Question for Those Who Don't Care About a Perfect Season...

[PatsFaninAZ]

Too many here are all caught up in fanboy bragging rights,

Actually, just disregard my 500 word essay on the subject, and replace it with . . . .

What he said.

 

[Satchboogie3]

Going 19-0 MEANS winning the SB. If we go 16-0 but lose in the playoffs, we wouldn't be undefeated...

There is no argument between going undefeated and winning the SB. Any intelligent football fan would realize that. You have to be an idiot to want us to lose a game, or even think that the SB is all that matters. Going undefeated means winning the SB...

Remember guys, the point of sports is to win. Every team that has ever played sports tries to win every game. If we were the only NFL team to go 19-0, thats a HUGE deal.

 

[ClevTrev]

Don't kid yourself, if they go 19-0 they will still find something or things to biatch about within 24 hours...

My prediction is that they'll be pissed that San Francisco's 1st round pick is only #6!!!

In fact if they go undefeated this year and win the Superbowl, the bandwaggoners will expect that to be the new gold standard, which will really suck here...

LMAO! Unfortunately, it's true.

 

[Satchboogie3]

This is a team that has won 21 straight. I don't think back to back undefeated seasons is out of the question! Remember, we TRY to win them all. Who's to say we can't!

 

[MetalBleachers]

I have seen some gawd awful Pats teams on the field under some gawd awful
ownership. Whatever success they achieve is fine with me. I like
football. When they win I am happy, when the lose, I am sad. It's football, a
game. I have to get up and go to work regardless of what a bunch of
millionaires have done to each other on Sunday. I try to check my OCD at
the door when it comes to football and try to enjoy the game.

I think that's the right attitude. I started watching football on a regular basis in the early 80's, when the Patsies weren't blacked out (not all that often). it's easy to get caught up in their recent success and forget about the single-digit wins/double-digit losses seasons. I used to hope for 9-7, then 8-8, then a few competitive games. I think I've lost that perspective a little bit, maybe because winning and being a part of this franchise now (albeit in a peripheral way) makes me proud.
It is just a game. Too bad losing hurts so much. That's something I've got to work on.

 

[bakes781]

The closer we get to having a perfect season the more I think it's hard to believe that it's been 35 years since the last time it happened. It doesn't seem THAT hard. Many teams have come close especially in recent years, which is odd since this is the era of free agency. The longer the streak goes the more mentally challenging it becomes. I mean you look at the teams we almost lost to & it's clear to me the pressure is starting to mount for some players. The Ravens, Eagles & Jets have no business being competitive with us. So for me the hardest part to this perfect season is actually these remaining 2 games as crazy as that may sound. Because once the playoffs start, getting the players focused on what's at stake should be a lot easier.

 

[elandadem]

Winning the Super Bowl is the goal - the only goal - everything else is gravy.

If come January that also means a perfect season, so much the better.

If it means a 18-1 or a 17-2 season, so be it. As long as any losses (this season) take place in 2007. We've already had two 17-2 seasons, but ultimately successful IMHO.

The only advantage to an undefeated season is that it will it will be sadistically amusing to watch Shula and his boys wimpering about how they did it without "cheating". If they didn't like a rule, they had it changed to suit them better (ala Polian).

 

[Satchboogie3]

How is going 19-0 just fanboy bragging rights? Where talking about arguably the most hallowed, difficult to achieve records in the NFL. Anyways, you could call any athletic achievement "bragging rights". Its called competition.

 

[PaulThePat]

In order of preference:

1. Superbowl and 16-0 regular season
2. Superbowl and 15/1 regular season
3. Superbowl and 14/2 regular season
4. Err...there is no number 4

:rocker:

 

[Satchboogie3]

Winning the Super Bowl is the goal - the only goal - everything else is gravy.

If come January that also means a perfect season, so much the better.

If it means a 18-1 or a 17-2 season, so be it. As long as any losses (this season) take place in 2007. We've already had two 17-2 seasons, but ultimately successful IMHO.

The only advantage to an undefeated season is that it will it will be sadistically amusing to watch Shula and his boys wimpering about how they did it without "cheating". If they didn't like a rule, they had it changed to suit them better (ala Polian).

