Remember all the talk about lack of offensive weapons...

[DarrylS]

Some perspective here... after 10 games.. quite impressive.

Packers 330 Points Scored
Patriots 323 Points Scored
Colts 310 Points Scored
Eagles 299 Points Scored
Broncos 293 Points Scored

We are tied with the Packers with a +105 point differential... next closest are the Ravens with a +80.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Pats have a very versatile offense. They went big yesterday so Fleming (37 snaps) and Develin (30 snaps) got a lot of playing time. Tim Wright (10 snaps) wasn't used much. But they spread out Denver, they overpowered Indy, and they can use the 2 TEs to split the middle of the field. They can beat teams in so many ways.

The Pats are on the verge of having both an offense and a defense that can match up with anyone, and beat teams in so many different ways. If the running game and the rush defense continue to shape up, they will be very, very tough.

 

[50-yard-line]

Right now - still a long way to go, obviously - you have to think the two best teams are New England and Green Bay.

 

[mayoclinic]

Right now - still a long way to go, obviously - you have to think the two best teams are New England and Green Bay.

Green Bay is super hot right now and you have to give them credit, but I still wonder about their defense and their physicality in terms of making a serious post-season run. But Lambeau will be tough.

 

[frongi]

Green Bay struggles against qbs who can run. I'm not sure they can get by Seattle or sf in the playoffs.

 

[50-yard-line]

Green Bay struggles against qbs who can run. I'm not sure they can get by Seattle or sf in the playoffs.

If Seattle or SF can even MAKE the playoffs.

 

[frongi]

If Seattle or SF can even MAKE the playoffs.

One will make it I think. I don't think the nfc east will get a wc

 

[manxman2601]

It would be nice to see Wright become more than just a redzone threat, but he's terrific at that. A great set of hands.

 

[scott99]

Some perspective here... after 10 games.. quite impressive.

Packers 330 Points Scored
Patriots 323 Points Scored
Colts 310 Points Scored
Eagles 299 Points Scored
Broncos 293 Points Scored

We are tied with the Packers with a +105 point differential... next closest are the Ravens with a +80.

The Amazing thing is this defense has held 2 of the top 5 offenses to 41 points in back to back games. And those 2 offenses put up most of their points trying to get back into the games after being behind by big margins.

 

[Deus Irae]

Some perspective here... after 10 games.. quite impressive.

Packers 330 Points Scored
Patriots 323 Points Scored
Colts 310 Points Scored
Eagles 299 Points Scored
Broncos 293 Points Scored

We are tied with the Packers with a +105 point differential... next closest are the Ravens with a +80.

The Patriots have been a top regular season offense for years. The Tom Brady led Patriots teams haven't finished lower than 6th in scoring since 2006. The issue is having the weapons in the postseason, for games against top defenses who've studied the Patriots offense.

 

[scott99]

The Patriots have been a top regular season offense for years. The Tom Brady led Patriots teams haven't finished lower than 6th in scoring since 2006. The issue is having the weapons in the postseason, for games against top defenses who've studied the Patriots offense.

No, the issues have been injuries. Especially with Gronk, not there for the last 2 AFCCGs, not healthy for the SB. Except for Megatron, I can't think of a better receiving weapon in all of football. We've had major injuries on defense as well, especially last season. I think the game would have been a lot closer against Denver if the Pats had Wilfork, Mayo, and several other key defensive injured players healthy for that game, and add in Gronk, I think we make the SB last year.

 

[Bonzo]

GB at Lambeau is going to be a great, tough game! But it was just a few weeks ago they got clobbered by a NO team that I just don't think is very good. (By contrast, KC, and their pass D in particular, has looked pretty legit since they beat up on the Pats.)

Nonetheless, nobody else is beating quality teams as convincingly as the Pats -- and doing it in such an astonishing variety of ways.

 

[Bonzo]

It would be nice to see Wright become more than just a redzone threat, but he's terrific at that. A great set of hands.

Dude, that throw and catch was amazing! It was, first of all, a perfect toss. Then great hands, great body control, great instinct to reach out and snatch the ball before quickly tucking it in.

 

[Deus Irae]

No, the issues have been injuries. Especially with Gronk, not there for the last 2 AFCCGs, not healthy for the SB. Except for Megatron, I can't think of a better receiving weapon in all of football. We've had major injuries on defense as well, especially last season. I think the game would have been a lot closer against Denver if the Pats had Wilfork, Mayo, and several other key defensive injured players healthy for that game, and add in Gronk, I think we make the SB last year.

