I know it's very early: But KC

supafly said:

While I believe that KC took a couple of steps backwards due to the fact that they relied on ST/D scoring last season, I also believe that they are more than capable of beating us.

It's one of the tougher road environments in the league when they go 5-11, let alone when they are seeing some success the past year or two and pumped up for a primetime game on national TV.

I think our offense will need to show some significant improvements, starting with the ability to protect our QB. That is priority #1 without a doubt, even if it means going back to the max protect scheme.

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I agree. Tough place to go into. Would hate to start 2-2 and have to go out the next week and beat a good cincy team but hopefully that doesn't happen.

I am guessing Berry will be ready to play as well then

Brady_to_Moss said:

I agree. Tough place to go into. Would hate to start 2-2 and have to go out the next week and beat a good cincy team but hopefully that doesn't happen.

I am guessing Berry will be ready to play as well then

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In 2012, we started off 1-2, and all hope was not lost.

Unfortunately, this year's offense seems to be significantly worse than the one that lost 30-31 down in BAL on Sunday Night Football in the third game a couple of years ago. That is the main concern and the area that is going to keep us all up at night.

supafly said:

In 2012, we started off 1-2, and all hope was not lost.

Unfortunately, this year's offense seems to be significantly worse than the one that lost 30-31 down in BAL on Sunday Night Football in the third game a couple of years ago. That is the main concern and the area that is going to keep us all up at night.

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If we can figure this OL thing out...we will be singing a different tune..lets hope it can be fixed

And after losing those 2 in a row in 2012..we put 50+ on the Bills

Brady_to_Moss said:

If we can figure this OL thing out...we will be singing a different tune..lets hope it can be fixed

And after losing those 2 in a row in 2012..we put 50+ on the Bills

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Right, which is even stranger--because we were staring 1-3 right in the face as the Bills were about to go into the half with a nice lead, having had completely outplayed the Pats.

Vince Wilfork either caused or recovered a fumble on our own 5 yd line--which totally changed the outcome of the game right before the half, and they then went on to outscore BUF 45-7 for the rest of the game. Looking back, it was one of the kinds of "season saving" plays that a veteran like Wilfork makes.

Which brings us back full circle to this afternoon....

supafly said:

Right, which is even stranger--because we were staring 1-3 right in the face as the Bills were about to go into the half with a nice lead, having had completely outplayed the Pats.

Vince Wilfork either caused or recovered a fumble on our own 5 yd line--which totally changed the outcome of the game right before the half, and they then went on to outscore BUF 45-7 for the rest of the game. Looking back, it was one of the kinds of "season saving" plays that a veteran like Wilfork makes.

Which brings us back full circle to this afternoon....

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That year we had 3 losses before the bye in week 8. After that just 1. So things started tough that year but got better. I am keeping the faith.

Go into KC and beat them. Will be a great W to build off of. Lose and well this board will melt down and i will stay away!

Game plan: RUN THE BALL and Run it often...keep them off balance...none of this draw play at the 4 yrd line then 2 crap passing plays

Brady_to_Moss said:

If we can figure this OL thing out...we will be singing a different tune..lets hope it can be fixed

And after losing those 2 in a row in 2012..we put 50+ on the Bills

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It seems a lot of people keep talking about the Patriots' general offensive problems when, IMHO, this is 80% an OL thing. When the OL starts providing protection that allows Brady to hold onto the ball a while longer and make more throws from good decision making instead of fear of being sacked -- the Patriots' scoring is going to jump significantly. I'd go so far as to say if the OL plays solidly (not spectacular, just solidly), I feel relatively good about getting the W in KC.

OTOH, KC is still run by Andy Reid, a graduate of the School of Game (Mis)Management.

Something to consider.

Here are the teams and quarterbacks the Chiefs faced in the first nine games (all wins) in 2013:
Jaguars / Gabbert
Cowboys / Romo (home game, won by 1 point)
Eagles / Vick (would make only 3 more starts)
Giants / Eli (Giants in midst of 6-game losing streak)
Titans / Fitzpatrick
Raiders / Terrelle Pryor
Texans / Casey Keenum (home game, won by 1 point)
Browns / Jason Campbell
Bills / Jeff Tuel (in his first and only NFL start)


Since then, 3-8:
Lost to Broncos by 10 (27 points allowed)
Lost to Chargers (41 points allowed)
Lost to Broncos (35 points allowed)
Beat Washington (Griffin hurting)
Beat Raiders (Matt McGloin; 31 points allowed)
Lost to Colts by 16
Lost to Chargers
Lost to Colts in playoffs (45 points allowed)
-
Lost to Titans (Jake Locker) by 16
Lost to Broncos
Beat Dolphins

Brady_to_Moss said:

That year we had 3 losses before the bye in week 8. After that just 1. So things started tough that year but got better. I am keeping the faith.

Go into KC and beat them. Will be a great W to build off of. Lose and well this board will melt down and i will stay away! I will say this....they lose to KC. They WILL beat Cincy. Book it

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Normally, I would be agreeing with you 100% since this is standard Patriots logic.

