New England Patriots

Post by **Sylvus** » November 19, 2007, 4:16 pm

How will the Patriots end up this season?

I'm having trouble believing there is a team in the NFL that can beat them this year. Thoughts?

Fash · Post by **Fash** » November 19, 2007, 4:26 pm

I predict they will go undefeated all the way, as the NFL moves even closer to being the WWE.

Spang · Post by **Spang** » November 19, 2007, 4:27 pm

It really all depends on how healthy the Colts are. A healthier Colts team would have beaten the Patriots a couple weeks ago.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » November 19, 2007, 4:32 pm

Fash wrote:I predict they will go undefeated all the way, as the NFL moves even closer to being the WWE.

Curious as to what makes you say that. The second part that is.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 19, 2007, 4:46 pm

You have to hope for key injuries at this point to stop a perfect season.

They deserve to win 16 games. Nice work by the coaching staff and management in putting together that team. Obviously the filming wasn't the reason they were winning games as they've continued to crush teams since that issue was resolved.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » November 19, 2007, 4:51 pm

Aslanna wrote:
Fash wrote:I predict they will go undefeated all the way, as the NFL moves even closer to being the WWE.
Curious as to what makes you say that. The second part that is.

I like watching football, it's great entertainment. But as with anything that involves betting and boatloads of marketing, I wouldn't be surprised if a good portion of it were fixed.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 19, 2007, 5:01 pm

They are going to run up the score on the wrong team and Tom Brady is going to be the one to pay for it. Someone is going to hurt him for the Pats keeping him in way past the game being decided. I seriously think the Jets, Steelers, or Ravens will end up injuring him.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » November 19, 2007, 5:22 pm

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:They are going to run up the score on the wrong team and Tom Brady is going to be the one to pay for it. Someone is going to hurt him for the Pats keeping him in way past the game being decided. I seriously think the Jets, Steelers, or Ravens will end up injuring him.

Ok, I'm not what one would call a sports fan, and the only reason I respond to some of these is beacause they show up on the New Posts page, but I never got the 'running up the score' complaint. It's a game so why not continue playing as well as they can. If anything huge blowouts like that are proof against Fash and his conspiracy theories that the games are rigged. I don't see why continuing to play their best and improving their game is seen as a bad thing. If any team gets mad at that perhaps they should get mad at themselves for sucking so bad.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 19, 2007, 5:30 pm

As much as I hate the Patriots, their fans, Boston and its citizens...

They are a fun team to watch. I won't speculate on the SB winner, but I think they will be playing in it.

Waran · Post by **Waran** » November 19, 2007, 10:22 pm

I'm with Cane

And some extra special h8 to Boston teams for beating St. Louis in baseball, football and hockey long ago

At the same time though, I have the Pats-D in another Fantasy league and they earned me 20+ points as a defense this week

My priorities are indeed mixed lol

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » November 19, 2007, 10:29 pm

Best football team I have ever seen.

The Colts will be healthy next year as Freeney is done and in that game he was the only one that consistantly gave the Pats fits... he's gone for the year now, if they meet again Pats by 21 and it won't have been that close.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » November 19, 2007, 11:13 pm

Aslanna wrote: Ok, I'm not what one would call a sports fan, and the only reason I respond to some of these is beacause they show up on the New Posts page, but I never got the 'running up the score' complaint. It's a game so why not continue playing as well as they can. If anything huge blowouts like that are proof against Fash and his conspiracy theories that the games are rigged. I don't see why continuing to play their best and improving their game is seen as a bad thing. If any team gets mad at that perhaps they should get mad at themselves for sucking so bad.

Injuries. If you care to do research on the subject, look at Prothro from Alabama a few years back. He was one of the top, if not the top reciever in the nation who severely broke his leg catching a meaningless touchdown (they were up huge). His career is now over. The bigger debate is on class as well. On one side of the coin, it's why would you rub it in so bad? On the other side, as you've pointed out is, if you want us to stop scoring, then stop us.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 20, 2007, 10:11 am

It is pretty poor sportsmanship at a professional level to embarass an opponent when the game is completely over. College teams pull this shit at an alarming rate because of the stupid polls, but you don;t see it much on the pro level. A team gets up 35-3 and they just run the ball up the middle 3 times and punt, or kneel on the ball late. Willingly running up a score on a team is going to get Brady killed.....see also McMahon, Jim and Bradshaw, Terry.

