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The Best of the Week in PatsPropaganda

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Between being on vacation the last two weeks and the Pats next opponent still being uncertain I feel like we just hit a mini mid-season void here.

Really we haven’t learned too much about the Patriots since the 49ers game. They flash from dominant to invisible from game to game and often, drive to drive. Is there a chance they can put it all together for three games to glory? Sure.

But they’ll need to be clutch, and that’s something that has gone absent on the biggest stages at times over the past few seasons.

There’s one thing that won’t happen though…the Patriots will not be blown out. Every game they play over the next month will be close.

If they lose it will be because the other team just outplayed them in the final five minutes and they’ll lose by one to six points. It’s really just that simple.

Here the best of the week for Saturday morning…

PatsPropaganda Analysis (by me Mike D)

Breaking down the potential Pats opponents

5 Biggest Draft Needs for the New England Patriots

The 2012 Patriots: Let’s finish it where we started it!

Local/National Analysis

Patriots need to work on offense during bye week – Patriots – Boston.com

Why the Patriots are going back to the Super Bowl – WEEI | Kirk Minihane

2013 NFL playoffs — Tom Brady, New England Patriots know there’s no wiggle room – ESPN Boston

Four things we learned this week – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Patriots’ defensive house now playoff-ready – Patriots – Boston.com

5 takeaways from the Patriots-Dolphins – Extra Points – Boston.com

Patriots-Raiders ‘Tuck Rule Game’ Altered Course of NFL History, Still Hard to Fully Grasp (Video) | Krafting a Legacy | NESN.com

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Patriots-Raiders ‘Tuck Rule Game’ Altered Course of NFL History, Still Hard to Fully Grasp (Video) | Krafting a Legacy | NESN.com

Here’s a little audio slideshow about the Patriots-Raiders Snow Bowl that I participated in for NESN.com, along with some other Patriots and Raiders bloggers.

Fun trip down memory lane, especially as a fan.

The 2012 Patriots: Let’s finish it where we started it!

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It’s tough to immediately sum up my thoughts following another 16 game campaign, so I find that the best thing to do is to just rattle of the things that have stuck with me about this 2012 version of the Patriots.

Each year the Patriots win, but each year is special.

Here in no particular order are the things that stood out most to me about the 2012 Pats:

  1. Hernando and Gronk like two lost (injured) lovers who just cannot find the field together at the same time.
  2. The emergence of Stevan Ridley.
  3. The one word offense. Brady and the Blitzkreig.
  4. Mayo ascending to another level.
  5. Buttfumble.
  6. Ridiculous loss to the Cardinals. That brain fart is why the AFCCG will be in Denver.
  7. Spikes becoming a frightening force in the middle.
  8. Julian Edelman replacing Welker? Nope.
  9. Danny Woodhead becoming the new Kevin Faulk.
  10. Pulling a bye out in week 17.

There was a lot to like about this Patriots team, and the late season loss to the 49ers could be a combustible ingredient that similarly talented teams the last two years have lacked. 

On offense they have a real outside threat that they have also recently lacked in Brandon Lloyd. The rest of the weapons are mostly banged up, but should be able to pull it together for three more games.

On defense the Pats will hope to get starting corners Alfonzo Dennard and Aqib Talib healthy over the bye week. Rob Ninkovich is a question mark at the moment, but we’re assuming that he’s out at least until the Super Bowl.

Their defense turned in their best effort of the year against the Dolphins. Let’s hope they have more games like that against better offenses in them.

As always it will come down to finishing. If this Pats team goes down it won’t be by much, and they’ll go down fighting. That’s all you can ask for. 

The Patriots dynasty was crowned for the first time in New Orleans and that’s where this year’s playoff road ends as well.

Let’s finish it where we started it!

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Good time to pick up a PatsPropaganda DO YOUR JOB t-shirt!

https://www.patspropaganda.com/good-time-to-pick-up-a-patspropaganda-do-your-job/

Final thoughts on Pats wrapping up the regular season

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Hoping the Colts can pull this one out against the Texans, they lead 14-6 at the half, and a win would open the door for the Pats to get a needed bye. Some final other quick hit thoughts as we enjoy the last regular season Sunday of the season.

– Pass protection has been an issue the past couple weeks and Miami will be another good test. Would love to see the offensive line lock things down today. We don’t need Brady any more banged up, especially if we have to play next weekend.

– Wouldn’t mind seeing Bradon Spikes sit again, but he might need some work today to stay frosty.

– Same thing with Welker, if they can get a lead he might see some of his snaps reduced.

– Stevan Ridley could really use a big game today as a spring board into the playoffs. Last year he fumbled in the regular season finale and it set the tone for another one in the playoffs.

– Will be keeping an eye on Jermaine Cunningham, would be great if he looks fresh and explosive. Could be a huge boost in an area of need. It will be interesting to see how his return affects Justin Francis. Hopefully we see a little 4 defensive end nascar package.

– I think the Pats will keep it relatively vanilla today on both sides of the ball. They’re not going to bust out any crazy trick plays or anything.

– That said the biggest thing is escaping today with no major injuries, but getting a bye would really be huge. This Patriots team wasn’t devastated with season-ending injuries, but they’ve had a ton of lingering ones that have affected multiple players performances. There are a number of players that would benefit greatly from a week off. If the Colts can pull off the win it will make this last game even more exciting for Pats fans, and I’m always all for that.