Who are you and what have you done with our beloved patriots?

[Triumph]

There weren't many stars on the 2001 team, but by 2004 being on the team made you a star.

Bruschi, Law, Bryan Cox while not a star would rip your throat out. Mcginest, Phifer, Vrabel, Seymour, Ted Johnson.

Not stars but guys that you better respect or else.

 

[203Pat]

Likewise the Gloom and Doom Negative people are tiring.

I go by the standard they’ve set. I don’t judge the Patriots by what the Steelers or the Rams are doing. I am looking at this team and this roster and saying it’s not good this year. Good enough to make the postseason? Yes of course but good enough to make/win a super bowl is a different story. You can bury your head in the sand and look at this team like a “we’re just happy to be here” postseason team but I look at this team like the New England Patriots.

 

[Triumph]

Football question: Are Brown's and Cannon's numbers so much worse because they play outside, or because of bad play?

IMO bad play.

Combined with targets not getting open.

 

[Kontradiction]

I am not sold on the Saints. They have not been that impressive, and neither has any team from the NFC. Really, none of the top teams in the league look amazing - the Chargers might be an exception.

Seattle have a great run game but I don’t think Bill will drool over their receivers like he did with KC and Pittsburgh’s. Put Gilmore on Baldwin and JC Jackson on Lockett. This would allow us to have an extra man in the box.

I hate to say this but Philly could be a tough match up again. They have very good DL and OL as well as receivers. If Foles plays well, I could see them going anywhere and win.

What is he going to do against the Saints, who would be a horrific match-up for this team on a neutral field?

 

[Soliel]

I go by the standard they’ve set. I don’t judge the Patriots by what the Steelers or the Rams are doing. I am looking at this team and this roster and saying it’s not good this year. Good enough to make the postseason? Yes of course but good enough to make/win a super bowl is a different story. You can bury your head in the sand and look at this team like a “we’re just happy to be here” postseason team but I look at this team like the New England Patriots.

I go back and forth. Today, I feel like there’s no way in hell this team wins a bowl. Not happening. Other days I’m thinking that they some how pull this off and if they do, it would be even more crazy than 28-3

 

[RobertWeathers]

I go by the standard they’ve set. I don’t judge the Patriots by what the Steelers or the Rams are doing. I am looking at this team and this roster and saying it’s not good this year. Good enough to make the postseason? Yes of course but good enough to make/win a super bowl is a different story. You can bury your head in the sand and look at this team like a “we’re just happy to be here” postseason team but I look at this team like the New England Patriots.

You can't judge by the standard they've set. There were years going to the SB was right there but for whatever reason they didn't make it. They also had years in which they weren't loaded on both sides of the ball and made it anyway.

01- Debatable
02- No
03- Yes but the offense and running game stunk. Every win was a grind and won by a nose.
04- Absolutely but losing Law & Poole hurt. Little did we know Asante and Gay were fine.
05- Debatable but a lot of people thought they could do it. Denver was a gag job.
06- Yes. Losing Rodney and the flu was the difference maker. They don't have those they rout Chicago.
07- Yes
08- No
09-Once Welker went down, no
10- At the time, yes. In hindsight no. Awful D.
11- No. Defense was horrible but they made it anyway
12- Yes.Pass D got better with Talib but bad 2nd 1/2 vs BAL killed them.
13- No
14- Yes
15- Yes
16- Yes
17- Yes
18- Yes. They do have the talent. If they play like they did vs MN they will go to the SB.

 

[Froob]

They are what their record says they are.

Never been a big believer in this. Record can be decieveing. The Dolphins suck and are 7-7.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

What is he going to do against the Saints, who would be a horrific match-up for this team on a neutral field?

You answered your own question. Away from the Superdome, they are a different team, so the Pats do have a chance on neutral field. Their receiving corps outside Michael Thomas is nothing special. Their RBs are a nightmare to handle, but I don’t think Bill will sell out the run for the pass. Lastly, Drew Brees is as stationary a QB you’re going to get in this league. Bill won’t panic over the “running QB” as he often does.

