Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

Do you guys think we scraped up a victory in what should have been a blowout or do you think the Seahawks stood up for the game played better?

While you answer the poll, feel happy about the win. If it's not quite enough to make you ecstatic, watch this video:

Classic Jets Rant - Uppers for the Soul

Re: Basking in the Victory
 

I think our Defense is making every opposing QB look like Joe Montana.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

If our own worst to first in 01 and the Dolphins worst to whatever they end up at is any indication than the old adiage any win in the NFL is a good win is accurate. The Talent in this league is so close (except maybe the Lions and Raiders) that you shouldn't really take much stock into level of opponent in a win.

And especially when you figure if we lost the season was all but over than this was as good a win as any.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

I think SOME of the problems when dealing with the Seahawks might also be present when dealing with the Raiders. The Seahawks are a struggling team that is looking for a big win and they had 10 days to game plan against the Pats. They played Thanksgiving day. The Pats had a normal week for game planning plus they had to travel to the west coast.

Staying in the west coast will help some of the time constraints but still the Raiders will have 10 days to game plan for next weeks game.

The Pats are showing some weaknesses and these teams have extra days to practice how they will. I am not trying to make an excuse, I do expect the Pats to beat the Raiders also. I am just saying that an upset is more likely to come after in situations like this.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

the 10 days is certainly a valid reason. I think in a lot of avenues in life that a few extra days of prep time could close the gap in relatively closely talented instances. I think I could do better work than my boss or more qualified peers given 3 extra days to do the job.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

I voted for #3. We started off terrible on D (as someone else pointed out, we looked confused for the first 1/2 and buckled down in the 2nd) and couldn't get much done on O, but the team hung in there, and turned it around late in the game. We came from behind to win in the 4th quarter after losing 3 defensive starters early in the game (and having Vrabel go down momentarily). A win is a win is a win. I think each game is going to be a rollercoaster for the rest of the season, but who knows? The Giants squeaked in last year and got hot. Maybe that can happen to us.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

Traveling to the west coast and winning is never an easy thing. Look at the poor San Diego performance. Heck, look at what SF did to NY yesterday. Even the Pats' victory in SF was aided by some lousy 2nd-half Mike Martz playcalling. It doesn't matter what the home teams' records are; They are never an easy out.

I enjoyed the victory yesterday...immensely. It was an entertaining game with a thrilling finish. But a lot of the entertainment comes from my strong belief that this team is fatally flawed against the January competition so I've resigned myself to enjoy the victories no matter who they come against. I'm not going to bang my head worrying about how the Pats will do in January if they can barely squeak one out against 2-11 Seattle. This isn't the 2003, 2004, 2006 or 2007 Pats. Making the playoffs will be an achievement worthy of applause. Any advancement in January would be gravy.

To answer the question: These Pats played well yesterday.

Regards,
Chris

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

They came in flat because of injuries and probably the tough loss to the Steelers. They played like crap, but they made the adjustments especially on defense and came through in the end. If Manning and the Colts can have their rumps swabbed for playing like crap for 3 1/2 quarters vs. the Texans and Browns and then come through in the end, the Pats deserve the same rump swabbing for this win.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

Something I feel strongly about: Good teams manage to win even when they don't play particularly well.
It seemed they had a few chances to put the game away and could'nt do it.
But, they stayed focused and composed, and did what they needed to do when they needed to do it.
No such thing as an ugly win, get used to more of the same.
I think they showed guts in a hostile environment, the same type of environment they would see should they make the playoffs.

Re: Basking in the Victory - How did the Pats REALLY play?
 

The Patriots inspired Branch to play better than he's played since they got him. He was out of his mind and almost earned that first round draft pick they gave for him.
His catch and run and td catch were sick, but still, we prevailed.