A perfect season would include the SB... You are stating the obvious. The SB is what matters, a perfect season would be better.... OK. Thats not really an opinion, thats a fact, unless your an idiot.

 

[Satchboogie3]

In order of preference:

1. Superbowl and 16-0 regular season
2. Superbowl and 15/1 regular season
3. Superbowl and 14/2 regular season
4. Err...there is no number 4

:rocker:

There is only 1 priority. Winning the game at hand. Thats it.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

unless your an idiot.

Ahh, message boards . . . So much unintended humor.

 

[Satchboogie3]

Ahh, message boards . . . So much unintended humor.

What, you're going to nit pick my grammar on a message board...

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I want to jump in here because I think the question is being misunderstood. (My bad, I'm sure, for not being clear.) By "perfect season" I'm referring to 19-0, not 16-0. That's why I said I'm not directing the question to those who are afraid the pressure of a perfect season might harm the Patriots' Super Bowl chances--because if they lose, both things are lost.

What I'm asking--what I've seen on this board more than once--is directed at those who have said they just don't think a perfect season really matters. I'm wondering how those people can think that, or why.

thanks. i was getting ready to answer the question you now say you weren't asking.

my answer is simple: I would be ecstatic if the pats went 19--0.

However, if the cost of going 16--0 is not being ready, for any combination of reasons, to go 3--0 in the Playoffs, then I would rather go 14--2 and win the SB than go 16-0 and then lose at any level in the Playoffs.

Since I am concerned that the unknowns and the pressure of getting to 16-0 are so significant that they will make success in the Playoffs more difficult, I reluctantly took the view a long time ago that it would be better if the Pats lost one or two games, decompressed and still maintained home field advantage and went into the Playoffs under more familiar circumstances. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my view.

19--0? Sure. The stuff of movies and history. A season that people will be talking about 100 years from now.

17-2 and a SB win? A continuation of the Dynasty, hopefully with a third SB MVP for Brady. A team that people will be talking about 100 years from now.

16--0 and no Lombardi? A footnote to the Dolphins Perfect Season.

 

[PaulThePat]

There is only 1 priority. Winning the game at hand. Thats it.

I listed my personal preferences not the teams priorities

 

[Satchboogie3]

I listed my personal preferences not the teams priorities

I know, but I just don't understand these people. The priority should always be to win every game. You gotta do that in the playoffs to win the SB.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

First off, they are my team and I'll still love whether that win out, or loss the next 3...... I say that right off the bat cuz lately, I'm not sure everyone here feels that same way, so it's important that that is my frame of reference. That said;

To me, given the potential I see on this team, the chemistry, the talent, the coaching, the leadership............. Anything less then a SB victory is gonna be a disappointment. PERIOD. Whether we go into the playoffs 16-0, 15-1, or 14-2........... It don't matter..... if we loss any of the next 3 games, I'll be disappointed. I'll still love em', but will be bummed for sure.

Personally, I think have a chance to win the SB AND have the perfect season. I say we might as well go for both. I've never seen is proven one way or the other that resting guys, or laying off games is good or bad. In fact, I think the data is a little mixed on the subject. I know one thing, I don't think this team would be a good "lay off" team. That's my instinct, but I think that unless you are talking about a banged up player that perhaps could use a week or two........ I say go for it, like you have been.

Then, if you do win the next 2, and win through the playoffs, you'll not only have achieved the the ultimate goal (SB win), but you'll have done something historic in the process.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Also............ does anyone have any documentable reason (that can't be countered-argued) that losing 1 of the next 2 will somehow "better" prepare us to win the big game. Or visca-versa, that winning the next 2 will somehow diminish our chances at winning the SB.


I just don't see it either way. But that's why I'm asking.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

What, you're going to nit pick my grammar on a message board...

The only grammar I'll ever nitpick on a message board is the grammer used to call or suggest someone else is an idiot.

 

[Sam Malone]

I would like to answer a question by asking a question:

If the Patriots lose to the Giants but win the superbowl is your season ruined?