AFC 7th seed discussion

[jdlboot14]

Pats have been under .500 in December since winning Super Bowl 53.

2019: 2-3
2020: 2-3
2021: 2-3
2022: 1-3
2023: 2-3

I just want them to finish strong in December like they used to. If they can do that I'll chalk up this season as a W playoffs or no playoffs.

That will be tough with 2 Bills games, and @Cardinals and vs.Chargers. We could easily go 0-4 in Dec.
But, if we can squeak out 2-2 in Dec, and finish 8-9 that will be a major success. I'm hoping for 7-10.

 

[jdlboot14]

We're going to look back at those 2 OT losses and realize how close we were to a winning season.
But that's something this young team is going to have to learn how to do - win close games, and in clutch moments.

Maye has all those tools. It's actually the Defense that let us down in OT.

 

[PatsFan2]

We're going to look back at those 2 OT losses and realize how close we were to a winning season.
But that's something this young team is going to have to learn how to do - win close games, and in clutch moments.

Maye has all those tools. It's actually the Defense that let us down in OT.

Yep its shows how close we actually were...going pedestrian in FA 2024 could come back to haunt us. IF we had better players, we win those games.

 

[Clonamery]

We're going to look back at those 2 OT losses and realize how close we were to a winning season.
But that's something this young team is going to have to learn how to do - win close games, and in clutch moments.

Maye has all those tools. It's actually the Defense that let us down in OT.

Same with the HC.

 

[PatsFan2]

We would have to lose one the rest of the way to have a chance. So we would have to win Seven: tall task for this Team. Is it possible?? May be if one of our Young WR's step up: I feel like we are a Very Good WR away from making some noise. Drake Maye is showing he's the real deal he give us a fighting chance. Getting Christian Barmore and Cole Strange back could give us a much needed boost also. The interesting season continues on.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Goal was not to make the playoffs this season, get blown out and get a low draft pick.
Top 10 pick is still in play.

 

[PatsFan2]

Goal was not to make the playoffs this season, get blown out and get a low draft pick.
Top 10 pick is still in play.

Drake Maye says hold my beer.

 

[PatsFan2]

Goal was not to make the playoffs this season, get blown out and get a low draft pick.
Top 10 pick is still in play.

Nothing would make me happier than seeing Maye go into Buffalo have a Great game win or lose. Just to put the Bilbo's on notice... we won't be your doormats anymore.

 

[Clonamery]

Goal was not to make the playoffs this season, get blown out and get a low draft pick.
Top 10 pick is still in play.

Your goal.

 

[archstanton543]

Your goal.

It should be everyone's goal unless you want this rebuild to go on for longer than it's going to take (and it's going to take a while).

 

[Hyped]

**** the #7 seed...I have the Pats starting a 12-0 run....1 down...11 to go, baby!!

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I think their OL needs that more than you do.

Probably, but I'm selfish.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

**** the #7 seed...I have the Pats starting a 12-0 run....1 down...11 to go, baby!!

Save this post for February.

Might have to change your handle to Nostradamus Hyped

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I agree with your overall assessment, but how would you have reacted to a similar thread in November 2001 titled "Super Bowl Contention Discussion"? Did they look like a champion then?

The Brady kid had a championship mentality, including being coachable, taking things one day at a time and not trying to do too much - which is what Belichick's coaches kept preaching. Do what you can do, what you're supposed to do. Do your job.

The Super Bowl has always been the goal as far as I'm concerned for the Patriots since Fairbanks was hired.

But to honestly answer your question, no way I thought they would do it. I thought they could, but...David Patten getting knocked out in Buffalo and having his foot out of bounds...and the refs calling it right?

That team didn't have superstars, or at least current stars. Speaking of which, the stars up there aligned.

Ben Dreith wasn't reffing the Oakland divisional playoff this time. That's the biggest difference.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Is everyone like 80 here???

Almost...

 

[TommyD4207]

Vederian Lowe-6th round pick, acquired a year after drafted for a 6th round pick
Michael Jordan-4th round pick-waived after 2 seasons and released from Packer practice squad 5 years in
Ben Brown-UDFA released by 4 teams
Mike Onwenu-6th round pick
Jacobs-Undrafted Free Agent-Waived by Broncos

These are the starters Scott Peters is coaching- lack of talent not lack of coaching on the line is the problem.

Your point is correct.
However calling Onwenu '6th round pick' when he's making 19 million each of the next 3 seasons - more than the rest of the offensive linemen on the team combined - is kind of disingenuous.

Yes, you can grade someone like that on a curve. Yes, he's been absolutely terrible.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Fair point, I have just always believed that you can’t win if your OL sucks, and the Patriots OL really sucks. I do believe it can be fixed this offseason, but right now it’s really bad.

My experience with O-Lines is the critical factors are:

1. Chemistry. They have to work together, be on the same page and cover each other's asses.
2. Determination. This most often is following the quarterback's lead. Your quarterback is focused and demanding that you be, it makes you want to fight for him.
3. Physicality. NFL coaches are stupid. The best medicine for any O-Line is running the ball. Not aimlessly straight ahead on predictable downs like AVP has, but often, including on 3rd downs.

Knocking the crap out of a defender feels good, builds confidence and helps take your frustrations out on the other team. That's what running the ball does, in addition to freeing up the passing game (and, by the way, controlling the game).

The idiotic NFL becoming a pass-first league has turned offensive linemen into ****ies.

 

[TommyD4207]

My experience with O-Lines is the critical factors are:

1. Chemistry. They have to work together, be on the same page and cover each other's asses.
2. Determination. This most often is following the quarterback's lead. Your quarterback is focused and demanding that you be, it makes you want to fight for him.
3. Physicality. NFL coaches are stupid. The best medicine for any O-Line is running the ball. Not aimlessly straight ahead on predictable downs like AVP has, but often, including on 3rd downs.

Knocking the crap out of a defender feels good, builds confidence and helps take your frustrations out on the other team. That's what running the ball does, in addition to freeing up the passing game (and, by the way, controlling the game).

The idiotic NFL becoming a pass-first league has turned offensive linemen into ****ies.

Your 3rd point is one I completely agree with. These light pass-rushers are going to think twice when they're getting the **** kicked out of them on a couple of 10-play drives in a row.

 

[KCSVEN]

Your point is correct.
However calling Onwenu '6th round pick' when he's making 19 million each of the next 3 seasons - more than the rest of the offensive linemen on the team combined - is kind of disingenuous.

Yes, you can grade someone like that on a curve. Yes, he's been absolutely terrible.

The point is generally a 6th round pick, which is Onwenu, physically does not have the traits of a first-round pick and thus is limited to the upside. He's well outplayed his draft round and is a solid lineman and probably the 1 keeper on the line based on tape.
It's not like they have and all-pro in Onwenu and 4 bad plyers, they have a solid player in Onwenu and a bunch of players that could not make other rosters.

 

[TommyD4207]

The point is generally a 6th round pick, which is Onwenu, physically does not have the traits of a first-round pick and thus is limited to the upside. He's well outplayed his draft round and is a solid lineman and probably the 1 keeper on the line based on tape.
It's not like they have and all-pro in Onwenu and 4 bad plyers, they have a solid player in Onwenu and a bunch of players that could not make other rosters.

I don't think Onwenu has been a solid player to this point - and looks every bit the 6th round pick with limited upside. He's losing as many reps as Robinson is out there.

My point is, the Patriots paid him like a starter - so we, as fans, should be expecting him to play like one, and he's not. He's making top-of-the-market money now.