Do you realize we are looking at a minimum of a 12-4 team?

[QB12]

Sensible explanation, but saying this team could go 5-5 (10-6 record) is anything but sensible.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Sensible explanation, but saying this team could go 5-5 (10-6 record) is anything but sensible.

In 2002 we started out 3-0 and as the defending world champs - we looked like we might repeat.....by week 8 we were 3-4 and finished 9-7

Anything can happen in the 2nd half of the season...good or bad

 

[BradyFTW!]

So when you say "minimum 12-4 team", you realize that you're saying it's guaranteed that we go 7-3, right? There's just no way that you can imagine that the Pats could possibly go 6-4 down the stretch? I agree that 12-4 is in play, and maybe even 13-3 if we get lucky, but I'm still sticking with the 11-5 prediction that I had coming into the season. Without Moss, the offense is worse than I thought it'd be, but the defense is progressing better than I thought it would too.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Keeping hopes up high as in 13-3 guesses for season records is fine for those who do,but for me I would rather use 10-6 as an expected record and be happily surprised if they do better than that.

Its always better to think low and potentially get high results and be happy, rather than to think high and get lower results and be dissapointed.

That is why in a nutshell debbie downer fans like you have sucked the joy out of life for this fan base over the last couple of seasons...because despite your aim low mantra you are also never happy unless they win every last game. And you'd likely find ample fault with them even at that...because they didn't do it convincingly enough...

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Just listened to Sirius' magic radio's excellent 'Moving The Chains' where Dennie Downer called in bemoaning the Pats scant 3 point victory Sunday. The hosts opined that watching BB rebiuld the entire D with youth without missing a beat was unprecidented in the NFL. Then went on to say how amazing trade Moss away one day and hours later sign Branch, a Branch who was effective right away.

I spent my entire life frustrated with the Patriots since 1960. The last decade has been fantasitc, and better yet it continues to be so. Enjoy it while you can, people.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Just listened to Sirius' magic radio's excellent 'Moving The Chains' where Dennie Downer called in bemoaning the Pats scant 3 point victory Sunday. The hosts opined that watching BB rebiuld the entire D with youth without missing a beat was unprecidented in the NFL. Then went on to say how amazing trade Moss away one day and hours later sign Branch, a Branch who was effective right away.

I spent my entire life frustrated with the Patriots since 1960. The last decade has been fantasitc, and better yet it continues to be so. Enjoy it while you can, people.

The fellowship can't do that. The only thing they enjoy more than winning is misery and second guessing and making the case for being smarter than all the deluded homers who didn't see failure coming...

 

[aluminum seats]

I spent my entire life frustrated with the Patriots since 1960. The last decade has been fantasitc, and better yet it continues to be so. Enjoy it while you can, people.

Yeah, if you've been around for awhile definitely makes you appreciate things more.

Newer fans probably can't grasp this, but for years the Pats were an absolute JOKE. Made the Red Sox look solid. That they're the gold standard now still amazes me sometimes.

 

[BlitzFritz]

silly thread.

anything can happen, we could lose some games outside of the 3 identified by the OP

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

That is why in a nutshell debbie downer fans like you have sucked the joy out of life for this fan base over the last couple of seasons...because despite your aim low mantra you are also never happy unless they win every last game. And you'd likely find ample fault with them even at that...because they didn't do it convincingly enough...

Thanks Boss Homer,Thats telling me off!!!!

 

[Boston Boxer]

The Pats are currently 5-1.
This is how the rest of their schedule looks:

Sunday, Oct. 31 Minnesota Vikings 4:15 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 p.m. ET WHDH NBC 
Sunday, Nov. 21 Indianapolis Colts 4:15 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Thursday, Nov. 25 @ Detroit Lions 12:30 p.m. ET WBZ-TV CBS 
Monday, Dec. 6 New York Jets 8:30 p.m. ET WCVB ESPN 
Sunday, Dec. 12 @ Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Sunday, Dec. 19 Green Bay Packers 8:20 p.m. ET * WHDH * NBC* 
Sunday, Dec. 26 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS* 
Sunday, Jan. 2 Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m. ET * WBZ-TV * CBS*

Even if the Pats go 7-3 the rest of the way that adds up to a 12-4 tam.
Their only remaining tough games are @ Steelers, vs Colts, and vs Jets.
Those are the only games I really see us losing and I'm not willing to concede that the Pats will go 0-3 against those teams.
But even if they did, they would be at 12-4. If we're generous and give them 2 wins out of those 3 matchups, there's a distinct possibility of 14-2. Did you realize how good this team could be this year?

do you realize we could lose every game left in the season? Just kidding, but you know what i mean. Dont count a win until we win it.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

One thing I noticed looking at that schedule is that by playing the lions on thanksgiving, we get an extra 3 days to rest and prep for the Jets. Hadn't realized that before now.

good point, but the jets are also playing on Turkey Day.

 

[Deus Irae]

This team is a minimum 5-11 team.

 

[mgcolby]

I think people here are overlooking a very tough Cleveland team. They are 2-5 but have only played one team with a losing record, hell they have only played one team with less than 4 wins. And they won that game. With the exception of Pittsburgh (Colt's first start) they had not lost by more than 10. They lost to Atlanta by 10, but Wallace was knocked out of the game and a gimpy Delhomme finished the game and threw a pick 6 late in the 4th quarter to make it a 10 point win.

