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?
