PostGame Thread OFFICIAL: Romo Strikes Back - Pats Squeak Past Falcons w/ Win, 24-23

[The Gr8est]

I don't think people are saying a few years away anymore. I think most are still punting this year. But next year assuming they make the adds they need to they can be right in it. The main thing above all else is they need to improve the OL. I want to draft a guy... but i also want to sign a guy. I want to sign an ALL PRO/PRO BOWL guard. I don't want to screw at this position. I want a sure fix. If we need to rebuild the entire OL through the draft it will take too long. Get a solution next year. Keep drafting... but solve the problem NOW.

I don't think they need an upgrade at Safety, DE and LB. They need IMO 1 more good defensive starter... and depth on al levels. Depth can be had cheaply thankfully.

There is something to be said for having a winning attitude.

When Bledsoe went out and the Pats brought in a 6th round pick to play QB, I started looking at the upcoming draft.

I learned a lesson from that season.

 

[PatsFan2]

Statistically THE best.
Coming into today, they were giving up 149 yds a game, 20 less than the next best team.

And he was playing without his go to guy K Boutte.

 

[Uptown]

Gift from Atlanta. Not sure if this team is as ready for prime time as I was wishing.

Was the win IN Buffalo & the other 5 consecutive games not prime time enough?…

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Last year the Pats were the Falcons. They'd have a lot of flukey **** go their way and come CLOSE, but still find a way to lose with a key screw-up or two.

Good to be on the other side of that coin.

Exactly. So much anger in this thread - like a poster’s rage filled critique of the roster. It has been a long time since so many things went badly in a game and they still won the game. Additionally, the Falcons just made some great plays and 1 handed catches. They played well.

Sure, we want Patriots to get better. Most of us think they can. They are both winning and there is hope for the future. Enjoy the ride. Or maybe … don’t.

 

[TommyD4207]

Was the win IN Buffalo & the other 5 consecutive games not prime time enough?…

You're never going to win against the 20W-0L every game has to be 56-0 crowd.

 

[signbabybrady]

It looks like a little got cut out. He called up Tonga and Pop. They didn't show whatever was said about Pop. Probably for obvious reasons. it must have been emotional and personal.

 

[BobDigital]

I have said and will say again... I am iffy on if i even want the bye this year.

If you agree like most people the Patriots are very unlikely to win it all this year or even make the big game, you face 2 very interesting possibilities.

Getting bye.

Pros
Ups the possibility of an AFFCG birth.... outside chance of a super bowl appearance (hopefully not blown out). Both of these would go a long way to gaining this group confidence going into next year and cementing their aim.

Cons
The possibility getting bumps the first game goes up. While getting the bye be great, something about this could be discouraging and lead to the belief they really were only their due to their schedule and even with a bye and HFA they are not ready for prime time.

Not getting the bye (but winning the division)

Cons
The likelihood of being on a really big stage game like the AFCCG goes down a lot. SB appearance is all but out of the window.

Pros
The ability to win a playoff game goes up as you likely play a weaker opponent. So you are more likely to have some kind of trophy to put on the wall and put on for next year. Perhaps you even win 2. It drastically ups the odds of that happening. Even if you get blown out in the AFFCG if you do it after 2 playoff wins it is hard to look at that as a failure. You will be able to know you earned your place into that spot and will have gained a lot of experience and have a team that feels it is on the right track and ready to take the final step next year.

So... i look at these options and ask myself really... what is best for this team if i assume winning the bowl or even making it is incredibly low no matter which option i get. At least i think it is an interesting question. Personally, i'd still want the bye.. but i see the logic is not being at all unhappy if you get the 2nd seed.

 

[Uptown]

That first TD to Douglas was prime Rodgers-esque. Effortless touch right in the bucket.

 

[Salsalife]

They’ve won 6 in a row. Who do you think is more ready?

Need to Guage the teams we have played. Bucs away is a marker next week

 

[TommyD4207]

I have said and will say again... I am iffy on if i even want the bye this year.

If you agree like most people the Patriots are very unlikely to win it all this year or even make the big game, you face 2 very interesting possibilities.

Getting bye.

