Suddenly, the schedule looks daunting

[ivanvamp]

These next four games are *huge* for the Patriots.  Three at home.  Two against division rivals.
 
vs Cin
at Buf
vs NYJ
vs Chi
 
The Cincy game obviously is scary, and at this point I wouldn't rule out losing to any of these teams.  But they should beat Buffalo and at least the Jets and Bears are home.  I think they should be at 5-3 after 8 games.
 
However, this is where it gets daunting.  Here are the next four after that:
 
vs Den
at Ind
vs Det
at GB
 
We all know how tough the Denver game will be.  Indy is playing better than NE and that game is in Indy.  Detroit is home, yes, but they are always tough on New England.  And then playing at Green Bay will be no easy task.  They might not be better than 1-3 in those games.
 
And the four game stretch to wrap up the season isn't exactly a cakewalk either:
 
at SD
vs Mia
at NYJ
vs Buf
 
The SD game should be tough.  Then three divisional games, thankfully two are at home.  I think they beat Miami and Buffalo, but the road game vs. the Jets isn't going to be easy.  Let's say they go 3-1 there.
 
That puts them at 4-4 over the second half of the season, and 5-3 in the first half, making them 9-7 overall.  The way this team is playing, I don't think that's an unrealistic scenario.
 
Now, my *hope* is that they surprise people and beat Cincy this Sunday, and then sweep the other three to be at 6-2 heading into that really tough stretch.  And maybe they go 2-2 there to be 8-4.  Maybe they win all three divisional games to be 11-5 when all is said and done.  But I think that's being somewhat optimistic.
 
I am not jumping off the bandwagon.  But I am trying to be realistic.  This is the most lifeless I've seen this team in forever.  Getting beat in every way possible.  In years past they almost never lost by more than a single score, and yet this season they've gotten hammered twice and won a very close game at home to one of the worst teams in the league (Oakland).  They are simply not looking very good.  I do think things can change.  If the OL gets it figured out and the D plays like it's capable of, I think the skill position players will be fine.  And so 12-4 isn't impossible.  But it's looking very difficult to get to that number right now.

 

[Stitch01]

If they play like they did the last month they'll go 4-12, so I find it hard to analyze the schedule game by game right now.

 

[Number45forever]

It's looked brutal so far but the Pats after the 2009 season have shown a consistent ability to improve as the season goes on.  2-2 with three road games to start the season isn't the end of the world.  Doesn't take much for a bad game to spiral out of control. 
 
That said, this CIncy game is terrifying.  If they look like shit again, I'll be really worried.  I have a feeling they get the win.

 

[Stitch01]

For sure not the end of the world.  10-6 wins the division, 9-7 might too.  Just hard for me to say whether they can win at Buffalo or be competitive at SD or beat Detroit at home right now.  The play the first month of the season strongly argues no to all, but the track record of the players and coaches involves strongly argues yes.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Eh, you can't really look ahead like that in the NFL.  So much changes from week to week, and honestly even at the quarter poll with some notable exceptions (Seattle is good, Oakland is bad) it is hard to say which teams are strong and which suck.
 
Look at the Bears.  Good team that beat SF on the road?  Average team that struggled to beat the Jets?  Bad team that got smoked by Green Bay?  Probably all of the above.  Right now the only thing we can say for certain is that the Bengals look like the much better team heading into Sunday night.  But the game is at home and historically the BB/TB Pats have always bounced back.  I'll be interested to see how they approach this game and how they look on Sunday night.

 

[slowstrung]

If they play like they did the last month they'll go 4-12, so I find it hard to analyze the schedule game by game right now.

Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Yes, a lot can change and they may round into form over the course of the season, but I really can't believe this team is a serious contender. To my (amateur) eye, this is less about schemes, personnel placement, or discipline. It's about player talent, or lack thereof. Gronk is not the Gronk of a few years ago and may never be again, while of course AH is never to return. Vince looks barely league average, much as he did pre-injury last year. There's a separate thread for hand wringing about clearly past his prime Brady. And that's just the "star" talent, nevermind the mess of an OL, among other issues. It really doesn't matter what adjustments BB makes if we simply lack the player talent to compete with the league's best teams.

