Lots to talk about already this week, but I feel like I’ve been a little overwhelmed by what a victory on Sunday would mean for this entire BB/TB run. Really trying not to think about it, but yeah, it would mean a lot and bring many things full circle that have been lingering for a long time (like 2005/2006/2013 season-enders).
There will be plenty of time to talk about that if/when the Pats take care of business. I already made the mistake in SB46 of assuming that all wrongs would be righted by the BB/TB dynasty, at least on the time frame we thought they should be righted.
But imagine sending both Tom Coughlin and Peyton Manning, two of the biggest thorns in our sides off into the sunset together this season. At that point playing in the Super Bowl would just be the frosting on top. And if you look at the Super Bowl odds, it seems like Vegas likes the Pats back in the big game.
We didn’t know who the 2015 Patriots were coming into last week, whether they were the banged-up-and-broken team that went 2-4 down the stretch or the team that raced out to 10-0. From the looks of it against the Chiefs they’re closer to the 10-0 version and we have every reason to expect that team to show up in Denver Sunday.
Now, after avenging last year’s MNF beatdown and finally beating Eli, Coughlin and the Giants for the first time since 2007, things are finally set up in the AFC Championship to close the door on a number of other open wounds from the last decade. There wouldn’t be the same poetic justice opportunity in the Super Bowl, but a win this weekend would really cement the 2015 Pats in the pantheon of Brady/Belichick teams. Because for the most part thus far, the 2015 Pats haven’t been all that memorable save just a couple games.
Couple things to touch base on…
– So yeah, the Broncos are already yapping in the media, saying Brady is a cry baby and Gronk pushes off and the only way to take Gronk out is to go low. Clearly they’re already trying to butter up the refs a bit, which I take as a great sign. If you’re that convinced already that you’re going to need help from the refs to win the game?
And I’m not really sure how a Broncos player complaining to media so that the refs won’t bite when Brady gives them a look after taking a late hit well… kinda the same thing there as what you’re accusing Brady of and definitely more pathetic.
At least the Broncos see the same thing I’m seeing – that they’re going need every call going their way if they’re to have a chance.
– Jerod Mayo goes onto IR for the third year in a row. Rough stretch for Mayo and with his cap hit next year there’s little doubt the Pats will decline his option. And I doubt there will be much interest on the external market for a player who’s been knocked out of the season three straight years. Mayo just didn’t have the same burst/pop to him this year. He started to make some strides near the end, but coming back from a torn patellar tendon is no joke. He might’ve been better served starting on PUP.
I could see Mayo easily back next year on a bare minimum deal. Regardless, adding linebacker depth will be a priority this season. I’ll save my panic about every Jonathan Freeny and Darius Fleming snap for a later post this week but yeah, this whole game comes down to Hightower and Collins for me. If those two guys can finish the game, playing north of 80% of the snaps, the Pats really should shut down the Broncos running game.
Much, much more to come as the longest week I can ever remember drags on…
