Why do I feel uneasy?

[MoLewisrocks]

It's the downside of being part of a community here that has morphed into whatiffville and a morass of negativity. Nothing this team has done this season has pleased them all simultaneously, so there is a constant barrage of disatisfaction here that wears on even the biggest homers of all...

If it makes you feel better remember, even the trolls here lately think it's nuts not to revel in what this team is doing and just enjoy the ride and ignore all the schitzo bandwaggon naysayers we have unfortunately collected along the way.

I think what you need is a healthy dose of good old fashioned Andy Johnson threads to put it all in rational perspective.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

This is the best of times for homers like me...
So why do I feel so uneasy about the rest of the year. Part of me want the team to run the table and part of me would like to see the team lose (OMG I said it) one of the two remaining games.

I guess I feel that the law of averages are working againts us and by losing one of two remaining regular season games they have a better chance to go three games to glory in the playoffs.

Does anyone else feel this way or am I just being paranoid?

Why do you feel that way?
You are girly mon.

As to the law of avgs, I think you realize that's a mis-application. There is no mathematical 'law of avgs' gain whatsoever for the Pats to lose one of these games that helps in any way their winning all 3 playoff games.

Am I concerned about the playoffs? Of course. Only a fool would have no concern whatsoever about a one and OUT scenario where you face top notch opponents and possible weather or injury equalizers. That aside, the Patriots have a far better chance than anyone else to get a ring in February.

 

[Joker]

Run the table, crush de enemy beneath their feet, listen to de lamentation of de women

 

[BradyToMoss]

The undefeated record helps more than hurts. Our players are pretty loose. All of this talk doesn't really seem to be putting any pressure on them, and when they go out there, it doesn't really matter. They play the game. Now for an opponent, you have to make the trek to Foxboro. You have to play an undefeated team. There's a little intimidation. Even if they are 15-1, you can point to that 1 loss and use "_______ beat them. We can to." This year? Nothing. I like that. Keep it going.

I agree, facing a 16-0 or 17-0 team will be a major, major intimidating situation for any team walking into Foxboro. It benefits the Pats more than hurts them. My ideal scenario is to see both wildcard teams win and have Cleveland come to Foxboro and the Jags go to Indy and beat the snot out of that team which is going to happen the next time they play. A Jags/Pats title game, I'll take any day. One team I really don't want to see walk into Foxboro is SD. That team is firing on all cylinders and will have motivation to take us out like no other. Luckily for us, they'll be the 3 seed and will have to play Indy.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Why do you feel that way?
You are girly mon.

As to the law of avgs, I think you realize that's a mis-application. There is no mathematical 'law of avgs' gain whatsoever for the Pats to lose one of these games that helps in any way their winning all 3 playoff games.

Am I concerned about the playoffs? Of course. Only a fool would have no concern whatsoever about a one and OUT scenario where you face top notch opponents and possible weather or injury equalizers. That aside, the Patriots have a far better chance than anyone else to get a ring in February.

OK then, I guess I'm being paranoid and should be on meds. Maybe even taken to the funny farm for a long rest.

You think they may get the NFLN at the funny farm and I won't have to worry about the Giants game getting blacked out in my area. What if they don't?

 

[richpats]

The Pats seem to be ready to face the challenge of going undefeated because of their mental toughness. They get every team's best shot, some of their games go down to the wire and this team pulls through. This isn't the '98 Broncos, who admitted that the pressure of going undefeated was "suffocating". That's why they lost a winnable game against the 5-8 Giants. That's why the '05 Colts bricked one against SD.

The great thing about 16-0 is that it won't matter come playoff time. It's only the "first" season.

 

[Joker]

The NFLN IS the funny farm....and that dipcrap Eisen belongs in the padded room wearing the white coat with the shiny buckles and belts.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

Paranoia. The pressure is getting to you and if your thinking like this, imagine what the likes of Brady feel crosing the white lines. It's part of what seperates the elite and leaders from regular people.

Nobody else decides the Patriots fate but the Patriots. We're simply that good and if we lose it'll be on us. There is no law of averages, just 60 minutes of football and the better team wins whilst the losers cry on the way home. It really is that simple.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

It's the downside of being part of a community here that has morphed into whatiffville and a morass of negativity. Nothing this team has done this season has pleased them all simultaneously, so there is a constant barrage of disatisfaction here that wears on even the biggest homers of all...