A couple of years of poor records resulting in 1st and 2nd round skill position drafting seems like a much better investment than drafting for depth, while hopelessly clinging to wild cards and first round exits as the TB era draws to a close. I hate being such pessimist but this year feels far more like the late 90s than anything 2001 on. I'd much rather see a potential new core of skill put together than have wasted years of mediocrity. The last thing we want is the post-Brady years to resemble the post-Bird Celtics.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

I'm personally resting my hopes on Brandon Browner coming in and laying a hit on a WR that fires up the team, a la Brian Cox.

 
Or something that actually helped the 2001 team in that the quarterback plays well.

 

[Stitch01]

Not accounting for HFA, current betting markets say the Pats had the 2nd easiest schedule so far, 3rd toughest rest of the way

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

vs Cin
at Buf
vs NYJ
vs Chi
vs Den
at Ind
vs Det
at GB
at SD
vs Mia
at NYJ
vs Buf
 

 
In all seriousness, it wouldn't surprise me if they lost any one of these games. I may be a huge asshole, but I've always tried to be even-keeled when it comes to the sky falling on the Patriots. 
 
But the defense will struggle against good offenses, and the offense will struggle against good defenses. Everyone of the teams left on the schedule either has a solid offense, solid defense, or both. 
 
This could get real ugly.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Yeah, we joked earlier, but this division is actually looking to be wide open. Which is kind of sad, since there's a decent chance nobody in it wins 10 games. Maybe the Pats can pull a 2008 Arizona!

 

[dcmissle]

 
In all seriousness, it wouldn't surprise me if they lost any one of these games. I may be a huge asshole, but I've always tried to be even-keeled when it comes to the sky falling on the Patriots. 
 
But the defense will struggle against good offenses, and the offense will struggle against good defenses. Everyone of the teams left on the schedule either has a solid offense, solid defense, or both. 
 
This could get real ugly.

Where we are this morning is stunning. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here, but nobody was on to the breadth and depth of this spiral. Every aspect of this organization other than special teams appears sub-par. Evaluation, drafting, FA, coaching, you name it.

I have not felt this way in 15 years, since everything went to hell under Carroll and Grier and we were left with a shell.

I suppose several possible outcomes are still possible, but the "where do we go from here" discussion really should have two aspects, one focused on squeezing what is possible out a very flawed 2014 team, the other more important focused on the long term.

 

[Stitch01]

That strikes me as too much of an overreaction.

 

[dcmissle]

I hope you are right.

 

[Stitch01]

No they might suck, but its just too early to write off the 2014 team or talk about a long-term rebuild.  They're tied for first place.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

The amount of "sky is falling" posts are understandable. That's what happens when the team that has/had SB aspirations get beat up on MNF.
 
The panic should set in if Pats are again non-competitive (not win, but non-competitive) vs. Bengals at home and lose the week after at Buffalo, leaving the team at a 2-4 mark. 
 
If Pats come out 3-3 I'll still have my money on Pats winning the AFCE and hoping the fundamental issues are fixed by December.
 
Rather be here than at NO where they're 1-3 and in a much tougher conference, or any of the other teams in our own division.

 

[ivanvamp]

Where we are this morning is stunning. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here, but nobody was on to the breadth and depth of this spiral. Every aspect of this organization other than special teams appears sub-par. Evaluation, drafting, FA, coaching, you name it.

I have not felt this way in 15 years, since everything went to hell under Carroll and Grier and we were left with a shell.

I suppose several possible outcomes are still possible, but the "where do we go from here" discussion really should have two aspects, one focused on squeezing what is possible out a very flawed 2014 team, the other more important focused on the long term.

 
Look, I'm the one who started this thread so obviously I'm concerned.
 
But even great SB champions in recent years have had some craptastic performances throughout the season.  Whether it's the D getting shredded by an offense having a great day or the offense struggling against a good D.  Last year's Seattle team probably had the least amount of crappy games.
 
2007-08 Giants:  Started 0-2.  Went 4-4 down the stretch.  Got killed by Minnesota (who was just 8-8) 41-17.
2008-09 Steelers:  Only scored 6 points against Philly.  Lost 2 of 3.  God pummeled by Tennessee 31-14.  
2009-10 Saints: Started 13-0 but lost 3 in a row to end the season.  
2010-11 Packers: Had two separate stretches where they lost 3 of 4.  
2011-12 Giants: Lost 4 in a row, and 5 of 6.  Got crushed by the Saints 49-24.  
2012-13 Ravens: Lost 4 of 5 to end the season.  Got crushed by Houston and Denver.
2013-14 Seahawks:  Lost 2 of 3 at one point, only scoring 27 total points in the two games.
 
