Great Reiss piece on lessons of 2018 team

[Bombdog]

The last two games of the season Bills and Jets you could really see the team coming together and peaking at the right time. After the Jets game I really felt that they were where they needed to be and were read for the Playoff push

 

[Huckleberry1]

Ironically I thought this SB Run was like the Giant’s teams that beat them. Regular season didn’t matter, peaking for the tournament and playing exactly the way you wanted to did. They were out of sorts but still better than most teams throughout most of the season, but went physical with their run game and much more aggressively on defense after the loss in Pitt.

 

[patfanken]

I feel like Simon Peter as I doubted this team's commitment early in the season, then again later after the Miami fiasco and finally a 3rd time when entering the playoffs feeling that they might miss the AFCCG. Once the Chaagizz game started I abruptly went into "Somebody has to win the damn trophy. Why not us?" mode.

What I found interesting about your post was your abject fear that this team might not make it to the AFCCG!

We so often forget and have become SOOOOOOOOO spoiled, that anything less than a AFCCG appearance is viewed as a complete disaster, while 90% of the rest of the league would consider just getting to the playoffs a successful season.

The other truth you pointed out was that, once you get to the playoffs, it is a whole new season. Nothing you have done in the previous 17 weeks really matters. Those 12 teams are good teams that have been through the fire of a 16 game season to EARN their place. EVERY one starts 0-0.

So the 14 games that the Chargers won last season just gave them the chance to come to NE and get their ass kicked by a team that literally limped to the finish line.

BTW- just a thought. I find it interesting just how often the players and coaches pointed out how important those last 2 games against the Jets and Bills were in getting them prepared for the Playoffs. I would suggest that during those last 2 weeks NONE of us thought those 2 games had ANY importance other than by winning them it got us a bye. I doubt anyone watched those games thinking that this team was building the cornerstones of a successful superbowl run.

The lesson to be learned from this observation would be that EVERY game is important. EVERY game is another teaching opportunity. Another chance to improve on your technique, communications, effort, and timing. There really ARE no unimportant games.

To take it a step further, the culture that the Patriots have built over the years allows the staff to get the players to believe that there ARE no unimportant practices as well. (despite what Lance Johnson would like you to believe. ).

Other teams "talk" about working hard, while the Pats are truly working hard, every day of the week, and it ultimately shows in the results that we have seen year in and year out.

 

[RayClay]

Burkhead over white kept the rams in base personnel, interesting.

While keeping the passing threat, I assume.

 

[nabwong]

Regarding going from 199 to 1, people always say that it’s because Brady cheats. My response is that I guarantee you that even if YOU cheat, YOU won’t even be number 199.

 

[jimnance]

BTW- just a thought. I find it interesting just how often the players and coaches pointed out how important those last 2 games against the Jets and Bills were in getting them prepared for the Playoffs. I would suggest that during those last 2 weeks NONE of us thought those 2 games had ANY importance other than by winning them it got us a bye. I doubt anyone watched those games thinking that this team was building the cornerstones of a successful superbowl run.

Not patting myself on the back, Ken, but I thought those 2 games were HUGE.
Matter of fact, it made me very confident the Pats were going all the way.
It was HOW they won more than the fact that they won comfortably.
They ran more than they passed.
The ol was dominant.
The run game was dominant.
The defense was dominant.
The entire team PLAYED HARD.
Those 2 games plus the fact they were healthy made me as confident as I've ever been going into the playoffs.
I was more sure they'd win than I was in 2007.
In 2007, there were 2 regular season games at the end of the season that made me worried about their chances: the Giants and ravens games. They were lucky to win both. Weaknesses were exposed.
But this year, I felt the Pats were the best team in the NFL heading into the playoffs.
It reminded me of 2001, when they absolutely dominated Miami at end of season, running the ball down their throats. I knew they could beat anyone after that.
I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of the NFL game, beyond most fans. But you have more knowledge than me.
But in 50+ years of watching and loving this game, there's one thing I strongly believe: the more physical team almost ALWAYS wins bug games.
That's as true today as it was in 2001 or 1970.
The 2018, 2016 and 2014 teams were all among the most physical teams in the league, just as the 2001,2003 and 2004 squads were.
Whereas the 2007, 2010, 2011 and 20@3 teams were not.
2015 was different .They were just too decimated by injury.
I might actually like the 2014-present teams a little better than the 2001-2004 dynasty.
The recent version seems to be a little closer-knit, just as tough and smart.
My 2 cents

 

[primetime]

What I learned is you need Kontra to write the team off

 

[ctpatsfan77]

While keeping the passing threat, I assume.

Remarkably, they were successful running the ball even though their tendencies to run with Michel and pass with White became more extreme in the playoffs. Burkhead was 50/50ish.