October 2011 – Page 24

Call me crazy but I’m really not too worried about the Cowboys game tomorrow. Not because I think the Patriots will win but because I don’t feel like it’s a must-win game. Of course I’d like to win it, but mostly I just intrigued to see how our defense matches up against a pretty good passing attack.

I like the Pats chances this year against just about anyone, but I think we can all agree that it’s a team like the Cowboys or Packers that would pose the biggest threat to the Patriots Super Bowl aspirations. It’s the teams that we might not be able to outscore that would give us problems. Basically why the Colts were able to keep pace with the Pats in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and nearly in 2010.

Most of the teams that the Pats will face in the AFC aren’t going to be able to beat them unless they catch Tom Brady on one of those days where it’s just not clicking, at least early on in the game.

The blueprint to beat the Pats is pretty simple, but extremely tough for teams to do, especially if they go down early.

Don’t turn the ball over.
Have long drives that end in touchdowns.
Don’t turn the ball over.

If you do those things you can take advantage of New England’s defense and the Cowboys seem capable of putting that game together.

So I see this game as we head into the bye as a good marker for where the Patriots are at. Can they show us they’re capable of getting off the field on third down against an adept passing offense? Can they hold up against another pressure Ryan defense? Or will it be another “we gave up 400 yards but they just couldn’t stop Brady so we won”. I hope it’s not. I am getting sick of those.

This game will be a great barometer. More than anything I’m excited to see how the team responds and how they (hopefully) continue on a path of improvement especially on defense.