Patriots Pre-Game Thread

[barrett]

The Texans deserve to be big underdogs in this one. We have not played a good offensive game since Thanksgiving Day.

However, there is no reason for why the media has turned on this team and declared them frauds. They finished 12-4 and the 3rd seed in the AFC and that is exactly what they are. A good 12-4 team who is the 3rd best team in the AFC (and beat the 4th, 5th, and 6th best teams in the conference). There is nothing fraudulent about them. They are exactly what they seem (especially last week when they were the definition of "good, no more, no less").

Now they go into NE with no expectations and plenty of motivation. If they walk out as big losers they have lost nothing. If they walk out after a close defeat they will have gained some 'respect' and they will try to sell it to fans as progress. Or they walk out as upset winners and all of the media stories are re-written and the 24 hour news cycle forgets they were ever left for dead.

I hope the NFL, the networks, the media, and everyone else lives a nightmare come true and by Sunday night, Brady vs Manning has turned into Schaub vs. Flacco.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by barrett

A good 12-4 team who is the 3rd best team in the AFC (and beat the 4th, 5th, and 6th best teams in the conference).

AND beat the 1st seed @ thier house.....

[barrett]

Originally Posted by WMH

AND beat the 1st seed @ thier house.....

Exactly. So the Texans have wins over the 1,4,5,6 in the AFC playoffs, meaning the only AFC playoff team we didn't beat is New England. That alone should get Shaughnessy fired (not to mention they played 9-8 Denver in this round just last year). But if his dozens of similar attack pieces against local NE teams didn't get him fired this won't either.

It is depressing that journalism has reached this point. Media outlets now employ professional pot stirrers to drive hits. And as long as they don't cross some racial, gender, or cultural line in the process they can write any drivel they like with as little basis in reality as possible. And it is all led of course by the 'worldwide leader.'

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by barrett

It is depressing that journalism has reached this point. Media outlets now employ professional pot stirrers to drive hits. And as long as they don't cross some racial, gender, or cultural line in the process they can write any drivel they like with as little basis in reality as possible. And it is all led of course by the 'worldwide leader.'

*cough* Richard Justice *cough*

[barrett]

Every paper has a few. It's sad when it's the old guy who once wanted to be a real journalist but now just wants to be noticed.

[today]

I just re-watched the first half of our first game with the Pats, pausing at different points in the middle of plays and assessing assignments. I'm a lot more confident in our ability to win this game because I don't think we make a lot of these mistakes again:

1. Pats got 3 3rd down conversions by penalty
2. Harris/Gardner missed 6-7 assignments that blew up plays
3. We dropped key passes
4. Schaub made several poor reads trying to force the ball to Andre
5. Our LBs were awful in coverage
6. JJo got beat a few times in coverage (coming off the groin issue)
7. Quin bit on a play action (leading to wide open TD pass).

I'm hoping that we correct all of the above problems, but I still expect Newton to miss a couple of assignments, and I expect that our LBs will still have major trouble in coverage.

Foster ran the ball well IMO, and with Newton in there to cut down on the RT mistakes, I bet we'll see Arian have at least 120 yards and be north of 4 yds/carry.

GO TEXANS!!!!!

[WMH]

If Phillips goes mostly man again, I hope that Quin has the type of game he did against the Bungles. He was all over Gresham. Did a real good job. Will be interesting to see if the Quin/Manning combo can contain those TE's.

Biggest thing I see is being able to get a rush from the front 4. Watt will be Watt, but the Ninja and the edges need to show up big too.

On O, I really hope Graham passes his concussion test on Saturday, and is able to go. NE's LB's can be abused. I also look for further develop/involvement from Posey. At the beginning of the year, I sure didn't see much, but he has come along really well. Talib will likely be shadowing AJ, which will leave the TE's and WR2/3 as prominent options.

Hope, hope, hope.

Keep it alive.

Any. Given. Sunday.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

Brady vs Manning has turned into Schaub vs. Flacco.

And that would be Schaub vs. Flacco in Reliant Stadium @ Houston, TX. Here, here !
We can surely hope.

[Warren]

Boston's other paper doesn't seem as (over)confident:

Belichick’s Pats are 8-6 in playoff games against an opponent they played in the regular season, but 3-6 since their last Super Bowl title in 2004. All of the playoff losses under Belichick have come in a rematch.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by barrett

I hope the NFL, the networks, the media, and everyone else lives a nightmare come true and by Sunday night, Brady vs Manning has turned into Schaub vs. Flacco.

this would be magnificant. would love to get to sit in my seats one more time before the end of the season.