Year of the Underdog: Pats not favored in a single game

[Thelonious]

It’s kinda relaxing having a season where you’re not living and dying with each game.

I have had the same thought. When you are expecting to win every game, losses can come to be more painful than wins are enjoyable.

 

[mgteich]

Yup, could use that to finally stabilize RG.

Seriously, I was considering this board if we drafted a RG in the top 10.

 

[KCSVEN]

I they get the #1 overall pick then these coaches are terrible.

They play the 49ers, they don't play any of the other elite teams.
I think Buffalo is taking a step back.
All the other teams outside the 49ers are beatable.
Pats lost 8 games by 1 score last year with an all-time bad offense.

They should have a chance in almost every game, how many they win is just a question on who the QB is and how good/bad are these coaches.

 

[PatsfanTN]

It’s kinda relaxing having a season where you’re not living and dying with each game.

I was saying the SAME thing at work yesterday. Now moving forward after this year…..different story.

 

[vicspats]

I'm ok with going 5-12 or 6-11 and securing another top 10 pick. And I believe that's around our talent level.

With a top 10 pick we should be able to find a franchise LT or maybe an elite WR1 to add to the mix. So that's also better for our future prospects.

Would rather not pick up unnecessary/lucky wins with a rebuild in progress. It does nothing to help us in the long run by 'stealing' wins when the talent level doesn't merit it.

Not sure I agree with that logic. High draft picks do not equate good teams. Just means head office doesn’t know WHO to draft. Wins no matter how they are found build team chemistry. That builds team. Let’s people (Mayo) stick around longer to implement his core values. Team wins over draft pick any day …

 

[vicspats]

If they're going to lose every game then why watch?

Perhaps I have a different way of looking at being an underdog for every game this coming season. For me, it's "Back to the Future" because I can remember back when the Pats were the doormat of the league and expected to lose every game.

One game really stands out back in the 70's when the Heavily Favored "Steel Curtain" and Mean Joe Green's Pittsburg Steelers came to Foxboro. My next door neighbor and I were listening to the game on the radio in his garage because of course the game wasn't sold out and not on local TV.

It was cold but we were drinking cold beers nonetheless. Anyhow the Steelers thought the Pat's was going to be an easy win and so did everyone else. But for some reason the game was still close late in 4th quarter. Then the Steelers kicked a field goal but the Pats committed a penalty and Chuck Knoll decided to take the 3 points off the scoreboard and go for a touchdown to put the lowly Patriots down for good. I think Bradshaw was the Pitt QB and he threw an interception. The Pats scored a touchdown and some of my memory is cloudy on the rest of the game but the Patriots won! I can still remember my neighbor and I blaring car horn and how great the outcome of this particular game was. So even though I would rather that we were favored to win every game this season there can be some rewards of being a constant underdog. "Greatest show on turf" anyone?

Underdog? Bring it on! We still have a pretty decent defense and come on man, how many games did we lose last season because Mac, et al, threw a stupid and I mean stupid interception. Hell we had 3 losses in a row by a total of 10 points. I repeat - That's 10 Points Total! Yes, our offensive line might still be shaky but will it be worse than last season? I don't think so.

I can't speak for anyone else but I'm actually looking forward to this season. . .

Exactly.. it’s as thou from here on out we just press fast forward and into the next season? F that. What the pats did for 20 plus years will never be repeated. Got it. Belichick is gone. But as God as my witness … we gonna sneak in another Suoer Bowl win one way or another before they turn the lights out down at One Patriot place .. losing is for losers… Let’s Go Pats !!!!

17-0 !!!

 

[mgteich]

Not sure I agree with that logic. High draft picks do not equate good teams. Just means head office doesn’t know WHO to draft. Wins no matter how they are found build team chemistry. That builds team. Let’s people (Mayo) stick around longer to implement his core values. Team wins over draft pick any day

I agree. Winning helps to buil a team. I fine with 7 win and a pick 8-11 (this year's position) or even 8 wins and 12 or 13.

 

[vicspats]

I have had the same thought. When you are expecting to win every game, losses can come to be more painful than wins are enjoyable.

I agree … told a Bills fan friend of mine few years back…when you win the Super Bowl … it’s as thou “as it should be”.. not even excited anymore..how arrogant we got … now up from the ashes !!!!! Once more into the breach!!!
I for one am excited to beat teams again, come hell or high water, by any means necessary!!
Terminate with extreme prejudice!!!
Let’s Go Pats !!

 

[vicspats]

I agree. Winning helps to buil a team. I fine with 7 win and a pick 8-11 (this year's position) or even 8 wins and 12 or 13.

It will keep the coaches in place to build stability number one I think. Winning breeds winning. The draft is such a crap shoot. Im looking for a winning season personally. Otherwise the changing of the guard was just pomp and circumstance to me.

 

[borisman]

Honest question… normally a new HC gets a mulligan no matter what year one. But, let’s say oddsmakers nail it and the unthinkable happens: 0-17.

Does Mayo survive?

It won’t happen but it also matters how Mayo does his job. It’s not really about wins and losses this year but about job performance. At least it should be. But yeah, unless he completely melts down, which is unlikely, Mayo will be the coach in 2025.

 

[Simpelton]

I could go for a little 0-16 action if the reward is worth it. Our offense isn't going to be much this year no matter what we do. Give Maye a year of running at NFL practice speeds and all aboard the submarine.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Honest question… normally a new HC gets a mulligan no matter what year one. But, let’s say oddsmakers nail it and the unthinkable happens: 0-17.

Does Mayo survive?

The Pats will have their annual “catching good teams off guard with the wind, rain or snow” game and get a couple of wins that way.

But if they went 0-17, that would mean a lot things went wrong again like Drake Maye looking like a disaster selection the local media is already worried about. Bill Belichick wasn't excited about Maye right before he was selected draft night. This would be brought up again.

Bob doesn’t like being embarrassed and his decisions backfiring on him. He would do what he normally does to get the media attention away from him by firing Mayo and the front office.

 

[mgteich]

The Pats will have their annual “catching good teams off guard with the wind, rain or snow” game and get a couple of wins that way.

But if they went 0-17, that would mean a lot things went wrong again like Drake Maye looking like a disaster selection the local media is already worried about. Bill Belichick wasn't excited about Maye right before he was selected draft night. This would be brought up again.

Bob doesn’t like being embarrassed and his decisions backfiring on him. He would do what he normally does to get the media attention away from and to fire Mayo and the front office.

No one is predicting 0-17. The under and over on wins is 4 1/2 wins. Bet on the pats and win if they win 5 games and lose if they win 4. BTW, this is the worst in the league.

 

[Real fan 02]

spot on, great point.

The way the schedule breaks with the late season bye week, its only after week 14 that I would even begin thinking about seeing him on the field. Can't even see him hitting the field for mop up duty before then.

Its paramount that they correct his mechanical flaws - concentrate on that one aspect in year 1. Only then should AVP work on bringing him up to game speed with the playbook. There should be no rush to get him out on the field. One thing at a time.

I agree. The fan curiosity in Me wants to see him play. But I know the right thing to do is bring him along slowly. I'll say something else that does get mentioned.. Brissett has been a backup his entire career. Like geno Smith it's a huge gain for him to play well. Say he has a 24- 8 type season. He projects to see a big payday from someone. I also don't believe we will be as horrible offensely last season. This team will be a tough out each week.

 

[Real fan 02]

It’s kinda relaxing having a season where you’re not living and dying with each game.

I believe you're going to be impressed by what you see from this team. Everyone has them bottom 5 in the league.. I like it this way. No expectations.