Off-season debate topic: Does anybody "have our number"

[zarakotas5]

Y'all lament topics to discuss. I ask this intended more towards coaches who have seemed to figure out BB, although schemes like Jason Taylor have been attributed similarly. The Pats routinely play poorly against certain teams and other teams take a note from the Pats and attempt to refine in their way.

Indy is on a streak, DEN and MIA are always tough. SD may have the sheer talent. Etc.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Y'all lament topics to discuss. I ask this intended more towards coaches who have seemed to figure out BB, although schemes like Jason Taylor have been attributed similarly. The Pats routinely play poorly against certain teams and other teams take a note from the Pats and attempt to refine in their way.

Indy is on a streak, DEN and MIA are always tough. SD may have the sheer talent. Etc.

Better watch Washington this year when they play us..They have never lost to BB or Brady this decade albeit was not a yearly thing and overall against us in history between the 2 teams I think they are pretty much ahead in the series if I am correct,I have not checked the series record between the 2.

As far as the AFC goes,Aaron Schoebel is a big pain in the side of Brady and any NE defensive coordinator that ever schemed against him,Aaron is a smart defender and tough as nails against Brady,Possibly as good defending Brady as Taylor is.

 

[richpats]

We have what I call an "axis of evil" now - Denver, Indianapolis and Miami. We have a 2-8 record against these teams the last 2 seasons and we're 0-6 combined against Denver and Indy. Denver and Miami do well at shutting down our offense while Indy is the only team in the league to consistently beat our defense.

Denver has the speed on D to match-up well with our offense, and we don't have the speed on D to match up with their offense. With Miami, it's more personnel (Taylor esp). Indy has learned to be patient on offense and have achieved more balance - the result is our D giving up an average of 35 ppg the last 3 meetings.

The AFC West always seems to give us trouble, especially on the road, but again maybe it's more Denver than anything.

As for the Redskins, our "drought" against them is completely random. We've played them 6 times since 1972 (our last W) and they were SB contenders for a few of those games (while we were "patsies"). Brady and BB have only played them once in DC. If we drop the game this year at home I'll start worrying about a Redskin "jinx".

 

[Pats726]

I agree about the axis of evil trio....The Colts though has only been lately..the last two years...Miami has ALWAYS been tough...even with their bad teams...winning in Miami has always been tough. Same with Denver...Other than these 3..I do not see trends that are bad...

 

[PatsFanInVa]

One more for the axis of evil, although I will say Miami basically doesn't matter, because I see the Pats as prohibitive favorites to win the division, and Miami as unlikely to be there in the post-season.

I think we go back to winning the annual Manning war this year, based on who's hungry and additions and subtractions in the offseason.

Shanny and the Donks, well, that one still gives me the willies. I do like the idea that our D will be able to practice against a zone blocking O-line this year, on the theory that we'll "get it" because we do it. Notable additions such as AD and Meriweather also give us an upgrade.

San Diego? I think they slide backward this year, a talent-rich frustration factory. It's almost like they installed Norv Turner there just to take them off everyone's radar. Well, they'll be under the radar alright. :rocker:

PFnV

 

[kriskanos]

I have Jennys' number 867-5309

 

[jczxohn1]

While the Jets may not bring fear to the hearts of many Pats fans, be assured they are being built to compete with one team in mind--us.

 

[upstater1]

I'd say only Donkeys have our number.

This same Patriots team (basically, with Brady, Seymour, Bruschi, Vrabel, OL, etc.) has been too successful the last 5 years against the Colts and Phins to say they have our number. A 3 game Colts winning streak doesn't erase the 4 or 5 games they lost before that to this team.

In terms of the Patriots nemesis, it's the Broncos, probably because Shanahan is the only coach in the NFL near to Belichick's level.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't know if anyone actually has our number rather that we just don't match up well vs. certain teams. We have troubles vs. Denver and Miami in Miami, but watching those games I don't see them picking on weakness or radically adjusting their playing styles to play the Pats. I just think their strength (either offensive or defensive styles or just individual players) match up well vs. our weaknesses.

Personally, the only time I saw recently one of the teams mentioned in this thread change what they were doing to exploit our weakness was Indy in the AFC Championship. But that wasn't a case of them having our number, but noticing that we were weak in the center of the field due to Eric Alexander making his first start at ILB and injuries/exhastion with Seymour, Hawkins, and Sanders. It wasn't like they developed a blueprint how to beat the Pats in that game and they were getting beat pretty soundly in the first half.

 

[kriskanos]

The Jets are not building a team to beat us they are building a team to emulate us.But their talent for the most part are just cheap carbon copies(manweenie,****ington, etc.)

 

[MetalBleachers]

I have Jennys' number 867-5309

I'm gonna make her mine.

this season will say so much in terms of the "axis of evil" in that there's a real chance to beat all three teams. this isn't bragging or any type of guarantee; i'm just saying that those three games (inc. at MIA) will say the most about how far this team has come and how far it has to go.

 

[reflexblue]

I have Jennys' number 867-5309

SO DON'T WE!.

 

[rabthepat]

We have what I call an "axis of evil" now - Denver, Indianapolis and Miami. We have a 2-8 record against these teams the last 2 seasons and we're 0-6 combined against Denver and Indy. Denver and Miami do well at shutting down our offense while Indy is the only team in the league to consistently beat our defense.

Denver has the speed on D to match-up well with our offense, and we don't have the speed on D to match up with their offense. With Miami, it's more personnel (Taylor esp). Indy has learned to be patient on offense and have achieved more balance - the result is our D giving up an average of 35 ppg the last 3 meetings.

The AFC West always seems to give us trouble, especially on the road, but again maybe it's more Denver than anything.

As for the Redskins, our "drought" against them is completely random. We've played them 6 times since 1972 (our last W) and they were SB contenders for a few of those games (while we were "patsies"). Brady and BB have only played them once in DC. If we drop the game this year at home I'll start worrying about a Redskin "jinx".

Excellent analysis...I agree with you 100%...I like the axis of evil description...