2020 Pats: How Does the Season End?
- Thread starter BigSoxFan
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It will be a hell of a story when they figure it all out against Tennessee and run the table. They needed that wildcard game they'll say. Thank god they lost to Miami they'll say. Without it they wouldn't have discovered who they are and what they needed to do to overcome.
And Tom's naked, lonely and jealous seventh finger gets a ring.
And Tom's naked, lonely and jealous seventh finger gets a ring.
Injuries caught up with them this year. Way too many key guys banged up or on IR to make a run, it happens. Convince Brady to stay another year, hit on a few draft picks and reload for 2020.
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The season ends in two weeks in KC or a week later in Baltimore. What happens afterward is a big mystery.
I think there are a lot of parallels to 2009, not only because this is probably the worst Patriots team since that year but also because it’s a veteran team at the end of a cycle.
Many things went wrong this season, especially in terms of injuries. But this team also has a lot of old players who are likely to get worse, not better, in 2020.
My suspicion is that BB knows the team will need some major surgery over the next couple seasons. Where Tom Brady fits into that picture isn’t very clear to me.
I think there are a lot of parallels to 2009, not only because this is probably the worst Patriots team since that year but also because it’s a veteran team at the end of a cycle.
Many things went wrong this season, especially in terms of injuries. But this team also has a lot of old players who are likely to get worse, not better, in 2020.
My suspicion is that BB knows the team will need some major surgery over the next couple seasons. Where Tom Brady fits into that picture isn’t very clear to me.
Good. Go. What do we really accomplish having a 43 year old QB? Is the roster loaded enough that all he’ll need to do is hand the ball off and throw it downfield 15 times a game? It’s time to move on. Name Rte 1 after him and find the next QB.
Season ends next week but I think we have one more year before the rebuild. Gronk for 1 final season, Andrews, Develin are back. Resign Brady to a 2yr deal knowing this is his last to spread out the cap hit and truly GFIN. Draft another WR in first or 2nd along with a TE. With some injury luck Brady goes out on top in his 3rd decade in the NFL.
But they already used the Roberts catching a pass out of the backfield play. They are running out of wrinkles.
Have you watched the games? He’s not playing at a high level. Games like yesterday will be more frequent next year. It’s time to do a roster reset which may include some lean years.
No they're not. They have plenty more trickery available to them.
I'd like to see them just straight up beat Tennessee, but it may require a lot of unorthodox stuff.
I haven't fact checked this, but yesterday's announcers pointed out that the Pats have never made it to the Super Bowl without a bye week. I'm afraid this year will be no different. I think they'll squeak by Tenn and come to a grinding halt against KC.
I hope they use the off season wisely to surround Brady with some greater individual and collective talent.
I hope they use the off season wisely to surround Brady with some greater individual and collective talent.
The Pats in the BB/TB era, without a bye....
2005 - Beat Jax 28-3 in the WC round. Lost at Denver 27-13 in the Divisional round.
2006 - Beat NYJ 37-16 in the WC round. Beat SD 24-21 in the Divisional round. Lost to Indy 38-34 in the AFCCG.
2009 - Lost to Bal 33-14 in the WC round.
This game, I fear, could go the way of the Ravens game in the 2009 season. Tennessee is solid on both offense (#10 points) and defense (#12 points allowed). They have the #3 rushing offense.
2005 - Beat Jax 28-3 in the WC round. Lost at Denver 27-13 in the Divisional round.
2006 - Beat NYJ 37-16 in the WC round. Beat SD 24-21 in the Divisional round. Lost to Indy 38-34 in the AFCCG.
2009 - Lost to Bal 33-14 in the WC round.
This game, I fear, could go the way of the Ravens game in the 2009 season. Tennessee is solid on both offense (#10 points) and defense (#12 points allowed). They have the #3 rushing offense.
I cannot bring myself to believe they will lose to the Titans in what is possibly (likely?) Brady's final home game. But yesterday was equally unbelievable.
They're not really that injured, to be honest. They're just not that good.
Sounds good, until you have to replace him with what, the 25th pick in the draft? You still need a QB, unless you think Stidham is the guy.
I have a lot of trouble seeing the season extend beyond next weekend and the following one. They should be able to handle the Titans at home but after yesterday, how anyone can predict a win with confidence is beyond me. And we've seen that Bill's progeny beats him at a higher rate than other coaches. But even assuming they get by the first game, how can anyone paint the picture of this team, with this offense, and no Gronk, and the D suddenly looking incredibly pedestrian, going into Arrowhead and getting a win?
They've done it before, true. Last year was magnificent. But this team just looks different to me.
They've done it before, true. Last year was magnificent. But this team just looks different to me.
I think it's going to end at Arrowhead after a valiant effort. Brady and Mahomes embrace at midfield with CBS going on and on about the passing of the torch. Or, extend that exact same scenario out a week and change Arrowhead to M&T Bank and Mahomes to Jackson.
I just cant' see this team winning back to back road games against those two opponents. In 20 years of HOLY SHIT moments, that would undeniably be the biggest.
