But I think you just win one football game at a time. Keep on putting everything you got into the next opponent. Tunnel vision. I don't care if the AFC is clinched week 14, you put your head down, stay focused and execute every single play to the best of your ability. I really think that's the only way to go 19-0.
I mean, sure, that's absolutely how you take it if you're a member of the team or coaching staff. Fortunately, the rest of us are just bystanders on a Red Sox message board.
Looking ahead at the schedule and anything we might have learned from this week (odds of winning and lines from 538):
57% (-2) - Baltimore (road) - Bye. No changes
64% (-4) - Eagles (road) - Strong win over the Bills. Rookie Miles Sanders had 3 rushes for 74 yards (including a 65 yard TD), but left the game with a shoulder injury.
77% (-8.5) - Cowboys (home) - Bye. No changes
62% (-3.5) - Texans (road) - Barely got passed Oakland, who I still can't tell how good they are. Lost JJ Watt for the season, which definitely weakens them heading into the Patriots game. I don't believe his loss is taken into account for the win probability and ELO point spread.
72% (-6.5) - Chiefs (home) - Lost by 1 TD at home to Green Bay. The offense without Mahomes looked better than I expected, but there's massive holes in their defense for RBs either directly off carries or screen passes. The big news is Mahomes will supposedly be back in week 10, which seems really quick. He'll certainly have the rust off by the time he plays the Patriots in Week 14, but it's left to be seen whether his mobility will be compromised or if returning to soon will result in another injury setback.
90% (-15) - Bengals (road) - This team is still awful. Gave up a ton of receiving yards early to the Rams, who probably could have scored more if they kept their foot on the gas, but they had a 2 TD lead 5 minutes into the second half.
84% (-11.5) - Bills (home) - Beat pretty soundly by the Eagles at home this week. Their first loss outside of the Patriots. Gave up over 200 yards rushing.
93% (-18.5) - Miami (home) - Monday night game. Will they ship anyone else out as part of their rebuild to weaken them even further for this final match up.
These numbers odds give the Patriots an 8.8% chance of a perfect regular season. However, if they get past Baltimore this week, they jump to 15.5%.