I trust that most feel a bit better now

[tuckeverlasting]

call me crazy, but i think they're starting to come around.

 

[BradysBunch12]

I'd play Brady the full game next week and ensure the win and when everything's locked up, play Hoyer against the Texans, also ensuring the 4th seed and avoiding the Chargers if we make it to the second round.

 

[RayClay]

call me crazy, but i think they're starting to come around.

The D nad attitude are improved. Maroney is running great. They could get Watson Faulk and others involved and really put teams on the defensive but....

I'll grant that Moss deserved to show up the critics, that stuff is ridiculous.

All it would take is a little lightbulb to go off this week.

Hey, wait. We didn't win by channeling Dan Fouts, we won by using the whole team and the whole field.

We'll see. A stubborn streak has arisen the last few years.

 

[letekro]

2005 Defense: 21.1ppg
2009 Defense: 18.0 ppg

They've only played 2 "really good" teams. They've played 5 "good" teams total. Losing the 3 road games and winning the 2 home games. The complete breakdown in NO, the OT loss in mile high, and the 2nd half gassed collapse in indy. We beat ATL and BAL at home.

This team has struggled on the road but that has a lot to do with their inexperience. Once in the playoffs, we have BB, a good running game and a very talented albeit inexperienced defense. We can do some damage!

If you'll remember, the 2005 team played great D over the last month of the season and into the playoffs (including the loss to Denver). Willie was still effective and Vrabel was a stud. I will take that D over this one.

You are really stretching it calling Atlanta a "good team". A ".500 team" is far more accurate. We beat baltimore at home and barely so, because they dropped a pass, not because our defense stepped up. That baltimore team is not exactly world beaters either - also a .500 team before beating up on the woeful lions and bears oh my. Anything can happen, and I appreciate your enthusiasm, but let's call it like it is.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

They're just like the 2005 team - incapable of beating good teams. That team, however, had a better defense (and an equally lame offense).

HUH? 2007 spoiled you silly

 

[tuckeverlasting]

I'd play Brady the full game next week and ensure the win and when everything's locked up, play Hoyer against the Texans, also ensuring the 4th seed and avoiding the Chargers if we make it to the second round.

i don't know. phyllis quivers and the charger girls don't scare, but indy and the refs do.

 

[emoney_33]

If you'll remember, the 2005 team played great D over the last month of the season and into the playoffs (including the loss to Denver). Willie was still effective and Vrabel was a stud. I will take that D over this one.

You are really stretching it calling Atlanta a "good team". A ".500 team" is far more accurate. We beat baltimore at home and barely so, because they dropped a pass, not because our defense stepped up. That baltimore team is not exactly world beaters either - also a .500 team before beating up on the woeful lions and bears oh my. Anything can happen, and I appreciate your enthusiasm, but let's call it like it is.

Baltimore is just as much a "good" team as Denver is. Regardless, our problem isn't "good" teams, it has been struggles on the road against everyone up until today.

As for the defense, it's all about the scoreboard to win games. The 2005 defense allowed less than 20 points in 6 games, with 2 games to go the 2009 defense has allowed fewer than 20 points (in regulation) in 9 games so far.

The 2005 defense had a stretch of 3 games where they played great (3, 7, 0) followed by 2 OK games (21, 28) going into the playoffs. The 2009 defense has let up 10 points in each of the last 2 games.

I am confident in the defensive talent, confident in the defensive coaching strategies and gameplans.

 

[BradysBunch12]

I am confident in the defensive talent, confident in the defensive coaching strategies and gameplans.

Against a team like Indy or San Diego?

 

[emoney_33]

Against a team like Indy or San Diego?

Well I wouldn't be confident going into Indy or SD with any defense. I'm usually hopeful rather than expectant watching the playoffs.

 

[ThePatriotWay]

I know every team can play the what if game but the media acts like there is no shot for this team to reach the AFC championship game or the Super Bowl. But the facts are if this team did not lose games to the denver, indy, and miami all games in which they had leads in late in the game this team would be 12-2 and have a first round bye right now. And with all the crazy things that have happened in the NFL this season who says this team does not get going pulls a 06 and makes it to indy for the AFC championship who says they can't beat the colts or the chargers anything can happen on any given sunday we see teams that suck in the regualr season shine in the post. Giants 07 shock Pitt 05 maybe worst pitt team ever to win a superbowl goes on the road 3 times as a 6 seed and pulls it off anything can happen and this team had the talent on offense to put up some points and the d can be hot sometimes but at other times be very cold. WHY NOT US !

 

[letekro]

HUH? 2007 spoiled you silly

I'm glad you are enjoying the fireworks. Take away the 59-0 debacle against street free agents, the 35-7 whipping of poor Tampa, and the first half of the Colts game and what do you have? An offense scoring about 20 points per game that scares no one.

 

[letekro]

Baltimore is just as much a "good" team as Denver is. Regardless, our problem isn't "good" teams, it has been struggles on the road against everyone up until today.

As for the defense, it's all about the scoreboard to win games. The 2005 defense allowed less than 20 points in 6 games, with 2 games to go the 2009 defense has allowed fewer than 20 points (in regulation) in 9 games so far.

