Bradshaw - pressure of record will be "easier" for Patriots in playoffs

[RhodyPatriot]

The guys at Fox were talking about playing with the pressure of being undefeated. Terry Bradshaw thinks the playoffs will actually be easier for the Patriots pressure wise because it's a one and done situation that both teams face. In the regular season the Pats have had a bullseye on their back with every team and the pressure was on them to succeed and to win week in and week out regardless of their opponent/their energy level, etc. But in the playoffs the task at hand is clear for the Patriots, the motivation is not a question for them at all and their opponents face the same one and done pressure.
As a fan I agree with him. As a fan now that the playoffs are here the undefeated record is not my focus at all anymore. It has been the focus for several weeks now but not anymore.
It's all about making the Super Bowl and I think the players feel the same way.
The undefeated record and the pressure that comes with it will intensify 100% once we make the Super Bowl but for now I do agree with TB.
In a weird way the playoffs will be an easier pressure for the Patriots.

 

[BelichickFan]

I have thought for a while now that the pressure of undefeated goes away in the playoffs because both teams are now playing for the same thing as opposed to the regular season when the Patriots have it all on the line and the opponent often had nothing to play for. The perfect regular season is done, it's in the bag, now they can concentrate on other things.

 

[ALP]

i agree....

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

you have to wonder the psychological battle an opposing team faces coming into foxboro and knowing the pats have take a teams best shot and have still won. they have been down and seemed ready to lose playing subpar but have found a way to win.

and the pats have found different ways to win...morphing from pass attack to a running attack. what do you really expect from pats? how do you gameplan?

 

[tombonneau]

its nice because every team in the playoffs is undefeated. Levels the playing field

 

[BingoBrown]

I'll add the pressure of records is also done.Brady will no longer
try to force it to Moss all the time.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Its playoff time. If you don't win you go home. I can't see how there is more pressure on the Patriots than the team they are playing.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

i still think we have way more pressure on us. its been on us since the moss trade, it doubled with spygate, and now has quadrupled with the perfect regular season. this is OUR year and if we dont get it done its a huge huge upset. the other teams sure they want the super bowl, but if they lose it simply wouldnt be a big deal nationwide.

that being said, is there any team that does better under pressure? the answer is no, and thats why im perfectly fine with it.

 

[richpats]

I think the 16-0 provides added motivation, and I do agree that the pressure is lessened by finishing the regular season undefeated. The playoffs represent the 2nd season, everyone is 0-0, one team goes unbeaten.

 

[carolinatony]

I agree with him.
All teams are undefeated now so there is the same pressure on all teams.

 

[NYPatsFan]

I think the 16-0 provides added motivation, and I do agree that the pressure is lessened by finishing the regular season undefeated. The playoffs represent the 2nd season, everyone is 0-0, one team goes unbeaten.

The undefeated season was a burden that the team carried throughout the second half of the season. Now that they've entered the playoffs, every team is 0-0 and Belichick can rightly tell them that this is a different season.

I think the joy in the players faces last night said it all. They were thrilled that they finished the season 16-0 and relieved that the regular season is over.

The Pats "one game at a time" mentality suits them well in the playoffs because it's true.

3 games to glory baby!!!

 

[dtbrks]

I agree with bradshaw and been thinking that myself.

Heck, we won a lot of tough games on the road, we don't have to travel until the superbowl now.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I have thought for a while now that the pressure of undefeated goes away in the playoffs because both teams are now playing for the same thing as opposed to the regular season when the Patriots have it all on the line and the opponent often had nothing to play for. The perfect regular season is done, it's in the bag, now they can concentrate on other things.

I agree with you and OP. Now the Patriots wil be trying to do something that they have been successful at in the past, preparing for the final tournament. They've won it 3 times already and now they can rely on their experience to give them that final push for the Superbowl. The 16-0 circus/sideshow is over and done with. The picture clears up considerably for the playoffs. The Pats will probably end up playing the Colts, Steelers or the Chargers in the AFCCG, both are familiar opponents whom the Pats have already beaten this year and in the past.