Pats peaked too soon? Or ate the cheese?

[stealth]

call me shirley

 

[big dog cowboy]

After Putzburgh the Pats play the Jets and the Dolphins. They will return to greatness in those two games.

That said, I still like our chances in a rematch.

 

[theebs]

In bad weather in Foxboro - it is going to be the Patriots that suffer. Indy will beat them in bad weather and I would say Pittsburgh has a very good chance in bad weather not to mention San Diego and LT.

A good running game will beat the Pats in January I think.

I will take that bet.

Especially if its san diego.

the pats can name the score at home against San Diego.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I think the Pats have to be worried about their decline in defense as the season goes along where they have so many old players, but aside from that ... all teams go through peaks and valleys in the season. This isn't really a bad time for the Patriots to go through a bit of a lull with still over a month to go until the playoffs start, and everything all but wrapped up.

 

[odog422]

As much as I hate the Pats, I take a different approach. They took the Ravens best shot on a windy cold night where B-more played the game of their season. This team has ice cold blood in it's veins and knows how to win close games. When they're down, they know they can pull it out. Every team, even great one's, have lull's in their season. Make no mistake, The Pats are a tough team.

I'll give you they are a good team. The ice cold blood in their veins thing is a little over the top for me. Due to:

- Bmore's stupid timeout when they stuffed them on 4th down, they blew it

- Or Bmore's several season long ineptness on offense - just one first down was all they needed. Sure, give the Pats D credit here, but at the same time, when you have no confidence that your QB will not turn the ball over, you run the ball about 8 straight times in 3 possessions into a 8 man front at the end of the game when everyone in the world knows you're going to run

- Blown call by the official on the TD - ball was moving as the NE receiver was going out of bounds

- phantom "holding call" during that, what was it - 10-12 play stretch when the Ravens D kept stopping them - that kept drive alive

In other words, I give the Pats credit, but hardly think of them as the silent, cold assassin that comes to mind with your original reference. They benefitted from some questionable calls and a decade-long problem for the Ravens - lack of consistent offense.

 

[theebs]

I think the Pats have to be worried about their decline in defense as the season goes along where they have so many old players, but aside from that ... all teams go through peaks and valleys in the season. This isn't really a bad time for the Patriots to go through a bit of a lull with still over a month to go until the playoffs start, and everything all but wrapped up.

yeah I am sure they will take the neccessary measures to protect that defense come playoff time.

It is pretty obvious that defense is very average. A team like the colts can get harrison and vrable into pass coverage and they struggle with that.

The problem is the colts will generate no pass rush next time they play the pats, the cold snowy field and the lack of freeny will give brady all day to throw. I would imagine they will just run more to protect their defense in the post season.

The steelers could be the team that gives them a proble in the divisonal round. i think they have to blitz a little to much and will not be able to cover everyone though and that will result in big play. And ultimately I dont trust Ben R. to put up enough points against the pats.

they do have an issue at linebacker though. They looked pretty poor last night.

 

[ZeroClub]

They're one of the oldest teams in the league, particularly on defense. They peaked too early. Their defense is only going to get worse from here on out.

The Patriots remind me a little of the Cowboys' XXX Super Bowl team.

Those 1995 Cowboys looked very strong early in the season, but then began to return to earth (losing 2 of their last 4 regular season games).

They managed to win the Super Bowl, so obviously they had a great year, but as the season wore on they looked a little weary and were not invulnerable.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

I think the Pats are just bored, and really can't wait for the postseason!

 

[theogt]

yeah I am sure they will take the neccessary measures to protect that defense come playoff time.

It is pretty obvious that defense is very average. A team like the colts can get harrison and vrable into pass coverage and they struggle with that.

The problem is the colts will generate no pass rush next time they play the pats, the cold snowy field and the lack of freeny will give brady all day to throw. I would imagine they will just run more to protect their defense in the post season.

The steelers could be the team that gives them a proble in the divisonal round. i think they have to blitz a little to much and will not be able to cover everyone though and that will result in big play. And ultimately I dont trust Ben R. to put up enough points against the pats.

they do have an issue at linebacker though. They looked pretty poor last night.

Two things. First, over the past 2 weeks their defense has been been a little worse than "average." They've ranked in the 20s both weeks, so I'm sure over that time span they've been one of the worst defenses in the league. And this is against offense juggernauts such as the AJ Feeley led Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens.

If they continue to play like this, and there's no indication that they won't, the Colts will gash them on the ground and in the air.