The 2005 defense had a stretch of 3 games where they played great (3, 7, 0) followed by 2 OK games (21, 28) going into the playoffs. The 2009 defense has let up 10 points in each of the last 2 games.

I am confident in the defensive talent, confident in the defensive coaching strategies and gameplans.

OK, so we've beaten a single borderline .500/"good" team, at home, barely. Color me unimpressed. But, I'm glad you're confident.

 

[rivers983]

I'm glad you are enjoying the fireworks. Take away the 59-0 debacle against street free agents, the 35-7 whipping of poor Tampa, and the first half of the Colts game and what do you have? An offense scoring about 20 points per game that scares no one.

I'd really like to see Brady get rest in Week 17 at Houston. Until the injuries (and we have no idea what he is or isn't playing through right now), he had started to look like 2007 Brady again.

Taylor coming back bolsters the running game significantly; and we still have Moss and Welker...if Brady gets up to 80% (right now he looks to be about 50%) then we'll have a shot in the playoffs.

 

[jsull87]

I'm glad you are enjoying the fireworks. Take away the 59-0 debacle against street free agents, the 35-7 whipping of poor Tampa, and the first half of the Colts game and what do you have? An offense scoring about 20 points per game that scares no one.

yeah and take away all the games where our offense did poorly and then we have a good offense... worst argument ever

 

[patsfan-1982]

I'm glad you are enjoying the fireworks. Take away the 59-0 debacle against street free agents, the 35-7 whipping of poor Tampa, and the first half of the Colts game and what do you have? An offense scoring about 20 points per game that scares no one.

and if to take away bradys one year of 50 TD's the pats never had a great offense.

the colts all ways put a lot of points on the pats in indy the pats never beat any one 50-0 they just won and most of the time by a FG

if you take out that one 50 td year that we will never see the pats do again brady. is all redy at he's Career average for yerds TD's and INT's with 2 games left

the reason they can't beat a team with any kind of talent is cause they can't play a full 60 min game on both sides of the ball. when the offense gets the lead the defense gives up a TD when the defense gets a 3 and out. the offense can't put ponits on the bord

but they are 9-5 and one win a way from takeing the east. this may just be a team with no talent and brady, and BB are the only reason they got 9 wins we will see how far they make it in the playoffs

 

[Gumby]

Look its nice they will make the playoffs; but I just dont see it meaning much. From what i have seen so far I am mentally prepared to see them lose in the WC round and not even win the first playoff game. (hope i am wrong but it just feels like that)

That is not even predicated so much on Brady's issues as the Defense and attitude. (or maybe synergistically they are inter-related from - defense stressed from too many brady short drive-punts)

KEY PT: There is no team in the league right now that believes the Pats have a killer instinct. EVERY TEAM walks into the 4th Quarter against the Pats knowing that Pats CANT HOLD A LEAD. So they are motivated to give it everything they have. Look even Buffy almost pulled it out - they were one short drive to OT away; barring an offsides.

You can't have that rep going against quality teams in the playoffs. They will burn you for it.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'd really like to see Brady get rest in Week 17 at Houston. Until the injuries (and we have no idea what he is or isn't playing through right now), he had started to look like 2007 Brady again.

Taylor coming back bolsters the running game significantly; and we still have Moss and Welker...if Brady gets up to 80% (right now he looks to be about 50%) then we'll have a shot in the playoffs.

If SD loses at TN, Pats have to go for the bye Week 17. Have to....

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I actually think that the defense is starting to gain some confidence. They were out on field alot yesturday, and struggled early against the run. Once they hunkered down, they started playing well. I LOVED the standing around look we went with. Totally befuddled the Bills.

Granted, the Bills are the ver definition of "teh suck", but without two of our BEST stubs in there, this defense does some some promise. Prolly won't materialize this year, but I think there is some hope for next year. Lets hope the go to tackling school in the off-season. Accross the board, tacking is a weakness for this team.

Also ... I like Edelman and Aiken. Tom has made receivers like them productive in the past and I think if healthy they are good enough #3 and #4 receivers to spread things out. If Brady starts throwing sideline passes to them I'll get excited. But he has stayed away from that benchmark pass ... with good reason I am sure.

I actually disagree. Edelman shows promise, but is still far to raw. Aiken is pure JAG. He was targeted a few plays yesturday and he did not rise to the challenge. A legit #3 is a priority.

Oh yeah, replace O'Brien for next year. He sucks.

 

[dhamz]

Maybe the sky is falling crowd feels better. Maybe the blind homer crowd now feels validation of their beliefs.

Most Pats fans I know felt 2 weeks ago they would win these 2 games agianst inferior opponents, win the division, probably win a tough home playoff game before falling in San Diego or Indy. I don't see any reason to feel differently.

 

[RayClay]

We have enough talent. We are dealing with the mental issues (lategate). we need to play winning team football.

The 2005 team had the heart, but losing the whole secondary twice over to IR and the whole running game consisting of Dillon using one leg like a pogo stick, we just wore out physically.

Coach and play smart and we have as good a chance as anyone. We should have beaten the colts and i really feel we could beat NO if we play our game. Teams have ebbs and flows and it's the team who's hot in the playoffs that matters.