If it makes you feel better remember, even the trolls here lately think it's nuts not to revel in what this team is doing and just enjoy the ride and ignore all the schitzo bandwaggon naysayers we have unfortunately collected along the way.

I think what you need is a healthy dose of good old fashioned Andy Johnson threads to put it all in rational perspective.

Couldn't have said it any better myself, Mo!:rocker:

 

[bakes781]

It's the downside of being part of a community here that has morphed into whatiffville and a morass of negativity. Nothing this team has done this season has pleased them all simultaneously, so there is a constant barrage of disatisfaction here that wears on even the biggest homers of all...

If it makes you feel better remember, even the trolls here lately think it's nuts not to revel in what this team is doing and just enjoy the ride and ignore all the schitzo bandwaggon naysayers we have unfortunately collected along the way.

I think what you need is a healthy dose of good old fashioned Andy Johnson threads to put it all in rational perspective.

If you feel that we're all negative & unsatisfied than what does that say about you for continuing to post here?

Are we spoiled? You bet, but that doesn't mean we can't be objective. At the same time we're all witnessing history here that is until it's complete. Once it is complete I guarantee that the euphoria to follow will be unimaginable!

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Are you a medium to long time Red Sox fan,this could be part of your problem.
They only have to go 5-0 to win the SB.

Lay off the Red Sox! Two out of four now. Terry Francona, not Grady Little, or John McNamara. Josh Beckett, not Roger Clemens.

 

[chrisfx811]

They get every team's best shot, some of their games go down to the wire and this team pulls through.

To me, this is the one aspect of being undefeated and considered 'unstoppable', or 'the best ever' by the media, that works against them.
Opposing teams know that they HAVE to give their best effort to be in the game. There's no sneaking into the playoffs 'under the radar', as a 10-6 or 11-5 team and catching someone by surprise.
The Pats are coming in with all the fanfare, accolades, media attention, and rep as Superbowl winners.

Opposing teams focus harder, prepare harder, and play harder when they face the Pats.
Unless the Pats come out and smash 'em right off the bat like they did against quite a few teams, opposing teams will feel as though they can beat them the longer the games remain close.

Honestly, I watch every game they play and ask myself if they would win playing like that against the Colts or Cowboys. That is a bit unfair though, because we'd like to think the Pats will always be 'up' for those big games.

Much like if the Pats faced the Colts that played yesterday, they'd most likely blow them out.

 

[Michigan Dave]

To me, this is the one aspect of being undefeated and considered 'unstoppable', or 'the best ever' by the media, that works against them.
Opposing teams know that they HAVE to give their best effort to be in the game. There's no sneaking into the playoffs 'under the radar', as a 10-6 or 11-5 team and catching someone by surprise.
The Pats are coming in with all the fanfare, accolades, media attention, and rep as Superbowl winners.

Opposing teams focus harder, prepare harder, and play harder when they face the Pats.
Unless the Pats come out and smash 'em right off the bat like they did against quite a few teams, opposing teams will feel as though they can beat them the longer the games remain close.

Honestly, I watch every game they play and ask myself if they would win playing like that against the Colts or Cowboys. That is a bit unfair though, because we'd like to think the Pats will always be 'up' for those big games.

Much like if the Pats faced the Colts that played yesterday, they'd most likely blow them out.

In the playoffs, you have to bring that best effort anyways.

 

[richpats]

Opposing teams know that they HAVE to give their best effort to be in the game.

As we've seen against Indy, Philly and Baltimore, a team has to play the full 60 to beat NE. The Jets even faltered on the Pats' last scoring possession yesterday. Teams just wear themselves out trying to knock NE out early and simply try to hold on.

 

[RussFrancis]

at this point, I just dont think its really possible to lose either of the last 2 games. Neither of those teams is really capable of beating the Pats, imo. Even on a really bad day.

Now, looking to the playoffs, I agree that anything can happen. But youve gotta like playing on your own field the rest of the way. There's really no sense in worrying. But I understand that's also part of the fun. Nothing worth having really should come easy. So keep your worrying, but dont kill yourself over it. This team needs to win 5 more games just like every other out there. They all have the same amount of pressure on them. And what other team and what other player would you rather be rooting for besides the Pats and Tom Brady? We've got it good. Just imagine how all those other fans feel.

 

[richpats]

at this point, I just dont think its really possible to lose either of the last 2 games. Neither of those teams is really capable of beating the Pats, imo. Even on a really bad day.

