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OK, we can now talk about 16-0 (or 19-0)

Nov 5th, 2007 by Bill Burt

Just when you thought the Patriots couldn’t surprise you, well, they did.
While it was their closest game of 2007, and they made as many mistakes today (2 ints. by Brady equalled his season-long total and a franchise record 145 yards in penalties) than they had the previous eight games combined, it was their best win.
A loss here and well, the rest of the season would have been interesting. The Mike Tyson thing they have going probably wouldn’t have turned them into glass jaws, but a lot of their aura would have dissipated.
There really isn’t another loss on their schedule.
Or, at least, let’s go through it game-by-game:

Sun, Nov 18 @ Buffalo 1:00 PM
The Bills are better than they were two months ago, but they are still three or four touchdowns worse, even in Buffalo. Pats win, 38-17.

Sun, Nov 25 Philadelphia 8:15 PM
Remember, some Eagles were whining about “spygate” and maybe it was key in Pats Super Bowl in 2004. This could get ugly: Pats, 45-20.

Mon, Dec 3 @ Baltimore 8:30 PM
Before the season, this was a toughie. Now it’s a cakewalk, especially when Pats play for ex-Raven Adalius Thomas. Ravens, even in Baltimore, will not score an important touchdown in this game: Pats, 38-13.

Sun, Dec 9 Pittsburgh 1:00 PM
The Pats are still reeling that the Steelers won their Super Bowl in 2005 season. If Pats beat Denver, they would have hosted Steelers in AFC Championship. Anyway, Steelers defense must get after Brady. It won’t: Pats, 38-20.

Sun, Dec 16 NY Jets 1:00 PM
If Eric Mangini’s job was on the line, which it isn’t yet, he would be fired after this. Pats players will treat this like a playoff game. Whether it’s Clemens or Pennington, Pats defense will dominated this one: Pats, 42-13.

Sun, Dec 23 Miami 1:00 PM
Many ex-Dolphins from undefeated team will make their way to Foxboro. A dumb idea. It will be cold and Patriots will probably lock up homefield advantage for playoffs here. Pats, 49-10.

Sat, Dec 29 @ NY Giants 8:15 PM
This might be the only chance of halting the Patriots undefeated season. The Giants will probably need this game to host a Wild Card game or maybe win the division. They are much improved. There is one problem. Belichick will want this one badly and will try to win. This will be the closest game: Pats, 31-24.

Well, that’s how I see it. Today was the day. It was the only chance, I believe, of derailing the Patriots, maybe in more ways than one.
I’ll leave the playoffs for another day.
Let me know what you think. Is 16-0 viable or ridiculous?

Posted in Patriots | Comments

  • 16-0 is totally possible, but it will be a lot harder if the officiating for the rest of the season is as bad as it was yesterday. At least one of the defensive pass interference calls was wrong, and the offensive pass interference call against Moss was just plain ridiculous. Were these refs just really bad, or is there some conspiracy at work?
  • Keith Nashawaty
    Done deal. Pats 16-0, then 19-0 with the first round bye. No question they are locked and loaded for the perfecta. The question will forever be, how did they turn the sloppy interpretation of the camera rule ("Spygate") into the ultimate rallying cry? Did Bleichick feel like he needed a motivational tool such as Spygate? Is he that brilliant? I tend to think YES.
  • Steeler Fan
    ... Steelers stole the Pat Super Bowl in 2005?
    This is gonna be like 2001 when everybody was handing the Steelers the Championship after a 13-3 Season.

    The Pats had better start breaking Maroney back into the game plan... and Moss will be much different in the snow.

    BTW: If the Pats try to run the score up on the Ravens in the second half Ray Lewis and Co. will have Brady's head. Either way the Ravens will soften the "Pattsies up for the Steelers".

    2007 Champs will be the Pittsburgh Steelers... the football gods don't like cheaters!!!!
  • Steeler Fan:
    You are kidding about 2007, right?
    My point on the 2005 was the Pats should have beaten the Broncos like a drum in that playoff game before the AFC title game. It was the only playoff game that Tom Brady lost on his own. If the Pats had beaten Denver, in Denver, they would have beaten a mediocre Steelers team in Foxboro. I believe that to the bone.
    As for 2007, the Steelers lost to Arizona. Enough said.
    They did look good last night, but let's be honest, Baltimore looked like a lottery team (which in the NBA means you really stink).
    The Patriots just match up well with Steelers. Pats have problems with quick teams. The Steelers are slow.
    I stick to my prediction: Pats 38, Steelers 20.
  • jerry
    i disagree with bill. i think the patriots will score 70 points against the jets and will get mangini fired!!!!!!!!!
  • Ken
    I agee with Jerry, though firing Mangini would be too compassionate. I'd love to see the Pats put up triple digits. How fun would that be: 100-0? Let the true "fellowship of the miserable" (i.e. Jets fans) have at it then! Frankly, all this silliness accusing them of running up the score in recent weeks is ridiculous. If their opponents are actively trying to score, why should the Patriots ever stop trying themselves? As far as I am concerned, when some team decides the game is out of reach and shows it by pulling their starters, that will signal the Pats that it is OK for them do the same thing. In fact, I don't really think the Pats have been trying to score as many points as they can so far (except maybe against he Colts).

    On another note, I hear Don Shula condemning the Pats with talk of asterisks...............did he conveninetly forget that when he left the Colts to coach the Dolphins, the Colts were punished for tampering?? Of course, that isn't "cheating" is it, Coach Shula? Also, critics of Belichick overlook the fact that the reason that Goodell went so heavy on the Pats was not because they committed a capital offense, but becase they blatantly disregarded his authority. I think the fines etc., had far less to do with the "severity" of the offense than with the arrogance and "insubordination" it reflected.
  • Steeler Fan
    That's why they play the games.
    Still a half a season left.
    It's gonna gonna cold, and players will continue to get hurt.
    ... on any given Sunday... right?
    I hope the Pats believe the Steelers are "slow" too. Especially their old linebackers covering the finest group of tight ends in the league.
    BTW: I hope the Steelers continue to fly under the radar, as it makes the end result all the sweeter. Steeler fans will always remember 2005 because the PAT, Bengal, Colt, and Bronco fans just can't let it go. This is Big Ben's Year and the 1st Championship for Mike Tomlin.
  • Mark
    The Steelers will be just another team we have to bury. The Chargers..Cowboys..and Colts ...all talked smack..then got smacked.
  • Anyone know what the hell is up with Maroney? Faulk goes down (I hope he is ok... I hate seeing people get injured), and I am thinking... "Finally Maroney will get enough carries." Then... he doesn't come back into the game at all... and the Pats are running 2 fullbacks! WTF... are they just being cautious with him, or did he get injured as well? You would think Madden and Michaels would have said something about it... but nope. They are seriously the worst announcers of all time.
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