So all these SB champions went through stretches where they struggled.  Let's hope that the Patriots' struggles are early, and that they round into form as the season goes on.  Stranger things have happened.
 
Despite my concerns, I remain optimistic that they will have a season-changing win next week as home underdogs.

 

[Stitch01]

NO is a good comp.  Both teams are about in the same spot.  I feel NO is more likely to improve.

 

[dcmissle]

 
Look, I'm the one who started this thread so obviously I'm concerned.
 
But even great SB champions in recent years have had some craptastic performances throughout the season.  Whether it's the D getting shredded by an offense having a great day or the offense struggling against a good D.  Last year's Seattle team probably had the least amount of crappy games.
 
2007-08 Giants:  Started 0-2.  Went 4-4 down the stretch.  Got killed by Minnesota (who was just 8-8) 41-17.
2008-09 Steelers:  Only scored 6 points against Philly.  Lost 2 of 3.  God pummeled by Tennessee 31-14.  
2009-10 Saints: Started 13-0 but lost 3 in a row to end the season.  
2010-11 Packers: Had two separate stretches where they lost 3 of 4.  
2011-12 Giants: Lost 4 in a row, and 5 of 6.  Got crushed by the Saints 49-24.  
2012-13 Ravens: Lost 4 of 5 to end the season.  Got crushed by Houston and Denver.
2013-14 Seahawks:  Lost 2 of 3 at one point, only scoring 27 total points in the two games.
 
So all these SB champions went through stretches where they struggled.  Let's hope that the Patriots' struggles are early, and that they round into form as the season goes on.  Stranger things have happened.
 
Despite my concerns, I remain optimistic that they will have a season-changing win next week as home underdogs.

Correct, but the consistency of this team has made the Pats different. Like the Braves, but with 2 more titles.

When you're (seemingly) like everyone else after 15 years, that's an adjustment. I say seemingly because the current state probably has been quietly building for 2 or 3 years. .

 

[mauf]

But they should beat Buffalo
 
 
I think they beat Miami and Buffalo.
 
 

 
Why do you think the Pats will sweep the Bills? The Bills beat the Bears, they killed Miami the week after they beat us, and they would've beaten Houston on Sunday with minimally competent QB play (which Kyle Orton should provide going forward).
 
There's nothing particularly unusual about the Pats' schedule. It appears daunting compared to recent years because the quality of the AFC East opponents is much better than it has been the past three years.

 

[ivanvamp]

 
Why do you think the Pats will sweep the Bills? The Bills beat the Bears, they killed Miami the week after they beat us, and they would've beaten Houston on Sunday with minimally competent QB play (which Kyle Orton should provide going forward).
 
There's nothing particularly unusual about the Pats' schedule. It appears daunting compared to recent years because the quality of the AFC East opponents is much better than it has been the past three years.

 
What makes it daunting for me is how the Patriots are playing, not so much who's on the schedule.  In years past I had full confidence going into a game like the upcoming Cincy game.  A home game, where the Pats virtually never lose, even against a quality opponent.  That was a win.  Usually by a considerable margin.  And while I think they'll pull out their A game on Sunday, I could also see them getting crushed.  In other words, I'm worried about this game because they're playing like crap.
 
That said, the Bills are still the Bills.  I think the Pats handle them twice.  Somehow.  Some way.

 

[BornToRun]

 
Look, I'm the one who started this thread so obviously I'm concerned.
 
But even great SB champions in recent years have had some craptastic performances throughout the season.  Whether it's the D getting shredded by an offense having a great day or the offense struggling against a good D.  Last year's Seattle team probably had the least amount of crappy games.
 
2007-08 Giants:  Started 0-2.  Went 4-4 down the stretch.  Got killed by Minnesota (who was just 8-8) 41-17.
2008-09 Steelers:  Only scored 6 points against Philly.  Lost 2 of 3.  God pummeled by Tennessee 31-14.  
2009-10 Saints: Started 13-0 but lost 3 in a row to end the season.  
2010-11 Packers: Had two separate stretches where they lost 3 of 4.  
2011-12 Giants: Lost 4 in a row, and 5 of 6.  Got crushed by the Saints 49-24.  
2012-13 Ravens: Lost 4 of 5 to end the season.  Got crushed by Houston and Denver.
2013-14 Seahawks:  Lost 2 of 3 at one point, only scoring 27 total points in the two games.
 