They are coming off a huge win for them and a bye. They will be at home playing in front of an invigorated crowd. I could see us dropping that game, given that it is sandwiched between the hype of Randy returning and a big showdown with Pitt.

As others have mentioned, GB (if they get healthy), Detroit and Miami won't be push overs. And obviously Pitt, Indy and NYJ are all tough games.

I don't agree about Chicago or Minny being tough matchups. Cutler sucks and their O-line might be the worst in football, although Cutler holding the ball for an eternity has a lot to do with that. They do have a tough defense, but Brady does well against Cover-2. Minny's defense has not been getting to the QB and they are still solid against the run, not as good in the past but still very respectable. They are average against the pass. But Favre will make a few dumb passes that will cost them the game if it is close or turn it into a route if our Offense is firing on all cylinders.

14-2 is the ceiling and 12-4 is the floor, IMO.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I think people here are overlooking a very tough Cleveland team. They are 2-5 but have only played one team with a losing record, hell they have only played one team with less than 4 wins. And they won that game. With the exception of Pittsburgh (Colt's first start) they had not lost by more than 10. They lost to Atlanta by 10, but Wallace was knocked out of the game and a gimpy Delhomme finished the game and threw a pick 6 late in the 4th quarter to make it a 10 point win.

They are coming off a huge win for them and a bye. They will be at home playing in front of an invigorated crowd. I could see us dropping that game, given that it is sandwiched between the hype of Randy returning and a big showdown with Pitt.

As others have mentioned, GB (if they get healthy), Detroit and Miami won't be push overs. And obviously Pitt, Indy and NYJ are all tough games.

I don't agree about Chicago or Minny being tough matchups. Cutler sucks and their O-line might be the worst in football, although Cutler holding the ball for an eternity has a lot to do with that. They do have a tough defense, but Brady does well against Cover-2. Minny's defense has not been getting to the QB and they are still solid against the run, not as good in the past but still very respectable. They are average against the pass. But Favre will make a few dumb passes that will cost them game if it is close or turn it into a route if our Offense is firing on all cylinders.

14-2 is the ceiling and 12-4 is the floor, IMO.

I remember scraping out a 9-3 win over a very poor Cleveland Browns team at Cleveland with a more talented Patriots team ....2003 I think it was

 

[tombonneau]

silly thread.

anything can happen, we could lose some games outside of the 3 identified by the OP

It's not a silly thread. It's actually kind of eye-opening, as I hadn't stopped to think about the big picture in awhile.

My one caveat re: the schedule though echoes something Mike Lombardi is prone to saying: it doesn't matter who you're playing, it's *how* you're playing.

If the Pats start suddenly playing like crap, they can and will lose to many teams on the schedule. But if they keep playing like have (and there is actually plenty of room for improvement) a first round bye is attainable.

Oh wait, I'm sorry, I'm not suppose to look ahead. Carry on, Good Time Charlies.

 

[tombonneau]

I think people here are overlooking a very tough Cleveland team. They are 2-5 but have only played one team with a losing record, hell they have only played one team with less than 4 wins. And they won that game. With the exception of Pittsburgh (Colt's first start) they had not lost by more than 10. They lost to Atlanta by 10, but Wallace was knocked out of the game and a gimpy Delhomme finished the game and threw a pick 6 late in the 4th quarter to make it a 10 point win.

They are coming off a huge win for them and a bye. They will be at home playing in front of an invigorated crowd. I could see us dropping that game, given that it is sandwiched between the hype of Randy returning and a big showdown with Pitt.

Good posting. I'm more worried about @Cleveland than the Vikings at home.

 

[mgcolby]

I remember scraping out a 9-3 win over a very poor Cleveland Browns team at Cleveland with a more talented Patriots team ....2003 I think it was

Yup and that game was at home. Although I'm not one to compare games from years past, as an indication of future performance. If the teams have the same coach and for the most part the same players it can be a good indication, but not if the teams have been completely overhauled, IMO.

Afterall, we did blow them out in cleveland in 2004 and beat a much more talented Browns team at home in 2007.

This year's Browns team very easily could be 5-2, they are a scrappy bunch that are playing together as a team. And most importantly they don't quit.

 

[mgcolby]

Good posting. I'm more worried about @Cleveland than the Vikings at home.

Me too. :eat3:

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

1. There are more than 3 games that are losable. You still have the Jets, Dolphins, Steelers, Colts, Packers, those are all losable games. That's just off the top of my head there may be more. Then there's teams you can't just chalk up as wins...Cleveland Browns for example are not as bad as their record indicates.

2. Can never rule out a major stinker/ upset (2004 and 2006 we lost to some BAD teams down the stretch)

3. injuries

4. If the OL gets outplayed like Sunday, it really don't matter who you're playing, unless they practically hand you the game like SD did you are losing.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

1. There are more than 3 games that are losable. You still have the Jets, Dolphins, Steelers, Colts, Packers, those are all losable games. That's just off the top of my head there may be more. Then there's teams you can't just chalk up as wins...Cleveland Browns for example are not as bad as their record indicates.

2. Can never rule out a major stinker/ upset (2004 and 2006 we lost to some BAD teams down the stretch)

3. injuries

4. If the OL gets outplayed like Sunday, it really don't matter who you're playing, unless they practically hand you the game like SD did you are losing.

I think if the Jets sweep the Pats,some fans will be suicidal

Sad thing I think it has a good chance of happening unless Tomlinson wears down and Revis's hamstring acts up again.