How About Those Patriots? (layoffs, school, versus)

[OutdoorLover]

After a bit of a fallback in the 2019 season and some time in the wilderness in the 2020 season, the Patriots have taken some time to find their footing this year. They started off 2-4, but after last night's game versus the Falcons, they've won 5 straight and stand at 7-4. The team is on a hot streak!

The defense is playing extremely well, and this team isn't just relying on the offense being able to put up 30+ points in order to win, as was the case in some years. ​I don't have any expectations for post-season results, but I think they have a good chance to at least get into the playoffs this year, and just being able to say that, feels pretty good!

The offense isn't requiring Mac Jones to throw for 400 yards, they've got a strong rushing attack behind Damien Harris and Rahmondre Stevenson and an offensive line that is finally playing well and can give the backs a chance to make a play.

I really don't remember it to be honest, but people say this team's approach to winning resembles the one they used in Brady's first years when he was still gaining experience. I'll be very happy if they just make it into the playoffs this year!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWfO9lrUI6Y

[GeoffD]

Tennessee is 8-2. Two games against Buffalo. The Colts are a .500 team. The next four games will tell the story. The loss to Miami from a red zone fumble makes it really hard to win the division. I think 11-6 and a wildcard slot with 3 conference losses that should win tie breakers is the most likely outcome. They'd probably have to beat Buffalo twice to win the division.

[BostonMike7]

Honestly, after last season I thought they would just fizzle out for a few years until Belichick retired. The start of this season kinda sealed that for me.

However the last few games have really turned my opinion around, along with the almost-wins against the Buc and Cowboys. I'm back to watching them again after missing a lot of games last season and early this season.

I'll reserve my predictions until after next week's game

[CaseyB]

They are an entirely different team from what they were at the start of the season.

We went to one of the practices and you could tell then that Mac Jones was going to be really good.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Tennessee is 8-2. Two games against Buffalo. The Colts are a .500 team. The next four games will tell the story. The loss to Miami from a red zone fumble makes it really hard to win the division. I think 11-6 and a wildcard slot with 3 conference losses that should win tie breakers is the most likely outcome. They'd probably have to beat Buffalo twice to win the division.

Yeah, Buffalo is one of the best teams in the AFC, so the AFC East isn't a walkover as it often was during the Pats' glory years. They seem like they'll be a tough division rival for years to come. It seems like a lot of the AFC teams are having at least some trouble though, so a wild card spot may be a little easier to snag this year than most. The Titans *were* doing great, but they lost their best offensive player recently when Derrick Henry got knocked out via a broken foot, and even the Chiefs have had their struggles.

Not saying it's a sure thing, but it seems like the possibility is there...

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

They are an entirely different team from what they were at the start of the season.

We went to one of the practices and you could tell then that Mac Jones was going to be really good.

Yeah, I think some commentators get out over their skis sometimes with their predictions, but he does look promising, and I am really glad the Patriots were able to pick him up. Of course both for better and for worse he won't *be* Tom Brady, he's a different person - but he does seem to have positive similarities with the work ethic and the football IQ, so I am looking forward to seeing what this team can do with him behind center. He seems to be gaining confidence with experience and it seems like Josh McDaniels is doing a good job of developing him gradually and not putting the whole team's success on his shoulders.

[aboucher33]

I love how they have looked. A complete football team. Great defense, great running game, coaching seems to have figured it out and a QB who is not making big mistakes and can manage a game. Really old school feel to the team but I like it and it's tough to beat late in the year.

[MikePRU]

This team does remind me a little of the '01 team in that in the offseason they brought in a lot of new faces both years and the way this team plays kind of reminds me of '01 too. It's mostly short, controlled passing with a solid run game and strong defensive play, and good special teams play. It's a pretty well rounded team.

If the team makes the playoffs, I'll be a really happy fan. Personally, I think we've been super spoiled over the last 20 years. I don't need the team to be in the Superbowl every other year. I think it's more interesting to have a team that's regularly competitive but has some ups and downs. That 2020 team was PAINFUL to watch though. I think I would have rathered watched the 1990 team.

[OutdoorLover]

Mac Jones in his senior year at Alabama - his only year as a starter, threw for 4,500 yards with 77.4% completions (an NCAA record), 41 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. Alabama won the NCAA championship with Jones throwing for 464 yards and 5 touchdowns. Pretty good eh?

Despite all this, Jones was the 5th ranked quarterback in the draft, and the summary of the analysis of him as an NFL draft prospect is "Jones has good backup to low-end starter potential".
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/mac-jo...f-c07b995d57a4

Of course, we still don't know how Jones' career will pan out, it's early. But so far, he looks to be better than "good backup to low-end starter potential".

[GeoffD]

Dual threat quarterbacks who can run are flavor of the week in the NFL. Everyone forgets that most have very short careers unless they transform into a pure pocket passer.

Buffalo lost. Tennessee lost. Pittsburgh lost (yay!). Baltimore has a brutal schedule. The next five weeks are going to be very interesting. Hard to believe after the slow start that New England is in the mix to get the first round bye.