So all these SB champions went through stretches where they struggled.  Let's hope that the Patriots' struggles are early, and that they round into form as the season goes on.  Stranger things have happened.
 
Despite my concerns, I remain optimistic that they will have a season-changing win next week as home underdogs.

I think it's also worth noting that the Pats have a habit of turning the corner after Week 8 and lighting the world on fire in the second half of the season. I think we'll be in great shape if we can make it to the half-way point at 6-2/5-3.

 

[Stitch01]

If they win the next four games with the AFC East scheduled for December I'll feel pretty good as well.  Im more concerned about not being 2-6.

 

[axx]

The Bengals will be a good test, I think. If they get their ass beat by Cincy, then all bets are off. I am unconvinced the other AFC East teams are any good, so 8-8 might be enough.
 

If they win the next four games with the AFC East scheduled for December I'll feel pretty good as well.  Im more concerned about not being 2-6.

 
Problem is, they probably should/will lose all 4 games in November.

 

[Stitch01]

Well, yeah, but if they're 6-2 that's still probably a 10-6 finish and a division title.

 

[sodenj5]

 
That said, the Bills are still the Bills.  I think the Pats handle them twice.  Somehow.  Some way.

I don't understand this. The Bills DLine is every bit as good, if not better than KC's and Miami's.

NE is going to struggle mightily in both matchups with the Bills. I think a split is optimistic.

The Bills aren't just a pushover team. As someone else said, the AFC East, while it might not be the NFC West, has some pretty good teams in it.

 

[Stitch01]

Lol.  No it most certainly does not, no offense to a Dolphin finding new "attitude" or "toughness" during the 7 out of 16 games they are going win.  Bills are bad, Jets are bad, Dolphins are bad, Pats might be bad too.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

I don't understand this. The Bills DLine is every bit as good, if not better than KC's and Miami's.

NE is going to struggle mightily in both matchups with the Bills. I think a split is optimistic.

The Bills aren't just a pushover team. As someone else said, the AFC East, while it might not be the NFC West, has some pretty good teams in it.

 
What?  If the division is up in the air, it is because the Pats are just as bad as the other three teams in the division.  Which means it will be a division comprised of four bad teams.

 

[Stitch01]

9th, 19th, 20th, 25th by betting markets, and the 9th is a stretch.
 
I think there's an argument the Bills aren't terrible, but that QB situation is pretty bad.  Miami and the Jets are clearly bad teams.  Pats are clearly a bad team if we ignore pedigree.
 
This division sucks and blows.

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

I don't understand this. The Bills DLine is every bit as good, if not better than KC's and Miami's.

NE is going to struggle mightily in both matchups with the Bills. I think a split is optimistic.

The Bills aren't just a pushover team. As someone else said, the AFC East, while it might not be the NFC West, has some pretty good teams in it.

 
A split is optimistic?
 
So where do the Pats finish in the division? How does the rest of the division turn out?

 

[j-man]

this is bad as i ever seen ne play since 2000   
 
 
i will give 3 quick  ways this year could happen   
 
Best Case 10-6  win wild card  Lose to ciny or den  in div round   
 
Middle   9-7  lose wild card to balt  
 
Ugly  8-8  lose tiebreaker to mia  miss playoffs   

 

[knucklecup]

Line opened at Pats -3, closed for Sunday and Monday, opened this AM at Bengals -1 and is now at -2.5.

So 24 hours ago, the Patriots were the Patriots, Brady was Brady, and all was well with the world. They lay an egg and get smoked on national television and now they're done? cooked? Brady needs to retire. Belichick sucks?

The catastrophizing in the NFL is insanity.

Bears beat the Jets, Packers get worked by Detroit, Packers are -1.5 favorites in Chicago which makes no sense, uneducated public eats it up and oddsmakers win big on Green Bay in a rout.

Dallas almost lost at St. Louis! Romo sucks! Dez Bryant is a head case! Fire everybody! AHHH!! Dallas comes out and wipes the floor with New Orleans.

Tampa, after getting blown out on Thursday night, couldn't possibly beat Pittsburgh on the road? Right?

Falcons rout Tampa on national television, Vikings going through hell with AP and are now starting a rookie QB? The Vikings aren't going to win that game. Not against the Hardknocks Falcons...

Turn off your WEEI, turn off ESPN, and if you can't, literally do the exact opposite of what they say and you will be right more often than not when it comes to the NFL.

