Does this offense stink too much to win? Maybe... but maybe not...

[oldrover]

Disclaimer: I am a dyed-in-the-Pat-Patriot-logo homer.

BUT... consider this: 18 years ago, here was the Pats offensive output in three playoff games:

1. Oakland: 13 points, 304 yards in regulation... 61 in OT.
2. Pittsburgh: 24 points, 259 yards (with a punt returned for a TD)
3. St. Louis: 17 points, 267 yards (with an INT returned for a TD)

Dink and dunk, take what they give you, no turnovers, and great play in the other two phases. And they beat the greatest show on turf.

The good news is, they did it before. They can do it again... how fitting a bookend would that be to this run?

In short, here's where this whole thing needs to go, my friends: 2001.



Giddy up

 

[Hyped]

OK as long as we don't over time travel back to 1991 instead.....

 

[borg]

It might work out if the Pats face a gaggle of 1-13 teams in the playoffs

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Two problems (even though I get your point at how BB is building more towards D as Brady ages):

1. Cheating commissioner named Roger Goodell. If you look at the two plays tha got KC back into that title game last year, it was a blown, wide open Off PI call on Conley where BB threw his tablet down, and the PI call on Jackson with textbook inside coverage looking for the ball up the sideline. NE has to beat the refs in these things as much as the other team. So, points will be scored by good offenses vs our D, as well as it has been playing.

2. Numerous rule changes to favor offenses.

This latter point is why it's so disturbing Brady's stewardship of this has been so poor this year. It was poor early last year, too. People seem to forget this.

I think the question is, can both sides of the ball start faster than they have and play a clean, clean game with low penalty totals and no turnovers?

I say YES.

 

[oldrover]

It might work out if the Pats face a gaggle of 1-13 teams in the playoffs

 

[wheresmosi]

Disclaimer: I am a dyed-in-the-Pat-Patriot-logo homer.

BUT... consider this: 18 years ago, here was the Pats offensive output in three playoff games:

1. Oakland: 13 points, 304 yards in regulation... 61 in OT.
2. Pittsburgh: 24 points, 259 yards (with a punt returned for a TD)
3. St. Louis: 17 points, 267 yards (with an INT returned for a TD)

Dink and dunk, take what they give you, no turnovers, and great play in the other two phases. And they beat the greatest show on turf.

The good news is, they did it before. They can do it again... how fitting a bookend would that be to this run?

In short, here's where this whole thing needs to go, my friends: 2001.



Giddy up

I would say this was somewhat true during their second SB win as well. 9-3 vicotry over Browns, 17-6 over Giants, 12-0 (if I remember) over both Miami and dallas (or ballpark). A loss to a poor washington team and a blowout to Buffalo in the opener.

 

[brdmaverick]

2. Numerous rule changes to favor offenses.

This latter point is why it's so disturbing Brady's stewardship of this has been so poor this year. It was poor early last year, too. People seem to forget this.

I think the question is, can both sides of the ball start faster than they have and play a clean, clean game with low penalty totals and no turnovers?

I say YES.

You nailed it.

It's a much different game today. We'll be telling our grandchildren about the good 'ole days of 2001 when defenses were allowed to play defense.

 

[brdmaverick]

I would say this was somewhat true during their second SB win as well. 9-3 vicotry over Browns, 17-6 over Giants, 12 (if I remember) over both Miami and dallas (or ballpark). A loss to a poor washington team and a blowout to Buffalo in the opener.

Right it was the offseason after where they really emphasized illegal contact.

The big wigs didn't like Ty Law picking off Manning 3 times so they said we must make more penalties.

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

So you're saying, a snowy division game against an AFC West team (KC), playing an AFC North team (BAL) on the road, then proceed to beat an NFC West team in the SB (Sea/SF)?

Has anyone done that before with a defensive oriented team? Hmmmm...

 

[patsinthesnow]

The 2015 Broncos beat a 17-1 team in the SB with the following QB production:

13/23 141 yards 0 TDs 1 INT 56.6 rating

They won a nailbiter two weeks before vs the pats in a game where the defense was great & the offense gave just enough to win.

It will need to be similar this season IMO. The offense will probably need to be good enough in one playoff game & the D will need to takeover another.

 

[aluminum seats]

And the QB was...happy...

 

[TheAdultintheRoom]

The great news is, it doesn't matter what we think right now. We'll get to find out just by waiting a few weeks.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

You nailed it.

It's a much different game today. We'll be telling our grandchildren about the good 'ole days of 2001 when defenses were allowed to play defense.

or 2018, when you could win a Super Bowl 13-3

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Bottom line is, I'll roll the dice with BB challenging this team personally and professionally in the postseason, even in Baltimore if it comes to that. I almost welcome it like I did last year as the underdog.

Would love nothing more than rip that scumbag Whinebaugh's heart right out in that stadium.

God forbid, I ever see Whinebaugh in public.