This year however, I'm a bit concerned, due to the shockingly underwhelming offensive display.

jmt57 said:

Something to consider.

Here are the teams and quarterbacks the Chiefs faced in the first nine games (all wins) in 2013:
Jaguars / Gabbert
Cowboys / Romo (home game, won by 1 point)
Eagles / Vick (would make only 3 more starts)
Giants / Eli (Giants in midst of 6-game losing streak)
Titans / Fitzpatrick
Raiders / Terrelle Pryor
Texans / Casey Keenum (home game, won by 1 point)
Browns / Jason Campbell
Bills / Jeff Tuel (in his first and only NFL start)


Since then, 3-8:
Lost to Broncos by 10 (27 points allowed)
Lost to Chargers (41 points allowed)
Lost to Broncos (35 points allowed)
Beat Washington (Griffin hurting)
Beat Raiders (Matt McGloin; 31 points allowed)
Lost to Colts by 16
Lost to Chargers
Lost to Colts in playoffs (45 points allowed)
-
Lost to Titans (Jake Locker) by 16
Lost to Broncos
Beat Dolphins

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Just to take this thought a bit further---when they started 9-0 or 10-0 (or whatever it was last year), they had been getting an insane amount of special teams + defensive scoring. I remember us all talking about it, and assuming that once that good fortune dried up a bit, things would balance out. That obviously happened.

That all said, they remain a tough out on the road, and do have the capacity on both sides of the ball to beat us. They are better than any of the 3 previous teams that we've played so far this year.

supafly said:

In 2012, we started off 1-2, and all hope was not lost.

Unfortunately, this year's offense seems to be significantly worse than the one that lost 30-31 down in BAL on Sunday Night Football in the third game a couple of years ago. That is the main concern and the area that is going to keep us all up at night.

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But the Defense is now spectacular! This team reminds me of the 2001 edition.

AzPatsFan said:

But the Defense is now spectacular! This team reminds me of the 2001 edition.

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I think we'll find out a lot more about this defense vs real teams that aren't the worst 2 in the NFL, but yes---thus far it has been good news for the defense. Definitely a positive.

neuronet said:

KC is a very tough crowd. Incredibly loud. My bud played for the Steelers, said KC was his least favorite place to play, by far (though never played in Seattle).

Not a major point, just thought I'd name drop.

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KC is going to attempt to break Seattle's record as loudest NFL stadium vs NE this MNF.

Alex Smith is just the type of QB that gives NE trouble.

He can scramble for the 1st down if nobody is open. A poor mans Kapernick. KC can rush the ball well, their WRs don't jump off the page at you except for Bowe who will make the circus catch and drop the easy one in his hands.

The KC secondary is revamped, but the front 7 can get after the passer.

Pats teams usually play better against the better teams......

but it doesn't mean they'll win....

That's all I got...

If we play like we have been playing, i think we'll lose, to be completely honest.

The last series of Oakland's game gave me some hope that the O-Line can be at least functional (Wouldn't bet that Stork is the solution to all its problems, though).

Now, if we can get better in the trenches, which it is the biggest concern, I want to see what the offense is capable of. Brady and his receiver are playing being very mediocre(Yes, Edelman has been incredible, but i'm looking to the whole group, not only him). If Tom's given more time, then he HAS to play better and spread the ball more.

The defense is doing a good job IMO. But we haven't had a challange yet, too. This game will provide a great info on how good we are in this side of the ball, and if the Dolphins' second half troubles are past us.

Early line has NE favored by 3.5.

Flying out Saturday to attend the game Monday nite.
There is already rumors they want to break Seattles noise record on Monday nite football.

I'm still shocked and very dismayed at the fact that they have a ton of money left and have one of the worst offensive lines in football. Belichick is like Harry Sinden.
The biggest thing I took out of yesterdays NFL games. Everyteam that played on TV at 4 pm Den, Seattle, AZ ,SF. Would crush the Pats right now.
As things stand right now your looking at a 10 win season and thats reaching.

supafly said:

In 2012, we started off 1-2, and all hope was not lost.

Unfortunately, this year's offense seems to be significantly worse than the one that "lost" 30-31 down in BAL on Sunday Night Football in the third game a couple of years ago. That is the main concern and the area that is going to keep us all up at night.

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Fixed it for you.

PatriotReign said:

Solder needs to pull his head out of his ass and stop getting beaten like a rented mule for half the game. Devey needs to sit on the bench beside Wendell and never see the field. Stork must be installed as the starter at C. Connelly's uninspiring play makes me want to see either Fleming or Kline get an opportunity at RG.

I'd like someone other than Ninkovich or Jones give the team some semblance of pass rush.

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Hightower has been the most consistent pass rusher on this team so far.

WE need to stack the box and play press man. They arent very talented at WR. They will run all over us if we keep on the way we are going. Davis is legit and really doesnt matter if its him or Charles.