Patriots Pregame Thread Week 1 pregame discussion: On to Cincinnati

[Sicilian]

They really thought out our Schedule too Buffalo twice in three weeks. The Schedule makers are making sure we get the #1 overall this time around at least we'll win Draft day.

Why does it matter whether we play Buffalo twice in three weeks or twice in weeks 1 and 18? You're playing the Bills twice. Every year. No one is screwing the Patriots.

 

[PatsFan2]

Why does it matter whether we play Buffalo twice in three weeks or twice in weeks 1 and 18? You're playing the Bills twice. Every year. No one is screwing the Patriots.

So how close the games are doesn't matter for a Team that basically owns you?? I just looked at Six Teams Schedule randomly and none is playing the same rival in a three week span. Our saving grace is Buffalo is in Transition @ WR and gotta hope some guys pan out.

 

[Real fan 02]

I saw a Potentially Very Good Defense with Judon - Barmore and Gonzo minus the Top 2 and you're optimistic. Who's the LB or D-Lineman that can beat his man consistently like Judon?? That's where you lost me: our New D minus those two could make a CB like Gonzo look average he can't cover forever no CB can.

You make good points my man. But that is why we will have to blitz as a necessity and live with the results...

 

[denverpatsfan]

Days of rest?
Who wants to look that up?
Air miles flown?
Time zones crossed?
My point is that these strength of schedules now factor in more than the opponents last seasons records.
Get with the times!!

 

[Sicilian]

So how close the games are doesn't matter for a Team that basically owns you?? I just looked at Six Teams Schedule randomly and none is playing the same rival in a three week span. Our saving grace is Buffalo is in Transition @ WR and gotta hope some guys pan out.

No, it doesn't? Again, why would it? You're the one making that argument, so you need to make your case. What would make playing the Bills twice in three weeks suddenly harder than playing them twice more spread apart? Break it down for me.

 

[PatsFan2]

You make good points my man. But that is why we will have to blitz as a necessity and live with the results...

 

[Sicilian]

Days of rest?
Who wants to look that up?
Air miles flown?
Time zones crossed?
My point is that these strength of schedules now factor in more than the opponents last seasons records.
Get with the times!!

I conceded that point in my edit. So again, considering the schedule is determined by a formula, are you insinuating that the league screwed the Patriots by making them play their road game in San Francisco (which was determined by said formula) in San Francisco for some reason? If Kraft's "check had cleared" would they have saved the air miles by somehow being allowed to play a road game somewhere closer? Or perhaps it's the time zones? Should Kraft have paid more to keep the Earth from spinning?

The schedule was set in stone the minute the Patriots finished last in their division. No one was choosing any of that.

 

[Real fan 02]

You can send all kinds of blitz brother.. safety blitz, LB blitz.. u always keep someone deep..

 

[PatsFan2]

No, it doesn't? Again, why would it? You're the one making that argument, so you need to make your case. What would make playing the Bills twice in three weeks suddenly harder than playing them twice more spread apart? Break it down for me.

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have sat atop the AFC East for four straight years.

 

[Sicilian]

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have sat atop the AFC East for four straight years.

That doesn't, in any way shape or form, explain why playing them twice in three weeks would be harder than playing them twice more spaced apart.

 

[PatsFan2]

That doesn't, in any way shape or form, explain why playing them twice in three weeks would be harder than playing them twice more spaced apart.
Wait for it...

 

[Sicilian]

So you don't have an answer for that, got it.

 

[PatsFan2]

So you don't have an answer for that, got it.

I just looked at Six Teams Schedule randomly and none is playing the same rival in a three week span. I already answered you.

 

[Sicilian]

I just looked at Six Teams Schedule randomly and none is playing the same rival in a three week span. I already answered you.

No you didn't. Because my question wasn't "Is playing the Bills twice hard?" or "Are the Patriots playing the Bills twice in three weeks?". The question was: "Why is playing them twice in three weeks somehow harder than playing them in, for example, weeks 4 and 12?"

 

[mgteich]

I saw a Potentially Very Good Defense with Judon - Barmore and Gonzo minus the Top 2 and you're optimistic. Who's the LB or D-Lineman that can beat his man consistently like Judon?? That's where you lost me: our New D minus those two could make a CB like Gonzo look average he can't cover forever no CB can.

You talk as if Judon played all of last year. We played almost all of the season without him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As an aside . . . was listening to SiriusXM yesterday morning, and they were talking about Pats-Bengals.

Obviously, the hosts were talking about how Brissett won over Maye to start the season. But they mused about whether or not Maye might see playing time in this game if Brissett started out like he did in the preseason (I believe they suggested something like "if they only have 100 total yards in the first half").

 

[Sicilian]

As an aside . . . was listening to SiriusXM yesterday morning, and they were talking about Pats-Bengals.

Obviously, the hosts were talking about how Brissett won over Maye to start the season. But they mused about whether or not Maye might see playing time in this game if Brissett started out like he did in the preseason (I believe they suggested something like "if they only have 100 total yards in the first half").

It speaks to how low the bar is for me right now, but my first thought was, "If they didn't commit any turnovers, 100 yards in a half isn't too bad..."

 

[Vindicate]

Ok. So then you should know he will be missed you don't take 12 TDs in 2023 out your offense and not miss it. Point is mixon had to be accounted for.. yes there is chase and tee Higgins.. but you take one away and live with the results.

Most teams don't have a big, physical, instinctive CB to match up with guys. We do. Gonzo needs to jam Higgins first snap and let him know not today! J. Jones with safety help on chase.

I said I don't think his production will be missed as much as people think. They're looking to replace his yardage with an actual bellcow-esque RB, something they didn't really get from him.

If Moss can bring that volume of carries and create yardage for himself (something Mixon struggled with), and actually pick up the blitz, I think it will service that team better than the type of Mixon.

It'll be interesting to see if they get any production from Gesicki, just as a former Pat.

It'll be interesting to see how they lineup the CB's. Do we think Gonzo can cover Higgins himself? Higgins is 6'4. Gonzo is 6'1. Chase is 6'0.

 

[mgteich]

It speaks to how low the bar is for me right now, but my first thought was, "If they didn't commit any turnovers, 100 yards in a half isn't too bad..."

No more than one pre-snap penalty, no more than one turnover, and no serious injuries is the bar that I set for this first game.

 

[Real fan 02]

I said I don't think his production will be missed as much as people think. They're looking to replace his yardage with an actual bellcow-esque RB, something they didn't really get from him.

If Moss can bring that volume of carries and create yardage for himself (something Mixon struggled with), and actually pick up the blitz, I think it will service that team better than the type of Mixon.

It'll be interesting to see if they get any production from Gesicki, just as a former Pat.

It'll be interesting to see how they lineup the CB's. Do we think Gonzo can cover Higgins himself? Higgins is 6'4. Gonzo is 6'1. Chase is 6'0.

Gonzo is the best match up for Higgins.. I believe gonzo is closer to 6'2.. but.. it's a challenge for sure.. I believe you have to take chase away and be physical with Higgins as much as I love Higgins the formula on him has Been be super physical with him and you take him off his game. Chase and Higgins are the alphas , automatic TDs. Limit them and live with the other guys. On offense I think what's more important. Take the ball out Brissett hands.. run at Hendrickson.... and attack the Cincy run defense. Try and keep 3rd and manageable. Utilize pop Douglas quickness and Henry in the red zone. Sustainable drives keeps Burrow on the sidelines.