What a Turnaround...

[Gumby]

This projection would look even better if HOU & JAX switched positions (= HOU at 10-7). Of course then we would have to take care of business vs HOU after they b-slap the Donkeys.

 

[Real fan 02]

Love it!!!!!

 

[Real fan 02]

My good friend is a Bengals fan and he keeps deflecting to "I'm not convinced by the coaching staff..." when talking about the Patriots. At the beginning of the year, I understood and felt the same - I was worried we were chasing a fading memory more than actually moving on. I've since publicly admitted I was wrong and am thoroughly bought into the staff.

Now when he says it, I'm just like "Huh. Interesting take. Tell me, how has Zac been doing?"

Most moronic thing of many the Bengals did was fire lou Anaurumo. Thier defense has never been the same since he was let go.. evidenced yesterday.. allowing Allen to run for 40 yards in the snow for a TD...

Vrabel is undoubtedly the best coach in the AFCE.. and possibly the conference IMO.. I think Zach Taylor is a good offensive coach..but need a complete team to be able to compete.. seems the Bengals organization is just continuing to waste years of Burrows prime..

 

[Gumby]

Nice predications; but here is current reality (if 1-7 sequences goes unchanged) .... Pats are playing in first round & vs HOU

 

[Real fan 02]

This projection would look even better if HOU & JAX switched positions (= HOU at 10-7). Of course then we would have to take care of business vs HOU after they b-slap the Donkeys.

BTTA model put up is very, very realistic... I actually like the way the remaining Schedule is shaping us for us.. I like that teams like Buffalo, Baltimore, Ravens even Miami all have something to play for wich keeps us sharp and on the details..

 

[Real fan 02]

Nice predications; but here is current reality (if 1-7 sequences goes unchanged) .... Pats are playing in first round & vs HOU

Looks like Houston @ pats?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Agreed.. also in watching the bills/Cincy game.. it took 2 Burrow TOs for the bills to win.. Cincy defense still stinks.. I actually believe it or not as a fan am kinda happy the bills won.. I'd rather see them after they won as opposed to if they had loss.. we need to take care of business and wrap the division up.. that right there assures us a home playoff game.. Ravens and Chiefs can we say are.... out?...

Agreed there, if buffalo lost they are fighting for the playoffs. Now, assuming the colts are going to lose most of their games left, there really isn’t anyone threatening to knock them out. Houston and LAC may overtake them in the standings but they still have at least a 3 game lead on whoever the 8th team will be. And i think they know the division is a long shot right now, all we have to do is beat mia and nyj even if we lose the next 2. This game is most likely meaningless to them other than for positioning between the 5-7 seeds . They’ll still be tough and playing to win but much better than a desperate bills team

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Note to myself, as a fan you scream and stamp your feet, accept the unacceptable like a martyr, mock-draft as a second job, complain about need vs value or value vs need, angrily proclaim linemen's arms short, receivers' height inadequate, running backs not being sudden or DBs not being rangy, whine about playcalling, estimate time remaining and pieces needed... and the reality is, with okay talent, a blossoming franchise QB, and that elusive psychological variable we call winning culture or whatever... you can "come out of nowhere."

In fact, don't you always "come out of nowhere"? At first, becoming a contender is a "fluke." That's why it feels so great.

Yeah, the team's surpassed expectations, but expectations were just north of "in the toilet..." so it feels even better to realize we don't know this team's ceiling.

Maybe it's not an illusion that the personnel operation has improved that much, maybe it's not an illusion that a guy at the heart of the earlier Pats' self-regulating locker room is now an amazing culture sculptor. Maybe it doesn't matter because we hit on so much in the last two drafts and this year's FA that we're good for the foreseeable future. Maybe having Josh McDaniel work with your first round QB pick is the opposite of having BoB, Joe Judge, or [names you can't remember] do it.

Whatever the case, we've come out of the slop with the advantages the NFL gives crap teams - the draft picks, the easy schedule, etc., and unlike true perennial crap teams like the JETE, we've emerged ready to contend.

Like you guys, I'm thrilled with where we stand and I love the feeling that the ride is starting again.

Now we're back where we were the last time we put Buffalo back in their place... needing a statement game to "show them all."

