Patriots Nemesis Elimination Day! (Week 16 Game thread for Ravens @ Pitt, Den @ KC)

[goheels22002]

• The team's played almost no good offenses.
• The only good team it's faced ended up beating it (Pitt didn't have Big Ben playing).
• The defense spent half the year doing the BB trick of holding the points down while mostly playing like ****.
• The offense is clearly missing Gronk, and the OL still has issues, particularly on the interior.
• Edelman's not quite himself this season (not saying he's bad, but he's not been the full Julian)
• Bennett's been limited, and we don't know if that'll continue into the playoffs
• The LBs are clearly limited, and can be exploited
• There's not enough pass rush from individuals

On the other hand

• The team's won every game we could realistically have called a "definite win", and only lost 2 overall.
• Brady's still awesome.
• Floyd potentially gives them a mini-TE, of sorts, to help out, if they want to use him that way on occasion.
• The running game, while not elite, is much improved, and (knock on all the wood you can find) both Blount and Lewis remain healthy.
• If Amendola can return, the WR depth chart is much improved over last year.
• Flowers seems to be kicking it up a notch.
• The LBs seem to usually be ending up about where they're supposed to, which is a clear improvement from the start of the season.
• Brady's still awesome.
  
• BB's still the best coach in the game.
• The AFC is down, and the Patriots might only have to face one even remotely difficult game on the path to the SB.
• Gost seems to be back to form.
• HFA, baby!
• Did I mention that Brady's still awesome? Just in case: Brady's still awesome.

That places my confidence level at "very confident of the team getting to the SB (assuming health), but fully cognizant of the team's issues and questions, and with the realization that teams like Pitt and K.C. have the potential to pull off the upset".

Here's one to add:

The team still remaining in the playoff field that most recentlly knocked the Patriots out of the postseason is the NY Giants (2011).

It's comforting knowing the neither the Ravens nor the Broncos are out there lurking anymore.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I feel more confident about this year than 2014 but solely based on the competition. 2014 had better top teams. The absolute worst case scenario imo is the Pats playing Seattle when Wilson is 100% on his game. Even then our D will not give up 31 points again and their D is not as good as it was. Losing Thomas hurts them so much.

However i think Seattle unless they get the 2nd seed has no chance to make the super bowl. After that there is a bit of a drop off to their worst possible match up and they had the edge in the first one anyway.

I don't see SEA making it to the SB.

The Thomas injury really hurt that defense. He's their Rodney and in terms of covering up injuries, Carroll isn't as smart as BB.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

LOL!!!

 

[shmessy]

Here's one to add:

The last team remaining in the playoff field to knock the Patriots out of the postseason is the NY Giants in 2011.

That also happens to be the LAST season the NY Giants even made the playoffs.

The NFL = New England Patriots + 31 Other Teams.

The 21st Century Patriots are the greatest and most consistent football franchise on the face of this earth. In the FA/Cap era, no one comes even close. They can all kiss the bottom of the Pats' cleats.

 

[shmessy]

By the way - pre BB/Brady era, the Steelers and Raiders knocked the Pats out of the playoffs.

 

[SVN]

Here's one to add:

The last team remaining in the playoff field to knock the Patriots out of the postseason is the NY Giants in 2011.

It's comforting knowing the neither the Ravens nor the Broncos are out there lurking anymore.

Yeah but its the same giant team just like its not the same steeler or KC team or pats team. I dont think this stat means anything.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

I don't see SEA making it to the SB.

The Thomas injury really hurt that defense. He's their Rodney and in terms of covering up injuries, Carroll isn't as smart as BB.

I am not worried about tbe seahawks. I want green bay and NY out. If we get to the big game than i hope it's against the falcons, seahawks, or dallas.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I am not worried about tbe seahawks. I want green bay and NY out. If we get to the big game than i hope it's against the falcons, seahawks, or dallas.

NYG do no scare me either. Their offense is much worse than the teams that the NEP have faced in past nor is their pass rush as potent.

GB is playing very well right now but I'm not sold on their defense. Still pretty porus

 

[FCB02062]

Unlike Gronk, though, he's never shown up for a Championship Parade.

Or a Super Bowl game.

Or an AFCC game.

Dude is NEVER present for a big game!!! He's Captain AWOL!!!!!

And when do you start up the "Kraft is cheap" ranting again?

If Krafty Bob lets Butler and Hightower go the Cheap Brigade will begin....especially if he tries to replace them guys like Leigh Bodden and Monty Beisel

 

[SVN]

If Krafty Bob lets Butler and Hightower go the Cheap Brigade will begin....especially if he tries to replace them guys like Leigh Bodden and Monty Beisel

The pats have been the most consistent and successful franchise over 16 yrs only by making tough decisions of not keeping everyone .if they had done, their run wouldve been over within 3-4 yrs like the chargers in 2006.they haven't been perfect with their choices but tell me which other ownership/coach you would want running your franchise. Name one. Seriously .
You always seem to just rant against the team and coach and ownership every time even when the team is winning. Seems like you are waiting for the pats to become mediocre so you feel more at home. Just unbelievable, every single time.

 

[shmessy]

If Krafty Bob lets Butler and Hightower go the Cheap Brigade will begin....especially if he tries to replace them guys like Leigh Bodden and Monty Beisel

Oh you poor, poor, soul having to slog through life as a fan of the New England Patriots.

What a whiny loser you are.

Seriously, you are Pathetodomous.

 

[FCB02062]

Oh you poor, poor, soul having to slog through life as a fan of the New England Patriots.

What a whiny loser you are.

Seriously, you are Pathetodomous.

Sorry I'm not a lemming that agrees w every move the team makes... But Merry Christmas to you anyway!

 

[shmessy]

Sorry I'm not a lemming that agrees w every move the team makes... But Merry Christmas to you anyway!

Poor fella. Life is never enjoyable for someone who only wants perfection. I hope you someday can enjoy your life (and that your family members find a way to survive Mr. Perfectionist).

The rest of us are enjoying every morsel of these 16 years. Seriously, you don't know what you're missing. It's wonderful!

Merry Christmas!