Week 1 win meaning...

[Real fan 02]

As fans we've all seen the slow starts in the month of September. For this year's patiots team Getting a win week 1 has more significance than in the Win/loss column. It's a continuation of believe into what Vrabel's preaching, it's a pay out of all the hard work the players and coaches put in. It's a confidence in the players and in us the fans that the team can be competitive.

Last season's debacle is in the rear view... this team needs a win on Sunday and they have enough on offense and defense to do so.

How do you feel as a fan about how much a win to open up the season can do for a team?

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Mayo won his first, that didn't end well. A win with Vrabel would have a whole different meaning though and give the team a confidence boost. I expect this team is better coached and will be week to week and better prepared. Vrabel proved he can coach in this league unlike the previous coach.

 

[Real fan 02]

Mayo won his first, that didn't end well. A win with Vrabel would have a whole different meaning though and give the team a confidence boost. I expect this team is better coached and will be week to week and better prepared. Vrabel proved he can coach in this league unlike the previous coach.

Absolutely agree. I've started to focus more on what great things can come from a win.. this patiots team need it. Winning early on in the season does wonders for a culture and the post season aspirations down the line.

 

[Steve102]

As fans we've all seen the slow starts in the month of September. For this year's patiots team Getting a win week 1 has more significance than in the Win/loss column. It's a continuation of believe into what Vrabel's preaching, it's a pay out of all the hard work the players and coaches put in. It's a confidence in the players and in us the fans that the team can be competitive.

Last season's debacle is in the rear view... this team needs a win on Sunday and they have enough on offense and defense to do so.

How do you feel as a fan about how much a win to open up the season can do for a team?

Part of me thinks it means exactly ****, based on Mayo's performance last year after the week 1 win and how Belichick viewed September as an extended pre-season.

However...

I don't think wins are going to grow on trees for this team, and they count just as much in September as they do in December. I think a win, regardless of how ugly, goes a long way to competing for a WC berth. Further, if they can manage to set the tone throughout, it speaks volumes to the level of play we can expect the rest of the way.

I definitely expect bumps in the road between now and Dec. 1, but i am optimistic that they'll play hard for MV.

 

[VrabelJr]

In the grand scheme of things a win in week 1 is arbitrary. It is more important to see how we look on the field in all three phases, giving up big plays, committing critical errors, and how organized we look generally.

 

[Real fan 02]

Part of me thinks it means exactly ****, based on Mayo's performance last year after the week 1 win and how Belichick viewed September as an extended pre-season.

However...

I don't think wins are going to grow on trees for this team, and they count just as much in September as they do in December. I think a win, regardless of how ugly, goes a long way to competing for a WC berth. Further, if they can manage to set the tone throughout, it speaks volumes to the level of play we can expect the rest of the way.

I definitely expect bumps in the road between now and Dec. 1, but i am optimistic that they'll play hard for MV.

When BB Thought as September as an extension of the pre-season that's an era we had of established winning, with a 16 game schedule, we got better as the season went on. Last few seasons we got worse. Opening game 2021 we looked promising.. until Harris fumbled... 2022 it was a debacle down in Miami with Patricia and judge.. 2023 in the midst of Brady's appreciation day.. we fell down big to Philly and lost that game in embarrassing fashion.. last season of course we did finally win on Opening day.. but week 2 and beyond told the tale of what the team was. I agree with your overall post. Just adding that we need to get wins early on so when we do hit those bumps we won't totally be **** of luck from play off contention.

 

[Thunderhead]

Would be yuge. Some positive momentum is much needed after the last several years.

 

[p8ryts]

Mayo won his first, that didn't end well. A win with Vrabel would have a whole different meaning though and give the team a confidence boost. I expect this team is better coached and will be week to week and better prepared. Vrabel proved he can coach in this league unlike the previous coach.

Also, it's a game they can win by playing a clean game. They need to beat the teams in their class.

 

[Triumph]

This game must be a win.

The next game is in Miami. 0 - 2 is not an option.

 

[lancerman]

If for nothing I else I think it would be huge for Maye to get a second win under his belt and start the season on a good note. You don’t want your QB to be comfortable with losing

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

It would mean they are 1-0. The Raiders aren't very good. But if they lose to the Raiders, it will be an indicator that they are closer to the beginning of a rebuild than the end, which -- barring a bunch of things going right miraculously (few key injuries, the OL quickly gels, Drake Maye groks McD's offense and plays lights out, their depth players play well, etc.) -- they are.

 

[TommyD4207]

This game must be a win.

The next game is in Miami. 0 - 2 is not an option.

I mean, it might sound a little dramatic.

But for the people who say the Patriots will win 10, 11 games, or make the playoffs, the Raiders at home have to be one of those wins.

 

[Thelonious]

It would be encouraging, of course, because it would suggest the possibility that the progress is real. That said, the meaningless of last year's opening win, and of all the giddy hosannas which very briefly followed, can't be ignored. As I have said all along, for me this year is all about progress, and wins to me are meaningful only insofar as they suggest we are better this year than we were last, which I suspect we are.

What if we lose? That might or might not mean anything. The truth would be found in the details. If we lose because of one narrow problem - no Gonzalez, o-line failures, nobody can get open, etc. - that would just point out where there is work yet to be done over the next calendar year. or that our problems might just solve themselves, assuming for example that Gonzalez will heal up in time.

Either way, the key to me is to learn from the outcome and to work at improving in light of what we have learned. Stuff like "Can we get to the playoffs?" doesn't matter to me at all. The chances this group can get out of the first round are just about nil anyway, right?

 

[mike_usagisan]

To me this is kind of nonsense. We're a rebuilding team. It's about how things are moving in the right direction. Expecting a fast start and a lot of wins doesn't seem realistic. It absolutely might happen and it might not. That shouldn't be the goalpost. The goalpost should be is the team coming together, is Maye improving, is the Oline working, is the Dline working, are we seeing improvement.

Last year, the team got worse. That's why Mayo is gone, not because of how many games we won/lost. It's about seeing the team improve and a real vision for how it becomes a team that can be in contention again.

 

[DC Patriots]

How they look, particularly the OL matters more to me than the results.

But I’m one of the folks looking for improvement rather than a playoff season

 

[Triumph]

I mean, it might sound a little dramatic.

But for the people who say the Patriots will win 10, 11 games, or make the playoffs, the Raiders at home have to be one of those wins.

You cannot usher in change and the Vrabel era with a loss.

The Raiders are nobodies.

 

[Nikolai]

Like others, I think seeing a competitive team that is competent in all three phases, plus coaching, and some growth from Maye will mean more than the win column. That said, I agree with a sentiment above that if this team has playoff hopes, winning a home game against the Raiders is a must.

As far as an early season statement win that would really catch my attention would be a win in Miami in Week 2.

 

[Triumph]

The Pat's are supposed to have the better QB. Well, it's time for Maye to play like it.

 

[Rob0729]

The first week is an aberration for a lot of teams. Winning week one is good, but not a game changer. The Pats got blown out week 1 in 2003 and only lost one more game all season including the post season.

 

[Hyped]

I want to win week 1....and every week thereafter.....LOL