What's REALLY at stake this Sunday

[solman]

This Sunday won't have much of an impact on whether New England wins its fourth Superbowl. If the Patriots lose this game, they will almost certainly make the playoffs and get a bye. There is an excellent chance that even a losing Patriots team will still be hosting the AFCCG this January.


At stake in this game is the legend of 2007 Patriots as the greatest team ever to play the game.

People who weren't even alive at the time still talk about the dominance of the 1962 Packers and 1985 Bears.

The 2007 Patriots are on pace to surpass those great teams of the past and lay unchallenged claim to the title of "greatest football team of all time".


In the middle of this historic season, the football gods have placed a trial like no other.

The 2007 Colts are a balanced, well coached team that hasn't lost a game this early in the season since Halloween more than three years ago. They are well on their way to being one of the top 25 football teams of all time. The Patriots face them in their home in the latest match ever between undefeated teams.

Neither Lombardi's 1962 Packers, nor Ditka's 1985 Bears had their mettle tested like this.


What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

 

[Ring 6]

This Sunday won't have much of an impact on whether New England wins its fourth Superbowl. If the Patriots lose this game, they will almost certainly make the playoffs and get a bye. There is an excellent chance that even a losing Patriots team will still be hosting the AFCCG this January.


At stake in this game is the legend of 2007 Patriots as the greatest team ever to play the game.

People who weren't even alive at the time still talk about the dominance of the 1962 Packers and 1985 Bears.

The 2007 Patriots are on pace to surpass those great teams of the past and lay unchallenged claim to the title of "greatest football team of all time".


In the middle of this historic season, the football gods have placed a trial like no other.

The 2007 Colts are a balanced, well coached team that hasn't lost a game this early in the season since Halloween more than three years ago. They are well on their way to being one of the top 25 football teams of all time. The Patriots face them in their home in the latest match ever between undefeated teams.

Neither Lombardi's 1962 Packers, nor Ditka's 1985 Bears had their mettle tested like this.


What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

I think what is at stake is winning our 9th game, and taking a 1 game lead plus tiebreaker for hfa throughout the playoffs if we continue to win.
Anything beyond that is great for us to talk about, but not on the teams mind.
From our perspective, there are still 10 more wins to go after this one, so I do not see this as cementing any kind of legacy, there will be a lot of work left to do.

 

[FrontSeven]

You forgot small-pecker-relief for the winners.

Lombardi had a very small pecker. That's why the trophy is huge and is named after him. You can ask him if you don't believe me.

 

[psychoPat]

This Sunday won't have much of an impact on whether New England wins its fourth Superbowl. If the Patriots lose this game, they will almost certainly make the playoffs and get a bye. There is an excellent chance that even a losing Patriots team will still be hosting the AFCCG this January.


At stake in this game is the legend of 2007 Patriots as the greatest team ever to play the game.

People who weren't even alive at the time still talk about the dominance of the 1962 Packers and 1985 Bears.

The 2007 Patriots are on pace to surpass those great teams of the past and lay unchallenged claim to the title of "greatest football team of all time".


In the middle of this historic season, the football gods have placed a trial like no other.

The 2007 Colts are a balanced, well coached team that hasn't lost a game this early in the season since Halloween more than three years ago. They are well on their way to being one of the top 25 football teams of all time. The Patriots face them in their home in the latest match ever between undefeated teams.

Neither Lombardi's 1962 Packers, nor Ditka's 1985 Bears had their mettle tested like this.


What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

I do believe you're right.
Until you said this
i didn't realize it.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I think what is at stake is winning our 9th game, and taking a 1 game lead plus tiebreaker for hfa throughout the playoffs if we continue to win.
Anything beyond that is great for us to talk about, but not on the teams mind.
From our perspective, there are still 10 more wins to go after this one, so I do not see this as cementing any kind of legacy, there will be a lot of work left to do.

Agreed, 100% Agreed.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

This Sunday won't have much of an impact on whether New England wins its fourth Superbowl. If the Patriots lose this game, they will almost certainly make the playoffs and get a bye. There is an excellent chance that even a losing Patriots team will still be hosting the AFCCG this January.


At stake in this game is the legend of 2007 Patriots as the greatest team ever to play the game.

People who weren't even alive at the time still talk about the dominance of the 1962 Packers and 1985 Bears.

