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Change their mind? Not sure which angle you’re taking, but assuming you mean people still not giving the Pats defense respect despite a respectable start, I’ll say they have to not give up more than 20 points and win the game. If they do that, the hot sportz take of next week will be that the Patriots defense has risen from the ashes like the Phoenix.

You touch on solid points and I think all are partially true. Look, anyone who has ever played sports can probably tell you there are certain games where you just don’t have it. You’ll lose to a crappy team, much less a good team on the road.

Here are three simple explanations:

1. The Bengals have the exact formula known to give Brady problems. They can get pressure with their front four and have a beast in the middle who can push the pocket. This is Giants vs. Patriots Gameplan 101. It also helped that the Bengals offense played conservatively and limited their mistakes. Even still the Pats had their chances. 
2. The whole offense was flat and the rookie WRs played like deer in headlights. Danny Amendola was back, but was still being managed to the point where he wasn’t a focal point of the offense. I think if you put Vereen and Ridley in this game and it’s likely a Patriots win. 
3. Brady played bad too. It happens. But again, I see it all as interconnected, and from the second play of the game we saw it coming. Brady gets sacked before he even knows what’s happening and that just set the tone for the rest of the day.

So, the good news is that this was just the fifth game of the season. The Patriots have better football in them and with the return of Amendola last weekend, and Gronk this weekend, the great return to health has begun, at least on offense. Things will get better quickly now. Or at least they should and that’s what I’m expecting.

And you’re right, it starts with the running game. Losing Vereen was a killer, but they should only have to weather four more games without him. Once they can lean on the ground game and get their explosiveness there back, it should open things up and make it easier on the passing game.

Certainly not if they play like they did against the Bengals, but I’m sure they’ll be better. Gronk will help and last week’s loss should light a much-needed fire under them during practices this week.

As I’ve said, last week was a half-step back, but I don’t think it’s crazy to imagine two steps forward this week with Ridley/Gronk/Amendola all playing. 

The Saints are going to be a great test, but a loss is not the end of the world even if lots of pundits will tell you it is. The Pats have lost two in a row in three of the last four seasons, with 2010 being the only exception. They still righted the ship, at least in 2011 and 2012.

This will be a true test for the defense and a chance for them to prove they really are elite. So let’s try to enjoy facing a strong opponent and finding out a little more about the 2013 Pats.