SI - Patriots won't go undefeated

[Borski]

Patriots won't go undefeated
By Andrew Perloff

The perfect season talk surrounding the Patriots will be kicked up a notch after their win over the Colts on Sunday. New England will be favored by more than a touchdown in each of its remaining seven games, so the quest for 16-0 seems reasonable.

I don't think the Pats can do it and I'll argue with any FanNation user who disagrees. Here are my key reasons.

1. The Patriots will sit starters. If they go 15-0, they visit the Giants in Week 17. New York will almost certainly be playing for playoff position, and New England will have nothing at stake. As heartless as Bill Belichick is, he won't risk injuries for a record that is insignificant if they don't win the Super Bowl. Belichick has benched starters in similar situations through the years.

2. They face the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked defenses in the NFL: Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Colts proved you can get to Tom Brady, and they didn't need to blitz much to do it. The Ravens and Steelers will come up with creative ways to rush the passer and they'll try to rattle Randy Moss with big hits. Brady led Moss into some dangerous territory against Indy. Moss bounced off smallish Indy defenders like they were gnats. Not sure if he'll have the same luck against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

3. The target on their back is even bigger. On paper, none of these teams should beat the Patriots. But emotionally, you have to give New England's opponents an edge. How long can Belichick convince his team everyone is against him because of Spy-gate? The Pats are now the evil empire. They're the new New York Yankees or Duke Blue Devils.

4. Injuries. They haven't had many. That will change. It always does.

5. Strange things happen in the NFL. Not a great reason, but for my money, it's the most compelling. The Patriots were vying with the Colts for homefield last season and got shut out by the Dolphins in Week 14. Explain that. Other teams that have gone late into the season undefeated have lost games they shouldn't have. New England won't prove to be an exception.

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/74604

[Counselor]

I agree with his prediction---someone is going to beat them. But I do not think the Pats will rest their starters in the last game if they are 15-0. Belicheat wants the glory.

BTW, perfect karma would put them at 15-0 and have Brady go down for the playoffs from one of those sacks the Giants seem so good at throwing.

[revefsreleets]

They'll lose to an awful team. I'm guessing a division rival. If not Buffalo on SNF next week, then watch Miami (especially if they are still winless) pull of that big upset. It's exacttly the kind of game that they look past and lose.

[BradyToMoss]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

They'll lose to an awful team. I'm guessing a division rival. If not Buffalo on SNF next week, then watch Miami (especially if they are still winless) pull of that big upset. It's exacttly the kind of game that they look past and lose.

Not a chance, the only test right now is the Steelers, but the Pats always get up for the big games, just like this past Sunday and when black and gold comes to town, you will get the Patriots undivided attention, which is never good for the opponent.

This team is taking greatness to the next level, they've passed the two biggest tests any team could face, they hammered the best team in the NFC in Dallas in their own backyard and then went in and beat the Colts and those corrupt referres as well as the crowd. There can be no bigger tests than what they've faced with these two things. Pitt will hang around for a half in NE, then the Pats will open it up.

[rbryan]

Somehow I doubt the evil mastermind shares your opinion. Patsies will lose a game or two that you think will be a cake walk. I like Buffalo in two weeks for starters. Ravens will have a lot to play for, that will be thier SB the way things are looking right now. Still a long way to go, plenty of time for karma to catch up to the cheaters.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by BradyToMoss

This team is taking greatness to the next level, they've passed the two biggest tests any team could face, they hammered the best team in the NFC in Dallas in their own backyard and then went in and beat the Colts and those corrupt referres as well as the crowd. There can be no bigger tests than what they've faced with these two things.

Except going into Indy and choking their asses off in an AFCCG, right?

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by BradyToMoss

Not a chance, the only test right now is the Steelers, but the Pats always get up for the big games, just like this past Sunday and when black and gold comes to town, you will get the Patriots undivided attention, which is never good for the opponent.

This team is taking greatness to the next level, they've passed the two biggest tests any team could face, they hammered the best team in the NFC in Dallas in their own backyard and then went in and beat the Colts and those corrupt referres as well as the crowd. There can be no bigger tests than what they've faced with these two things. Pitt will hang around for a half in NE, then the Pats will open it up.

Walk me through how the Pats can take greatness "to the next level" if they cannot lose any less games than the '72 Dolphins did and will not have as many HOF players as the 70s Steelers did?

Winning 2 road games against playoff teams are hardly the "biggest tests any team could face."

[MasterOfPuppets]

nobody ever makes it a full season without some key injuries...it's about time the cheaters get a few of thier own.

[tony hipchest]

there must be a manual that teaches patfans what to say and type on MB's. i swear they are like the Branch Davidians or Hale-Bop riders of the nfl fanbase.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

there must be a manual that teaches patfans what to say and type on MB's. i swear they are like the Branch Davidians or Hale-Bop riders of the nfl fanbase.

The RW&B Kool-Aid is spiked. Too bad it isn't with the same stuff Jim Jones spiked his with.