i agree, it's ok if you lose, it only matters how you lose
Honestly the only thing not making me optimistic about our chances right now are the massive amount of injuries we keep sustaining to key players
If Godchaux and Ekaule injuries are serious, then that guts the interior line of our defensive front which has been a strength of ours this year against the run. Those are significant injuries if serious and will be tough to overcome.
If Hunter Henry injury is serious, thats a huge blow to an offense that has struggled to find continuity and consistency.. Henry and Bourne have basically been the best weapons this year
Week 1 we played the NFC Champions who were real close to beating KC in the big game, who are completely loaded top to bottom and the Pats hung in fighting all the way until the final seconds rolled off the clock. We had a shot against one of the top contenders this year.
Week 2 we lost to a Dolphins team that is out of control and the only 3-0 team remaining in the conference. They just nearly broke the record for most points scored in a game (they could have easily, but made the decision not to rub salt in the wound), and we held up to 24 points while keeping it a game until the very last seconds.
Week 3 was against a bitter divisional rival who before Rodgers injury everyone had as SB contenders. They have an elite defense, even last year... we knew it was going to be a slog against that defense, and we had a lot of opportunities that didnt work out for one reason or another.. penalties, dropped balls, missed field goals, etc.. but you erase even a couple of those small mistakes and that could add lots of points on the board.
It sucks those close games didnt work out in our favor, but the reactions and conclusions that were being drawn are incredibly overblown because those are elite teams and a lot of people have Miami vs KC in the AFCCG this year... We were an asshair away from coming out with those games, so that is a "moral victory" that we can at least be positive about the team not being a doormat and will be in every single game to the end.
We started the season down like 2-3 starting Olineman, then lost more to concussions week 1. We lost 3 of our 4 starting CBs to injury, and are holding down the fort with a rookie, Wade and Bryant. Our talent at safety is surely helping cover up some of those deficiencies
The offensive line was nearly all together again for Jets game and it was a big improvement, although still not perfect or consistent, but it was improvement.
I think this team has so much potential, but right now injuries are just killing us and I think it looks worse than it really is because we have the definition of a rough starting schedule
JuJu is becoming a major concern.. he looks like he's a shell of his former self out there, is always losing his feet under him, doesnt have any burst, hasnt really had any YAC to speak of and ultimately has just been a huge disappointment thus far as our #1 highest paid WR.
This team is RIGHT THERE, they just need to clean some stuff up, get healthy and have a bit more consistency and they will be a contender