Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

At this point the Patriots have and easy schedule the rest of the way and could very likely win the rest of their games. Could this be a bad thing for the Pats? Maybe they will become overconfident and underestimate their opponent in the playoffs. This will probably not be the case as the Patriots have learned in the past that every playoff game is a tough game and cannot be taken lightly, or any game for that matter. I just feel that if they had some tougher games they would be able to learn more from mistakes and become more motivated for the playoffs.

What do you guys think? Would the Patriots benefit if they had a couple games against more elite teams?

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

Given all the injuries and a chance to get healthy while beating bad teams my answer is.......... No.

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

They already played some good teams. Now its time to beat up on the bad ones and get that bye week!

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

I don't think a soft schedule will hurt at all. The defense needs confidence and cohesion. They need to get healthy.

I think the players know they have a soft schedule and a Belichick led team rarely gets over confident.

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

Could it? Absolutely.

Could it help? Absolutely.


Which will it be this year? Remains to be seen...

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

Very good point. Perhaps the easy schedule will allow the Patriots to rotate in some backups and preserve their starters for later in the season.

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

Well, this is the answer, obviously. It's about peaking at the right time, exploiting all your talent and systems and staying healthy.

If they use these games to work in more players and schemes and keep it interesting, it should be a plus. You can't synthesize the schedule, it is what it is.

Certainly there's no complacency on defense, the front seven is just coming into it's own and a return if Spikes and/or Fletcher should be major IMO.

On offense, Vereen, Ocho and Price are elements that could emerge to make us stronger, as well as really integrating one more runner, be it Ridley or Vereen.

Woodhead and Faulk are bonuses since they can be held in reserve and still deliver when it counted IMO, though not much upside.

Not the first rodeo for Belichick, he knows how to manage the ebbs and flows. Look for Swiss army knife eEdelman to pop up in strange places.

Cannon has more chance than an average lineman to have an impact too. He's a beast.

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Pat them becoming compacriots down the road?
 

At Philly, at Skins, at Denver, Phins are playing tough.. I don't see them becoming complacent

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

The Redskinds are BAD

Re: Could an easy schedule hurt the Patriots down the road?
 

I am constantly amazed how some on this board can consistantly find a cloud in every silver lining.

Is the glass ever half full in your world of pessimism?