Have to see where the money goes the rest of the week but this game has all the makings to the biggest trap bet of week 5.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Turn off your WEEI, turn off ESPN, and if you can't, literally do the exact opposite of what they say and you will be right more often than not when it comes to the NFL.

Have to see where the money goes the rest of the week but this game has all the makings to the biggest trap bet of week 5.

 
I like the cut of your jib.

 

[mauf]

Do you think it was rational for the Pats to be 3-point favorites entering last night's game?

That would've been a reasonable line for a Week 1 matchup, but while the Chiefs have been the middling team most expected, the Pats have looked nothing like the team that entered the season as Denver's primary challenger for AFC supremacy. Prior to last night's game, the gambling community was still giving way too much weight to those preseason expectations.

If you think (as I do) the Chiefs should've been 2-3 point favorites last night, the swing in the Cincy line looks just about right. A Pats' win is hardly inconceivable, but it would definitely be a mild upset.

 

[mpx42]

I have no idea what to expect, really, from now to the bye week. Hoping to see more man coverage with Browner back, mainly because it would be insane to play anything else.
 
The good news is 4 of the next 5 games are at home, and Tom Brady is 46-2 in the regular season at home since 2007. That may not mean much in the end, but I at least expect them to be more competitive in October, period, if only because how could any football team tackle or block much worse then the Patriots did last night. There's also the possibility that the Chiefs are a little better then we think, a team who, on the road, beat the shit out of Miami and took Denver down to the final play.
 
It doesn't seem likely the offensive line is going to improve much, but maybe Stork and Fleming will get better with more reps. Or maybe they'll just start holding everybody and see if they can get away with it.
 
Just beat the Jets.

 

[Stitch01]

Do you think it was rational for the Pats to be 3-point favorites entering last night's game?

That would've been a reasonable line for a Week 1 matchup, but while the Chiefs have been the middling team most expected, the Pats have looked nothing like the team that entered the season as Denver's primary challenger for AFC supremacy. Prior to last night's game, the gambling community was still giving way too much weight to those preseason expectations.

If you think (as I do) the Chiefs should've been 2-3 point favorites last night, the swing in the Cincy line looks just about right. A Pats' win is hardly inconceivable, but it would definitely be a mild upset.

You should pretty much never bet on the team benefiting from a 5.5 point line move where a QB injury isn't involved, and even then should probably fade it. If I wasn't a Pats fan id have bet Bengals +3 last week, but betting the bengals now is terrible.

 

[mauf]

You should pretty much never bet on the team benefiting from a 5.5 point line move where a QB injury isn't involved, and even then should probably fade it. If I wasn't a Pats fan id have bet Bengals +3 last week, but betting the bengals now is terrible.

If the line moves 5.5 points from where it opened today, I would heartily agree, but I don't think your rule applies to movement before the Monday-Tuesday "open"; sometimes, early lines are just dumb.

I mean, if you don't think the Bengals should be favored, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Stitch01]

If the decision is between a) you are willing to lay 5.5 points than the market required last week and b) no matter how terribly a team looked in their last game we are overreacting to it, betting a is going to lose lots of money in the long run. Given that this was a team that lost on national television while the other team didn't play and it's just a horrible bet to take the Bengals unless you are like a legit elite pro handicapper (maybe) which eliminates everyone here.

 

[Rico Guapo]

Some of you are wickedly optimistic.
 
The OL is a train wreck and Dante isn't here to save the day. There are no rookies left to throw into the fire, they have what they have, and it's not good enough.
 
The play calling on defense is almost as bad as the composition of the OL.
 
The Bengals are going to hang 30+ on them on Sunday, the Pats offense won't score a TD against the Bengals D.*
 
On top of that, the schedule doesn't get all that much easier from there.
 
Take the rose colored glasses off people, the dynasty/greatness is over, it is what it is, the pats are mediocre, at best.
 
*garbage time TD not withstanding.

 

[Stitch01]

Perfect illustration of why taking the Bengals now is bad.

 

[mauf]

So Cincy is #1 in DVOA, NE is #23, the Bengals are favored by only 1-2 points, and it would be stupid to take Cincy, because some early line with very limited action had the Pats as 3-point favorites. OK.

 

[Rico Guapo]

Perfect illustration of why taking the Bengals now is bad.

 
Need I post the declines in Brady's numbers since 2011?
 
Beyond that, do you really need quant data to backup what the results have told you?
 
Oakland sucks, we needed a bullshit holding call to beat them, and Miami (who beat us soundly earlier) took them behind the woodshed in London.
 
