What is the biggest obstacle to SB win #4 for the Pats?

That next game...stay focused my man.

james87654 said:

1. health
2. seahawks/packers

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Lmao! Your new avatar!

I will not disagree with any posts, but that isn't exactly where I was going. Aside from things beyond the Pats control, injuries, refs, etc., what is the biggest problem? I believe the O line play is the key to their run into the playoffs. As I stated, seattle worries me some, but if the Pats are at the top of their game they are virtually unbeatable.

The game with the pack, from my viewpoint could very easily have been won by the Pats. The early hands to the face penalty, by Browner I believe, gave them a first down. I never saw his hands go to the opponents face. A few minutes later the Pats were called for 12 men on the field - Belichick made them recount, and they picked up the flag. Remember that sequence. The pack was going to go for it before the penalty was thrown. They were already lining up. After 4 more tries at it because of the penalty, they wound up with a field goal. The pats held them to something like 1 yard inside the red zone in the first half. So if the pack had went for it on 4th down minus the penalty they wouldn't have made it. That's 3 points. Gostkowski, uncharacteristically, misses a field goal. That's another 3 points. What was the final margin? Oh yeah, 5 points. And that was a road game. No, the pack doesn't worry me.

Brady getting protected does tho. When he is getting balls batted down at the line of scrimmage the defense is too close. That is not good. And that is what I perceive as the biggest obstacle to another SB win. And should the Pats face the seahawks, they will have to play a 100% game. Hopefully we'll have the opportunity to find out.

phil112 said:

I rarely post, altho I have been around for a bit. I am a fan from the Grogan days, so I've been around a day or two. Tickles me to see the Pats level of play this year. Thought the D took a while to get on track, but they are as good now as I was hoping they would be.

So to the topic of this post. I have seen something manifest itself in the packers, chargers, and now the dolphins, games that bothers me. Brady has had a lot of passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. Seems to me that his offensive line just isn't up to snuff. The O line isn't pushing guys off the line of scrimmage and not keeping them engaged enough if they have time to wave their hands around to block passes. I'm thinking if the O line was playing hard, those defenders would find themselves on their back if they were waving their arms around.

I see that as a potential problem, especially should they face the pack again, or the seahawks. I see seattle as the biggest danger when it comes to SB opponents. Anyone else think this is a problem?

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People with one post can start new threads now?.

@Gronkandez ...surprised me too!

New England Pride said:

The Baltimore ravens in my opinion. They're the only team in the AFC that won't come to Gillette scared. I know the Baltimore secondary is decimated, but the head coach and Qb have been there and done that as far as winning here.

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They may not come in to Gillette scared but they are not the same Ravens that could match and counter all our scheming. They don't have Ray Lewis or Ed Reed to make sure they're all set up anymore.

Teams which can play press man, take the middle of the field away and force them to throw deep and outs consistently can stop this offense. Our WRs are still not the greatest at getting seperation from man to man coverage - except of course gronk. Windows are going to be tighter in the playoffs . Think about this -we have gone all season with 2 WRs - edelman and lafell. Our WR depth is really poor and dropoff is significant after those two. We rail JMcD a lot but he has done a great job with these tools thanks to Gronk.
This oline also does seem to be suspect against blitzing defenses which is very usual for a NE oline.

These two concern me the most.

Wheelman said:

They may not come in to Gillette scared but they are not the same Ravens that could match and counter all our scheming. They don't have Ray Lewis or Ed Reed to make sure they're all set up anymore.

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I agree, but they are a well coached team and still familiar with our tendencies. They're just tough sons of *****es over there. If we played them, I'd guess we would put Revis on Smith Sr and double Torre. Man having Revis back there does make me more comfortable.

On a side note: Suggs, tuck your bottom lip in, or wear your helmet for the entire game. There are kids watching these games.

New England Pride said:

The Baltimore ravens in my opinion. They're the only team in the AFC that won't come to Gillette scared. I know the Baltimore secondary is decimated, but the head coach and Qb have been there and done that as far as winning here.

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Normally this would be true but this year the steelers worry me more. Our oline vs blitzing teams can have issues and pitt has a very very good offense. They are inconsistent though.
This year we should be able to handle Baltimore.

SVN said:

Normally this would be true but this year the steelers worry me more. Our oline vs blitzing teams can have issues and pitt has a very very good offense. They are inconsistent though.
This year we should be able to handle Baltimore.

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There o is pretty tough but I'm not sure there's a damn thing that dinosaur Lebeau can throw at our offense to slow us down (aside from the 11 game). They don't disguise and Brady just tears is apart. They are a better team than Baltimore imo.

New England Pride said:

There o is pretty tough but I'm not sure there's a damn thing that dinosaur Lebeau can throw at our offense to slow us down (aside from the 11 game). They don't disguise and Brady just tears is apart. They are a better team than Baltimore imo.

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Iam sure brady can read it. More question about this oline.

SVN said:

Teams which can play press man, take the middle of the field away and force them to throw deep and outs consistently can stop this offense. Our WRs are still not the greatest at getting seperation from man to man coverage - except of course gronk. Windows are going to be tighter in the playoffs . Think about this -we have gone all season with 2 WRs - edelman and lafell. Our WR depth is really poor and dropoff is significant after those two. We rail JMcD a lot but he has done a great job with these tools thanks to Gronk.
This oline also does seem to be suspect against blitzing defenses which is very usual for a NE oline.

