An Independent Patriots Blog
Already we are in Week 3 of the regular season, and it’s great to have football back, isn’t it? This Sunday, the 1-1 New England Patriots welcome the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders to Gillette Stadium. LFG.
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2020
Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Network: CBS
All-time record: Patriots lead series 19-15 (including playoffs) 1 Tie
Raiders 8-33 Patriots
November 19, 2017
This week’s matchup will be only the fifth time these two teams have squared off since Bill Belichick took over as head coach, 20 years ago. This Sunday, the 1-0 New England Patriots travel to the 1-0 Seattle Seahawks. LFG.
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2020
Game Time: 8:20 EST
Venue: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Network: NBC
All-time record: Series tied 9-9 (including playoffs)
Seahawks 31 – 24 Patriots
November 13, 2016
After what has been quite possibly the weirdest off-season in the history of the NFL, we’re finally within touching distance of regular season football. This Sunday the New England Patriots welcome the Miami Dolphins to Gillette Stadium, and I’m pumped.
Date: Sunday, September 13
Game Time: 1:00 EST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
Network: CBS
All-time record: Miami Dolphins lead series, 56-53 (including playoffs)
Dolphins 27-24 Patriots
December 29, 2019
Fresh off being completely dominated in Miami against the Dolphins (what a weird sentence that is), the New England Patriots now turn their sights to their biggest test of the year: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The winner of Sunday’s game will almost assuredly have home field for the inevitable title game between these two teams (knock on wood). While the Steelers do boast the best record in the AFC, four out of their last five games have been decided by game-winning field goals in the final minute, coming against the 3-10 Colts, the 7-6 Rodgers-less Packers, the 5-8 Bengals, and the 7-6 Ravens. This team is good, for sure, but I don’t think they are nearly as good as their record and their stats suggests.
The Steelers offense has put up the 4th most yards in football and 2nd most pass yards in the NFL, just behind the Patriots in both stats. They possess the NFL’s rushing yards leader in Leveon Bell, but strangely rank just 23rd in the league in total rushing yards (Bell has accounted for 85% of their rushing yards). Bell leads the league in rushing because of volume, not efficiency; he is first in the NFL in attempts with 283 (shoutout Atlanta), but is just 21st in yards per carry (of rushers with at least 100 attempts). The Patriots locked down the Steelers daunting running game in the AFC Championship Game, but, as Steeler fans are ever so quick to mention, Bell played just 11 snaps in that game, and the now-retired DeAngelo Williams was tasked with leading the Steelers rushing attack, which only gained 54 yards on 20 carries, good for just 2.7 yards per carry.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Atlanta Falcons, aka “The Last Ones Standing”
New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons
Sunday February 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston Texas
6:30 pm EST, FOX
Dome Stadium
Opponent/Patriots Stats:
Falcons: 11-5 (2-0)
Common Opponents:
History: These teams are not common enemies. As Marcellus Bennett pointed out, Patriots natural predator is the Red Coat, not the Falcon. The last time the teams met, Aqib Talib was balling for the Pats in 2013. The teams have only met 13 times since 1972, making them some of the most unfamiliar opponents New England has had in a while. Patriots lead the series 7-6, and winners of the last 4 meetings, with only one them being played at Gillette Stadium. As of late, the Pats have owned the Falcons, but that’s kinda true about the Pats versus everyone and the Falcons are different this year so read into that what you will.
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[Read more…] about Super Bowl LI Scouting Report: The Atlanta Falcons
The playoffs finally feel real. The Patriots are one game away from the Super Bowl and the pressure is on. This is the part of the season we all live for, to face stiff competition and crush old rivals. The Patriots and Steelers haven’t held as intense a rivalry since they last faced off in the playoffs in 2004. Now, the teams are largely different than they were then, but both teams are still top organizations. Let’s break it down.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Pittsburgh Steelers, aka “Bumble Ben and the Yellow Jackets”
Week 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday January 22nd
6:40 pm EST, CBS
High 30’s, 10% chance of precipitation, 5 mph winds
[Read more…] about AFC Championship Scouting Report: Pittsburgh Steelers
The time has come to retire to our favorite spot on the couch for the last time until the post season is upon us. Now everyone should start dusting off their lucky jerseys, hats, and other superstitious aids for the team. Remember, they need us. But for now, we need to finish out the season. Brady and Co. have been talking about how unhappy they were no finishing out the season strong. This is their chance to make another statement win against the clearly inferior AFC before their guaranteed bye to rest and scout the rest of the league from the couch. The Patriots also could end up playing the Dolphins again in the post season so this will be a good chance to see what they can and can’t get away with against the Matt Moore led team.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Miami Dolphins, aka, “The Only Other Playoff Team in the AFC East since 2002.”
Week 17 at Miami Dolphins
Sunday January 1st
1pm EST, CBS
Sunny, High 70’s
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[Read more…] about The Beginning of the End: Regular Season Finale Scouting Report: Miami Dolphins