Adjusted Expectations?

[signbabybrady]

We're halfway through the year and we've already exceeded the win totals most of you predicted so it's time to adjust and set your new expectations.

What do you think?

I think we're winning the Superbowl.

 

[mayoclinic]

11 straight wins:

- 8 regular season, 15-2 with a bye
- 3 post-season, with a Lombardi

Why aim low?

Seriously, we have already exceeded most people's expectations. See how high we can raise the bar.

 

[Toofy]

Superbowl it is ..

number 7 here we come.

Other fans would prolly laugh at us. But who knows . Lightning can keep striking in Foxborough.

 

[mayoclinic]

Lightning is going to strike somewhere. No team is without signifant warts and issues. Someone has to win.

 

[everlong]

They have 3 games left where they'll be an underdog: @TB, @Balt and Buffalo. Buffalo they could technically be a favorite but everyone outside of NE is going to take the Bills in the rematch. Let's say they lose all three of these, that's 12-5 and you're at worst the 5 seed. At the start of the season I gave them a range of 7-11 wins based upon how the OL came together. The OL has exceeded expecations partially because of Drake but he also makes their sack numbers look worse than the protect is at times. So ya I reset.

What concerns me is our depth. It will be interesting to see how much Boutte's abscense affects them if he can't go. Almost every position group there's a steep drop off after the starters. I would have liked to have seen us make some trades that required no higher than a 3rd round pick to fill in that depth. There's were a of players to be had.

People will say you're pushing all in too soon and the team has years to grow but nothing is assured in this league. The Bengals, Lions and 49ers all have been really close and at least two of those three are going to have to rebuild for another push. Take your shot when it's there without mortgaging the future. 2014 patriots added Ayers and Casilllas on the cheap who were key contributors. 2016 Patriots ditto for KVN. It doesn't have to be a Myles Garrett type of impact to push you over the top in this league.

 

[Triumph]

 

[imahobgoblin]

This is my $.02 and in my book totally incredible. We were forecasted to win 7-8 games, and realistically can win 12 or more. What a great first season of our rebuild.

Pats vs Bucs - Loss - 7-3
Pats vs Jets - Win - 8-3
Pats vs Bengals - Win - 9-3
Pats vs Giants - Win 10-3
Pats vs Bills - Loss - 10-4
Pats vs Ravens - Loss - 10-5
Pats vs Jets - Win - 11-5
Pats vs Dolphins - Win - 12-5

 

[mike_usagisan]

My expectations: Get into the playoffs. See what happens.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

My expectations: Get into the playoffs. See what happens.

Exactly.
Hopefully with at least 1 home playoff game.

 

[VrabelJr]

We’re due for a stinker eventually and still have 4 in division games left plus the Bucs and Ravens. Cincy and Giants are trap games. I’m thinking 11-6 and lose our first playoff game in Denver or Pittsburgh. It’ll be a close loss and something we chalk up to the development of Drake Maye playing in big situations.

 

[turkeyneck]

At this point I figure we're playing with house money so I'm just going to enjoy the ride while it lasts.

 

[203Pat]

 

[sb1]

I predicted 7 wins this year. I don't think they'll finish 0-8 so guess I'll have to adjust my expectations. Lol

 

[dannydyn]

I see us losing to TB (mainly due to the heat more than anything else), and possibly to the Ravens (depending on whether we get the dumb Lamar or dumber Lamar...). I think we take care of business vs. the Bill if we're healthy.

For some reason, I have a feeling the Giants game will end up being a trap.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

This is my $.02 and in my book totally incredible. We were forecasted to win 7-8 games, and realistically can win 12 or more. What a great first season of our rebuild.

Pats vs Bucs - Loss - 7-3
Pats vs Jets - Win - 8-3
Pats vs Bengals - Win - 9-3
Pats vs Giants - Win 10-3
Pats vs Bills - Loss - 10-4
Pats vs Ravens - Loss - 10-5
Pats vs Jets - Win - 11-5
Pats vs Dolphins - Win - 12-5

I think they'll win one of those 3 tough games and finish 13-4. I originally had them at 10 wins.

 

[KCSVEN]

I had them as a playoff team before the season between 11 and 13 wins

I have $3400 on a $100 bet coming if they win the AFC from beginning of the year. The bet today would only return $1100. I could cash out for more than double my $100 bet but I'm holding it until the end.

My goal is Super Bowl, my expectation is they finish second to Bills, win 1 playoff game and then go home.
If they beat the Bucs I would change that to them finishing 1st over the Bills and then expect they, at worst, reach AFC Championship game.

 

[KCSVEN]

This is my $.02 and in my book totally incredible. We were forecasted to win 7-8 games, and realistically can win 12 or more. What a great first season of our rebuild.

Pats vs Bucs - Loss - 7-3
Pats vs Jets - Win - 8-3
Pats vs Bengals - Win - 9-3
Pats vs Giants - Win 10-3
Pats vs Bills - Loss - 10-4
Pats vs Ravens - Loss - 10-5
Pats vs Jets - Win - 11-5
Pats vs Dolphins - Win - 12-5

I'd wager the same on all those games though the Ravens game depends on Ravens record at the time and if they are in contention. Drake will light up their defense but Ravens will score also. Ravens at home gives them the edge, as of today.

It's kind of awesome to think I could see them winning all those games. Unlikely, but cool to think it is possible.

 

[signbabybrady]

Who's more wrong that Charlie Casserly and SB1.....

 

[patfanken]

Well, at the start of the season Vegas had us at 8.5 on the over/under for wins. With the 3 sure wins against the AFCE, that's a lock. So the playoffs seem a reality. The next goal should be a home playoff game. And that will likely depend on the results of the Buffalo game.

So I see it all in our hands and that's all you can ask

 

[JoeSixPat]

This is my $.02 and in my book totally incredible. We were forecasted to win 7-8 games, and realistically can win 12 or more. What a great first season of our rebuild.

Pats vs Bucs - Loss - 7-3
Pats vs Jets - Win - 8-3
Pats vs Bengals - Win - 9-3
Pats vs Giants - Win 10-3
Pats vs Bills - Loss - 10-4
Pats vs Ravens - Loss - 10-5
Pats vs Jets - Win - 11-5
Pats vs Dolphins - Win - 12-5

Yeah I'll go with that - one always worries about trap games, and the players on the Jets, Fins and Giants are going to be working for a new job somewhere else, so aren't necessarily going to TRY to lose - but the front office is still going to try by benching anyone they think could harm their draft status.

Knowing that there's always games you should win that you lose, and often games you should lose that you win, whether the losses come by way of the Bucs, Bills and Ravens as we probably thought in the summer, there's probably a tradeoff there that results in a 12-5 record.

One hopes any losses teach a valuable lesson come the playoffs, but the goal right now is just being strong and healthy come January.

I'd have said a 9 win season was a success before the season started so this is ALL gravy now!