New England Patriots Now Turn Their Focus to the Cardinals

[PatsFans.com Article]

New England Patriots Now Turn Their Focus to the Cardinals

Steve Balestrieri

The Patriots have transitioned to the regular season mode and conducted their first regular season practice of the year on Sunday at Foxboro.

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[FourierSeries]

I'm not putting too much stock in this game. We're big underdogs for good reason. I expect a loss here, but the team we will be fielding on Sunday is nowhere near the team we will be fielding come playoff time, barring a similar injury situation as last year. With all of our starters playing, we would roll the Cards.

Having said that, I'd love to see us pull off the upset.

 

[patsfan13]

Currently the Pats are 6 pt dogs, long time since that happened. I love the Pats as an underdog.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'm picking the Pats to win.

The pressure is all on Arizona and BB will get into Palmer's head this week.

 

[Tony2046]

The first few games of the regular season are somewhat of a crapshoot. I believe the D will keep things close and the uniqueness of the twin TE threat will be enough to pull out a win.

Should be a fun game to watch.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Teams that finished with a worse season record the previous year (by less than 9 games) than their present week 1 opponent that are NOT home dogs have been 135-82 ATS, 62.2%.

 

[supafly]

Teams that finished with a worse season record the previous year (by less than 9 games) than their present week 1 opponent that are NOT home dogs have been 135-82 ATS, 62.2%.

I love stuff like this and hope that you continue to drop info like this throughout the season, but could you attempt to either break this down or elaborate upon it? Thank you.

It just seems like it's either worded a bit wonky or maybe it's just getting late.

 

[supafly]

Currently the Pats are 6 pt dogs, long time since that happened. I love the Pats as an underdog.

Under normal circumstances--yes, I agree. Actually, there may not be a better play in the entire NFL in terms of taking a strong underdog.

Under this scenario, I am a bit concerned about scoring enough on the road in a very hostile environment.

 

[SalemPats]

Not going to lie, this will be a tough game for us and a great test for our defense. Hopefully we can get a pass rush. I expect a lot of man with Butler/Ryan on Brown/Floyd and Patrick Chung trying to jam Fitz in the slot. Kind of reminds me of the Broncos gameplan. Hopefully we can stifle them and force Palmer into turnovers. This might be our tough opponent all season long.

 

[FCB02062]

As fans I think we're gonna go nuts w an ultra conservative offensive game plan...3 yards, cloud of dust, matriculate the ball, a seal here, a seal here, etc.

 

[supafly]

As fans I think we're gonna go nuts w an ultra conservative offensive game plan...3 yards, cloud of dust, matriculate the ball, a seal here, a seal there, etc.

Which is one of the concerns that I'd have with the ability to score enough points to win against a tough defense in a hostile environment. Last time I checked, we weren't exactly flush with difference making RBs. Hopefully, we can get Blount going. Perhaps Foster can contribute on the ground in some fashion.

Personally, I see more of a quick pass/screen game to try and offset the expected lack of rushing production. Then again, it's not a normal game under normal circumstances, so you may be correct in predicting that they'll be super run heavy. If so, let's hope for some production.

 

[DarrylS]

As there seems to be consensus about an conservative game plan, watch McDaniels come out in combinations of spread offense and wide open game plans..

 

[archstanton543]

As fans I think we're gonna go nuts w an ultra conservative offensive game plan...3 yards, cloud of dust, matriculate the ball, a seal here, a seal here, etc.

They're going to enroll the ball in college?

 

[Gwedd]

I am looking forward to the game. As mentioned above, the REAL pressure is on Arizona. Everyone expects them to win, it's on their home turf, they're facing a new Patriots team WITHOUT #12 under center, etc etc etc. Reminds me of all the hype about New England playing the Rams in the Superbowl, what with a coach in his 2nd season, a replacement QB who was, to all intents and purposes, a rookie, and going up against the NFL's newest Dynasty, lauded by all the experts, yadda yadda yadda.

Can new England lose this game? Sure. But anyone who thinks that the Cards have this one in the bag ought to look back to the last time that Brady was gone and there was a backup QB under center.

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't think this will be an ass whipping, but I do expect the Cards to pull away comfortably in the second half. Maybe something like 27-13. The defense should be able to keep it close throughout and force a couple of turnovers at Palmer's expense but, in the end, this will be a pretty hostile first test for Garoppolo.

 

[Tunescribe]

They're going to enroll the ball in college?

A quiet yet firm, straitlaced individual. Is goal-oriented and can bounce back when kicked around. Allows others to carry him when necessary and doesn't mind being tossed about. Considers himself useless without a team to work with.

 

[archstanton543]

I don't think this will be an ass whipping, but I do expect the Cards to pull away comfortably in the second half. Maybe something like 27-13. The defense should be able to keep it close throughout and force a couple of turnovers at Palmer's expense but, in the end, this will be a pretty hostile first test for Garoppolo.

Yeah, I don't think that the Pats will win. Remember, they lost to the Cards at home last time they played them. Now, that was a while ago but the Cards have gotten better since then.

I hope the D comes to play and makes it a close game.

 

[Gwedd]

Yeah, I don't think that the Pats will win. Remember, they lost to the Cards at home last time they played them. Now, that was a while ago but the Cards have gotten better since then.

I hope the D comes to play and makes it a close game.

I hear you. My caution is based on the fact that it's always hard to compare current teams to the results of previous year's teams, as rosters and philosophies change so much from year to year. Plus, you just never know what;s gonna happen. We can prognosticate and all, but anytime you have 22 guys on a confined field, trying to move an oddly shaped "ball", you just never know what's gonna happen.

I'm suspecting a Patriots win by a field goal or less, but that's just me.

 

[Tony2046]

A quiet yet firm, straitlaced individual. Is goal-oriented and can bounce back when kicked around. Allows others to carry him when necessary and doesn't mind being passed around. Considers himself useless without a team to work with.

Great kid but apparently feels "under pressure" especially in cooler environments.

 

[Tony2046]

As there seems to be consensus about an conservative game plan, watch McDaniels come out in combinations of spread offense and wide open game plans..

This is what I expect as well along with Gronk occasionally lined up at wideout and some hot read dump offs to foster/white to exploit the pass rush.

Palmer does choke in big games.

We'll see. It'll be a good game either way.