Agreed that the loss of Jules makes the rest of the regular season less clear. In my post I assumed his return for the POs (I take him being on the weekly injury report as the Patriots feel the same way). But I'm of the mind that the Giants game and the Jules loss play into the Patriots PO hands. The Giants game tested their mental toughness. I prefer the Patriots have a few games where they have to dig deep to pull the win out. And the Jules loss will put a whole lot of tape out there on other plays by the Patriots and give their other 'non Jules' options more chances to gel.
I may be too optimistic on the PO chances (of course it's all a judgment call), however, when I stack up the Patriots firing on almost all cylinders against what I have seen so far from Pitt, Den, Cincy? I don't see the Patriots losing (especially at home) unless one of those teams plays way above their norm and/or the Patriots make a bunch of unforced errors.
Around this time last year I was singing this same song of "I
really like this team and our chances". I feel even better this year and at the same time I think the competition has taken a little step back (Ravens being out of the picture is good by me
). IMHO just get healthy then bring on Cincy Denver and Pitt! I haven't felt better about the upcoming match ups since 07.