 

[jimnance]

A huge high priced free agent.

No talent has been drafted in the past 3 years and Gilmore is slightly overrated and looks better because why would you throw at him when you can run for 9 yards a pop and you have linebackers who can't cover.

Gilmore overrated? Ok, I'll bite. Please explain HOW he is overrated.
What specifically does he not do well?
Because when I watch him, I see one of the best cbs in the NFL.
Most NFL writers, coaches and players agree. His probowl is well-deserved.
Matt Bowen, who btw played db in the NFL, ranks him as the 2nd best cb in the league this year after Patrick Peterson.
So what are you seeing that everyone else is missing?
Typical bs " chicken little" post. No facts to back anything up.

 

[Kontradiction]

You answered your own question. Away from the Superdome, they are a different team, so the Pats do have a chance on neutral field. Their receiving corps outside Michael Thomas is nothing special. Their RBs are a nightmare to handle, but I don’t think Bill will sell out the run for the pass. Lastly, Drew Brees is as stationary a QB you’re going to get in this league. Bill won’t panic over the “running QB” as he often does.

If we play the Saints, it will be in a dome. A dome with which they are more familiar than we are. We have nothing in place to slow down Ingram or Kamara.

 

[BlueThunder]

If Pats don't beat Bills and Jets by double digits
in The Razor....I have no hope for them in the playoffs on the road !

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If we play the Saints, it will be in a dome. A dome with which they are more familiar than we are. We have nothing in place to slow down Ingram or Kamara.

They did give up 37 points in Atlanta earlier this year (same building as this year’s super bowl) and gave another 20 points to the Vikings in their building. They won’t have their home crowd (or at least half of it), which is a big advantage in the Super Dome. Plus the Seahawks were much more familiar with Arizona’s stadium in SB49 and we were fine. Kamara and Ingram will be a handful, but since Brees is a stationary QB we can attack him more. It might be a shootout kind of game, but I don’t think we get blown out by New Orleans.

 

[Hyped]

Comments:

1.) There is A LOT of football left to be played. 32 teams are going to play 64 more games THEN 12 teams are going to play 11 games before all is decided. 75 games left.

2.) Right now, I think the top FIVE teams are: Saints, Chargers, Chiefs, Rams, and maybe the Bears?

3.) The Saints got smoked in Dallas only 20 days ago and they are largely one dimensional in the passing game. Brees has been in a mini-slump. Lock down Michael Thomas...spy Kamara and you can slow these guys down and force Payton to become creative. They are impossible to beat in the Superdome...but the Patriots aren't seeing them in the Superdome no matter what happens.

4.) The Chargers look scary. However, they have not yet won the AFC West and might have to play on the road...and even at home they do not have real home field advantage. They can hear opposing fans from the nose bleed seats...if you can call those seats nose bleeds! Also, they are largely inexperienced...only Rivers, Allen, Gates, Ingram, and Liuget have play-off experience and they have not been in the playoffs since January of 2014. If the Chargers end up the #5 seed...they are highly likely to play the Chiefs in the divisional round. The Patriots just need to win 2 games to at least avoid the Chargers/Chiefs on wild card weekend should the Pats end up the #4 seed (only half a game up).

5.) The Chiefs....scary offense, but their defense is as bad as ours. Eric Berry will help a lot, but the Chiefs aren't blowing out teams anymore on offense. They are 2-2 the last 4 weeks...lost by 3, won by 7, won by 3 in OT, and lost by 1. Then there's their cursed play-off history....I don't think they are one and done this year, but it has to weigh on their minds somewhat.

6.) The Rams are getting no help from their high priced D right now. Goff is in a funk. Gurley is a bit dinged up. AND the Patriots will not even face them until Atlanta anyway.

7.) The Bears look impressive, but the Pats beat them already IN CHICAGO. And if we see them in Atlanta...it would be a welcome sight compared to the Saints/Rams, IMO.

