An Independent Patriots Blog
I always like to say you’ve got to continue to kind of progress. I feel like the last three weeks we really haven’t had much progression. We need to get it going.
It Is What It Is » Rob Ninkovich on M&M: ‘We’ve got to come up with a big play’
There’s still some time. Let’s remember that peaking after Thanksgiving is a myth. It’s about peaking in the playoffs. Period.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-always-like-to-say-youve-got-to-continue-to/
I might be out of the business of expecting them to dominate teams, or even play 60 minutes of good football, but I’m not questioning their effort. On the contrary, they don’t stop trying to push your facemask down your throat until the final gun and I admire the hell out of them for it. But as they’re currently constituted, they’re trying to win with a team of undersized white slot receivers, street free agent defensive tackles, tight ends no one ever heard of, guards playing offensive tackle and various out-of-work Samoans
» Knee Jerk Reactions to Week 15: Pats vs Dolphins Barstool Sports: Boston
As always, Jerry nails it here…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-might-be-out-of-the-business-of-expecting-them/
Bill Belichick on red zone, key plays on D – ESPN
If you want to sum up the loss, these are three good plays to take the blame. It’s clear they missed Gronk in the red zone, as expected. And had it not been for an insane touchdown catch by Hooman, their red zone issues would’ve looked even worse. Red zone and third down will be the areas the Pats must get right in the coming weeks.
We just didn’t do enough things well enough throughout the course of the game – at the beginning of the game, at the middle of the game, at the end of the game and collectively as a total team – players, coaches, offense, defense, special teams, everybody – we just all have to do a better job of it.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/we-just-didnt-do-enough-things-well-enough/
Julian Edelman: 13 receptions, 139 yards, 1 touchdown
https://www.patspropaganda.com/pottsisstarksheart-julian-edelman-13/
Maybe I’m alone, but yesterday’s loss to the Dolphins didn’t hurt that bad. Last week, the Pats had a chance to elevate to an elite team, make a statement in Miami and finish the season 3-0, locking up homefield advantage.
But we were kidding ourselves. They are not that team this year. They are not one of the elite 14-2/13-3 teams, and really, we shouldn’t be surprised given the injuries they’ve had.
They are a fight hard, sometimes make the big plays, sometimes don’t make the big plays, team. There are still plenty of reasons to be proud of this team and feel really good about where they’ll be at heading into the offseason.
And also, are there any “elite” teams in the AFC? There are good teams, but everyone has their flaws. One of the AFC playoff teams will get hot and that’s who will win go to the Super Bowl. It might be the top-seeded Broncos, or it might be the sixth seeded Dolphins or Ravens. That’s how competitive things are this season.
The Patriots are still sitting in the second seed and obviously, they are a better team at home than they are on the road. Even still, and we can’t say this enough, they don’t get blown out. When they lose the opponent has to make a big play late in the game. How can we expect the playoffs to be any different?
There’s a very fine line for the Pats to get to the Super Bowl, and it starts with keeping that #2 seed. But they aren’t dead yet, even the online casinos like http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ca still like their chances.
It’s Week 15, it’s time to accept what the 2013 Patriots are and aren’t. They are a competitive team that never quits. They are not overly loaded with talent and are prone to major inconsistency.
Now comes another tough test in Baltimore, where the Pats will likely get the same kind of matched intensity from the Ravens that they got from the Dolphins. Given the 2013 Patriots and the history of close games with the Ravens, there’s little doubt this one will go down to the final play yet again.
So get your heart and head ready for the next five weeks. If they follow the script of this season there will be ups and downs and games that are competitive deep into the fourth quarter and likely hinge on a single play or two.
It should be, uh, fun?
Patriots snaps: CB Marquice Cole targeted quickly – ESPN
When Cole came on late in the second quarter for the injured Arrington, the Dolphins quickly targeted him and produced a 39-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Mike Wallace. As part of a game plan that had top corner Talib playing inside for most of the game, Arrington’s injury created a situation where Cole, more of a natural slot corner, aligned on the outside against Wallace. That was a matchup the Dolphins took advantage of, and led to the question: What made Cole a better option than the rookie Ryan, or even McCourty (with Duron Harmon entering at safety)?