Pats AFC chances look optimistic

[moejr]

I have them winning the division with a #4 seed at 11-5, which means they have to go 6-3 the rest of the way. The Miami game at home is the first "must-win" game of the season.

Having Gronk back was a huge addition yesterday, and getting Talib and Tommy Kelly on the field shores up the defense significantly. Vereen will be back Week 10 which adds a different dimension to the backfield and short passing game.

I agree with your assessment though I would like to point out one thing. Gronk came back and Brady latched onto him like a security blanket. He was targeted 17 times. The next closest to that was Edelman and Dobson with 7. He cannot do that. He has got to spread it more evenly especially where Gronk tends to be double covered.

 

[Ring 6]

I will be very happy with 6-3 the rest of the way. I don't expect them to beat Denver with this offense so that would mean 6-2 against the rest of them.

How could you be 'very happy' with losing to Denver and 2 more of those games, none of which are against teams better than the Patriots?
I could understand you may expect that, or may not be surprised by that, but if you would be very happy with that I'm shocked.

 

[Rob0729]

I am finding it tough to think right now that the Pats will be a #2 seed come playoff time.

This team in its current state is once again finding it difficult to play 60 minutes of football and added roster additions from injury will help but not change this problem if
it continues,everyone must be on the same page no matter who comes back.

Remember this team is just one major Saints 2 minute drill Brain Fart away from losing 3 games in a row ....this is not how this team usually plays in strings of games but more like the normal of 2 good games and 1 so so game...the last 3 have mostly been stinkers,especially on offense.

I am hopeful but concerned at the same time,making the playoffs is all ANYONE in here should be worried about...thinking about a 2 seed is foolish in October.

People talk about the Pats being one "brain fart" away from being 0-3 the last three games, but they are one freak torrential rainstorm and one stupid pushing man into the pile penalty away from being potentially 3-0 over the last three weeks. People only want to look at it both ways. The Pats could have won or lost any of the the last three games if not for one little thing here or there. That is the NFL.

Also, why don't the people who always want to look at things negatively want to give the defense credit for stopping the Saints. It isn't that the defense stepped up when they needed to, it is the Saints screwed up.

 

[ausbacker]

TBH, at the beginning of the season I thought the team would be 5-2 anyway (just not with a loss to the Boger's mates) so I'm not perturbed. Frankly, I am amazed at the grit of this team given the injuries they have suffered, especially to key players.

The Patriots will win the division. The matter becomes how healthy and functional will the team be come January?

 

[Ring 6]

TBH, at the beginning of the season I thought the team would be 5-2 anyway (just not with a loss to the Boger's mates) so I'm not perturbed. Frankly, I am amazed at the grit of this team given the injuries they have suffered, especially to key players.

The Patriots will win the division. The matter becomes how healthy and functional will the team be come January?

Agreed.
There were at least this many concerns in 2001 and 2003, and maybe 2004.
Winning tough football games, and actually losing one once in a while is not the sign of tragedy.

 

[Tunescribe]

Winning the division is the ONLY THING THAT MATTERS. That will be a huge accomplishment considering the team's current state. If the team is in reasonable health the rest will take care of itself. Anything further (bye) would be icing on the cake.

 

[ivanvamp]

Agreed.
There were at least this many concerns in 2001 and 2003, and maybe 2004.
Winning tough football games, and actually losing one once in a while is not the sign of tragedy.

The 2004 Patriots are considered by many to be their best team ever. 14-2, won the Super Bowl, etc. But look at some of the tight games they had to play during the regular season:

- Wk 1, beat Ind 27-24
- Wk 2, beat Ari 23-12 (but it was just 17-12 heading into the 4th quarter)
- Wk 7, beat NYJ 13-7
- Wk 11, beat KC 27-19 (but it was just 24-19 until a late FG pushed it to 8)
- Wk 14, beat Cin 35-28

And of course, they lost two games as well.

This year, 6 of their 7 games have been decided by 7 points or less, which means that every game has had some real tension. I thought when they were up 21-10 with the ball at the 50 late in the 2nd quarter that they were going to bury the Jets. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen.

I think we're going to be in for a whole year of close games.

 

[Tunescribe]

I'm giddy at the thought that Denver might end up as a wildcard. Go Chiefs! :rocker: Heck, San Diego might even beat them.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

let's just beat the goddam dolphins this week.

right now, with the deficits on offense (poor line play, iffy running game, missing receivers) and the injuries on defense, the pats look like an 11--5 or 10--6 team to me, but every division game is a "an almost-must-win" going forward IMHO. then, they should win the division.

they've proven in the past that seeding always doesn't predict how they do in the playoffs. the only seeding that matters is "in the playoffs."

 

[Froob]

I will be very happy with 6-3 the rest of the way. I don't expect them to beat Denver with this offense so that would mean 6-2 against the rest of them.

Yeah but Denver's defense is awful. Something has to give. Broncos fans will be saying this after the game "WOW our defense made friggin Tom Brady look like the old Tom Brady." Plus our d should be able to play denver well assuming Talib is back. Kelly would be great too. Don't think Pats would win in Denver but lucky for us they got them at home in the primetime. Hopefully our crowd shows up.