You leave a QB in to do that and he gets injured on a cheap shot, you are going to get REAMED when you lose in the playoffs. Of course this is the difference between a classy organization and one that now is being found to have been the dirtiest franchise in the game over the last 7 years.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » November 20, 2007, 1:55 pm

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:It is pretty poor sportsmanship at a professional level to embarass an opponent when the game is completely over. College teams pull this shit at an alarming rate because of the stupid polls, but you don;t see it much on the pro level. A team gets up 35-3 and they just run the ball up the middle 3 times and punt, or kneel on the ball late. Willingly running up a score on a team is going to get Brady killed.....see also McMahon, Jim and Bradshaw, Terry.

You leave a QB in to do that and he gets injured on a cheap shot, you are going to get REAMED when you lose in the playoffs. Of course this is the difference between a classy organization and one that now is being found to have been the dirtiest franchise in the game over the last 7 years.

I agree.

I'm of the camp that when you're up as much as the Pats are in the 4th quarter (if not halftime in some of these games) put in your back up QB and get him some game time in case Brady DOES get hurt. I think the Pats are playing with fire for that reason. You can call that easing off an opponent if you want but injuries are part of the game and at this point, if Brady's record setting season is halted by a legitimate injury, a cheapshot or even something off the field, where are the Pats? Barring that eventuality I don't think anyone else is talented and healthy enough (i.e. the Colts) to beat them.

As for Fash and his concerns about the Fix, I don't susbscribe to them BUT I do wonder at times, given the popularity of gambling on the NFL. Every time you see predictions about an NFL game they mention the spread (as predicted by oddsmakers). You don't see that in other sports. It may be a function of the popularity of the league but at the same time given the whole gambling connections in the past to organized crime and even scandals about throwing games (i.e. the Black Sox or Pete Rose) I do have times where I wonder if some of the upsets are "helped" by a little leverage from cousin Guido and his pal Vinny...

Animale · Post by **Animale** » November 20, 2007, 4:56 pm

They are kind of in a bind here... you are up every game by 20+ at halftime how do you teach your team to play for the full game for the eventuality you will get into a close one? Gotta keep them in for most of the games. Of course, the Patriots had basically their entire second/third string on defense, and were basically running up the gut with the third/fourth string RB for the entire fourth quarter (with a lot of their backup OL/WR in). I don't really know how much more you can hold back (and I think going for it on fourth downs in field goal range is NOT running up the score - you give the defense a chance to get on the field instead of putting up three more points). Are they supposed to punt at the 30?

When they are kicking ass so much, it's tough to say what to do. I think they are playing it about right - not really running up the score per se, but also not giving the ball to the other team (resting their MUCH older defense in the process as well). As a Pats fan I'm glad they have these problems instead of their more familiar problems of "hmm... we're down by 20 at home - do we punt now or later?"

It's football... no crying in football.

Animale

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » November 20, 2007, 5:00 pm

Good thing this isn't basketball!

(hopefully no red x)

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 20, 2007, 5:03 pm

Destroy the other team. They're going for a perfect season. There's no reason to risk a loss on a couple fluke plays late in a game because they let up some. Crush them! This isn't baseball where they're more concerned about who hit who or respect than actually winning a game.

The only time you let up is if you can run out the clock by sitting on the ball and the other team can't do anything about it...then, trying to score is showing up the other team.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » November 21, 2007, 12:12 am

Tell the Houston Oilers to let up on the Bills up by 30 something.

Tell the teams playing them to show some damn pride and play hard even when they are down.

The Pats execute, every single drive is about being the best they can be so that come playoff time they are so fucking dialed everyone is terrified to go up against them (especially in Foxboro).

Good going Pats, I have never been a Pats fan but I am watching History, I am a fan of History.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · November 21, 2007, 11:25 pm

19-0, Superbowl Champs

Vegas took the Pats off the books, all except for the Hilton. This is unprecedented. This week the biggest spread on the Hiltons books for all NFL and NCAAF games is held by the Pats. Also, never ever happened. We are seeing something truly amazing this year.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » November 22, 2007, 12:08 am

Yeah, they are really scary. Not to mention Brady in his interview saying how he wants to kill all of his opponents.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » November 22, 2007, 1:13 am

Bill knows where his bread is buttered, and it's not from a perfect regular season. Once the Pats have their first round bye locked up, Brady and Moss will see just enough time on the field to keep their timing. Even Belichick isn't egotistical enough to think that he can win without Brady, and he certainly isn't stupid enough to think that the Steelers, Ravens, ect. will just let Brady throw for 500 yards without retaliating. It won't even be a coach ordering somebody to take him out; d-linemen and backers are animals.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 22, 2007, 2:23 am