Second, the Patriots won't be able to just line up and pound the ball if the weather dictates it. The weather dictated it last night and the Patriots couldn't get a ground game going.

I just don't see the Patriots making it through 2 games in the playoffs with that defense and no running game, unless they get lucky and get matchups like the Browns or Titans.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The Patriots remind me a little of the Cowboys' XXX Super Bowl team.

Those 1995 Cowboys looked very strong early in the season, but then began to return to earth (losing 2 of their last 4 regular season games).

They managed to win the Super Bowl, so obviously they had a great year, but as the season wore on they looked a little weary and were not invulnerable.

Good point. Several people said at the beginning of the year that the Pats' D, like most vet teams, would start strong and then slowly tire late in the year. And it looks like that's what's happening.

What's really odd is that Baltimore had amazing success running it right down their throat last night. This is still a Parcells-style BIG defense, and you'd think that if there's one thing they might look worse at, it would be pass defense with those older, bigger guys having to run around. But I never thought a team could go right them at them and overpower them even if they were feeling a step slow. That shouldn't happen with Wilfork, Seymour (who didn't look so all-time-great last night), Thomas, Vrabel, and Seau, as big as they are... But it did.

I guarantee you that worries the hell out of Belichick, as well it should.

 

[WarDaddy]

One thing I noticed over the past 3-4 weeks with the Pats is that they haven't been able to match the intensity of their opponents. They've gone into the last two games especially knowing they would get those teams best effort and barely managed to scrape out last second victories. Not to mention getting bailed out by the other teams inabilities to close the deal.

Some may say that same happened to the Cowboys against Washington and they would be right. It was a rivalry game against a Division opponent after two other ROAD division games before a short week. Plus the Skins were primed for a playoff push knowing if they won they would be in the midst of the hunt.

The teams the Pats have played featured backup QBs that know in no uncertain terms that they will not be in the post season and most likely have no shot of being the long-term answer at the position. It's not like the QBs were playing out of their mind or even lobbying for the job.

I am probably the only person in the world that thinks the Pats will be beaten in the playoffs by a hungrier team in AFC. All it appears they need is speed on Defense and a QB that won't screw up...

Jaguars anyone?

How about the Steelers?

Colts are still good enough.

I guess we shall see in the upcoming weeks...

 

[burmafrd]

Partly I want the humiliation of the Pats going undefeated in the season then losing in their first playoff game. THAT would be so sweet. Then partly I want them undefeated in the SB against us and we punk them. I am kind of uncertain which would be better- losing the first game would be great, but beating them would be great too.

 

[Doomsday101]

Partly I want the humiliation of the Pats going undefeated in the season then losing in their first playoff game. THAT would be so sweet. Then partly I want them undefeated in the SB against us and we punk them. I am kind of uncertain which would be better- losing the first game would be great, but beating them would be great too.

I would rather us beat them in the SB. The old saying to be the best you must beat the best. This would be a big feather in the cap of the Cowboys. If the Pats stumble too many will be making excuses and I want the Championship with no and's if's or but's in the eyes of anyone.

 

[TheSkaven]

Others made the comment that the Patriots are an older team and would wear down as the season went on. I disagreed at the time, but I am being proven wrong. This team clearly seems to be wearing down. Every team they play is up for their game and giving them the business. It also seems like Randy Moss doesn't play as hard in cold weather and, well, there are a lot more cold weather games coming.

The way this is going, I could see the Colts pulling an upset in the AFC Championship game.

 

[FLcowboy]

I like the Cowboys chances if we play them again. Why?

1. I believe the Cowboys were intimidated by the Patriots. We started the game tentatively and only warmed up after we got down by 11.

2. We were without Henry and a healthy Newman, and Reeves was still learning on the job.

3. I truly believe that Wade Phillips didn't open the playbook, partly because I think he knew we would see them again and partly because the team still was learning his system. I think the defense will be better.

4. The Eagles and Ravens provided the blue print to beat the Patriots. But they couldn't close the deal because ...
a.) they had back-up quarterbacks who didn't know how to close the game, and Romo/Red Ball know how to close out a game and
b.) they were too one-dimensional and predictable. The Pats knew that the Eagles had to feature Westbrook. They adjusted to defense him. The Pats knew the Ravens were going to feature McGahee. They adjusted to defense him. But the Cowboys or the Colts or the Steelers have other weapons beyond just one player. Take away T.O., here comes Witten. Take away both, here comes Barber. Take away him, here comes Fasano. Romo is smart enough now to take what the defense gives them.

