too.

One thing that is nice is they have the ability to both run and pass this year, and their offense is really more explosive then in years past, however I am somewhat leery of this game vs HOU at the same time. I am not as worried about Baltimore should we play them again, and with DEN my concerns would be with the defense.

If Houston shuts down Welker again, they should be able to still move the ball with the running game and Llyod/Hernandez/Gronk. If the defense holds them to 20 or so, we should be okay.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

If it was "just a game" to you guys, you wouldn't be posting on a message board at 1030 on a Tuesday night

Yep.
The very nature of fandom is to become emotionally connected on some level with the outcome of your team/the game. Isn't this what it is all about? The anticipation of the big game to add to the game itself? If someone has no real level of anticipation regarding the upcoming game, how is that even possible if you are a hard core to semi hard core fan? Those are people who if they watch the game it is because everyone will be watching it, because it is the talked about event, it what's on TV. Nothing wrong with that but you aren't a fan or you are just a passing fan. And I assume everyone who posts here with any sort of frequency qualifies as a hard core/semi hard core fan.

To the OP, there is nothing wrong with "have(ing) a bad feeling" about the upcoming game. And the fix for that is....there is no fix for it. It's the nature of the beast. But you can try to apply this perspective: the KC Chiefs fans, the Jax fans, the Bills fans, the dreaded Jets fans and many other fans.....they all are envious of your situation. The big playoff game and the energy (call it what you will) that comes with it is what makes this especially worthwhile.
You can also look to the factors going into the game. Most of the factors are in the Patriots favor. There is a reason why they are 9.5 favorites. Chances for victory are good. But that don't equal a win -- not by a long shot unfortunately.

 

[Triumph]

I just hate when everyone is on board with the patriots winning..

Go troll on JI for a while.

Jets fans misery always makes me happy.

 

[goheels22002]

I had a good feeling until I read this thread. Now I feel awful.

 

[Double TE]

You feel awful because Duke is #1

 

[zoostation]

#1) Pats are rested and the Texans are not
#2) Brady can audible at will at home
#3) Texans have not seen the AH/Gronk TE package (can pass or run from it depending on what the D gives you)
#4) Chandler Jones and Ninko should be 100% and ready to attack Schaub
#5) Texans generally run off center..tough to do that with Wilfork/Love
#6) Texans are an awful come from behind team unless assisted by the officials (see Detroit)
#7) Conditions will not be windy, actually mild for this time of year and should allow the Pats to pass freely
#8) Texans barely beat the Bengals
#9) Patriots D most recently shut out the Dolphins and were not even at full strength
#10) Don't use the Jets as a comparison as usually other AFC East match ups are tougher more personal. Use last year's Broncos as a more accurate comparison and again the weather conditions should favor the passing team.


Hope this helps

:singing:

#6 is your most valid point. If Houston executed properly they had a chance to be up 14 - 0 in the first game.

I think the Pats win, but obviously throw that first game out the window.

Get an early lead and turn them into a 1 dimensional team (again).

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

If the OP was Han Solo or one of the Star Wars crew, then maybe I'd be a bit concerned.

Otherwise, I think it's just typical nerves that come along when everything seems to point in the direction of a Patriot win. I don't get bad feelings until I watch the games and see a lack of adjustments or a team that is just getting all the lucky breaks (loose balls/refs/in game injury).

 

[102 Pat]

I just wish sunday afternoon would hurry up and get here.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I think the coaches will have this team ready to go.

I think the players will understand the urgency of the message.

The players are gonna give their best effort, they will be accountable and expendable if not (i.e. another key drop by 83 and he is as good as gone).

Houston will play better, play inspired. There is a lot of value in embarrassment. Look at Parcell's coaching style, he won a couple SB's, albeit with a little help.

Look, they will be ready.

I believe they will play up to their potential, but there will be another good team on the field too.

Going to be a great weekend of football!!

 

[MossWelkowski]

After watching the replay game yesterday, I don't see how Houston will be able to stop Brady, Hernandez, Lloyd, gronk, welker, Ridley, and woody.

Woody killed them on screens that game.

 

[PittPatriot]

I am not worried…but I know I will be very sad if we don't win. I don't know if I can hold off another 7 months to do this all over again!

 

[Nunchucks]

I always get concerned when the playoffs come about. Any team can win on any day. Doesn't matter how favored a team is or how much better they are.

The Texans can easily take this game, to pretend otherwise is to delude yourself.

Feel the butterflies and enjoy the ride, hope the Patriots come out on top.

 

[TedyB54]

Houston is a formidable opponent and it will take a well executed and focused effort by the Patriots to beat them.

However, it's been a very long time since I was worried about the Pat's chances of winning a game.