The 2007 Patriots are on pace to surpass those great teams of the past and lay unchallenged claim to the title of "greatest football team of all time".


In the middle of this historic season, the football gods have placed a trial like no other.

The 2007 Colts are a balanced, well coached team that hasn't lost a game this early in the season since Halloween more than three years ago. They are well on their way to being one of the top 25 football teams of all time. The Patriots face them in their home in the latest match ever between undefeated teams.

Neither Lombardi's 1962 Packers, nor Ditka's 1985 Bears had their mettle tested like this.


What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

I appreciate and applaud the feelings that went into your post. But, let's slow down. Let's save the "chills up and down the spine" stuff for Phoenix in February.

 

[solman]

I appreciate and applaud the feelings that went into your post. But, let's slow down. Let's save the "chills up and down the spine" stuff for Phoenix in February.

We can't be the "greatest team ever" without winning the Superbowl.

BUT every year there is a Superbowl (and we already have three).

There can only be on "greatest team ever".

Lets appreciate what we're going to be watching on Sunday for what it is, an historic matchup that is very much more than "just another game".

 

[sieglo]

What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

Are you kidding me? Even with a resounding victory and an undefeated march to the Super Bowl, the media will never give credit where credit is due. They'd prefer to mention Spygate, Runupthescoregate, etc.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

This Sunday won't have much of an impact on whether New England wins its fourth Superbowl. If the Patriots lose this game, they will almost certainly make the playoffs and get a bye. There is an excellent chance that even a losing Patriots team will still be hosting the AFCCG this January.


At stake in this game is the legend of 2007 Patriots as the greatest team ever to play the game.

People who weren't even alive at the time still talk about the dominance of the 1962 Packers and 1985 Bears.

The 2007 Patriots are on pace to surpass those great teams of the past and lay unchallenged claim to the title of "greatest football team of all time".


In the middle of this historic season, the football gods have placed a trial like no other.

The 2007 Colts are a balanced, well coached team that hasn't lost a game this early in the season since Halloween more than three years ago. They are well on their way to being one of the top 25 football teams of all time. The Patriots face them in their home in the latest match ever between undefeated teams.

Neither Lombardi's 1962 Packers, nor Ditka's 1985 Bears had their mettle tested like this.


What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

I still think the 1989 49ers must rank up with the very best team of all time.

 

[solman]

Are you kidding me? Even with a resounding victory and an undefeated march to the Super Bowl, the media will never give credit where credit is due. They'd prefer to mention Spygate, Runupthescoregate, etc.

If the Patriots win by two touchdowns this week the ENTIRE industry is going to be slobbering all over our team.

It will even make Patriots fans sick.

And it will continue nonstop until we lose.

 

[solman]

I still think the 1989 49ers must rank up with the very best team of all time.

They were my third best team of all time. But with two losses, worse margins of victories and worse points differentials, I felt that there was enough of a gap to draw the line there.

They also inspired less contemporary fear (but perhaps thats a bias in my perception since by 1989 I was actively following the sport).

 

[solman]

They were my third best team of all time. But with two losses, worse margins of victories and worse points differentials, I felt that there was enough of a gap to draw the line there.

They also inspired less contemporary fear (but perhaps thats a bias in my perception since by 1989 I was actively following the sport).

I didn't mean to imply anything bad about them.

Stealth bump enabled.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

If the Patriots win by two touchdowns this week the ENTIRE industry is going to be slobbering all over our team.

It will even make Patriots fans sick.

And it will continue nonstop until we lose.

I actually think whomever wins the game is going to get a considerable amount of press. But you're right -- if the patriots win in dominating fashion on the road, you're going to see a sea change in the way the team is covered. A massive change. Nobody is going to want to miss the real story.

I think this game is extremely important for home field advantage purposes. The winner basically has a 1.5 game lead on the other. The patriots have a tough schedule to finish off the year. I'd like that advantage.

My prediction is that the winner of this game will go 15-1 and the loser will go 14-2. I'd much rather be that 15-1 team.

Does "greatest ever" really matter to anyone? I honestly could care less. I just want to win the super bowl.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'd agree with the enormous amount of press. It's been a media circus thus far and it will only get worse for the victor.