5. Other teams have "caught up" with the Pats defense. It usually takes the league and teams in the league a half a season to get enough tape on a team to finally start to dissect them. I think you're going to see the Steelers and Giants play the Pats tough. The Jets and Dolphins? Easy wins.

6. The Patriots defense is old. And old defense starts to wear down at the end of the season. They're good, but I believe their age is showing.

The Cowboys won't be intimiated by the Pats if both make it to the Super Bowl. I hope they keep their mouths closed and then use their big offensive line to pound and beat up on the Patriots defense.

It can happen. But first things first.

Good analysis, and view of the future. I agree that the Pats defense is old, and starting to wear down. It is a long season. I didn't realize Seau was 38 years old. That is really old for a linebacker. I only watched the first half, and a lot more happened in the second half, but what I saw was the Raven defense grabbing and disrupting the Pats' receivers. They got caught a couple of times, but at least the receivers knew they were going to have to fight for their yardage. That serves to tire them out also.

After watching Moss in the first half, can anybody pick him over T.O.? I think the next mano-mano matchup will turn out different. If Henry can get healthy, then I think the Cowboys can shut down their receivers. Stallworth was pretty active last night. Take away Moss's 19 yard reception, he only had 15 yards for his other 3 receptions. Welker only had three receptions.

I like those kinds of results.

New England is good, that's for sure. But they aren't unbeatable. It will happen, it's just a matter of who. Frankly, I hope they squeak by all their games until the last one. The Cowboys will have a real good chance at beating them.

 

[InmanRoshi]

yeah I am sure they will take the neccessary measures to protect that defense come playoff time.

It is pretty obvious that defense is very average. A team like the colts can get harrison and vrable into pass coverage and they struggle with that.

The problem is the colts will generate no pass rush next time they play the pats, the cold snowy field and the lack of freeny will give brady all day to throw. I would imagine they will just run more to protect their defense in the post season.

The steelers could be the team that gives them a proble in the divisonal round. i think they have to blitz a little to much and will not be able to cover everyone though and that will result in big play. And ultimately I dont trust Ben R. to put up enough points against the pats.

they do have an issue at linebacker though. They looked pretty poor last night.

Yep, LB is definitely an issue and probably their top priority heading into the draft next year (and with the current #2 pick in the draft as it stands now, they'll have plenty of ammunition).

People are going to go overboard predicting their demise this week, but I wonder how many people actually have the stones to put down $100 bucks against them at home against the Steelers. To me, last night pretty much showed the difference between the Steelers and Patriots, IMHO. Patriots are a team that can find a way to win when they're not playing good football. Steelers are a team that looks great when everything is clicking, but when they're not hitting on all cylinders they get beat by very average to below teams.

 

[theogt]

Yep, LB is definitely an issue and probably their top priority heading into the draft next year (and with the current #2 pick in the draft as it stands now, they'll have plenty of ammunition).

People are going to go overboard predicting their demise this week, but I wonder how many people actually have the stones to put down $100 bucks against them at home against the Steelers. To me, last night pretty much showed the difference between the Steelers and Patriots, IMHO. Patriots are a team that can find a way to win when they're not playing good football. Steelers are a team that looks great when everything is clicking, but when they're not hitting on all cylinders they get beat by very average to below teams.

Depends on what the line is. If it's double digits for the Patriots like it has been every week, then I'll put $100 down. If it's 3-6 or so, that's a tough call.

 

[superpunk]

Depends on what the line is. If it's double digits for the Patriots like it has been every week, then I'll put $100 down. If it's 3-6 or so, that's a tough call.

I'd assume he meant the moneyline on Pitt.

I wouldn't do it. I think they're gonna smother Pitt bad, then everyone will be on their nuts again.

 

[theogt]

I'd assume he meant the moneyline on Pitt.

I wouldn't do it. I think they're gonna smother Pitt bad, then everyone will be on their nuts again.

Yeah, I'm not big on Pittsburgh, simply because they're terribly inconsistent.

But I definitely wouldn't put money on the Patriots either. Four weeks ago, everyone would.

 

[lonestar6]

The ways things are going now, Colts/Steelers would face off in the divisional round (2/3 seed), and I actually like Jacksonville to advance (beating San Diego) to face the Pats in the other divisional game. I see Jacksonville as a more disciplined and talented version of the Ravens, and seeing what the Ravens did last night I could see Jacksonville giving the Pats a handful in that game.