These two concern me the most.

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Lafell can win one on one battles and so can Gronk. But we need gray and Blount to solidify the run game. We need some run game. Also, maybe once playoffs come around Tim wright will get more targets. He can be the X factor ironically

I just don't share the concern some have expressed about any of the AFC opponents. That's all going to be in Foxboro and the Pats aren't going to lose there. The Pats should have home field throughout, and that leaves the Super Bowl. After the Pats vs packers a few weeks ago, I see the Pats winning against the pack on a neutral field. I watched seattle last year, and as much as I dislike carroll, they are a really good team, as evidenced by their championship win. That is the one team that will give New England everything they can handle on a neutral field, and they are starting to play like they did late last year.............which is also why I am concerned about passes being batted down. Brady is going to have to have those short completions to win in a tough game and if seattle interrupts that Brady may not be able to compensate, IMHO.

Archeryaddict12 said:

Lafell can win one on one battles and so can Gronk. But we need gray and Blount to solidify the run game. We need some run game. Also, maybe once playoffs come around Tim wright will get more targets. He can be the X factor ironically

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I like tim wright but he seems to be the potential X-Factor every game. but hasnt worked out yet. Will give him the next offseason to get integrated better .Dont think he becomes the X-Factor in the playoffs. Hope Iam wrong.

I'd answer this question by asking another question. A genie comes out of the bottle and he tells you he can do one of four possible things for you. He can...

1. replace Peyton with Eli as QB of the Broncos
2. have Baltimore swap defenses with the Jets.
3. have Richard Sherman come down with Talib-itis during the playoffs (i.e. he doesn't play).
4. replace Aaron Rodgers with Matt Stafford at QB

Which of these 4 choices would you ask the genie to grant you?

For me, it's easily #4.

Which is why, the biggest obstacle to a Super Bowl victory for the Patriots is Aaron Rodgers.

Three things:
1) The OL can't get it done (this is what killed the perfect season. Arguably it had a big hand in the 2011 loss too). Once the OL doesn't perform to a minimum standard (teams can rush 4 and get some quick pressures) the offense goes south, always. But if the OL can play to a minimum satisfactory level, I think the Patriots can put up 30 or more on anyone.
2) Out bullied. A game against Batlimore or Seattle or any other playoff team that just does a physical domination in the trenches (a la Ravens in 2010). Can't win in the playoff if you can't at minimum come close to holding your own in the trenches. Better teams will lose when the other team is able to push them around.
3) Multiple Injuries to key players.

Other than that? I think the Patriots can beat anyone -- not they will for certain but no team seams like they can't be beat if the Patriots coach and play satisfactory.
One key is with Chandler Jones back. I think his presence in GB makes enough of a difference in the score to make that a W. He's now bringing a presence to the pass rush that was sorely needed. One that will, at least sometimes, get the extra attention of OLs. So CJ will get some pressures and a few sacks but other guys will get more pressures and sacks too. A better pass rush + this secondary? This should be just enough to get the SB provided 1, 2 or 3 don't submarine it.

phil112 said:

I just don't share the concern some have expressed about any of the AFC opponents. That's all going to be in Foxboro and the Pats aren't going to lose there. The Pats should have home field throughout, and that leaves the Super Bowl. After the Pats vs packers a few weeks ago, I see the Pats winning against the pack on a neutral field. I watched seattle last year, and as much as I dislike carroll, they are a really good team, as evidenced by their championship win. That is the one team that will give New England everything they can handle on a neutral field, and they are starting to play like they did late last year.............which is also why I am concerned about passes being batted down. Brady is going to have to have those short completions to win in a tough game and if seattle interrupts that Brady may not be able to compensate, IMHO.

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HFA is great advantage but really doesn't gurantee anything. We lost to the 45-3 jets and the ravens at home.

captain insano said:

injuries injuries

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This is the only thing I fear. This team can beat anyone, anywhere. Like someone else said, this is the most complete Patriots team I have seen in a long time. I'm excited. I have already cleared Super Bowl Sunday at both my jobs.

I fear no one. AFC or NFC. Bring it.

Intensity. Intensity leads to good execution. When this team comes to the game with intensity, I do not think there is a team in this league that can beat the Patriots. I have found that our defense, in general, has come to games this season with a lot of passion. They play with pride. On the offensive side, it is up to Brady to spark the intensity. It might be surprising to the casual observer, but there have been games (or parts of games) when Brady has been passive in his demeanor. The first round to Baltimore, the AFC championship losses to Baltimore and Denver and in some games this year, I could visibly see a listless, passive Brady. All these games had the feel of a impending loss even as early as in the first half. The feeling of "they just don't have it today". (of course, the other team's higher intensity level may have something to do with it, too).

After the first round of playoffs, by which time the weak teams are eliminated, the eight teams left are usually complete teams with few weaknesses. It is the team that brings in the most (and continuous) intensity that is able to reel off three wins in a row. Intensity leads to execution.

winning game #19

I don't think we will lose at home with this team