Do you realize we are looking at a minimum of a 12-4 team?

[Nikolai]

Methinks you're jumping the gun big time, here. Back in 1999 the Pats were 6-2 going into their bye week and all was well. People were forecasting 12-4, 14-2...remember what happened? Pats went 2-6 the rest of the way. Teams figured out that in order to beat the Pats you just needed to bring lots of pressure right up the gut and Bledsoe would not be able to handle it.

Anything's possible, and I wouldn't put it past the fat man in new Jersey to concoct something similar in NEP v. NYJ part deux....something similar being a "blueprint" to beat the Pats....

Normally, I'd agree but Brady + Belichick > Bledsoe + Carroll.

I'm more cautious because of the youth of this team, and the fact that teams aren't going to be overlooking the Pats quite so easily. We could be going back to the routine of getting every team's best shot. A strong Pats team scares the bejeezus out of everyone.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

The Lions could be a threat. They're at home on a short week after we play the Colts, and it's their only national game all year. They circled this one on the calendar before the season started.

But one game at a time. Minny is not a gimme win. If Peterson or Moss have huge games, it could be tough to overcome.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

If the thread said that the team had "a chance to go 12--4," I'd react otherwise, but saying that it's "a minimum of a 12--4" team is laughable.

There's one group of people I'm sure don't think that way and that's the Patriots players and coaches.

This is a young team. It's going to make mistakes, and not just against the teams someone anoints as "tough."

They're going into Detroit on three days rest on Thanksgiving coming off the Colts game to play a team that hasn't had national exposure since last Thanksgiving and that will approach this as their Super Bowl.

Not to mention, Minnesota, the Pack, a Cleveland team that just embarrassed the Champs at home along with two divisional rivals, both of which could/should have beaten the Steelers and Ravens last Sunday.

For now, all I'm ready to say is that my 10--6 prediction is beginning to look a little conservative...but that's about all I feel comfortable saying.

 

[JSn]

EVERY game is a worry, imo. Especially after the Browns trounced the Saints and Oakland destroyed the Broncos. If that can happen, ANYTHING is possible.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

so far...so good but our division will be fought until the end-wouldn't be suprised if Miami had a surge and the NYJ stay on top.

game by game....but positive post!

 

[tombonneau]

The Pats are currently 5-1.
This is how the rest of their schedule looks:

Sunday, Oct. 31 Minnesota Vikings 4:15 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 p.m. ET WHDH NBC 
Sunday, Nov. 21 Indianapolis Colts 4:15 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Thursday, Nov. 25 @ Detroit Lions 12:30 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Monday, Dec. 6 New York Jets 8:30 p.m. ET WCVB ESPN 
Sunday, Dec. 12 @ Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Sunday, Dec. 19 Green Bay Packers 8:20 p.m. ET * WHDH * NBC* 
Sunday, Dec. 26 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Sunday, Jan. 2 Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS*

Even if the Pats go 7-3 the rest of the way that adds up to a 12-4 tam.
Their only remaining tough games are @ Steelers, vs Colts, and vs Jets.
Those are the only games I really see us losing and I'm not willing to concede that the Pats will go 0-3 against those teams.
But even if they did, they would be at 12-4. If we're generous and give them 2 wins out of those 3 matchups, there's a distinct possibility of 14-2. Did you realize how good this team could be this year?

Disregard the "one game at a time" crowd. We're fans. We're allowed to look ahead.

Your point is a valid one. Another way to look at it is the Pats will likely only be underdogs in one game for the rest of the year: @Pitt.

Obviously they'll lose some games they are favored in, but they are closer to 12-4 than 10-6.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Suh might very well try to tear Brady's head clean off, like he did Delhomme.

Are you really afraid of the 1-5 Lions?

Let's break down the next 5 games of the season.

Sunday, Oct. 31 Minnesota Vikings (2-4) W
This team is reeling. Favre is gimpy. The coach is throwing the QB under the bus and vice versa. Pats should feast on a 2-4 team that is basically a sinking ship and on its way down.

Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Cleveland Browns (2-5) W
Nothing gives BB more pleasure than sticking it to Mangini. You honestly don't think the Pats will be extremely prepared to take on the Browns and their rookie QB?

Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) L
This is a tough game that I could see us losing. The Blitzburgh defense can put a lot of pressure on the QB and we will be playing them in Pittsburgh. Interestingly enough the Pats record against the Steelers is pretty good. Since 1998, I believe the Pats are a combined 6-2 vs the Steelers, including postseason. This will be a real test.