For my part, I'm assuming this is the best team in the NFL until someone shows me it's not -- not the best collection of talent, in a fantasy or Madden power rating kind of way... the best team

 

[Real fan 02]

Agreed there, if buffalo lost they are fighting for the playoffs. Now, assuming the colts are going to lose most of their games left, there really isn’t anyone threatening to knock them out. Houston and LAC may overtake them in the standings but they still have at least a 3 game lead on whoever the 8th team will be. And i think they know the division is a long shot right now, all we have to do is beat mia and nyj even if we lose the next 2. This game is most likely meaningless to them other than for positioning between the 5-7 seeds . They’ll still be tough and playing to win but much better than a desperate bills team

Agreed with everything here. It just dawned on me that I'd rather the bills had won in wich they did. It also puts more focus and sharpening for us.. Will be a tough game as they are a division opponent and Josh Allen is Josh Allen.. I still feel it comes down to containing Buffalos running game.. if cook is getting 6,7 yards then it's gonna be a long day.. Miami is playing well and that game provided we can't improve our standing we will be up for.. another thing of note.. I truly think if we had to go to Denver in the playoffs Vrabel would relish the opportunity rather than try to avoid it. This teams taken on the persona of the head coach.

 

[Real fan 02]

Note to myself, as a fan you scream and stamp your feet, accept the unacceptable like a martyr, mock-draft as a second job, complain about need vs value or value vs need, angrily proclaim linemen's arms short, receivers' height inadequate, running backs not being sudden or DBs not being rangy, whine about playcalling, estimate time remaining and pieces needed... and the reality is, with okay talent, a blossoming franchise QB, and that elusive psychological variable we call winning culture or whatever... you can "come out of nowhere."

In fact, don't you always "come out of nowhere"? At first, becoming a contender is a "fluke." That's why it feels so great.

Yeah, the team's surpassed expectations, but expectations were just north of "in the toilet..." so it feels even better to realize we don't know this team's ceiling.

Maybe it's not an illusion that the personnel operation has improved that much, maybe it's not an illusion that a guy at the heart of the earlier Pats' self-regulating locker room is now an amazing culture sculptor. Maybe it doesn't matter because we hit on so much in the last two drafts and this year's FA that we're good for the foreseeable future. Maybe having Josh McDaniel work with your first round QB pick is the opposite of having BoB, Joe Judge, or [names you can't remember] do it.

Whatever the case, we've come out of the slop with the advantages the NFL gives crap teams - the draft picks, the easy schedule, etc., and unlike true perennial crap teams like the JETE, we've emerged ready to contend.

Like you guys, I'm thrilled with where we stand and I love the feeling that the ride is starting again.

Now we're back where we were the last time we put Buffalo back in their place... needing a statement game to "show them all."

For my part, I'm assuming this is the best team in the NFL until someone shows me it's not -- not the best collection of talent, in a fantasy or Madden power rating kind of way... the best team

This team reminds me of the 01 team as far as the characteristics, the traits they show.. the leadership on the team Henry, Drake, Diggs, Moses, Spillane, Williams, chaisson.. they have strong foundation guys that uphold the culture...

We've made a statement all season.. win or lose against Buffalo does nothing to change my mind on how good the team is. Division games are always tough no matter what.. I expect another close game with the bills..

 

[yukon cornelius]

This turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous. If I am being honest, I never expected it to be this quick. I did think they would be in the mix for a wild card, but seeing them lead the division for a few weeks was not something I expected this year.
Thrilled and hopeful and excited for the future !!!!

for a few weeks? they are likely to win the division, let alone "hold it for a few weeks"

.500 the rest of the way should do it....i'd love to see the win this week vs buffalo, which i'd have them slight favorites in......but even if the bills go 3-1 the rest of the way (their best case scenario imho), 2-2 is gonna do it even without going 2-0 vs the bills

that is miraculous for sure.....

 

[BTTA]

Note to myself, as a fan you scream and stamp your feet, accept the unacceptable like a martyr, mock-draft as a second job, complain about need vs value or value vs need, angrily proclaim linemen's arms short, receivers' height inadequate, running backs not being sudden or DBs not being rangy, whine about playcalling, estimate time remaining and pieces needed... and the reality is, with okay talent, a blossoming franchise QB, and that elusive psychological variable we call winning culture or whatever... you can "come out of nowhere."

In fact, don't you always "come out of nowhere"? At first, becoming a contender is a "fluke." That's why it feels so great.

Yeah, the team's surpassed expectations, but expectations were just north of "in the toilet..." so it feels even better to realize we don't know this team's ceiling.

