Patriots Pregame Thread Pats-Ratbirds thread

[Real fan 02]

He's got something fairly major wrong with his foot. He left the Jets game shaking his foot, wasn't playing, Gibbons had something happen, he came back on the field for a snap or two then out for the rest of the game. Then the bye week, doesn't play and is now in a boot.

Wonder if he has a small fracture.

Last I saw on it NBC sports Boston was ankle.. if this is the case sit him out until the playoffs.. we need him..but if he can't be himself on the field probably best to keep him out.. so it's up to Tavai, Gibbens and Ellis to help control this Ravens running game at LB..

 

[Real fan 02]

The more I think about this game the more I believe it’s a bad matchup for NE. Ravens will control the game by running the football. It’ll be tough without Williams and now Spillane.

Part of me felt like we drop this game and get right against Jets and fins.. I hope I'm wrong.. would like to win Sunday..

 

[Real fan 02]

Depends on who is able to get on the field defensively. The Patriots had five starters not practicing on Wednesday. At this point in the season, practice is less important for the veteran players on defense. This is a big game, so I expect some guys to make an attempt to play on Sunday night.

If it's at the expense of losing Spillane for the playoffs I'd rather him sit.. we have some key guys dealing with something. Good news is Williams is available to return after the Ravens game.. Hopefully he's able to go soon.

 

[Real fan 02]

Normally I'd be encouraged that Awuzie (who starts for them) seems to possibly be out, but it didn't matter much last week, so we'll see.

Not that Awuzie is good, his best days are long behind him.

With the Steelers winning Monday night it's probably a slim chance Baltimore makes it anyway? What are they 6-7?

 

[PatsFan2]

Part of me felt like we drop this game and get right against Jets and fins.. I hope I'm wrong.. would like to win Sunday..

I am not conceding any game: we have a QB who's on the cusp of being Great. The Ravens are not a good Football Team... IF our Offense don't take a half off we win: all we need is 28. Drake had his clunker last game or half: He's back to business Sunday Night.

 

[Real fan 02]

I am not conceding any game: we have a QB who's on the cusp of being Great. The Ravens are not a good Football Team... IF our Offense don't take a half off we win: all we need is 28. Drake had his clunker last game or half: He's back to business Sunday Night.

I like your thinking twin.. but NEP have to take care of business and play 60 minutes.. they have been a well coached football team all season.. the fashion in wich they loss has them pissed off and I hope we roll Sunday night.. gonna be pissed to stay up late and he tired after a loss.

 

[Real fan 02]

I am not conceding any game: we have a QB who's on the cusp of being Great. The Ravens are not a good Football Team... IF our Offense don't take a half off we win: all we need is 28. Drake had his clunker last game or half: He's back to business Sunday Night.

2025 NFL Playoff Picture | NFL Playoffs | NFL.com

 

[slash83]

Part of me felt like we drop this game and get right against Jets and fins.. I hope I'm wrong.. would like to win Sunday..

They need to get right vs Baltimore, not two teams who suck and can’t wait for the season to end.

 

[PatsFan2]

I like your thinking twin.. but NEP have to take care of business and play 60 minutes.. they have been a well coached football team all season.. the fashion in wich they loss has them pissed off and I hope we roll Sunday night.. gonna be pissed to stay up late and he tired after a loss.

It also looks like the Ravens are not getting to the QB as much this year. Maye should feast all over the field.

 

[Real fan 02]

They need to get right vs Baltimore, not two teams who suck and can’t wait for the season to end.

Only felt that way becuase of the slippage in the running defense and the injuries piling up..

 

[Real fan 02]

It also looks like the Ravens are not getting to the QB as much this year. Maye should feast all over the field.

Ravens have been suspect on D all season.. remember that week 1 collapse...

 

[Real fan 02]

It also looks like the Ravens are not getting to the QB as much this year. Maye should feast all over the field.

K. Hamilton is very overrated IMO..at Safety

 

[PatsFan2]

Ravens have been suspect on D all season.. remember that week 1 collapse...

Don't remind me.

 

[Real fan 02]

Don't remind me.