Shit. They can play their practice squad against the Steelers.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » November 23, 2007, 11:52 am

Wulfran wrote:
Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:It is pretty poor sportsmanship at a professional level to embarass an opponent when the game is completely over. College teams pull this shit at an alarming rate because of the stupid polls, but you don;t see it much on the pro level. A team gets up 35-3 and they just run the ball up the middle 3 times and punt, or kneel on the ball late. Willingly running up a score on a team is going to get Brady killed.....see also McMahon, Jim and Bradshaw, Terry.

You leave a QB in to do that and he gets injured on a cheap shot, you are going to get REAMED when you lose in the playoffs. Of course this is the difference between a classy organization and one that now is being found to have been the dirtiest franchise in the game over the last 7 years.
I agree.

I'm of the camp that when you're up as much as the Pats are in the 4th quarter (if not halftime in some of these games) put in your back up QB and get him some game time in case Brady DOES get hurt. I think the Pats are playing with fire for that reason. You can call that easing off an opponent if you want but injuries are part of the game and at this point, if Brady's record setting season is halted by a legitimate injury, a cheapshot or even something off the field, where are the Pats? Barring that eventuality I don't think anyone else is talented and healthy enough (i.e. the Colts) to beat them.

As for Fash and his concerns about the Fix, I don't susbscribe to them BUT I do wonder at times, given the popularity of gambling on the NFL. Every time you see predictions about an NFL game they mention the spread (as predicted by oddsmakers). You don't see that in other sports. It may be a function of the popularity of the league but at the same time given the whole gambling connections in the past to organized crime and even scandals about throwing games (i.e. the Black Sox or Pete Rose) I do have times where I wonder if some of the upsets are "helped" by a little leverage from cousin Guido and his pal Vinny...

This isn't high school football, for christ's sake. I'm not too concerned about the feelings of the teams the Pats are trouncing. If anything, these teams need it beat into thier heads how inferior they are and how much more work they have to do.

In the meantime, players want stats. Thier memory and mark on the sport is made by numbers. I say let the Pats get every TD, rushing yard, and passing yard they can.

"You guys are too good. Just don't try as hard this quarter". I think putting in your 3rd string would be an equal "insult" as running up the score.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » November 24, 2007, 5:51 am

Regarding point spreads in football games as related to other sports, it is just something that fits more with gambling. Of course you can bet baseball and basketball or any sport you want really, but those games are way too unpredictable. I mean there's what 162 baseball games in one season and almost 100 basketball games. In the former the scores could be really low and if 10 runs are scored it's a high scoring game, which leaves too little wiggle room. In the latter the scores can range from 150 to 250 points per game. It is just a whole other scenario. Football is just much more predictable which makes it more appealing to the gambling industry, for both the bookies and the betters.

I highly doubt pro football is rigged. Even if the NFL was making money from the gambling (which they are not, it is illegal), I still doubt they would rig the games. The risk of getting caught far outweighs the rewards (none that I can think of). The argument doesn't hold water.

You simply cannot compare it to the WWE. Who the fuck ever bets on the WWE? It is blatantly obvious that it is rigged. If you have any evidence of any NFL game ever being rigged, I'd love to see it.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » November 25, 2007, 2:22 pm

Add an option for won't make playoffs!

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » November 26, 2007, 7:52 pm

Siji wrote:Add an option for won't make playoffs!

They already clinched the division, even before their win last night.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » November 27, 2007, 2:22 pm

Someone set us up teh bomb.

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » November 27, 2007, 5:45 pm

Siji wrote:Someone set us up teh bomb.

UP. US.

noel · Post by **noel** » November 27, 2007, 6:22 pm

What's left:

@ Baltimore
Pittsburgh
NY Jets
Miami
@ NY Giants

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 27, 2007, 7:51 pm

Now there is a solid list of candyass teams.

noel · Post by **noel** » November 27, 2007, 8:15 pm

Canelek wrote:Now there is a solid list of candyass teams.

The only two of them even remotely capable of competing with the Patriots (assuming everyone is playing) are Pittsburgh and NY.

As we saw last night, the Steelers are an offensive juggernaut with an extremely well maintained field.

Kilmoll however has assured us that Pitt is in the top tier in the AFC, so I'm certain they'll give the Pats all kinds of trouble.