Maybe it's not an illusion that the personnel operation has improved that much, maybe it's not an illusion that a guy at the heart of the earlier Pats' self-regulating locker room is now an amazing culture sculptor. Maybe it doesn't matter because we hit on so much in the last two drafts and this year's FA that we're good for the foreseeable future. Maybe having Josh McDaniel work with your first round QB pick is the opposite of having BoB, Joe Judge, or [names you can't remember] do it.

Whatever the case, we've come out of the slop with the advantages the NFL gives crap teams - the draft picks, the easy schedule, etc., and unlike true perennial crap teams like the JETE, we've emerged ready to contend.

Like you guys, I'm thrilled with where we stand and I love the feeling that the ride is starting again.

Now we're back where we were the last time we put Buffalo back in their place... needing a statement game to "show them all."

For my part, I'm assuming this is the best team in the NFL until someone shows me it's not -- not the best collection of talent, in a fantasy or Madden power rating kind of way... the best team

Tell me about it. I'm a Virginia sports fan. Pats are keeping me sitting up straight at this point.

 

[yukon cornelius]

BTTA model put up is very, very realistic... I actually like the way the remaining Schedule is shaping us for us.. I like that teams like Buffalo, Baltimore, Ravens even Miami all have something to play for wich keeps us sharp and on the details..

broncos have 4 tough ones remaining......GB looks good, Jags are surging, Chiefs will be playing for pride/spoiler, chargers already beat them......i don't expect an Indy-like collapse, but the Broncos losing a few is not out of the question

pats don't have a came-walk, but they win this week and I think the division and the 1 seed is theirs

 

[Real fan 02]

broncos have 4 tough ones remaining......GB looks good, Jags are surging, Chiefs will be playing for pride/spoiler, chargers already beat them......i don't expect an Indy-like collapse, but the Broncos losing a few is not out of the question

pats don't have a came-walk, but they win this week and I think the division and the 1 seed is theirs

Agreed here. I believe the strategy is win... winning secures the division.. assuring a home playoff game at minimum regardless of the rest of the way.

Winning Sunday is huge. Then we can continue the pursuit of the number 1 seed.. we keep pace and Broncos dropping a game would be ideal.. I actually like that the rest of the way are all competitive games and teams playing for something.

 

[reflexblue]

I could not be happier so far with this unexpected season.

But I am VERY glad to have a bye this week. I feel like the team, I, and my lucky shirt all need this break. Time to clean some things up, literally.

Does this mean your washing the shirt?

 

[Patsfan1645]

Tell me about it. I'm a Virginia sports fan. Pats are keeping me sitting up straight at this point.

Checking in also from VA. I grew up and retired back to the Shenandoah Valley along the Blue Ridge Mountains. But I spent 30 years living in Virginia Beach due to the military and then PD. There is a locals bar at the beach that the owner flies a massive Patriots flag during football season. You could go in during a Pats game and feel like you were at some drinking hole in New England. It was awesome!

 

[Patjew]

Does this mean your washing the shirt?

Actually I lied... there are two Pats shirts. One is a t-shirt that I wash weekly. The other is a jean shirt from the 1990s that has not been washed for months, and it looks like it. I will leave it stained and gross. There is also a pair of shorts and socks, both of which get washed. I even brought the outfit to India for the NYJ game (bottom pic).

 

[n1997y]

Checking in also from VA. I grew up and retired back to the Shenandoah Valley along the Blue Ridge Mountains. But I spent 30 years living in Virginia Beach due to the military and then PD. There is a locals bar at the beach that the owner flies a massive Patriots flag during football season. You could go in during a Pats game and feel like you were at some drinking hole in New England. It was awesome!

Hey there! I’m typing this looking down at Front Royal, so I figure there’s a reasonably good chance we are neighbors. Found any good Pats bars around here? The beach is too much of a hike…

 

[Patsfan1645]

Hey there! I’m typing this looking down at Front Royal, so I figure there’s a reasonably good chance we are neighbors. Found any good Pats bars around here? The beach is too much of a hike…

I usually swing over to Front Royal once a month just to go to Stokes and Rural King. As for bars around here (Page County) I don't even know of any bars at all let alone a good sport bar

 

[TommyD4207]

Nice predications; but here is current reality (if 1-7 sequences goes unchanged) .... Pats are playing in first round & vs HOU

I would take Houston, here, in a first round matchup, in a heartbeat. Yes, please, absolutely. Watching the Texans piss down their leg in a Foxboro playoff game is an annual rite of passage I've missed,