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Patriots quest

Dec 28th, 2007 by Bill Burt

One game away from immortality, at least in the record books.
I can honestly say the Patriots-Giants game tomorrow night, which I will be attending (my pregame blog will start about 5 p.m.) at the Meadowlands, is the most hyped regular season NFL game I have ever been privy to.
The Giants are along for the ride. My guess is they will mail this one in after the first quarter, trailing 14-3. Personally, I don’t blame them if they do. They have a lot to lose tomorrow, including and especially Eli Manning’s confidence.
The Patriots could do a number on Manning, which would be, of course, copied the next week by the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. They also have two healthy running backs who can’t afford to be nicked up heading into January.
What this means for the Patriots is a potentially sloppy game, especially if records are on their mind.
Look for Brady and Moss to be gone by the fourth quarter, records permitting, if the Patriots are ahead by three scores (17 or more points).
Trust me, coach Bill Belichick wants No. 16.
Expect to see Brady throwing the ball a lot early, probably with the spread offense. With tight end Ben Watson expected to return, my guess is he will be a small part of the offense and might even be gone by halftime.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the Giants will attempt to put up a fight?
Let me know.

Posted in Patriots | Comments

  • Max Kliman
    I think that it is simple. The Giants will play hard through the first quarter but if they are down by two touchdowns or more they will rest their starters. If they are not down that much they will try to win. It all depends on the score.

    Max
  • I'm thinking the Giants will try to attack Brady like crazy and do what Philly and Baltimore did, and that the Patriots will first establish some kind of ground or dink-and-dunk game that makes the Giants stack up, then bomb them from deep. The Patriots will certainly play this one hard because they have the playoff bye - Bill, what's your view of adding two playoff teams and eliminating the bye altogether? - and need to be clicking on all sides of the ball before they hit it; if they aren't entering the second half Belichick will keep his starters on the field until they get it right a la the Niners game at the end of 2004.
  • Mike
    Two thoughts:
    1. Bye is great. It makes the regular season worth something. If you have a great regular season you are paid with a bye and homefield. That makes the 16 games important.
    2. Which teams would you like to see added to the playoffs? Cleveland? They couldn't beat the Bengals last week. I think by adding teams you are potentially adding 8-8 or God forbid, 7-9 teams. I don't think they deserve it.
    Just my opinion. I see the NFL, though, adding the teams for more revenue and chance to see best teams an extra game.
    Happy New Year.
  • Thanks, Bill. I don't see where teams would not think the regular season (which I suspect at some point will go to 18 games with elimination of one preseason game and possible addition of at least one "international" game) would mean something if they added two playoff teams. I like the three rounds before Superbowl format, and if a 7-9 team gets in, imagine the eyes opened if that team made a lot of progress in the playoffs.
    I've never liked the idea of giving one or two teams a week off before the playoffs while others play on.
    For the sake of the argument, suppose there were two additional wildcards - Tennessee and Cleveland. Of the two Tennessee could be more likely to do something even though they're struggled scoring; Cleveland can still score but are inconsistent.
  • I disagree with the addition of two playoff teams, though I believe the NFL will probably rule that way within three years. I think you give the regular season more importance.
    Imagine if the Patriots were 15-0 and playing the finale, yet had a playoff game next week? They would probably sit their veterans.
    I think teams that have great season deserve a reward, more than homefield advantage. The bye is it.
    Talk to you later.
  • Okay. Thanks, Bill.
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