Sunday should be a good one. GO PATS!! :rocker:

 

[Pyerardi]

Welcome to the message board, Pyerardi. Nice post.

Answer this question:

Who feels worse?

A) Vince Wilfork looking across the his own locker room and seeing Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Stevan Ridley getting taped up for this game, or

B) JJ Watt looking across the Patriots' visitors' locker room at Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and some other guys getting taped up?

The Patriots can focus on stopping three or four key guys. The Texans are trying to figure out where to begin.

The Texans are in the biggest game of their careers, in Foxboro, against the Patriots, again. How'd that work out for them the last time?

Thanks heels. I've been lurking for a long time, not much of a poster. I was years ago but forgot that log on info.
My answer has to be B).

 

[Rob0729]

And I have to say Felgy made a pretty good point on the radio today. Last game the Texans were more focused on limiting our effectiveness on underneath passes which was mostly effective. Rather we won by going over the top to guys like Lloyd and Stallworth.

Do we trust our abilities to go over the top with someone like Lloyd and come out with some plays? That's been an ongoing question mark. We need that.

Felger is wrong other than trying to limit Welker (3 catches for 52 yards with one of them being for 25), but Hernandez had 8 catches for 58 yards (2 TDs) and his longest was 13 yards and Lloyd most targets were short too (he caught 7 of 9 targets for 87 yards (one for 37 yards) and a TD. They were effective taking away Welker, but they were not effective taking away the short passing and the Pats weren't nearly effective deep as you suggest.

People need to stop picking on Lloyd. Right now I trust him more than Hernandez who is actually struggling with consistency and catching the ball far more than Lloyd over the last month or month and a half. Lloyd has been mostly solid down the stretch. He led the Pats in receptions and yards vs. the Texans and the 49ers. Lloyd has been fairly solid for the most part over the last month of the season. I don't get why he is still a fan target,

Personally, I don't think the Texans took away the underneath stuff, but rather when the Pats got a sizeable lead they started to attack the deep stuff because they saw a weakness there which they ended up exploiting.

Lastly, the Pats will have Gronk this time. He is a match up nightmare. The Texans couldn't stop Hernandez (Hernandez would have had even bigger game if he didn't drop a deep ball or two). How are they going to stop Gronk?

 

[MossWelkowski]

Felger is wrong other than trying to limit Welker (3 catches for 52 yards with one of them being for 25), but Hernandez had 8 catches for 58 yards (2 TDs) and his longest was 13 yards and Lloyd most targets were short too (he caught 7 of 9 targets for 87 yards (one for 37 yards) and a TD. They were effective taking away Welker, but they were not effective taking away the short passing and the Pats weren't nearly effective deep as you suggest.

People need to stop picking on Lloyd. Right now I trust him more than Hernandez who is actually struggling with consistency and catching the ball far more than Lloyd over the last month or month and a half. Lloyd has been mostly solid down the stretch. He led the Pats in receptions and yards vs. the Texans and the 49ers. Lloyd has been fairly solid for the most part over the last month of the season. I don't get why he is still a fan target,

Lastly, the Pats will have Gronk this time. He is a match up nightmare. The Texans couldn't stop Hernandez (Hernandez would have had even bigger game if he didn't drop a deep ball or two). How are they going to stop Gronk?

I hope Brady doesn't try and "force it to gronk"

Another thing, people forget, Brady was not sharp at the start of that Houston game last month. This was shown on the replay. He then settled into HOF status after lol

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'm always nervous when the Pats play, even when it's against a team we should beat like, oh, just to pick a random example, the Cardinals.

So, yes, I'm nervous, especially since our first playoff game hasn't always been very good to us in recent years.

While my bottom line for Sunday's game is "cautious optimism," I will admit that I told several friends that I hoped we wouldn't have to face Houston again after embarrassing them the first time; I don't like playing good teams that feel they have something to prove and are "on a mission."

 

[dales804]

I'm nervous but its the playoffs and thats to be expected. I will be very disappointed if the Patriots lose. I just can't wait for 4:30 p.m. on Sunday to get here so we can get to football and be done with the talking heads.

 

[PatriotSeven]

I have a bad feeling because of the OP's vibe. I was fine until then. We sound like rich old men who are afraid to lose their fortune. We as a fan base have to overcome this fear of losing and show some faith. Other fan bases have a stronger belief in a lot less talented teams. We're too reasonable and logical sometimes. Sometimes you just have to throw all that out the window and believe in your guys for no other reason than just the simple fact you choose to believe in them. Blinders are good this time a year!

 

[Tunescribe]

The only thing I have a bad feeling about is this moronic thread. It's the playoffs. We're supposed to be excited and happy.