The Patriots Hangover Effect

[Mooch]

With the Steelers losing today to the Jags, the Pats opponents W-L record in the week following their game against the Pats is now a dismal 4-9. Far below .500. For comparison's sake, if you take out the losses to the Pats, our opponents cumulative record in non-Pats games is 83-70. Far above 500.

It seems to me that we've been getting nearly every team's best game for most of the season and it's difficult for those teams to gear up for the following week's opponent. That, and the Pats are still a very physical team which causes other teams to take an extra week to fully recover from their games with us.

Thoughts?

 

[xmarkd400x]

I think there is something to it. I'd say notables are San Diego, Pittsburgh, Baltimore (who was flatter than week old soda), and Indy.

 

[Bertil]

I think the toll on other teams is emotional and psychological, not just physical. The Ravens haven't been the same, in fact they've totally lost it.

As for getting every teams' best game, it's good practice for "One and Done" season. So far, the Pats have passed every test. Win Big or Win Ugly, but just WIN!

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think the toll on other teams is emotional and psychological, not just physical. The Ravens haven't been the same, in fact they've totally lost it.

As for getting every teams' best game, it's good practice for "One and Done" season. So far, the Pats have passed every test. Win Big or Win Ugly, but just WIN!

you could say the colts were a bit damaged. they lost to the chargers the week after and KC gave them a run for their money.

not to mention the pats seem to beat up the other team physically and the other team loses players. today it was clemens. didn't they beat up chad in the first matchup? losman was taken out of the first bills matchup. jamal lewis was injured? renaldo hill? ronnie brown to the IR. i'm sure there are a bunch more i can't think of. ben had a beat up should from the pats game?

 

[patsfaninpa]

People think we're not a physical team for some reason. I remember listening to WFAN last year before the Jets playoff game. And some of them didn't think Pats were physical at all. I worry about our lack of team speed on defense. But, definately not it's toughness.

 

[rhodeislandpatsfan]

Mark Scherleth from ESPNnews Blitz mentioned that today.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Mark Scherleth from ESPNnews Blitz mentioned that today.

mentionned what?

 

[chrisfx811]

This is the only reasoning I can see when people say that going 16-0, and playing every game full tilt will take it's toll on them.
We truly are getting most teams BEST effort of their respective season. Despite the talent advantage, the Pats have to match every team's emotional approach to the game in order to win. It's the byproduct of being undefeated.

The Pats can't mail it in, and get an easy 'w' this late in the season like some teams. Even Miami will be playing for something.
Pats might get a little break against the NYG, since they should have the #5 slot locked up.

 

[Metaphors]

With the Steelers losing today to the Jags, the Pats opponents W-L record in the week following their game against the Pats is now a dismal 4-9.

And 3 of those wins were against the Jets and Fins. Only Dallas beating the Vikings was worth anything.

 

[rhodeislandpatsfan]

mentionned what?

Sorry i thought it was obvious, After the top teams get beat by the Patriots their seems to be a Hangover effect. I don't want to put too many words in his mouth but when you think your in their league and you have to leave with your tail between your legs it has a demoralizing effect.

 

[ClevTrev]

With the Steelers losing today to the Jags, the Pats opponents W-L record in the week following their game against the Pats is now a dismal 4-9. Far below .500. For comparison's sake, if you take out the losses to the Pats, our opponents cumulative record in non-Pats games is 83-70. Far above 500.

It seems to me that we've been getting nearly every team's best game for most of the season and it's difficult for those teams to gear up for the following week's opponent. That, and the Pats are still a very physical team which causes other teams to take an extra week to fully recover from their games with us.

Thoughts?

Good post and good points. I was thinking the same thing today with Pittsburgh and the Ravens losing. The Ravens have looked pitiful since the New England game. There's no guessing why, as they said the Patriots game was their Super Bowl. The loss today, however, is the Ravens 8th in a row and makes them 4-10. What's more interesting is how they were able to get "up" for the Patriots when they've played so poorly this season.

The Eagles lost two home games against the Seahawks and Giants after the Patriots game. This was after they said the recommitted themselves after the Patriots.

 

[Sunqueen212]

This is a very interesting observation. I might add that this phenomenon of teams gearing up to giving it everything they have when they play us has happened mostly in the second half after the undefeated talks began.

 

[reflexblue]

With the Steelers losing today to the Jags, the Pats opponents W-L record in the week following their game against the Pats is now a dismal 4-9. Far below .500. For comparison's sake, if you take out the losses to the Pats, our opponents cumulative record in non-Pats games is 83-70. Far above 500.

It seems to me that we've been getting nearly every team's best game for most of the season and it's difficult for those teams to gear up for the following week's opponent. That, and the Pats are still a very physical team which causes other teams to take an extra week to fully recover from their games with us.

Thoughts?

Someone even mentioned this on Fox radio last night, that they noticed that teams that play the Pats seem to not play well for a few weeks afterward. Something that we here have noticed during the Belichick era also. Someone recantly put up a list of teams that got mind ****ed by the pats. They were all good teams until they played the us. A couple of examples: The Rams were never the same after SB 36, neither was Carolina, the latest victim the Steelers. Off the top of my head at 3 am only the Colts seem uneffected by playing us, I can't think of another team other than the them.
Heres my take on it. I remember the first time I heard the phrase "Bledsoe's throwing off his back foot" was during a game against the Belichick coached Browns, BB layed out the hate to say it "blueprint" on how to stop Bledsoe who up until that game played some great Qb for us. After that game he constantly threw off his back foot. Why because teams knew how to defense him. I think BB comes up with schemes that expose teams weaknesses which are then copied,until the team changes its play calling, philosophy,or personel. Sometimes like in the case of Carolina they never seem to recover. But I remember Carolina's SB apperance as being a Cinderela story in the first place,so maybe they were never that good. Just a fluke that year. Just a theory.

 

[Deus Irae]

Someone even mentioned this on Fox radio last night, that they noticed that teams that play the Pats seem to not play well for a few weeks afterward. Something that we here have noticed during the Belichick era also

The Patriots are, arguably, the most physical team in the NFL. It's probably why depth is always the focus and the injured list usually reads like a "who's who". This team doesn't just play teams, it breaks them. Hell, look at the Ravens. Now, granted, part of what broke them is that they have been breaking down mentally for while and finally snapped, but they've been crushed by the Colts and beaten by the Dolphins. The Patriots absolutely shattered that squad.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I mentioned this on the "whiner wagonjumpers" thread.
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=688122&postcount=25
Other fans have been noticing it as well and I think I saw it in CHFF this year as well.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

I don't see that trend letting up next week the Jets play Ten who is fighting for a playoff spot. Dolphins Cinci after us. They are bad but not as bad as the Fish.

 

[Mooch]

Thought I'd post an update on this.

With the Jets losing last week and the Dolphins currently down by double-digits to the Bengals today, this trend looks to continue to 4-11.

And with the Giants emptying the tank last night and coming out with a bunch of injuries, going on the road to play another physical team in Tampa in the first round of the playoffs next weekend?

I'd put money on 4-12 for the 2007 season.

That's a pretty remarkable stat, any way you slice it.