Sunday Night Football

[b bulldog]

One thing to think of is that when they play the Steelers, I think the Pats will be much more ready to play. I think they wee looking past Philly as everyone thought this would be a 35-40 point game. They are human.

[pbmax]

Don't know about Pittsburgh Justin, their O Line play is brutal this year. And the Pats usually will kill a one player attack.

That said, the pass first second and last Eagles just about had their number before a brutal throw into the teeth of Samuel's coverage.

I think the Eagles and Colts have shown that it is wisest to worry about Moss first, then pressure Brady, then then TE, Welker, Maroney and Stallworth.

This game notwithstanding, I think there is a good chance the AFC, NFC gap is closing fast at the top too.

[RashanGary]

One thing to think of is that when they play the Steelers, I think the Pats will be much more ready to play. I think they wee looking past Philly as everyone thought this would be a 35-40 point game. They are human.

True. Moss gives them a lot of predictable looks. It's hard to stop them when they can just toss it up to Moss. They have to use two guys on him, so Brady knows what he has on the other side. It's the same thing we saw every year in Minny. Culpepper looked like one of the greatest QB's to every play the game for a couple years.

If Moss has a healthy season and a healthy playoffs, they are going to be hard to stop. If Moss has his usual injury, I don't think they are the favorites.

[packers11]

I would do Harris on Moss... Charles on Welker... Then our #3 on Stallworth...

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think the Patriots looked past Philly. Philly is a dangerous team, and they were playing in the spotlight game of the week--on Sunday Night football. Defensively, you have to press the WRs, give help on Moss, hope you have a decent slot corner to cover Welker, and hope for some breaks. I'd double Moss, put Woodson on Welker, and take my chances with Stallworth. There are chinks in New England's defense. Their LBs are aging. Philly took advantage of this by relentlessly throwing in the middle of the field. It's a copycat league.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I would do Harris on Moss... Charles on Welker... Then our #3 on Stallworth...

Just saw this. That's what I'm thinking also. Harris and help on Moss. If nothing else, use Al to wear down Moss a bit.

[Joemailman]

Why the hell did Miami trade Welker? Geez!

Because they have Marty Booker.

[b bulldog]

They lloked past Philly imo like every fan did in regards to this game. The D is old , LB's in particular.

[The Leaper]

I think New England's old LBs are going to pose problems for them in the postseason. They cannot cover anyone in the middle of the field, and they aren't fast enough anymore to get after the QB when the offense has a good pass blocking scheme.

With all the pressure to be 19-0, the Patriots are going to have a hard road in the playoffs I think.

[mmmdk]

I think New England's old LBs are going to pose problems for them in the postseason. They cannot cover anyone in the middle of the field, and they aren't fast enough anymore to get after the QB when the offense has a good pass blocking scheme.

With all the pressure to be 19-0, the Patriots are going to have a hard road in the playoffs I think.

I agree but it's the Pats offense that really scares everybody. The Philly OL is huge & awesome in both protection and run blocking. OL, DL, cover corners & a power/speed combo offense is what the doctor ordered vs Pats.

Bottom line is that Pats won 31-28 over Philly on a night where Pats were crowned division champs just prior to the game. They got (more) cocky in their lockerroom; I expect Pats to continue to derive the NFL code and crush Baltimore on monday night next week.

Philly did open a door that Pats could be upset though; I just don't see anyone upsetting Pats in a SB on turf in Arizona. But in a cold january game at Gillette stadium; now that's a plausible scenario.

Pats must not preveil - NEVER!

[The Leaper]

I agree but it's the Pats offense that really scares everybody.

I think the Packer offense when stretched out 4 and 5 wide is just as scary...and I think Green Bay's defense is better equipped to slow down New England's offense a couple times than New England's defense is to slow down ours. We have fast LBs and a deeper DL (if they get healthy).

The Pats are not unbeatable. The NFL right now is just a piss poor league overall. There are 5 or 6 strong teams in the league...and then there is a whole lotta mediocrity. Hell, Green Bay should be 11-0 right now. NONE of us saw that coming. It speaks to how bad the league really is right now. Having a franchise QB is basically a guarantee for 12 wins right now as long as you have a solid coaching staff and a roster full of guys with a good work ethic and character. The QB play around the league is maddenly inconsistent these days.

[mmmdk]

I agree but it's the Pats offense that really scares everybody.

I think the Packer offense when stretched out 4 and 5 wide is just as scary...and I think Green Bay's defense is better equipped to slow down New England's offense a couple times than New England's defense is to slow down ours. We have fast LBs and a deeper DL (if they get healthy).

The Pats are not unbeatable. The NFL right now is just a piss poor league overall. There are 5 or 6 strong teams in the league...and then there is a whole lotta mediocrity. Hell, Green Bay should be 11-0 right now. NONE of us saw that coming. It speaks to how bad the league really is right now. Having a franchise QB is basically a guarantee for 12 wins right now as long as you have a solid coaching staff and a roster full of guys with a good work ethic and character. The QB play around the league is maddenly inconsistent these days.

I pretty much agree; Packers O is for real yet Pats O doesn't even turn over the rock - that can't go on forever and hopefully the turnovers come during playoffs in New England. I hope!

About good teams; I count 7 in New England, Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, San Diego (at least potentially) and Tampa Bay. These teams: Seattle, Chicago, Philly, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and NY Giants can knock out most of the former on a good day in the playoffs. Maybe even Detroit, or New Orleans!!! I think NFC has caught up with AFC sans Pats; Pats are, sadly, still unreal.

[mmmdk]

Indy and Philly are the only teams to put serious hits on Pats WRs; Pats threw a lot underneath to Welker yet the Moss & the rest pretty much got knocked around...at least a bit.

[FritzDontBlitz]

People tend to forget Philly has a damn good defense and one of the best defensive coordinators in the NHL in Jim Johnson.

I saw the first pick by Asante Samuel to put the Pats up 7-0. Feeley can't throw the out to save his life. I am guessing the last pick was an out too?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I am guessing the last pick was an out too?

Slant and go. Samuel never bit on the slant. Horrible decision by Feeley. The Patriots were truly in danger of losing that game. Philly could have worn down the clock and at least kicked a FG. This game and the Colts game shows the Colts are not unbeatable. I know they made plays to win the games, but a better performance by Feeley at the end would have given the Eagles the win. He gift wrapped the last interception.