Have We Ever Had A Weaker Schedule; 2 games remain against teams in the top 20 (NFL PR).

[TheRainMaker]

I Ask the question why should this team fear TB.? by all means they are a solid team but they aren't in the class of the bills in my opinion. I mean Mayfield is a good QB but he's not on the level of Allen or Mahomes. This team doesn't need a let down.. barring any major health with key guys.. they need to take care of these next 3 games and continue on the upwards trend.

The only reason I give Tampa respect is because they were a playoff team, it's on the road and the Pats are unlikely to win out. However, the Pats can match up with them with Gonzalez and Davis on the outside. Marcus Jones is becoming a pest on the inside.

 

[Real fan 02]

The only reason I give Tampa respect is because they were a playoff team, it's on the road and the Pats are unlikely to win out. However, the Pats can match up with them with Gonzalez and Davis on the outside. Marcus Jones is becoming a pest on the inside.

Oh definitely I give TB respect as your right they were a playoff team. The biggest challenges to the Patriots are themselves. When they aren't beating themselves they can compete with anyone. Buffalo is and will always be their biggest test as long as Allen is playing.

If they take care if business and create some separation early. Come week 14, 15.. if your in position and really can't improve your post season positions then I can see Vrabel resting guys. That's how I see us dropping a game from my viewpoint.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I believe that. It's the "easiest" schedule I can ever remember seeing anyone have.

To be fair, most of the last 25 years, we were first in the division and played other divisions' first-placed teams.

 

[mgteich]

2011 was an incredibly weak schedule. 2010 too.

2011 is an interesting comparison.

Josh had a young QB and weak schedule. We reached the playoffs. I think that we all like to see improvement in our first playoff game, if we get there.

As of today, we'd be play BUF in BUF.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Not to be too much of a fan boy but that loss against a Raiders team that clearly stinks really hurts, ditto the Steelers game, if they played a moderately clean game they could have won that too

 

[mgteich]

To be fair, most of the last 25 years, we were first in the division and played other divisions' first-placed teams.

This is among the very easiest schedules than ANY team has faced this CENTURY.

 

[Real fan 02]

2011 is an interesting comparison.

Josh had a young QB and weak schedule. We reached the playoffs. I think that we all like to see improvement in our first playoff game, if we get there.

As of today, we'd be play BUF in BUF.

You mean Josh in Denver??

 

[DarrylS]

Per Aaron Schatz, going by this year's DVOA, the Pats have the easiest schedule any team has had since 1999.

Their incompetence over the past several years deserved this..
It is not as though they chose the weak sisters of the NFL...

 

[Real fan 02]

2011 is an interesting comparison.

Josh had a young QB and weak schedule. We reached the playoffs. I think that we all like to see improvement in our first playoff game, if we get there.

As of today, we'd be play BUF in BUF.

 

[mgteich]

You mean Josh in Denver??

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[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I am at least a little scared of ANY teams with tight ends on their roster!

 

[Real fan 02]

You mean Josh in Denver??

Got it, sorry I mis-read your post. I was thinking Josh's time in Denver for some reason.. .. personally I feel this team should be thinking playoffs. It's perfectly fine to have that goal. This team is good enough even with a resetting roster to be a playoff team by all means.

 

[Real fan 02]

I am at least a little scared of ANY teams with tight ends on their roster!

If you think about we have hardly ever been good against TEs..

 

[mgteich]

I think that folks underestimate the quality of our LB's. Sure, we could always like to all an all-pro. We would like another top pass rusher.
We would like better coverage ILB's.

For me, the LB's are good enough for us to be a top 5 Defense, and yes, LB should be a high priority in the off-season.
====================
EDGE
Landry, Chaisson, White, Jennings, Ponder

ILB
Spillane, Gibbins, Tavai, Ellis, Mapu
============
We have decided to focus on the run and let our corners play a lot of man coverage. We have held every team to less than 50 yards by their running backs. And yet, folks whine about the play of our ILB's.

A healthy Gonzo is needed for us to be a top 5 Defense (also a healthy Jones). We really don't want Austin and Woods playing many reps on Defense. I would note that Austin played ZERO defensive reps against BUF.

 

[XLIX]

Saints are not a pushover at home.

Yes they are. If New England doesn’t turn it over - which admittedly is a big if - they win the game.

 

[mgteich]

If you think about we have hardly ever been good against TEs..

Teams make choices.

Vrabel decided to shut down the run game and minimize the production of the top WR's.

If we also shut down TE's, we could see a shutout or two. Seriously, a defense has to be willing to give up something. We challenged Josh to beat us with his TE's.

 

[Real fan 02]

Teams make choices.

Vrabel decided to shut down the run game and minimize the production of the top WR's.

If we also shut down TE's, we could see a shutout or two. Seriously, a defense has to be willing to give up something. We challenged Josh to beat us with his TE's.

Correct. The TEs made a few plays but the biggest impact was cook. As he's the key to that bills offense. We have the most important element that a good defense possesses and that's stopping the run. An unfamiliar opponent in NO it's important for the defense to start fast and dictate early.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think that folks underestimate the quality of our LB's. Sure, we could always like to all an all-pro. We would like another top pass rusher.
We would like better coverage ILB's.

For me, the LB's are good enough for us to be a top 5 Defense, and yes, LB should be a high priority in the off-season.
====================
EDGE
Landry, Chaisson, White, Jennings, Ponder

ILB
Spillane, Gibbins, Tavai, Ellis, Mapu
============
We have decided to focus on the run and let our corners play a lot of man coverage. We have held every team to less than 50 yards by their running backs. And yet, folks whine about the play of our ILB's.

A healthy Gonzo is needed for us to be a top 5 Defense (also a healthy Jones). We really don't want Austin and Woods playing many reps on Defense. I would note that Austin played ZERO defensive reps against BUF.

I noticed that as well. #22 is that minor or woods?? was in at CB when Davis went out temporarily. Austin really has disappointed i really thought he could carve out a role in the defensive rotation.

At LB Tavai played really well. As you mentioned we may not have all pros but we have guys that play sound technique and are disciplined.

There's only one Fred Warner and he's in SF. No team is littered with all pro LBs..

 

[The Gr8est]

Per Aaron Schatz, going by this year's DVOA, the Pats have the easiest schedule any team has had since 1999.

Which is actually a problem in itself.

The easy schedule will help us make the playoffs but we won’t be battle tested when we get there.

The dynasty Pats had to get past some tough competition to just get to the playoffs.

 

[denverpatsfan]

The only reason I give Tampa respect is because they were a playoff team, it's on the road and the Pats are unlikely to win out. However, the Pats can match up with them with Gonzalez and Davis on the outside. Marcus Jones is becoming a pest on the inside.

Pats are not beating Tampa in Tampa this season. Tampa might go to the Super Bowl.