We're On To Jacksonville

[WHPats]

I started cheering for the Patriots around 1996. I still remember one of the first games I ever watched on TV was the 1996 AFC Championship game between the Pats and the Jags. I remember Curtis Martin for the Pats and Natrone Means for the Jags. I think the power went out in that game briefly? But it's awesome to finally see things come circle and see the same two teams play again more than 20 years later with a SB trip on the line. I like our chances, Jacksonville is tough and definitely deserve to be here, we'll have to play well to beat them, but as far as I'm concerned we're still the team to beat in this thing, in either conference. As far as the Steelers go, I live in western PA and my wife and family and friends are all Steelers fans. My wife and I have a healthy respect for each other's teams but my father in law can be pretty obnoxious with his Pats-hate. I felt bad for my wife today, but hard to feel sympathy for the fans like my father in law. I didn't want to play Pittsburgh, yes we've had their number, but we can't keep beating them forever and one of these days they will beat us. Jacksonville will certainly be tough, but I might be one of the few who actually likes the way we match up with them.

If we protect TB12 and limit Jax's run game, we'll be sitting pretty . Go Pats!

 

[rochrist]

Fournette is injured though. Wasn't effective and had no burst after the ankle injury. I would like Mitchell and Burkhead ready to go though. If Marty weren't hurt I think he'd be helpful if Ramsey is on Gronk.

Give it up on Mitchell. He isn't playing this year.

 

[Pats1989]

What do y'all think the line would be on a Pats vs Vikes SB? Think we'd be favorites? Keep in mind, Minny would be at home, have an elite D, and Keenum is obviously better than we anticipated.

Not getting ahead of myself. It's a big IF & I only bring it up because the Vikes are currently handling business vs NO.

 

[rochrist]

Lewis, Burkhead and White will be key for us in this match up.

Plus whether the 3rd RT can hold up.

 

[Ring 6]

What do y'all think the line would be on a Pats vs Vikes SB? Think we'd be favorites? Keep in mind, Minny would be at home, have an elite D, and Keenum is obviously better than we anticipated.

Not getting ahead of myself. It's a big IF & I only bring it up because the Vikes are currently handling business vs NO.

Patriots -6

 

[Kdo5]

Pats are going to win this. It might be a slog but ultimately we will score enough to win provided we don't turn the ball over. The Tom Coughlin factor is overrated IMO.

 

[VegasGuy]

What do y'all think the line would be on a Pats vs Vikes SB? Think we'd be favorites? Keep in mind, Minny would be at home, have an elite D, and Keenum is obviously better than we anticipated.

Not getting ahead of myself. It's a big IF & I only bring it up because the Vikes are currently handling business vs NO.

Home area, sure. Home team, no.
Afc team gets home locker room. Vikes would be in visitors.
Plus it won't be 100% Vikes fans. No biggie.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

To beat the Jags and that D you need an unsung hero to have a super game...those types of guys are the ones you look to,to beat a formidable defense...IMO those guys will be James White/Rex Burkhead who can catch passes from the backfield and that would also open up the middle later in the game should they be successful early - dink and dunk will be the key to success because to be honest,I don't see Tom having time in the pocket to look downfield too often

 

[WinstonSmith]

Give it up on Mitchell. He isn't playing this year.

I dunno, while I think that it's a long shot I wouldn't be shocked if he comes back. He offers something that is in short supply by the current WR group unless the NFL somehow grants Dorsett permission to wear platform cleats.

 

[Patjew]

I'll be on Jet Blue next Sunday. Do their TVs display live network broadcasts during flights....ie....the Pats game on CBS?

Yes.

 

[luuked]

If you post anything other than glowing praise of the Patriots and fearless, divorced from reality, bravado, you will be called names, told to kill yourself and stalked by a bunch of infantile, broken fools.

Outside of the game day threads that go in the opposite direction, this forum is like the old SNL "DaBears" sketch. Kellerman may have been on to something for once.

Nah it looks that way to you because you routinely post absolute garbage.

 

[Observer]

Next week will be tough, no doubt. They have the Coughlin factor and Bortles can also sometimes pretend to be a good quarterback.

 

[rochrist]

Yeah, I'm not thrilled that they're run by Coughlin.

 

[rochrist]

I dunno, while I think that it's a long shot I wouldn't be shocked if he comes back. He offers something that is in short supply by the current WR group unless the NFL somehow grants Dorsett permission to wear platform cleats.

I don't believe it. You don't step as a WR in this offense in the championship round of the playoffs when you haven't played for an entire year and have an impact.

 

[supafly]

Home area, sure. Home team, no.
Afc team gets home locker room. Vikes would be in visitors.
Plus it won't be 100% Vikes fans. No biggie.

That’s not true. The NFL already addressed this issue over the past week. Someone had a link from an official spokesman saying that the Vikings will keep their home locker rooms, home practice facility, and be able to avoid sleeping in the designated visitor’s hotel.

The AFC would use the visitor’s locker room, practice at the University of Minnesota, and sleep in the hotel at the Mall of America.

 

[Uptown]

To beat the Jags and that D you need an unsung hero to have a super game...those types of guys are the ones you look to,to beat a formidable defense...IMO those guys will be James White/Rex Burkhead who can catch passes from the backfield and that would also open up the middle later in the game should they be successful early - dink and dunk will be the key to success because to be honest,I don't see Tom having time in the pocket to look downfield too often

Yep, I concur. This game will be won by the best set of RBs in the league & the D.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'll be on Jet Blue next Sunday. Do their TVs display live network broadcasts during flights....ie....the Pats game on CBS?

Yes

 

[supafly]

I don't believe it. You don't step as a WR in this offense in the championship round of the playoffs when you haven't played for an entire year and have an impact.

I tend to lean towards your line of thinking too, but it wouldn’t be totally shocking to see them consider Mitchell an improvement on the ghost of a WR that is Philip Dorsett.

I suppose it would depend on what your definition of “impact” would be, but it’s hard to believe that Dorsett is having that much of an impact, either. I know that he’s drawn some coverage etc, but one could argue that MM provides more familiarity and could catch a few balls in crunch time. Ultimately, I think you’re probably right, though.

 

[VegasGuy]

That’s not true. The NFL already addressed this issue over the past week. Someone had a link from an official spokesman saying that the Vikings will keep their home locker rooms, home practice facility, and be able to avoid sleeping in the designated visitor’s hotel.

The AFC would use the visitor’s locker room, practice at the University of Minnesota, and sleep in the hotel at the Mall of America.

Seriously? Why the hell would they do that? Talk about creating an advantage

Not saying you're lying but, I won't believe it till I see an official FL statement on it

 

[Deus Irae]

While I agree with this, we've seen Jimmy G and Big Ben both spread out the Jaguars and throw on them all day. They have two great corners, but that doesn't mean that they can cover Gronk and the running backs. Brady will score on them.

If last week is any indication, we're finally getting healthy in the front seven, and can shut down a power running game. Contain Bortles like we did with Mariota, and the results will most likely be similar.

The Patriots have small receivers who are not named Antonio Brown, unlike the Steelers, and the Jaguars mailed it in against the 49ers. I'm sure that Tom/BB/Josh will work hard on a game plan, but we've seen this offense get limited/shut down time and again, over the years.