I just cant' see this team winning back to back road games against those two opponents. In 20 years of HOLY SHIT moments, that would undeniably be the biggest.
Harry threw a pass or two in college because he was drawing so much attention on reverses and WR screens. Seems like a waste when you have elite QBs like Brady, Edelman, and Sanu, but hey.
I have watched the games and think Brady is significantly more injured than we are lead to believe. Almost as if he doesn't know where the ball is going half the time he releases it. An early exit may be a great thing for this team as they will have a full off-season to heal up. They didn't suffer bad injury luck this year but this team is clearly beaten up on the offensive side of the ball. Edelman is on the fumes of fumes and Sanu is likely still playing on a bad wheel. Combine that with Brady's bum elbow and the result is what we saw Sunday which will likely be worse next Sat.
Injuries sure, but there was a lack of depth concerning this offense before the injuries started taking hold. The two working hand in hand were tough to overcome, but the defense and special teams were still going to have to carry this club if they were going to make any sort of deep run in the playoffs.
You are assuming Brady wants to come back AND the Pats want him back. He'll be 43 in August. Nothing is accomplished by having him at QB next year. They are probably better served having Stidham play ....A roster reset is coming and they might as well start that reset next year.
True, but they were thin and the injuries they did suffer were to vital guys. Andrews could not be adequately replaced and Jules is the one skill player that Brady cannot afford your lose. Having Chung banged up has also really hurt this defense
I voted that it ends KC, but only if yesterday's loss is partly due to the defense just not being mentally geared up for the Dolphins as an opponent. If that performance is a true indicator of how banged up the defense is, combined with the short week, then it ends against the Titans Saturday night. This is a team that is hurting and desperately needed rest and recovery time, and they aren't going to get it.
I think NE will beat TEN as the moment will get to Tannehill and he'll turn the ball over.
I don't think NE can keep up with KC though.
I don't think NE can keep up with KC though.
Titans win 20-16
The Pats get one touchdown on their first drive and then suck for the rest of the day. They eke out three more -- long -- field goals, all because they started with good field position.
In the end, the Titans kick a late field goal to go up by four, increasing a slight lead and forcing the Pats to make a drive with around four minutes to go. The Pats go three and out, quickly. They punt, thinking they can preserve the clock with timeouts and the two minute warning. The Titans move the ball well enough, getting two first downs on six plays and then a knee or two.
The Pats get one touchdown on their first drive and then suck for the rest of the day. They eke out three more -- long -- field goals, all because they started with good field position.
In the end, the Titans kick a late field goal to go up by four, increasing a slight lead and forcing the Pats to make a drive with around four minutes to go. The Pats go three and out, quickly. They punt, thinking they can preserve the clock with timeouts and the two minute warning. The Titans move the ball well enough, getting two first downs on six plays and then a knee or two.
Just a nitpick. Vrabel was not a former BB assistant, but a former player.
However, I think they find a way to gut one out against Tennessee, but lose an entertaining game to KC. I think the usually fat and happy fans at Foxboro will be loud and have plenty of time to get fueled up for what will likely be the last home game of the season.
Man, I am just bummed this morning. This is all so hard to process after what we saw against Buffalo last week. I just didn't even consider the possibility of the Pats playing next weekend.
As we saw yesterday, the NFL is week to week. Pats looked primed for a run after the Bills game. Look doomed after yesterday. Who knows what they'll look like next week.
I do keep coming back to the idea that they had 2 chances to win 1 game (i.e., a win yesterday or a win in the Wild Card round gets them to the same place). So either way they'd have to get through KC. We'll see if they can get there, and if they can, if they can compete.
This run has lasted a few years longer than anyone could have predicted. It's been awesome.
But this morning is a shitty, shitty feeling.
As we saw yesterday, the NFL is week to week. Pats looked primed for a run after the Bills game. Look doomed after yesterday. Who knows what they'll look like next week.
I do keep coming back to the idea that they had 2 chances to win 1 game (i.e., a win yesterday or a win in the Wild Card round gets them to the same place). So either way they'd have to get through KC. We'll see if they can get there, and if they can, if they can compete.
This run has lasted a few years longer than anyone could have predicted. It's been awesome.
But this morning is a shitty, shitty feeling.
Yep. But there's a big difference in going to KC after being beat up by a slugfest with Tennessee, and having KC come to Foxboro after getting two weeks of rest.
Like nothing before, this will test the mettle of this team. Not high on their chances but man if they pull it off, it will be absolutely astounding.
1-800-273-8255
Jesus Christ, do people get the reason we are hated is because we’re so spoiled? So they lost a game they shouldn’t have, don’t appear to be ready or able to make a run and we’re ready for a rebuild and dumping TB?
Jesus Christ, do people get the reason we are hated is because we’re so spoiled? So they lost a game they shouldn’t have, don’t appear to be ready or able to make a run and we’re ready for a rebuild and dumping TB?
I think he was pick #32; the Pats passed on him twice.
