We have certainly been playing well enough to reasonably expect to win this next game.
I don't think there's any question, though, that after all of these injuries the actual athletic talent level is somewhat low on this team right now, relative to all Patriots teams in the Belichick-Brady era, at least to my eyes.
But you know what, the 2001 team was also relatively low in sheer talent-- less talented than 2003, 2004, and 2007 for sure, probably even less talented than 2011 (though the current D is an upgrade).
Do you think we have as much talent in our starting 22 as the Detroit Lions had this year? I think not. The Lions were terrible though. We have an advantage over most teams in having a genius coach who builds depth by paying attention to players 35-53, the practice squad, and the rolodex squad more than most do. That certainly helps, especially late in the season.
You can win with lesser talent, because intelligence, an ability to not make mistakes, good coaching, good play-calling, and an ability to execute in key situations are more important than sheer athletic ability. If the other team has way more big playmakers and does all of those things above too, your margin for error is going to be very small.
Our margin for error is pretty small, and that is obvious, so that is the reason for a diminished fan confidence level relative to times in the past where we could more easily envision and easy win. It's no accident that we win a lot of games, but it is also no accident that the vast majority of those games are really close.
So I'm neither a naysaying nervous Nellie or a bragging headbutting super-confident fan. We are not "destined" to do anything, we have to take what we will get. I am confident that we will play well and I expect to win. I can imagine a lot of scenarios where we don't win, even if we play well, though.
These are fun times so I'm going to enjoy it. I love this team and I am proud of what they have accomplished so far. Win or lose I think I will be proud of what we have done this year, though it may take awhile to shake off a loss, particularly to the five-head.