I'm one of those who've championed the notion that injuries have probably cost the Patriots 2-3 SBs. But, when they had to rely on a missed FG by Billy Cundiff in 2011, it wasn't because of injuries. 2010's loss to the Jets wasn't because of injuries. Belichick saying that the way to stop the 2009 team was just to stop Welker and Moss wasn't because of injuries.

Injuries have played a big part of the Patriots not winning the SB since 2004. They don't explain all the offensive struggles, though.

 

[Jangles]

The Patriots have been a top regular season offense for years. The Tom Brady led Patriots teams haven't finished lower than 6th in scoring since 2006. The issue is having the weapons in the postseason, for games against top defenses who've studied the Patriots offense.

This x1000000

It's not that our offense isn't good enough. It would just be nice to have an elite playmaker outside of Gronk. JE, LaFell, etc. have played great, but if Gronk goes down, we could be screwed.

 

[50-yard-line]

I'm one of those who've championed the notion that injuries have probably cost the Patriots 2-3 SBs. But, when they had to rely on a missed FG by Billy Cundiff in 2011, it wasn't because of injuries. 2010's loss to the Jets wasn't because of injuries. Belichick saying that the way to stop the 2009 team was just to stop Welker and Moss wasn't because of injuries.

Injuries have played a big part of the Patriots not winning the SB since 2004. They don't explain all the offensive struggles, though.

I agree, but I see two differences this year:

1. A Defense that can get off the field. This has become a very good 3rd and 4th-doen defense!

2. An offense that can beat you in a lot of different ways. They aren't just between the hash-marks anymore.

 

[Deus Irae]

I agree, but I see two differences this year:

1. A Defense that can get off the field. This has become a very good 3rd and 4th-doen defense!

2. An offense that can beat you in a lot of different ways. They aren't just between the hash-marks anymore.

We hope every year is different. Every year, people convince themselves things have changed. "Every year" is now a decade.

Well, again, hopefully this year is different. One good thing, as you point out, is that it probably won't be a repeat of 2011.

 

[50-yard-line]

You outline a very big difference between the way we see the team, Deus (don't take this as an insult, because it most certainly is not). I just think we have a different perspective/investment on how we view the team, and on how we derive pleasure out of our mutual pass-time here.

I make myself believe that Lucy won't pull out that football and I'll get to kick it. it's the fun I get out of being a fan. I just don't feel like the Pats owe me anything - they give me excitement into January (February) every year in a league where that's pretty much unheard of.

Now, maybe I'm just being a homer...but, I really feel this is one of the, if not the, most complete Pats teams I've ever seen and I thought as much in the preseason (although I admit to being a bit shaken by weeks 1-4).

Loving, loving, loving, the fire in this team, both sides of the ball. Just enjoying the ride...

I also almost always love reading your insights, so again, take this "analysis" in the spirit I offered it.

 

[Froob]

Right now - still a long way to go, obviously - you have to think the two best teams are New England and Green Bay.

Not sure I buy Green Bay's defense just yet. Lets see how they do in two weeks. I think we ll bulldozer over Clay.

 

[Deus Irae]

You outline a very big difference between the way we see the team, Deus (don't take this as an insult, because it most certainly is not). I just think we have a different perspective/investment on how we view the team, and on how we derive pleasure out of our mutual pass-time here.

I make myself believe that Lucy won't pull out that football and I'll get to kick it. it's the fun I get out of being a fan. I just don't feel like the Pats owe me anything - they give me excitement into January (February) every year in a league where that's pretty much unheard of.

Lucy's been pulling back that damned football since 2006. I'd like a little insurance, in case she does it again.

Now, maybe I'm just being a homer...but, I really feel this is one of the, if not the, most complete Pats teams I've ever seen and I thought as much in the preseason (although I admit to being a bit shaken by weeks 1-4).

This is the first time since 2007 that this team's really had a defense worth a damn, in terms of personnel as opposed to scheme. And, if Gronk goes down, it could easily go to waste, because the offense still doesn't have enough weapons right now.

Post week 4, it's been a fun ride. But, I don't really care about the regular season, in terms of looking at the overall picture. As I've pointed out elsewhere, Brady + BB = Playoffs. It's worked out that way every time except 2002. I prefer to leave the fawning over the regular season to Peyton Manning fans.

Loving, loving, loving, the fire in this team, both sides of the ball. Just enjoying the ride...

I also almost always love reading your insights, so again, take this "analysis" in the spirit I offered it.

No offense taken, no offense meant in response. Have yourself a great night, and enjoy every game. We're seeing something that may never come again. Even the SF dynasty took 2 QBs to equal the Brady era.