Running the table? I wouldn't bet on it. Lower your expectations.

[PatriotSeven]

Just keep those expectations low, now, ya hear?!

I did. Did you?

And now I will quote the most important part of my OP which a lot of people didn't get.

Realistically speaking, 11-5 seems just as likely, if not more so, than 13-3.

Having said that, I am not concerned about our regular season schedule or seeding. I am actually quite happy with our remaining schedule, and the reason for that is that for once it appears as if this year we truly are being tested before we find ourselves in the playoffs or Superbowl running into a brick wall. We are getting ready to find out exactly what kind of team we are, and I'd rather know now than later.

I don't know about you, but personally I feel a lot more confident even if we enter the playoffs with an 11-5 record and a lower seed but having faced the Broncos, Ravens, Texans, 49ers, Seattle's and Arizona's defense than going in with a prettier record like last year, a higher seed and racked up against a bunch of weak teams.


I prefer being battle tested, scars and all, than having a nice shiny armor. It would be nice to run the table and get that high seed, especially having to go through the 49ers and Texans to get it, but I would not be demoralized with an 11-5 record, and going in somewhat under the radar.

I'll happily admit we were able to put up 31 points on this D. That's the most important point of tonight's game and the fact we need to do something about our special teams.

Coming back on this team after 4 turnovers, with a -2 turnover differential, down 31-3, terrible field position and no Gronk did tell me what kind of team we are. A team with a lot of heart and grit.

With Gronk back, I'm really not too worried if we can fix this special teams issue. I want these guys again in the big game

 

[Rob0729]

I did. Did you?

And now I will quote the most important part of my OP which a lot of people didn't get.


I'll happily admit we were able to put up 31 points on this D. That's the most important point of tonight's game and the fact we need to do something about our special teams.

Coming back on this team after 4 turnovers, with a -2 turnover differential, down 31-3, terrible field position and no Gronk did tell me what kind of team we are. A team with a lot of heart and grit.

With Gronk back, I'm really not too worried if we can fix this special teams issue. I want these guys again in the big game

Congratulations! Huge win for you! Who cares if the Pats win out? You got proven right! This is your Super Bowl!

Sorry, it is pretty pathetic that you are more concerned about being right in this thread than the Pats winning.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Congratulations! Huge win for you! Who cares if the Pats win out? You got proven right! This is your Super Bowl!

Sorry, it is pretty pathetic that you are more concerned about being right in this thread than the Pats winning.

I'm not concerned about being right nor am I gloating. I meant what I originally said and trying to bring everyone on board with a tougher mentality. I think this game was a great test and a win or loss here is irrelevant compared to what we can learn and take away from it.

This is no time to get down on this team.

 

[ausbacker]

I'm not concerned about being right nor am I gloating. I meant what I originally said and trying to bring everyone on board with a tougher mentality. I think this game was a great test and a win or loss here is irrelevant compared to what we can learn and take away from it.

This is no time to get down on this team.

Starting a thread about it being unlikely that the team will run the board isn't about bringing mental toughness to an argument or a football season...

The Pats just put up 34 points in spite of 4 turnovers on the best defense in football. All I have taken away from this game is Tom Brady is otherworldly.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Starting a thread about it being unlikely that the team will run the board isn't about bringing mental toughness to an argument or a football season...

The Pats just put up 34 points in spite of 4 turnovers on the best defense in football. All I have taken away from this game is Tom Brady is otherworldly.

And I agree with you. But I see you keep missing the part in bold. That's what the thread was about. Keeping it realistic, but mainly the part I quoted.

 

[MassPats38]

I'm not concerned about being right nor am I gloating. I meant what I originally said and trying to bring everyone on board with a tougher mentality. I think this game was a great test and a win or loss here is irrelevant compared to what we can learn and take away from it.

Resurrecting your own thread after a loss is gloating. Read the first response you offer in your first post today and come to grips with that reality. The Pats lost, so pat yourself on the back and call yourself Nostradamus, because nobody apparently could see the possibility of the Pats losing to either the Texans or the Niners.

If you visit this site frequently, then you should readily discern that this board does not want for the reality of possible failure (AKA pessimism). And there is no "mental toughness" in fandom to my knowledge, nor do fans likely want fan counseling to expect failure. Players play, and coaches coach. You, as a fan, do neither to influence the outcome of the game. And, as frequently stated in this thread, the fact the Pats play a team during the season does not guarantee a win in the post-season. See 2007, 2010, 2011, etc.

As this sadly and likely represents the end of this thread, may I propose a similarly uplifting and equally realistic thread - "Winning the Lombardi? I wouldn't bet on it. Lower your expectations." You can offer similar Nostradamus-like predictions in that thread for the playoffs. I will just keep believing the Pats can win every game up through the title game, despite the chances of possible failure. I just enjoy that perspective more.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I did. Did you?

I predicted 12-4 this season. I'd say my expectations are on the F'n nose. I have NOT lowered them.

You seem to find a bizarre sense of joy when the Patriots do bad. If this is an indication of how you live your life, you must be a blast to work with.

Do you tell your family to lower their expectations on Dec 24th?

 

[Reckedtrek]

This is no time to get down on this team.

Of course not! They finally lost one!

 

[PatriotSeven]

I predicted 12-4 this season. I'd say my expectations are on the F'n nose. I have NOT lowered them.

You seem to find a bizarre sense of joy when the Patriots do bad. If this is an indication of how you live your life, you must be a blast to work with.

Do you tell your family to lower their expectations on Dec 24th?

Woah woah woah. I am never happy after a Patriots loss even if I predicted it(my heart pulls against my prediction). I feel the pain, the empty feeling in my stomach and the tuesday morning hangover just as much as you.

But you bumped this last week to rub it in my face, remember? A prediction is a prediction. Doesn't mean I'm happy about it.

To answer your question, sometimes. Sure. Depends on cash flow that year.

 

[PatsDeb]

Forget it! I am not lowering mine until I am forced to do so! Go Pats!!

OKay, I'll lower them, but just a little bit!

 

[supafly]

And I agree with you. But I see you keep missing the part in bold. That's what the thread was about. Keeping it realistic, but mainly the part I quoted.

While I don't personally have as much problem as some others do on your thread, I do feel as though it was somewhat negative to start a thread like this (and I actually agreed with you).

Of course the odds of winning out were NOT in their favor. The odds of winning the SB are NOT in their favor for the same exact reason...because there are top notch teams that they'd have to go through in consecutive fashion week after week just to get there. But considering that we follow this team on a 365 day basis with all our heart, one has to try and be optimistic too. If we were all to accept defeat, then why even follow the team?

One thing you may have to take from this thread is that the high majority of posters are simply going to see + respond to your bolded name of the thread which is controversial enough. They probably aren't going to take the time to read your thoughts on as much level as you'd like.

As much as you were certainly "right" about the odds being really steep about the team winning out, no one really wants to have that thrown in their face either, no disrespect intended.

 

[ausbacker]

And I agree with you. But I see you keep missing the part in bold. That's what the thread was about. Keeping it realistic, but mainly the part I quoted.

I'm not missing anything. Having a different opinion doesn't mean one has to miss anything.