 

[stcjones]

This Sunday won't have much of an impact on whether New England wins its fourth Superbowl. If the Patriots lose this game, they will almost certainly make the playoffs and get a bye. There is an excellent chance that even a losing Patriots team will still be hosting the AFCCG this January.


At stake in this game is the legend of 2007 Patriots as the greatest team ever to play the game.

People who weren't even alive at the time still talk about the dominance of the 1962 Packers and 1985 Bears.

The 2007 Patriots are on pace to surpass those great teams of the past and lay unchallenged claim to the title of "greatest football team of all time".


In the middle of this historic season, the football gods have placed a trial like no other.

The 2007 Colts are a balanced, well coached team that hasn't lost a game this early in the season since Halloween more than three years ago. They are well on their way to being one of the top 25 football teams of all time. The Patriots face them in their home in the latest match ever between undefeated teams.

Neither Lombardi's 1962 Packers, nor Ditka's 1985 Bears had their mettle tested like this.


What is at stake, this Sunday, is history. With a single convincing victory, a thousand scribes in a hundred cities will put pen to paper and begin composing the legend of Belichick's 2007 Patriots.

You make a good point....should NE somehow lose this game (which I do not think they will), the Colts travel to SD next weekend for another big time challenge.....which I ALSO DO NOT see them winning......SD is starting to groove right now.........and at home....uh oh....Pay-a-ton.......I hate SD....but I will be pulling for them next weekend.......

 

[psychoPat]

....
Does "greatest ever" really matter to anyone? I honestly could care less. I just want to win the super bowl.

Greatest Ever
already INCLUDES
winning this particular SB.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Greatest Ever
already INCLUDES
winning this particular SB.

Now, don't get me wrong -- I'd take greatest ever. Including because it means winning the superbowl. ;0)

But I don't care if they call us the worst ever champion, so long as they call us champion.

 

[solman]

Does "greatest ever" really matter to anyone? I honestly could care less. I just want to win the super bowl.

Well, I care.

Superbowls come once a year and we already have three. There can be only one greatest ever.

If I could choose between:

1. the 2007 Patriots run the table finishing 19-0 with the highest margin of victory and yardage differential of any of the great teams. They lose the AFCCG to the Titans after the 2008 season and
2. the Patriots lose to Indy, Pitt and the Giants before winning the Superbowl this season. They win it again next season after going 12-4.

I would choose the first item.

Superbowl victories are THE essential measure of success in the NFL, but they are NOT the only measure of success. Something as cool as having the greatest team ever is worth giving up a ring for.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

Well, I care.

Superbowls come once a year and we already have three. There can be only one greatest ever.

If I could choose between:

1. the 2007 Patriots run the table finishing 19-0 with the highest margin of victory and yardage differential of any of the great teams. They lose the AFCCG to the Titans after the 2008 season and
2. the Patriots lose to Indy, Pitt and the Giants before winning the Superbowl this season. They win it again next season after going 12-4.

I would choose the first item.

Superbowl victories are THE essential measure of success in the NFL, but they are NOT the only measure of success. Something as cool as having the greatest team ever is worth giving up a ring for.

And I doubt there is a single individual on the Patriots team that would agree with you on that. I would much rather have the 2 SB victories. Each SB win is a testament to a season of blood, sweat and pain, with the only payoff being holding the trophy at the end.

Why would you, or any other Patriot fan care about what the media says about our team in a totally subjective forum since we mostly agree they are idiots just spouting off meaningless blatherings most any other time? I would much rather have the objective evidence of another trophy that speaks for itself....the option is not even close.

 

[solman]

And I doubt there is a single individual on the Patriots team that would agree with you on that.

My preference notwithstanding, I'm happy about that.

Just like I'm happy Tom Brady doesn't care about the touchdown record, even though I REALLY hope he gets it.

Why would you, or any other Patriot fan care about what the media says about our team in a totally subjective forum since we mostly agree they are idiots just spouting off meaningless blatherings most any other time? I would much rather have the objective evidence of another trophy that speaks for itself....the option is not even close.

Don't misunderstand me. I want the 2007 Patriots to BE the best team ever.

I don't care nearly as much if they are acknowledged as such.

If some mediot questions their place in history after such a run, it will be funny and entertaining (just like it is right now with so many of them spouting nonsense).