The Giants have less of a chance to do compete, and though I always hope for Eli to do something good, I'm looking forward to the Giants getting ripped a new one by the Pats.

Homercles · Post by **Homercles** » November 27, 2007, 8:36 pm

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:They are going to run up the score on the wrong team and Tom Brady is going to be the one to pay for it. Someone is going to hurt him for the Pats keeping him in way past the game being decided. I seriously think the Jets, Steelers, or Ravens will end up injuring him.

Anyone else find it suprising that a Steelers fan would expect his team to intentionally hurt the opposing quarterback? This is a shocking revelation to me!
To think, a Steeler would intenionally, lets say....divebomb a QBs knee on the first pass play of a game.
This is unheard of!

Accidental my skinny white ass. Even there fans expect it.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 27, 2007, 8:44 pm

I am secretly hoping that Brady turns in to Jim Everett. Gasp a defensive end! I had better hit the dirt or get out of bounds!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 28, 2007, 9:56 am

Yea...those Steelers sure are candy asses. Second winningest team since the merger of the AFL-NFL. Perennial playoff team. Number 1 defense in the NFL. QB with a 105 rating and the second leading rusher in the NFL. ANd if I remember correctly they won the Super Bowl a scant two years ago with mostly the same team they have on the field now.

Did I hear one of the Bengal locusts pop up here? Every 17 years they come from underground to chirp all kinds of noise then disappear again until the next cycle. Ironic that it was an ex-Bungle that blew Palmer up isn't it? What is your excuse for them for the last 2 years? Did someone from the Steelers roll Palmer again somewhere this year and I missed it?

Do not discount the damage the Ravens can do to someone with their defense. They may lose and even lose badly, but their defense is full of hard hitting angry people that are very capable of knocking players out of action. That is the one team I hate playing against simply because they can do damage to your season even if you win.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 28, 2007, 12:26 pm

Yes Kill, they are candyasses! Sorry dude, but the Jets! The Jets! And let us not forget they lost to my team's horrible defense. =/

noel · Post by **noel** » November 28, 2007, 12:27 pm

Kilmoll, what do you think the final score will be between the Pats/Steelers?

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 28, 2007, 12:57 pm

Impossible to even contemplate predicting. With the way those 2 teams play each other, it could be 45-24 either direction. It will really come down to which team gets the other to make the mistakes and it has been that way in virtually every meeting they have had. Three years ago during the Pats Super Bowl run, they were undefeated in week 7 and playing Pitt.....and Pitt completely destroyed them. They forced turnovers and scored on them at will. The Pats then turned that around in the playoffs when Pitt made the mistakes.

If you get pressure on Tom Brady, he WILL make mistakes and the Pats will lose. The Steelers do have the defense to beat NE if they actually call it smart. Ike Taylor is big and physical enough to handle Randy Moss and jam him at the line...which is the way to stop him. They will need to stop Wes Welker after that and put pressure and keep hitting Brady. I have a feeling that the game will end up in a fairly high scoring game like 38-31.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 28, 2007, 2:05 pm

Steelers lost to the Cardinals who lost twice to the 49'ers. Anything's possible in a single game, but Pittsburgh is far from an elite team. Although the weather played a factor, the Steelers managesd to score 3 points in the last minute against the Dolphins who are setting records for ineptitude this year.

Patriots will steamroll the Steelers. If the Cardinals could march down the field on scoring drives, it will be like a stroll in the park for Brady/Moss/Welker to do the same.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » November 28, 2007, 2:10 pm

I was really rooting for the Eagles... I can't believe they came so close. I don't have that kind of faith or support in the Steelers though, they are going to get embarrassed.

Post by **Sylvus** » November 28, 2007, 2:26 pm

Winnow wrote:Although the weather played a factor

Did you watch that game? That was BY FAR the worst field I've ever seen. I've never seen an unfielded punt not even bounce before Monday night.

Just like Steve Young said (over and over and over), that game told us nothing about either team that played in it.

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » November 28, 2007, 2:29 pm

To think, a Steeler would intenionally, lets say....divebomb a QBs knee on the first pass play of a game.
This is unheard of!

Accidental my skinny white ass. Even there fans expect it.

Whine much?? Shouldn't you spend that time trying to keep your players out of jail.

Who could believe that a Bengal would intentionally, I don't know, say break the law, over and over and over again!!