8.) That leaves the rest of us: The Patriots, The Steelers, The Texans, The Ravens, The Titans, The Seahawks, The Cowboys, The Vikings, and The Eagles. That is 9 teams including ourselves. We will not face 5 of them (including ourselves) unless we make it to Atlanta. Of the remaining 4...only 2 of them have a chance of HOSTING the Patriots on the road (assuming Pats drop to #4 seed and play AFC North winner in AFC title game OR Texans win out and we go to Houston on divisional weekend). So, if we play a non-top-5 team...it is highly likely to be played at Gillette. And if we play a top 5 team, we are at worst on the road for divisional weekend, or in the AFC title game, or in Atlanta.

9.) Worst case scenarios: Play Chargers @ Gillette on wild card weekend (if we lose 1 or 2 more games and "back into the playoffs"), play @ Arrowhead on divisional weekend (we would need to drop to the #4 seed, beat the Chargers, and have the #3 seed win), play @ Houston on divisional weekend (assuming we beat the #6 seed on WC weekend), play @ Arrowhead in the AFC title game, or play the Saints in Atlanta. So, that's 5 "bad things" with the first two being unlikely to happen and the latter 2 being a "good season" for us regardless whether we win or lose.

 

[203Pat]

Lol who would spy Kamara?

 

[TheRainMaker]

You can't judge by the standard they've set. There were years going to the SB was right there but for whatever reason they didn't make it. They also had years in which they weren't loaded on both sides of the ball and made it anyway.

01- Debatable
02- No
03- Yes but the offense and running game stunk. Every win was a grind and won by a nose.
04- Absolutely but losing Law & Poole hurt. Little did we know Asante and Gay were fine.
05- Debatable but a lot of people thought they could do it. Denver was a gag job.
06- Yes. Losing Rodney and the flu was the difference maker. They don't have those they rout Chicago.
07- Yes
08- No
09-Once Welker went down, no
10- At the time, yes. In hindsight no. Awful D.
11- No. Defense was horrible but they made it anyway
12- Yes.Pass D got better with Talib but bad 2nd 1/2 vs BAL killed them.
13- No
14- Yes
15- Yes
16- Yes
17- Yes
18- Yes. They do have the talent. If they play like they did vs MN they will go to the SB.

I'll play this game:

01- Debatable They were lucky to get there. Had the weather been clear, Oakland whoops them in the divisional. Thought it was a fluke when they beat Pittsburgh. Turned out it wasn't. The Pats have tormented them ever since.
02- No Agree but it was tough to accept.
03- Yes but the offense and running game stunk. Every win was a grind and won by a nose. Offense may not have been great, but they were in control of almost every game. I really was never worried about them losing the game. They were the best team in the AFC.
04- Absolutely but losing Law & Poole hurt. Little did we know Asante and Gay were fine. I was actually a little worried going into the game against the Steelers in the AFCCG. It was glorious to watch the run D suck the life right out of the Steelers offense. Jerome Bettis was beyond furious during that game.
05- Debatable but a lot of people thought they could do it. Denver was a gag job. Denver was the worst possible match up. They were an overachieving team with a lots of cast offs. That "11 up" defense really frustrated Brady and John Lynch got into his head early with Brady losing his cool and mocking Lynch after a play. Arguably Shanahan's best coaching job.
06- Yes. Losing Rodney and the flu was the difference maker. They don't have those they rout Chicago. I think the lack of depth at LB was the reason they lost in the AFCCG. 3rd string TE's were making plays and the Pats could not stop the bleeding. But they really shouldn't have been there in the first place.
07- Yes Obviously agree, but the way the played against the hobbling Rivers was concerning.
08- No I think they would've made some noise if they made the playoffs.
09-Once Welker went down, no Agree, but with or without Welker they just weren't that good.
10- At the time, yes. In hindsight no. Awful D. Even with their bad D, no excuse losing to the Jest. Would've crushed the Steelers like they did earlier in the regular season.
11- No. Defense was horrible but they made it anyway I think they were the best team in the AFC despite their bad D. What kept them in it was their pass rush. Both Andre Carter and Mark Anderson had 10+ sacks. That was crazy.
12- Yes.Pass D got better with Talib but bad 2nd 1/2 vs BAL killed them. Everything starting falling apart when Talib went down. Baltimore couldn't move the ball at all. And then that Welker drop.......
13- No Yeah, no chance that year.
14- Yes Agree
15- Yes Agree
16- Yes Agree
17- Yes Agree
18- Yes. They do have the talent. If they play like they did vs MN they will go to the SB. It's not over yet.

