Patriots 2020 Season

[gouki88]

Without the star QB it was still a respectable result in my opinion. Held a highly touted offence to 26 in their backyard.

Always going to be hard to win when you only score 10, but when Cam gets back I genuinely see this Pats team as a solid playoff team. If only all our defensive stars started - I am sick to death of Bentley! Slow as molasses.

At least we’re not Houston

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Without the star QB it was still a respectable result in my opinion. Held a highly touted offence to 26 in their backyard.

Always going to be hard to win when you only score 10, but when Cam gets back I genuinely see this Pats team as a solid playoff team. If only all our defensive stars started - I am sick to death of Bentley! Slow as molasses.

At least we’re not Houston

Actually, the Chiefs offense scored only 19; 7 points came on an INT return. So that's even better!

[tarheelsxxiii]

Without the star QB it was still a respectable result in my opinion. Held a highly touted offence to 26 in their backyard.

Always going to be hard to win when you only score 10, but when Cam gets back I genuinely see this Pats team as a solid playoff team. If only all our defensive stars started - I am sick to death of Bentley! Slow as molasses.

At least we’re not Houston

Imagine if we still had Hightower

[gouki88]

Without the star QB it was still a respectable result in my opinion. Held a highly touted offence to 26 in their backyard.

Always going to be hard to win when you only score 10, but when Cam gets back I genuinely see this Pats team as a solid playoff team. If only all our defensive stars started - I am sick to death of Bentley! Slow as molasses.

At least we’re not Houston

Imagine if we still had Hightower

Right? It's killing me seeing Bentley line up where last season Hightower should be is killing me. I'm a huge fan of what Kyle Dugger has brought to our secondary though. We finally have a big guy to throw at TEs. I know Kelce got off the leash for 70 yards today, but I thought for a rookie Dugger did an amazing job on Waller last week.

Can't wait to see Josh Uche and Dalton Keene get some snaps too.

[Phantom255x]

Without the star QB it was still a respectable result in my opinion. Held a highly touted offence to 26 in their backyard.

Always going to be hard to win when you only score 10, but when Cam gets back I genuinely see this Pats team as a solid playoff team. If only all our defensive stars started - I am sick to death of Bentley! Slow as molasses.

At least we’re not Houston

Yeah I'm also sick of Bentley. All teams have to do is run crossing routes and so if it's between a receiver and Bentley, 9 times out of 10 the receiver will simply outrun Bentley using speed and pick up a huge gain.

Look at teams like the Niners. Their LBs are FAST. Imagine if we had that element to our defense (speedy LBs). We'd be really, REALLY great then

We do miss Hightower and his veteran presence + leadership, but to be honest even Hightower now is pretty slow. Kind of taken a step back himself which can be attributed to age also.

[gouki88]

Without the star QB it was still a respectable result in my opinion. Held a highly touted offence to 26 in their backyard.

Always going to be hard to win when you only score 10, but when Cam gets back I genuinely see this Pats team as a solid playoff team. If only all our defensive stars started - I am sick to death of Bentley! Slow as molasses.

At least we’re not Houston

Yeah I'm also sick of Bentley. All teams have to do is run crossing routes and so if it's between a receiver and Bentley, 9 times out of 10 the receiver will simply outrun Bentley using speed and pick up a huge gain.

Look at teams like the Niners. Their LBs are FAST. Imagine if we had that element to our defense (speedy LBs). We'd be really, REALLY great then

We do miss Hightower and his veteran presence + leadership, but to be honest even Hightower now is pretty slow. Kind of taken a step back himself which can be attributed to age also.

Yeah, we definitely need some speed at LB now. Uche is a pretty awesome athlete, but from what I remember he's more of an OLB than an ILB. Bill has said that he'll likely be deployed all over the field, for what it's worth.

We've also seen Dugger and Phillips in the box a lot. With Dugger that's fine, as he's a big 6'2 220lbs, but Phillips is quite small.

Despite that glaring hole our D has once again been really strong

[Neurotic Guy]

Are players who opted to sit out the season like Hightower able to return this season?

[Phantom255x]

Are players who opted to sit out the season like Hightower able to return this season?

No I think it's a "one-and-done" thing. Once they opt-out, they're not playing in 2020.

[ozgod]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1313815840148590594

[footey]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1313815840148590594

COVID 19 seems particularly attracted to the best players, SHM.

[johnnygreen]

I understand the idea that the NFL couldn't play in a bubble, due to the amount of players and coaches involved. However, the league should have reduced the amount of games from 16 to 12 or 14. Still keep the 17 week schedule, but leave wiggle room to help account for instances where teams can't play, and allow for make up dates. I believe the NFL was the only US pro team sport to not reduce their schedule. Without playing in a bubble, there was always a high likelihood that players would test positive at some point and it was only a matter of time. Playing a full schedule and not using multiple bubbles, always gave me the feeling of the NFL being smug and acting like they were better than every other league.

[Phantom255x]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1313815840148590594

A member of the Raiders also tested positive (don't know who yet). Titans also got a positive and there's already discussions about them having to forfeit their next game.

[Phantom255x]

Okay I'll admit this made me laugh (that's Gilmore talking to Mahomes in the pic)

[PhoSita]

This NFL season is turning into a complete joke / disaster much faster than I anticipated.

[ozgod]

I understand the idea that the NFL couldn't play in a bubble, due to the amount of players and coaches involved. However, the league should have reduced the amount of games from 16 to 12 or 14. Still keep the 17 week schedule, but leave wiggle room to help account for instances where teams can't play, and allow for make up dates. I believe the NFL was the only US pro team sport to not reduce their schedule. Without playing in a bubble, there was always a high likelihood that players would test positive at some point and it was only a matter of time. Playing a full schedule and not using multiple bubbles, always gave me the feeling of the NFL being smug and acting like they were better than every other league.

In a way you have to take your hat off to the NBA...they've managed to maintain the integrity of their bubble through 2+ months of playing, and adding people (families) to it as well.