Patriots and Home Field Advantage

[brdmaverick]

If you are like me you just have a gut instinct that the Pats will pull out Saturday's game. While I respect the Colts as a worthy opponent, I just have a gut instinct that the home field advantage will pull us through.

I mean, we always win at home, right?

Since Brady returned from injury (2009), the Pats are 37-3 at home in the regular season.

But perhaps I shouldn't put too much emphasis on that as the Pats are only 3-3 in playoff home games over that same span.

That's crazy when you think about it. They have as many home playoff losses over the last few years as they have the entire regular season. Oddly enough all regular season losses have been to NFC opponents (Giants, Cardinals, 49ers).

Furthermore, even though the Pats were a perfect 8-0 this season at home, there were times when at least three of those felt like DEFINITE inevitable losses (vs Saints, Broncos, and Browns, you could even argue Dolphins).

So maybe the home field advantage isn't as much of a sure thing as my mind is tricking me into thinking.

In looking at the NFL playoffs thus far, Wild Card weekend was one historic Chiefs collapse from witnessing ALL four road teams winning. This on the heels of both road teams winning the conference championship games last year.

Just goes to show that there is so much parity in the NFL that the talent gap is so razor thin that not even home field advantage is a great deciding factor anymore.

Perhaps I should be more worried about this game than I am.

 

[Nunchucks]

I was at their last home loss, to the Ravens. It sucked. Stupid purple camo pants.

 

[MassPats38]

I don't think you can pencil this team in for anything, unless it brings it's best game. But I always believe it will win. On paper, this is far from the most dominant team of the BB/Brady era, but in one season it probably has gutted out more tough wins against good opponents than any other version. You cannot write the team off.

As for playoff history of late, every team has been different with very different players.

2009 - probably the most dysfunctional lockerroom (it is captured on BB: A Football Life) I have seen with BB and Brady. Add to that the loss of Welker right before the playoffs, and the outcome was no surprise.

2010 - a solid, young team that had pummeled the Jets 45-3 and came out flat in round 3. Not an awful loss, but a painful one to watch. The Jets played that game like their Super Bowl, and then lost the next game.

2012 - a legitimate loss to Super Bowl winner. Offense could not offset injury to Talib, and went AWOL in the second half when the Cravens were adding points.

 

[dales804]

They could certainly lose on Saturday. They need to play well and take care of the ball and they'll have a chance. This Patriots team can beat any team but can also lose to any team. It's all about execution and smart football.

 

[Gronkandez]

This year the Pats have pulled out the close games at home and lost the close games on the road. I'd say there is a slight advantage to playing at home, but the reason I think they beat the Colts is they are a physical team that can beat them up and they don't have a defense that can stop Brady when the game is on the line.

 

[mosi]

Dude, there has not been a game all season where I was not worried. Maybe the Steelers game but that is it. All the other games have been nail-biters. And you are right, while the Pats could easily be 13-3, or even 15-1, they could also just as easily be 8-8.

But honestly, I think this team knows that and realizes that they are going to have to fight tooth and nail to be competitive and stay in the game.

 

[SalemPats]

Dude, there has not been a game all season where I was not worried. Maybe the Steelers game but that is it. All the other games have been nail-biters. And you are right, while the Pats could easily be 13-3, or even 15-1, they could also just as easily be 8-8.

But honestly, I think this team knows that and realizes that they are going to have to fight tooth and nail to be competitive and stay in the game.

Good post, agreed, I think this team knows that nothing will come easy. But that may be a good thing since in the past we were more reliant on our stars

 

[chasa]

there are no gimmies in this years playoffs now that the bungles are gone.

Every single team could win it all, in my mind with the year we had, and the fact that half our starting defense is on IR, we are playing with house money.

This isnt like other seasons for me where it was superbowl or bust, this year is already a winner in my book.

 

[Nunchucks]

there are no gimmies in this years playoffs now that the bungles are gone.

Every single team could win it all, in my mind with the year we had, and the fact that half our starting defense is on IR, we are playing with house money.

This isnt like other seasons for me where it was superbowl or bust, this year is already a winner in my book.

I agree, the amount of injuries this team has had and to win 12 games and get the second seed has been fantastic. What an exciting regular season!

I've been very entertained, and to get to watch them play on Saturday night will be awesome. I hope they win.

House money, for the first time in a long time and I like it.

 

[captain stone]

Perhaps I should be more worried about this game than I am.

Good post, and you should indeed be extremely worried about this game.
This team simply does not have anything close to the quality of pass-catchers needed
to win Saturday night.
Damn the Walrus Byatch & the Game Manager to hell for blowing that lead last week.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I kinda get a bad feeling about this game.

But hopefully this team is ready to go at home, because we could be hosting the AFCCG after this game.