Pros
Ups the possibility of an AFFCG birth.... outside chance of a super bowl appearance (hopefully not blown out). Both of these would go a long way to gaining this group confidence going into next year and cementing their aim.

Cons
The possibility getting bumps the first game goes up. While getting the bye be great, something about this could be discouraging and lead to the belief they really were only their due to their schedule and even with a bye and HFA they are not ready for prime time.

Not getting the bye (but winning the division)

Cons
The likelihood of being on a really big stage game like the AFCCG goes down a lot. SB appearance is all but out of the window.

Pros
The ability to win a playoff game goes up as you likely play a weaker opponent. So you are more likely to have some kind of trophy to put on the wall and put on for next year. Perhaps you even win 2. It drastically ups the odds of that happening. Even if you get blown out in the AFFCG if you do it after 2 playoff wins it is hard to look at that as a failure. You will be able to know you earned your place into that spot and will have gained a lot of experience and have a team that feels it is on the right track and ready to take the final step next year.

So... i look at these options and ask myself really... what is best for this team if i assume winning the bowl or even making it is incredibly low no matter which option i get. At least i think it is an interesting question. Personally, i'd still want the bye.. but i see the logic is not being at all unhappy if you get the 2nd seed.

The season bye being late in the year certainly justifies your thoughts on this.

I have to say though, make everyone drive down that single-lane road with no headlights in the dark and 20 degrees on the way to the Stadium. It's tough to beat.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Not sure if this has been posted - but this is coaching at 4D chess levels - for both the coaches and players to have practiced this situational football and pull off the intentional grounding to effectively win the game should go down in Patriots history lore - and one of Vrabel's finer coaching moments.

At least for us - as it's not technically allowed - so give the fans the credit for being so noisy!

Of course, if this were Belichick there'd be headlines around the NFL about "cheating"

Falcons say Patriots simulated snap count before late intentional grounding penalty

The Falcons forced a Patriots punt while trailing 24-23 with 3:30 left in Sunday's game, but an intentional grounding penalty on quarterback Michael Penix helped keep them from driving for a go-ahead score.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[dliverey44]

Gift from Atlanta. Not sure if this team is as ready for prime time as I was wishing.

Honestly I think they played pretty well against the #1 rated pass defense.

 

[Foxypats]

NFL has updated the standings, they are showing the Pats as #2 not 3 anymore

 

[Uptown]

 

[reflexblue]

If he has to jump to catch the ball he sometimes comes down off balance, he starts running while trying to regain his balance.

I saw a replay of one of the catches. Maye slightly overthrows pop, pop extends his arms as far out as he can and slightly lunges to catch the ball which knocks his center of gravity off and he loses his balance as hes running

 

[The Gr8est]

Exactly. So much anger in this thread - like a poster’s rage filled critique of the roster. It has been a long time since so many things went badly in a game and they still won the game. Additionally, the Falcons just made some great plays and 1 handed catches. They played well.

Sure, we want Patriots to get better. Most of us think they can. They are both winning and there is hope for the future. Enjoy the ride. Or maybe … don’t.

It’s like the GDT forgot to say “when.”

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If we beat Buffalo again it’s hard to imagine we would be worse than 13-4.


If we did lose to Buffalo and end up tied, we should both be 5-1 in the division but we would have a potential common opponent advantage because we had a loss to one of the 2 non-common ones.

Yeah, I would expect 13-4 at worst if you told me buffalo was a win. Bills schedule is a little tougher than ours too so theres a chance that game is losable too. Little margin for error in that case though

 

[Jim Beankie]

Mayes play started going down hill after his first fumble, it really seemed to affect him.

He got sacked 34 times last year, and he has the same number so far this year, on pace for 64, which would be 6th all time. That stuff adds up. Also, Maye, child, please slide.

 

[rochrist]

NFL has updated the standings, they are showing the Pats as #2 not 3 anymore

Something changed because 'strength of victory' is what was being used to put Denver ahead. The number has changed for some reason. Maybe Denver's game today?

 

[Uptown]

Need to Guage the teams we have played. Bucs away is a marker next week

Won IN Buffalo (MVP of the league)
Beat the # 1 total defense (Cleveland)
Beat the # 1 pass defense (Atlanta)