As for the Patriots game, I don't know. The Miami game had me worried because the Steelers this year seem to want to play to the level of the competition. Look at the losses, all embarrassing. The wins (sans the Miami debacle) have been pretty substantial. If they can control the clock they might be able to keep the scoring down and force a close game, but the Patriots just look to good to beat. They look like they are Playing Madden Football out there.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 28, 2007, 3:32 pm

One other thing I can say is that if the Steelers think they are in the playoffs right now, they will not show their hand against the Pats in the regular season.....but LeBeau has put in some completely new stuff this year that has not been used yet at all. You may see some 1 man fronts with 10 guys playing zone.

I am really surprised that teams have not pulled a 3-8 zone out to force NE to win by running the ball. I mean if you are the Jets or Buffalo what do you have to lose? You have more of a chance in a low scoring game by completely taking away the pass and making them eat up clock by running for 3-5 yards a carry than letting them throw to a single covered Moss all day.

By the way dumb shit, non-football knowing moron from Arizona......stop trying to equate watching anything involving the Cardiansl with actual football. No one and I mean no one gets up to play the Cardinals because they mean NOTHING to anyone. Last time people discounted the Steelers they went on the road and thrashed all the unbeatable teams including Manning and the Colts even though they had the refs trying to give them a win.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 28, 2007, 3:52 pm

So it is great to see the benevolence of the Steelers, giving games to their unders.

Animale · Post by **Animale** » November 28, 2007, 4:06 pm

The thing with the Pats is that if you run tight man to man on Moss and Welker, they just throw the quick out or inside screen to Stallworth (if he's soft zoned) on the other side for 8-9 yards. They'd eat a 3-8 zone alive that way (they did this against the Eagles as well, with all 3 WR's, a couple times and it nearly always worked). You need two good press corners to cover Stallworth and Moss so they don't beat you deep... then hope your safeties/LB/nickel back can stop Welker's slant patterns. Tough to do, Eagles were able to do it a bit but eventually the Pats broke through with Welker on safeties/nickel backs.

I think the Patriots will be more prepared for all out blitzes next game... I can't believe they didn't break one of those all-out blitzes for a big play with a hot read at least once. Was frustrating.
Animale

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 28, 2007, 4:17 pm

Sylvus wrote:
Winnow wrote:Although the weather played a factor
Did you watch that game? That was BY FAR the worst field I've ever seen. I've never seen an unfielded punt not even bounce before Monday night.

Just like Steve Young said (over and over and over), that game told us nothing about either team that played in it.

So, the Steelers barely beat the worst team in the NFL in bad conditions and LOSE to a bad team in the Cardinals in a PRISTINE indoor, state of the art, stadium.

What's the official spread on the Patriots/Steelers game? I'll make an avatar bet and take the Patriots.

And what's this "if the Steelers know they're in the playoffs already they won't show their hand"...the Pats are already in the playoffs and will still crush you, no need to hide any hands. What a lame excuse if Pittsburgh loses.

As bad as the Cardinals are, they just need to beat Cleveland this week to sweep the midwest (along with Pittsburgh).

Detroit
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh

All losers to Arizona. Head to head.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 28, 2007, 5:08 pm

Well you can sit there during the off-season and bask in your 5 wins which is a typical Arizona off-season. It is just about sad that your expectations of a good year are beating a few winning teams.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 28, 2007, 5:12 pm

My expectations were for the playoffs but there's no denying it's the same old Cardinals this year. We suck, I just wanted to point out that we beat you and the home towns (or favorite teams) of many other football forum posters here which is always a little satisfying, in the same way it's satisfying to beat your rival even if it's the only game you win the entire year.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 28, 2007, 5:45 pm

Speaking of bad teams--anyone want a 1 for 1 trade of punters? My team's punter has eye issues now from staring at the bottom of Hester's cleats. =/

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » November 28, 2007, 6:15 pm

lol the cardinals play the browns this weekend. have fun kicking to josh cribbs. the way devin hester has been raping you, cribbs should do just fine.

since asu shit their pants this year, this is the next best thing!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » November 28, 2007, 6:18 pm

I hope you do beat Cleveland. Of course all the teams that you gloat about beating will be playoff teams and still have Super Bowl hopes when the regular season ends while you are already buying chips and beer for the draft party where you have a top 5 pick (again). Even Detroit has better playoff chances than Arizona......but then I guess you will say how the NFC West has such a brutal schedule that they beat up on each other.

How will the Patriots season turn out?