Edit - the overall point makes sense that a good QB can be found late round 1.
If TB was 30, nobody would be saying that. Not sure how many people here are saying it anyway. But at 42, with three straight years of objective statistical decline, given how much it might cost to keep him, yeah, people are considering that maybe this is the last year with Brady.
I would prefer to run it back in 2020 with hopefully better health and some improvements, as I think this team still is strong. But I get that others disagree, and that's ok.
I think some want to do that regardless of yesterday’s game. That’s a lot more rational to me than someone whose mind was change by yesterday’s game.
It wasn't permission...it was an acknowledgment that other smart and good fans can disagree on this.
There’s like 2 or 3 people in this thread expressing that they want a tear down. The rest are giving fairly reasonable analysis and takes. Maybe address the few who are acting spoiled?
Thank you. His stats are in line with other "bad" years, some of which the Patriots won the Super Bowl. He had the most throwaways and 2nd most dropped passes in the NFL. Do you really think the heir is just going to come in and perform? For all those crying about Lamar Jackson, remember when Russell Wilson was invincible, then Carson Wentz, then Mahomes? Other teams will adjust and players will get hurt.
Yes, I am making (some) excuses for him. But I just don't understand why such a huge portion of this fanbase and talk radio crew can't wait to get rid of him. I guess people watch sports for different reasons, but we are watching the best player in the history of the game still play competitively on our team. Watching this career play out as long as it does means a lot more to me than seeing the laundry possibly being good in a couple years.
If BB had to do it all over again, I wonder if he might do something different with 1:42 left on the clock in the 2nd quarter and 3 TOs in his pocket.
NUMBER FUCKING 7 IS HOW IT ENDS.
Offensive game plans have been bland, boring, and predictable for the last 8 weeks. That is by design. The team is good enough to win with these plans. Sometimes the other team makes a few more plays than us. It happens.
The team has employed this offensive strategy for the last 5 years. Show little film the last 8 weeks of the season on what they will do. Work on fundamentals, technique, power running. Show no tendencies.
This is a reason White hasn't been used much recently. Aside from Edelman's injuries, his route running is purposefully and basically single move ins and outs. Harry has been playing basically wide and running only the sidelines. Almost nothing to Watson or the TE. All of this changes in the postseason and teams will not be prepared whatsoever. Oh, and we can run the ball again.
Pats will run through Tenn, KC and host the AFCCG when Baltimore loses to Buffalo. Number 7 is hoisted next September.
TOM FUCKING BRADY
Offensive game plans have been bland, boring, and predictable for the last 8 weeks. That is by design. The team is good enough to win with these plans. Sometimes the other team makes a few more plays than us. It happens.
The team has employed this offensive strategy for the last 5 years. Show little film the last 8 weeks of the season on what they will do. Work on fundamentals, technique, power running. Show no tendencies.
This is a reason White hasn't been used much recently. Aside from Edelman's injuries, his route running is purposefully and basically single move ins and outs. Harry has been playing basically wide and running only the sidelines. Almost nothing to Watson or the TE. All of this changes in the postseason and teams will not be prepared whatsoever. Oh, and we can run the ball again.
Pats will run through Tenn, KC and host the AFCCG when Baltimore loses to Buffalo. Number 7 is hoisted next September.
TOM FUCKING BRADY
It permeates the entire forum and frankly has reduced what grew from crap (no one can argue this particular forum used to be garbage)to a very respectable place and even launched some of those people that helped that growth into a career and respect outside these walls, to the point said people that get cited by national outlets for their work and even media credentials barely even check in anymore.
Sure, if you limit it to just this thread the numbers are smaller but it’s rampant around here lately, imho. Many a post just read as a persecution complex for a team that’s unrivaled in basically any sport.
See? This guy I can get on board with (even tho I won’t be betting the mortgage on the outcome...)
This exactly with one minor tweak. Beat titans next week, win in kc, win in Baltimore, beat the niners in the super bowl to cement the greatest single playoff run of all time and become the first pats team to win four playoff games in a season. Come back in 2020 and become the first nfl threepeat
We don't have a lot of information, but the chances are pretty good that Stidham is a lot worse than Brady. The talent curve is a long tail. Obviously the Patriots are the ones seeing him every day in practice so they have more information, so I'll defer to them if they make this decision, but until I see it, I'm assuming he's a lot worse.
EDIT: I'm also not really clear on what a roster reset is, why we would want to do it, or how it would work. This team won a Super Bowl last year. There are definite flaws but I'm not blowing things up and starting over after a 12-4 season, disappointing as it was.
Definitely not impossible, definitely pretty unlikely. And if you're using the 1 on a QB and already used the 2 and Sanu and you're paying Brady, Brown, and Bennett north of $20 MM not to play for you, I'm having a hard time seeing how you're going to fill out the rest of the offense and put that QB in a position to succeed.
(32nd, as noted above)
Everyone referring to ‘09 as some sort of comparison to this year is wrong. If you remember correctly, Welker tore his ACL in the season finale.
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