Sunday, Nov. 21 Indianapolis Colts (4-2) W
Another tough matchup. But the Colts don't look as good as last year. Most teams that make the Superbowl and LOSE tend to go into funks the next season. With Peyton there, the Colts are still more than respectable but I don't think they are as good as they were this time last year.

Thursday, Nov. 25 @ Detroit Lions (1-5) W
What has changed for this team? Over recent years, they added Stafford and Calvin Johnson, Pettigrew and Best on offense, Suh and Delmas on defense. They have exactly 1 total win to show for it. Talent without execution gets you nowhere in the NFL. They are still cellar dwellers and the Pats should paste them like turkeys on Thanksgiving.

I can easily see the Pats sitting at 10-2 after Thanksgiving.
And if they get to that 10-2 mark, they can go on cruise control (2-2 for the remainder of the season) and still get to 12-4.

 

[lostjumper]

One thing I noticed looking at that schedule is that by playing the lions on thanksgiving, we get an extra 3 days to rest and prep for the Jets. Hadn't realized that before now.

 

[JackBauer]

I'm more afraid of our divisional games, due to the capricious nature of such contests, than I am of the Packers (no running game, terrible OL, injuries), the Bears (Cutler's "dumb face"), or the Lions.

Really I think our record will depend on our luck with injuries. The wrong guy goes down (e.g. Wilfork) and we could commence a full-scale crapping of the bed in short order.

As for that Lion's pic, I say: WTF?

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

the Lion game is a legit threat. I am surprised only a few ppl are concerned.


Suh scares me. He might hurt TFB

\

you see "Sports Science" when they hooked him up to all that equipment....... long story short his hits are like getting hit by a moving truck.



That is Force I am scuuured for Brady (put Hoyer in) let him get hit.

 

[VJCPatriot]

One thing I noticed looking at that schedule is that by playing the lions on thanksgiving, we get an extra 3 days to rest and prep for the Jets. Hadn't realized that before now.

That is a nice benefit. The Pats will be very well prepared for the Jets game. Realistically that's the last big game of the season that will matter. If the Pats win that one, I think they cinch up the division title.

Normally, I'd agree but Brady + Belichick > Bledsoe + Carroll.

I'm more cautious because of the youth of this team, and the fact that teams aren't going to be overlooking the Pats quite so easily. We could be going back to the routine of getting every team's best shot. A strong Pats team scares the bejeezus out of everyone.

I doubt anybody's 'gunning' for the Pats this season. They got knocked out in the 1st round last year and the media is still dissing the Pats for the most part. They will be considered underdogs vs the Steelers, Colts, and Jets. Fortunately the Pats are not in the Saints' shoes this year. The defending superbowl champs look to have their hands full and are kind of treading water right now (4-3).

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Of all the "elite" teams going into week 8, The Pats are the only team with potential significant upside.

Likewise, the "rookie wall" is a possibility and injuries are the X factor.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Let's break down the next 5 games of the season.

Sunday, Oct. 31 Minnesota Vikings (2-4) W
This team is reeling. Favre is gimpy. The coach is throwing the QB under the bus and vice versa. Pats should feast on a 2-4 team that is basically a sinking ship and on its way down.

Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Cleveland Browns (2-5) W
Nothing gives BB more pleasure than sticking it to Mangini. You honestly don't think the Pats will be extremely prepared to take on the Browns and their rookie QB?

Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) L
This is a tough game that I could see us losing. The Blitzburgh defense can put a lot of pressure on the QB and we will be playing them in Pittsburgh. Interestingly enough the Pats record against the Steelers is pretty good. Since 1998, I believe the Pats are a combined 6-2 vs the Steelers, including postseason. This will be a real test.

Sunday, Nov. 21 Indianapolis Colts (4-2) W
Another tough matchup. But the Colts don't look as good as last year. Most teams that make the Superbowl and LOSE tend to go into funks the next season. With Peyton there, the Colts are still more than respectable but I don't think they are as good as they were this time last year.

Thursday, Nov. 25 @ Detroit Lions (1-5) W
What has changed for this team? Over recent years, they added Stafford and Calvin Johnson, Pettigrew and Best on offense, Suh and Delmas on defense. They have exactly 1 total win to show for it. Talent without execution gets you nowhere in the NFL. They are still cellar dwellers and the Pats should paste them like turkeys on Thanksgiving.