 

[jdlboot14]

Since our D is suddenly really struggling (tends to happen when you stop playing garbage teams and face real QBs)...
Our O has to be better. Their great start last week was overshadowed by the worst collapse all year.
We can't rely on Hendo breaking historic 50+ TD runs. We need better 2nd down play-calls.
Not something you normally read, but we're very often in 2nd & 8 (after a typical 1st down run for near nothing) and then we end up in 3rd & long, or 3rd & 1 - which has been a horrible spot for the Pats this year because we can't run between the tackles.
We need to start seeing 2nd down as a "must have" down - to get guaranteed 5-10 yard plays. Why only run the WR slants once or twice a game on desperation conversions?

 

[FCB02062]

Get the lead, stay ahead...if not it's a loss unless Maye does something he's never done before, which is bring the team back from a deficit in the 4th quarter. I'd like to see more aggression in the passing game. But we'll see. I'm sure mcdaniels is drawing up some nasty 1 stevenson yard runs on first and goal from the 7.

 

[PatsFan2]

Since our D is suddenly really struggling (tends to happen when you stop playing garbage teams and face real QBs)...
Our O has to be better. Their great start last week was overshadowed by the worst collapse all year.
We can't rely on Hendo breaking historic 50+ TD runs. We need better 2nd down play-calls.
Not something you normally read, but we're very often in 2nd & 8 (after a typical 1st down run for near nothing) and then we end up in 3rd & long, or 3rd & 1 - which has been a horrible spot for the Pats this year because we can't run between the tackles.
We need to start seeing 2nd down as a "must have" down - to get guaranteed 5-10 yard plays. Why only run the WR slants once or twice a game on desperation conversions?

Great Post: remember that 3rd and 1 we had early first quarter?? We threw a fade to Barefoot Mack Hollins *a very low percentage play* when we should have probably ran it: that lead to a punt. I felt if we played that right and ran it like most Teams would: we would have kept Allen on the Bench. That play stuck in my mind as the one that got away: IF we can't run for a yard on 3rd and 1 we're not going very far. Josh McDaniels I know you read this board... IF you don't trust our RB's on Third and One; call a design run for Drake Maye. No NFL Defense is Stopping Josh Allen on Third and One.

 

[TommyD4207]

Great Post: remember that 3rd and 1 we had early first quarter?? We threw a fade to Barefoot Mack Hollins *a very low percentage play* when we should have probably ran it: that lead to a punt. I felt if we played that right and ran it like most Teams would: we would have kept Allen on the Bench. That play stuck in my mind as the one that got away: IF we can't run for a yard on 3rd and 1 we're not going very far. Josh McDaniels I know you read this board... IF you don't trust our RB's on Third and One; call a design run for Drake Maye. No NFL Defense is Stopping Josh Allen on Third and One.

I promise you Josh McDaniels has better things to do than read this board during the season.

 

[NFL Mystique]

They need to get right vs Baltimore, not two teams who suck and can’t wait for the season to end.

This.

Losing to Baltimore and beating the Jets and Dolphins wins the division. But it's not inspiring going into the postseason. This team gives off 2019 Patriots vibes. But the offense is better.

They need to beat a team in a hostile environment fighting for their playoff lives. Baltimore will run like crazy and likely score at least 24. That said, the Ravens don't have a good D. If the offense struggles/struggles in the 4th again, it's time to panic.

Why can't the team score in the 4th quarter of games? McDaniels needs to earn his pay here. Are they trying to avoid Maye making mistakes? Because that's a bad way to go about it. The team needs to be a passing team first. Most great QB's/teams are pass first.

Rant over

 

[TommyD4207]

This.

Losing to Baltimore and beating the Jets and Dolphins wins the division. But it's not inspiring going into the postseason.

They need to beat a team in a hostile environment fighting for their playoff lives. Baltimore will run like crazy and likely score at least 24. That said, the Ravens don't have a good D. If the offense struggles/struggles in the 4th again, it's time to panic.

Why can't the team score in the 4th quarter of games? McDaniels needs to earn his pay here. Are they trying to avoid Maye making mistakes? Because that's a bad way to go about it. The team needs to be a passing team first. Most great QB's/teams are pass first.

Rant over

They scored in the 4th quarter 4 days ago.