 

[sieglo]

This. The roster is pretty bad. Old and slow.

I feel like people have been saying this about the Pats every year since 2008.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'll play this game:

01- Debatable They were lucky to get there. Had the weather been clear, Oakland whoops them in the divisional. Thought it was a fluke when they beat Pittsburgh. Turned out it wasn't. The Pats have tormented them ever since.
02- No Agree but it was tough to accept.
03- Yes but the offense and running game stunk. Every win was a grind and won by a nose. Offense may not have been great, but they were in control of almost every game. I really was never worried about them losing the game. They were the best team in the AFC.
04- Absolutely but losing Law & Poole hurt. Little did we know Asante and Gay were fine. I was actually a little worried going into the game against the Steelers in the AFCCG. It was glorious to watch the run D suck the life right out of the Steelers offense. Jerome Bettis was beyond furious during that game.
05- Debatable but a lot of people thought they could do it. Denver was a gag job. Denver was the worst possible match up. They were an overachieving team with a lots of cast offs. That "11 up" defense really frustrated Brady and John Lynch got into his head early with Brady losing his cool and mocking Lynch after a play. Arguably Shanahan's best coaching job.
06- Yes. Losing Rodney and the flu was the difference maker. They don't have those they rout Chicago. I think the lack of depth at LB was the reason they lost in the AFCCG. 3rd string TE's were making plays and the Pats could not stop the bleeding. But they really shouldn't have been there in the first place.
07- Yes Obviously agree, but the way the played against the hobbling Rivers was concerning.
08- No I think they would've made some noise if they made the playoffs.
09-Once Welker went down, no Agree, but with or without Welker they just weren't that good.
10- At the time, yes. In hindsight no. Awful D. Even with their bad D, no excuse losing to the Jest. Would've crushed the Steelers like they did earlier in the regular season.
11- No. Defense was horrible but they made it anyway I think they were the best team in the AFC despite their bad D. What kept them in it was their pass rush. Both Andre Carter and Mark Anderson had 10+ sacks. That was crazy.
12- Yes.Pass D got better with Talib but bad 2nd 1/2 vs BAL killed them. Everything starting falling apart when Talib went down. Baltimore couldn't move the ball at all. And then that Welker drop.......
13- No Yeah, no chance that year.
14- Yes Agree
15- Yes Agree
16- Yes Agree
17- Yes Agree
18- Yes. They do have the talent. If they play like they did vs MN they will go to the SB. It's not over yet.

Imagine 2010-2012 teams playing now? They'd score 40ppg....but allow 30

 

[203Pat]

I feel like people have been saying this about the Pats every year since 2008.

2013 with Dobson, Boyce and Thomkins was pretty bad. Worst I remeber in the last few years.

 

[RobertWeathers]

2013 with Dobson, Boyce and Thomkins was pretty bad. Worst I remeber in the last few years.

Nothing beats 06. The worst. Troy was done and Gaffney came on just in the nick of time but was a still a WR4 or 5

If Tom was stuck with that sorry bunch he would have retired

 

[203Pat]

Nothing beats 06. The worst. Troy was done and Gaffney came on just in the nick of time but was a still a WR4 or 5

If Tom was stuck with that sorry bunch he would have retired

That year still kills me. We surrounded him with Doug Gabriel and those crappy Gator receivers.