The Vikings, sans AP, are a joke.
 
They edged out two bad opponents, got beat by a middle of the road team in miami, and got trounced by another middle of the road team in KC.
 
The Bengals are undefeated and have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
 
I love the Patriots as much as anyone, I've been to games at various points in my life since 1995 (I was 14), but the reality is, this team is not that good.

 

[mauf]

9th, 19th, 20th, 25th by betting markets, and the 9th is a stretch.
 
I think there's an argument the Bills aren't terrible, but that QB situation is pretty bad.  Miami and the Jets are clearly bad teams.  Pats are clearly a bad team if we ignore pedigree.
 
This division sucks and blows.

Speaking of DVOA:

BUF -- 10th
MIA -- 20th
NE -- 23rd
NYJ -- 25th

SSS and all that, but it's not just my eyes saying the Bills look like the best team in the division so far.

Maybe you're right about the overall quality of the division, and the competition only looks better because the Pats are so much worse.

All four starting QBs in the division have negative DVOA, incidentally.

 

[dcmissle]

Line opened at Pats -3, closed for Sunday and Monday, opened this AM at Bengals -1 and is now at -2.5.

So 24 hours ago, the Patriots were the Patriots, Brady was Brady, and all was well with the world. They lay an egg and get smoked on national television and now they're done? cooked? Brady needs to retire. Belichick sucks?

The catastrophizing in the NFL is insanity.

Bears beat the Jets, Packers get worked by Detroit, Packers are -1.5 favorites in Chicago which makes no sense, uneducated public eats it up and oddsmakers win big on Green Bay in a rout.

Dallas almost lost at St. Louis! Romo sucks! Dez Bryant is a head case! Fire everybody! AHHH!! Dallas comes out and wipes the floor with New Orleans.

Tampa, after getting blown out on Thursday night, couldn't possibly beat Pittsburgh on the road? Right?

Falcons rout Tampa on national television, Vikings going through hell with AP and are now starting a rookie QB? The Vikings aren't going to win that game. Not against the Hardknocks Falcons...

Turn off your WEEI, turn off ESPN, and if you can't, literally do the exact opposite of what they say and you will be right more often than not when it comes to the NFL.

Have to see where the money goes the rest of the week but this game has all the makings to the biggest trap bet of week 5.

Context:

The loss last night was as bad as 31 to 0 at Buffalo. The second half at Miami was equally dispiriting.

They beat a Minnesota team reeling from the deactivation of AP, and an absolutely dreadful Oakland team that just fired its coach.

I get Tampa over the Steelers, but where is the silver lining in the above? Other than usual hiccups from Dalton and Lewis?

All the Bengals need do is play an average game and protect the football and they beat us. The talent disparity is that wide.

 

[Stitch01]

So Cincy is #1 in DVOA, NE is #23, the Bengals are favored by only 1-2 points, and it would be stupid to take Cincy, because some early line with very limited action had the Pats as 3-point favorites. OK.

Yes, it's just about the squarest bet possible this season. Doesn't mean it will never win, but its a really silly bet for a casual bettor to make at this point. We ain't that good at handicapping.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Maybe the Pats can pull a 2008 Arizona!

 
Patriots...Arizona...2008...make it stop...

 

[caminante11]

From the DVOA article from Football Outsiders:
 

The Patriots' schedule ranks 30th through four games. It ranks third the rest of the way. Uh-oh.
 

 
Yes, the schedule does look daunting,

 

[brandonchristensen]

The catastrophizing in the NFL is insanity.

We live in a world where Peyton or Brady is the best quarterback of all time depending on any one particular game.
 
Peyton was the best when they beat the Pats to get to the Super Bowl and a bust when they lost.
 
Hard to take anything seriously.

 

[Corsi]

Wasn't sure where else to put this.  No more SNF for the Pats.
 

Robert Bailey ‏@NFLrecord  3h3 hours ago
The #NFL announced a tweak in its Week 14 flex scheduling, and will shift the Patriots/Chargers game to 1p at #FOX.

 

[Stitch01]

I think that's an erroneous tweet.  The Colts/Browns game that week got flex'd to 1 PM at Fox.
 
http://nflcommunications.com/2014/11/23/week-14-flex-scheduling-colts-browns-to-100-pm-et-on-fox-patriots-chargers-remains-nbc-sunday-night-game/1

 

[Brohamer of the Gods]

Yeah, that would mean a 10 AM kickoff in San Diego.