I know the Patriots looked pitiful in their three loses, but I'd like to mention a few things I'm feeling about this team:
1. Some may say "how can this be", but I think Belichick is doing a pretty masterful job with this crew. He's taken an injury-riddled team, (and I'll add a team that's has not been filled with stars on offense and defense). This team is 7-3? Any other team with problems the Patriots have so far would be 4-6, 5-5 at best.
2. We expect more from a Patriot team than what we've seen, and I do expect more- this is a great week for the bye. I fully expect Gronk to help the team win some big games, Sony Michel (spelling?) to come back strong, Burkhead will probably help. More weapons, so Brady can get rid of the ball quicker- sorry rest of NFL.
3. I'm kind of neurotic about stuff like this, but I didn't have a good feeling about the Titans game. I figured they'd lose-they simply hadn't gotten their act together yet. My wife was saying "why aren't they doing better; what' s wrong": I said they just didn't have the manpower...Brady didn't have open receivers..
4. i don't mind that Gordon slipped...the turf sucked (and they weren't prepared for it). Gordon's human! He's not Jerry Rice! I kind of like that- he's fallible. I think going forward, he's not going to be passed to as much. And now, they'll have time for him to practice some more effective routes...
5. I'm glad they held out Gronk in the last game. Now my thinking may be fool's gold, but I remember a season (2003? 2004?) where Willie McGinnest and Ted Johnson missed some games, healed up, and the rest is history (Lombardi trophy)
6. Don't be fooled by Brady's bad game against the Titans-it wasn't his fault. First of all, the pass rush was relentless, as the Patriots blocking stunk up the place.
And he made some awful looking passes-but I'd contend his receivers were covered, and a normal pass may have been intercepted. I actually think he's improved the last few years-his footwork is better. I feel sorry for him-all those injuries on offense. But I think that's about to change.
7. I don't really feel bad for the Jets-I think they're going to get smoked in a couple of weeks.
8. I'm thinking 12-4 or 13-3. The only way I see 11-5 and no playoff bye is if they get beaten by Pittsburgh-a team that impressed me last week. But I think the Patriots might really have their act together by that game. Should KC lose next week vs. the Rams, out in LA, it might kind of give them a 'deer in the headlights' feeling for a couple of weeks-in which case, the Pats might be tied with them in the standings going into week 17. If that's the case, I'll go with the Pats winning week 17, and going 13-3. Otherwise, the Pats might not go all out week 17, and be happy with a bye.
9. Don't give up on this edition of the Patriots...I'm expecting great improvement on offense. I know KC seems to have a real good team, and Pittsburgh just obliterated their last opponent-but I like our chances. and I'm looking forward to the KC-Rams game-I want to see if KC can score more than 24 points in that one.
p.s- usually when I put this much thought into a post, things pretty much go the opposite....
Lastly-when did your eyes start to get worse..I was probably in my early 40's. I hope Brady doesn't fall prey to that...