Now, looking to the playoffs, I agree that anything can happen. But youve gotta like playing on your own field the rest of the way. There's really no sense in worrying. But I understand that's also part of the fun. Nothing worth having really should come easy. So keep your worrying, but dont kill yourself over it. This team needs to win 5 more games just like every other out there. They all have the same amount of pressure on them. And what other team and what other player would you rather be rooting for besides the Pats and Tom Brady? We've got it good. Just imagine how all those other fans feel.

Yeah, oddly enough the 2 toughest games remaining will be at Gillette. Super Bowl? Spare me. Ideal conditions for this offense? Like shootin' fish in a barrel

 

[Ring 6]

To me, this is the one aspect of being undefeated and considered 'unstoppable', or 'the best ever' by the media, that works against them.
Opposing teams know that they HAVE to give their best effort to be in the game. There's no sneaking into the playoffs 'under the radar', as a 10-6 or 11-5 team and catching someone by surprise.
The Pats are coming in with all the fanfare, accolades, media attention, and rep as Superbowl winners.

Opposing teams focus harder, prepare harder, and play harder when they face the Pats.
Unless the Pats come out and smash 'em right off the bat like they did against quite a few teams, opposing teams will feel as though they can beat them the longer the games remain close.

Honestly, I watch every game they play and ask myself if they would win playing like that against the Colts or Cowboys. That is a bit unfair though, because we'd like to think the Pats will always be 'up' for those big games.

Much like if the Pats faced the Colts that played yesterday, they'd most likely blow them out.

If we are facing a team that doesnt normally 'prepare hard, focus hard, and play hard' and their only motiviation in doing it is because of OUR record, I have zero concern of losing that game.

 

[Ring 6]

OK then, I guess I'm being paranoid and should be on meds. Maybe even taken to the funny farm for a long rest.

You think they may get the NFLN at the funny farm and I won't have to worry about the Giants game getting blacked out in my area. What if they don't?

I think your uneasiness is natural. There is no room for error.
I think deep down, your 'feeling better' about losing a game is because you would 'feel better' if we were a 15-1 team that lost in the playoffs rather than a 16-0 team that lost in the playoffs, if we were to lose.
You are looking at 5 1/2 months of football, and thinking no one has ever done this before (Miami only played 17) so ON TOP OF winning the SB, which is difficult even when you are the best team, we also have to do what no one has done before.
The reality is that it is now a 3 game season. What happens in the next 2 weeks ultimately means nothing. USING those 2 weeks to be better prepared for the playoffs does mean something, and you are better prepared by winning.
When the 'tournament' starts, whether we are 16-0, 15-1 or 14-2, we will need to beat the 4th, 5th or 6th seed in round 1, then win the AFCC game in Foxboro, then beat whatever the NFC throws into the SB.
I think our chances of doing that are higher than any team has ever had in week 15 of any season. What happens in the next 2 games really doesnt change that a whole lot in either direction.

 

[chrisfx811]

If we are facing a team that doesnt normally 'prepare hard, focus hard, and play hard' and their only motiviation in doing it is because of OUR record, I have zero concern of losing that game.

As evidence, I present this year's Ravens. I don't think they've played a game like they did against us much this season.

I guess I should've added -est to my description.
Many who have played competitive sports know what I mean. Sometimes teams play down to the level of their competition, and sometimes they play out of their minds to raise their performance.

 

[patchick]

Here's why I think people are uneasy: because with a team this good, anything but a SB victory would be a crushing disappointment.

Imagine you're a fan of a team like Cleveland. You start off the season hoping your team will be good. There are ups and downs, but enough good stuff to keep you optimistic. As the ups continue to outweigh the downs, you start envisioning a playoff berth. Excitement is building, every game is another opportunity to secure that spot! If you make it, woo-hoo!!! Maybe your team can win a game...or even two...or...who knows? They've already proven all the doubters wrong, it's all gravy now!

Now imagine you're a fan of the Patriots. (Not too hard to imagine, right? ) You started this season knowing your team was good. By week 4 you had a near deathgrip on the division title. By week 9 a bye and HFA looked solid. By week 11 folks are talking about all-time records and all-time greatness. Your team is the overwhelming favorite to win it all.

It's fantastic. It's amazing. Through 14 games, it's a dream come true. But the incremental, week-by-week excitement of a normal season has been replaced by a single long-term goal: Win the Superbowl, period. That, IMO, is why fans are so jittery. It just feels like a long, tense wait to the playoffs at this point. The next few weeks are just about preventing negatives.