I can easily see the Pats sitting at 10-2 after Thanksgiving.
And if they get to that 10-2 mark, they can go on cruise control (2-2 for the remainder of the season) and still get to 12-4.

Sounds nice...too bad it's not as easy as you make it out to be

 

[A.C Vegas]

The Pats are currently 5-1.
This is how the rest of their schedule looks:

Sunday, Oct. 31 Minnesota Vikings 4:15 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 p.m. ET WHDH NBC 
Sunday, Nov. 21 Indianapolis Colts 4:15 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Thursday, Nov. 25 @ Detroit Lions 12:30 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Monday, Dec. 6 New York Jets 8:30 p.m. ET WCVB ESPN 
Sunday, Dec. 12 @ Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Sunday, Dec. 19 Green Bay Packers 8:20 p.m. ET * WHDH * NBC* 
Sunday, Dec. 26 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Sunday, Jan. 2 Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS*

Even if the Pats go 7-3 the rest of the way that adds up to a 12-4 tam.
Their only remaining tough games are @ Steelers, vs Colts, and vs Jets.
Those are the only games I really see us losing and I'm not willing to concede that the Pats will go 0-3 against those teams.
But even if they did, they would be at 12-4. If we're generous and give them 2 wins out of those 3 matchups, there's a distinct possibility of 14-2. Did you realize how good this team could be this year?

It's nice to see i am getting converts to my 14-2 prediction

 

[VJCPatriot]

the Lion game is a legit threat. I am surprised only a few ppl are concerned.


Suh scares me. He might hurt TFB

\

you see "Sports Science" when they hooked him up to all that equipment....... long story short his hits are like getting hit by a moving truck.



That is Force I am scuuured for Brady (put Hoyer in) let him get hit.

A lot of people were scared of Brandon Marshall. But the Pats seemed to do ok on that one. The Sports Science things are cool and all, but football is a team game. I'm sure the Pats are smart enough to double Suh. That guy will get the attention he deserves from the blocking scheme.

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

A lot of people were scared of Brandon Marshall. But the Pats seemed to do ok on that one. The Sports Science things are cool and all, but football is a team game. I'm sure the Pats are smart enough to double Suh. That guy will get the attention he deserves from the blocking scheme.

well put VJC... never thought of that.



btw..... I never feared Marshal.

 

[Rob0729]

One thing I noticed looking at that schedule is that by playing the lions on thanksgiving, we get an extra 3 days to rest and prep for the Jets. Hadn't realized that before now.

I'd take the Lions on a short week on Thanksgiving to get an extra few days to prepare for the Jets at home. My only gripe with that is that I am going to relatives for Thanksgiving and they aren't sports fans or TV watchers and only have a 32 inch TV and will probably be serving dinner around kick off.

 

[ALP]

I'd take the Lions on a short week on Thanksgiving to get an extra few days to prepare for the Jets at home. My only gripe with that is that I am going to relatives for Thanksgiving and they aren't sports fans or TV watchers and only have a 32 inch TV and will probably be serving dinner around kick off.

hmm, i hope u didnt give them the reason, cuz otherwise its your own fault, LOL

shouldnt have even said anything about an early dinner, haha, do anything to host that thing

 

[Rob0729]

A lot of people were scared of Brandon Marshall. But the Pats seemed to do ok on that one. The Sports Science things are cool and all, but football is a team game. I'm sure the Pats are smart enough to double Suh. That guy will get the attention he deserves from the blocking scheme.

The Pats have faced a lot of reputations over actual production this season. Marshall is still living off of reputation this season because other than like two games, he has been very average. The only game where he was dominant was against the Jets.

 

[Rob0729]

hmm, i hope u didnt give them the reason, cuz otherwise its your own fault, LOL

shouldnt have even said anything about an early dinner, haha, do anything to host that thing

I offered to host. I got the bigger house, my Thanksgiving spread is better too (I cheat and found an awesome turkey farm that does the complete spread for reasonable price right by my house and they make the best turkey and stuffing). The deck was still stacked against me. It is their kid's first Thanksgiving and the in-laws are coming in from across country to see their grandkid. You can't compete with that. Believe me. The concensus of the entire family wanted it at my house, but the baby's first Thanksgiving trumps everything.