Taking a look at all the rumors that have swirled this offseason, and which ones might still come true.
The Best of the Week in PatsPropaganda
Obviously it was a rough week in New England, and it will be good to turn the page with the draft this week to get our Patriots train back on track.
Here are the best reads from the week in case you missed anything…
Some thoughts on the Patriots schedule - Extra Points - Boston.com
PatsPropaganda & Frenz Podcast: Schedule & Draft Offense Edition
Must-Watch Games, Matchups and Storylines from Patriots’ 2013 Schedule »
Quick hit reaction to the Patriots 2013 Schedule
Patriots and AFC East 2013 NFL mock draft roundup - Going Deep - Boston.com »
Finally, our latest draft pieces are below, our final mock will be out Thursday morning.
2013 PatsPropaganda Patriots-Only Top-50 Draft Board
Who Do Patriots Fans Want in the First Round of the 2013 NFL Draft?
8 Late-Round Prospects Who Would Be a Perfect Match for Patriots
The Biggest Questions for Patriots Heading into the 2013 NFL Draft
Happy 3rd Anniversary to PatsPropaganda!
It’s hard to believe it’s already been three years here at the Ministry of PatsPropaganda. I began writing about the Pats online in December of 2007, with this being our first ever blog post. How long ago that seems!
I wrote for a number of different sites after that, eventually starting the PatsPropaganda twitter feed in April 2009 and then that, with some help from sister Sarah, became the inspiration for this Tumblr site.
Since then, there have been 8,473 posts at an average rate of 7.74 per day. Many ask how people work for the site, but it’s always been just me, utilizing the power of a posting queue and all the great videos, pictures and other work done by Pats fans from around the globe.
Each year has brought new exciting developments in the world of Pats blogging, and we hope it only continues. Thanks to all of you who support the site. You make it all the fun that it is. I appreciate every comment and message, good or bad.
We might not all always agree, but we all love the Pats, and being part of that global community is extremely special to me.
Thanks again to every last one of you!
Go Pats,
Mike D.
Join Frenz and I as we discuss the Pats 2013 schedule along with what the Pats could do on offense in this year’s draft.
Friday slideshizz is up, ranking the best games of the season, and holy hoodie, there are some doozies.
The Patriots will see the Bucs twice in about five weeks because of their preseason meeting. That might reduce the desire for joint practices or, at the very least, destroy any chance of a competitive preseason game between the starters.
Quick hit reaction to the Patriots 2013 Schedule
My first reaction is that it’s not an impossible schedule, but it certainly has some big challenges, especially right out of the gate and at the end.
What worries me most is that the Pats will be vulnerable early in the season. They always blow a game in September, but this year they’ll be figuring out a new passing offense, possibly without Gronk. They’ll need time, and this year more than ever, they should be a better team at the end of the year than at the start.
The first thing we always look for is the bye week, and the later the better. So with it coming on week 10 this year it’s ideal.
Then we look at the division games, two right out of the gate opening with at Bills, then hosting the Jets on a short week on Thursday night. That’s a big test. Division games are always tough, even when they’re against two teams that are likely in transition. Would’ve been preferable to get an NFC team in there, since those games are less consequential, but it’s a chance for the Pats to take an early lead in the division.
The back-to-back divisional games in October will be a good test as well when they got to the Jets then host the Dolphins. Mark down that Dolphins game, it could be a big one.
Two road games vs. playoff opponents is never easy, and the Pats will go to Atlanta then Cincinnati in back to back weeks.
Most interesting though is the final six games. They’ll play three of the AFC’s top playoff seeds from last season, along with two divisional games vs. Miami and Buffalo.
Even if they start slow the Pats will have a chance to make a big push at the end, with their fate in their own hands. But the divisional games will come in back-to-back weeks at the start and in the middle. They’ll need to be on their game for those, because as always, winning the division is the primary objective.
Mark it down - Sunday November 24th on Sunday Night Football vs. the Broncos. We can all circle that one now. That will make back-to-back national games coming off a Monday Night tilt with the Panthers.
5 national games is a lot, and I love that they’ll go to Baltimore in Week 16 on Sunday Night Football. Should be a great atmosphere and excellent prep for the playoffs.
