2015 Patriots Football

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Always happy to get a win, but I dislike the way the Patriots are trending (apart from the injuries, which are bad enough).

After scoring tons of points through their first 7 games—averaging nearly 36 per—they've now averaged only ~25 over their last 3 games (against a bad Redskins team and mediocre Giants and Bills teams), never reaching 30, and scoring a season-low 20 tonight. And despite getting Cannon and Vollmer back tonight, the O-line struggled—that could be, at least in part, because those two were rusty after being out several weeks, but I still don't like it.

Furthermore, this season is shaping up like 2007, and not in a good way. That year, the Pats tended to blow out teams in the first half of the season, then saw their average margin of victory shrink as they got closer to the postseason. And we all know how their offense bombed out in the Super Bowl. I know it sounds entitled, and maybe absurd, to say that an 18-1 season is disappointing, but it's about the titles, right? I feel that way. And they didn't win the title that year.

Even though I always want my favorite teams to win, I've often thought that the '07 team might've benefited from suffering a regular-season loss, as it may well have served to sharpen their focus. I've also had that thought about this year's team. I understand that nearly everyone gets up for playing the Pats, and most teams give New England their best shot, but I feel like things are starting to slip with this team. Again, don't want them to lose, but it seems hard to maintain the necessary sharpness otherwise, if that makes sense.

Maybe.

But I expect the offensive line to sort itself out. It was fine even after Solder went out. I chalk it up to shaking the rust off everyone coming back from injury.

And the other huge difference between this team and the '07 team is that the '07 defense was old and slow. This defense is very athletic and will only get better when Jamie Collins (who may be the best out of all of them) gets back.

And let's not forget that Edelman will almost definitely be back for the playoffs, maybe even earlier.

All good points, and thank you for helping me see the brighter side. You're right, the O-line guys should only improve from this point (barring more injuries, that is); there are a lot of great young, energetic players on defense (Collins is really, really good); and Edelman will be back, and hopefully rust-free by the time the playoffs get here. All positive things. That's what I'll try to focus on. 

[kozlodoev]

I think I figured out what the mandatory reassignment of Jastremski and McNally will be. Next week they'll be down on the field catching balls in the slot.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think I figured out what the mandatory reassignment of Jastremski and McNally will be. Next week they'll be down on the field catching balls in the slot.

That should work. It's the system that makes Pats receivers good, right? 

[kozlodoev]

I think I figured out what the mandatory reassignment of Jastremski and McNally will be. Next week they'll be down on the field catching balls in the slot.

That should work. It's the system that makes Pats receivers good, right? 

Yeah, just pull a random 5'9 guy off the street and Brady will make him a 100-catch receiver. I thought that's how it worked.

[esel1000]

I think I figured out what the mandatory reassignment of Jastremski and McNally will be. Next week they'll be down on the field catching balls in the slot.

That should work. It's the system that makes Pats receivers good, right? 

Yeah, just pull a random 5'9 guy off the street and Brady will make him a 100-catch receiver. I thought that's how it worked.

Maybe Isaiah wants to play football on the side?

[Eja117]

They need to make emergency phone calls right now to Reggie Wayne and Randy Moss.

[Eja117]

headset problems with the Bills. Pats haters have their excuse.

That can happen when you throw your headset on the ground.

[KeepRondo]

Question to the posters who have played the game and actually know it. How much trouble are the Pats in next week? Is Brady going to even survive this game?

[Jon]

Question to the posters who have played the game and actually know it. How much trouble are the Pats in next week? Is Brady going to even survive this game?

I think things will be ok with the offensive line. At this point, they have everyone back but Solder. So I think it's a matter of some guys like Vollmer and Cannon shaking some rust.

It also depends on Amendola and Dobson. If they are ok, the Pats should be fine. A healthy Jamie Collins would also make Denver's day that much harder.

[Evantime34]

Question to the posters who have played the game and actually know it. How much trouble are the Pats in next week? Is Brady going to even survive this game?

The way to keep Brady alive is to run the ball. The Broncos are going to have Osweiler starting at QB, so the Patriots aren't going to need to score a lot to win.

[KeepRondo]

Question to the posters who have played the game and actually know it. How much trouble are the Pats in next week? Is Brady going to even survive this game?

I think things will be ok with the offensive line. At this point, they have everyone back but Solder. So I think it's a matter of some guys like Vollmer and Cannon shaking some rust.

It also depends on Amendola and Dobson. If they are ok, the Pats should be fine. A healthy Jamie Collins would also make Denver's day that much harder.

I hope you're right. Are there offensive lineman getting activated next week that weren't against the Bills?

[KeepRondo]

Question to the posters who have played the game and actually know it. How much trouble are the Pats in next week? Is Brady going to even survive this game?

The way to keep Brady alive is to run the ball. The Broncos are going to have Osweiler starting at QB, so the Patriots aren't going to need to score a lot to win.

You're probably right. No matter what they choose to do, it feels like they will have a ton of three and outs.

[Eja117]

Three tight end offense. Use a little less Blount and a lot more James White in the first half. Lots of play action. Go downfield to get flags. A trick play or two.
Freak Osweiler the heck out in order to generate turnovers.

[kozlodoev]

Three tight end offense. Use a little less Blount and a lot more James White in the first half. Lots of play action. Go downfield to get flags. A trick play or two.
Freak Osweiler the heck out in order to generate turnovers.

Prepare for a Big Joe Fauria sighting next week. Also, the way Amendola injured himself is eerily similar to the Dion Lewis injury.

[kozlodoev]

I think things will be ok with the offensive line. At this point, they have everyone back but Solder. So I think it's a matter of some guys like Vollmer and Cannon shaking some rust.

Brady got hit what, 15 times yesterday? The Tyrod Taylor injury should be a prime example of why you don't want anyone to touch your QB... like, ever.