Does it go against my homer blog motif to say that the Patriots aren’t going undefeated? After 2007 I’m surprised if anyone still wants to. All anyone did was complain for seven years about the 16-0 banner, and now people are endlessly debating doing it again?
I get that it’s a talking point every season, especially for a team that hits 9-0, but realistically the Patriots are going to lose at least one game, and probably to a team that no one really expects.
No one thought the 2007 Patriots would lose to the Ravens but they should have. And really, a loss like that would’ve alleviated some pressure and probably would’ve helped the Pats get over the hump against the Giants in the Super Bowl rematch. Think about that. No pressure-packed season finale. Eli and Brady probably sitting out. The Giants getting no bead on what the Patriots were doing. Etc.
Obviously that was a specific opponent and things just happened to work out that they met again in the Super Bowl, but if you don’t care about hanging a 16-0 banner again what does one loss matter as long as it doesn’t cost a playoff seed?
The Patriots are not a perfect team. Injuries have cemented that and though Vollmer and Cannon returned to practice this week, it’s still very possible the offensive line have an off game that even Brady can’t overcome.
The third down defense has been the weak link for the defense in recent weeks, and though a lot of their struggles have been overstated, if they continue to be up around 50% on third down it won’t be long before a team makes them pay for it.
I’m not trying to rain on the Patriots parade, I prefer to be leading it, but I also think if 2007 taught us anything it’s the value of a loss. Of getting some weaknesses exposed. Of getting dragged through the media wringer a bit instead of only hearing how great you are and what your chances are of going 16-0.
There’s a good chance that loss is coming. And whatever weaknesses are exposed or revealed doesn’t suddenly mean that Patriots still aren’t Super Bowl contenders. We might have learned more about the Patriots in their last loss to the Packers than we did in most of the games last season. But it was also apparent that the mistakes were correctable and even on an off day in a tough place to play against one of the best teams in the NFL, they still hung tough and didn’t give up a second half touchdown.
Those are the games where you learn the most about your team. Not by blowing the doors off someone like the Redskins every week.
The Patriots will feel the impact of losing Dion Lewis and Julian Edelman at some point, but that will only help them evolve new methods of attack, methods that will be needed to take down the best teams in the playoffs.
Whenever it happens just remember, losses are a good thing for a team like ours.