Patriots Season Outlook II

Bill Belichick was bang-on after the Patriots' 24-21 win over the Seahawks Sunday when he said "that was a great example of 60 minutes."

The Patriots never stopped fighting in a game that not only saw them miss their starters that were out before the game (Tom Brady, Lawrence Mareoney, Adalius Thomas, Rodney Harrison, Pierre Woods, Vince Redd, Kelly Washington)but during the game lost defenders Mike Vrabel, Teddi Bruchi and Vince Wilfork.

Junior Seau and Rosey Colvin had to turn into every down linebackers, after both were family men in street clothes less than a week before the game, Seau hadn't even had a real practice with the team.

Now the Patriots are staying on the west coast, and face a Raiders team, that although they have shown some fight against some teams this year, (Bills, Jets etc.) it should be a win for the pats.

In most circumstances.

News of Matt Cassel's father passing away on Monday night has come about, and Cassel is back home and the Patriots are not sure when he will be back. First of all, my thoughts and prayers are with Matt and his family. And secondly, I hope Cassel has a little Brett Favre monday night after his faster passed in him.

As far as the Patriots playoff chances go, It looks like they are going to have to win out, as it is almost guaranteed that either the dolphins or jets will get to 10 wins, and maybe 11. The Ravens have a very tough remaining schedule and are by no means a lock for a wild card spot.

The big match up is still next week in Foxborough against the Cardinals. Lets hope its cold and rainy day and the Patriots running game and defence can dominate the game, and force Kurt "fumble alot" Warner into some untimely turnovers.

Patriots Season Outlook

The Patriots will have a much clearer image of where there season is going 10 days from now.
Two big matchups, this sunday against the 6-4 Dolphins, and next sunday against the Steelers are two big tests for the Matt Cassel led team from Boston.

Exiting these games at 6-6 would almost guarantee needing a sweep the final four games to even have a shot at the post-season. The general consensus is that one AFC East team will get to 11-5 and win the division outright, and at 7-3 the Jets appear on their way, which leaves a lot of teams fighting for the wildcard.

If the Patriots can get a split from these two games, and the way Pitsburg is playing I suggest beating the Dolphins, then they have games at Seattle and at Oakland, tough places to play, but very winnable games.

The Bills shouldn't have much to play for come week 17, but eliminating New England's playoff hopes is probably enough of a reason, so no gimme there.

That leaves week 16 against the Cardinals as a very decisive game, and to be honest, that passing game worries me, with MVP favorite Kurt Warner under centre, (or in shotgun, whatever) throwing to Boldin and Fitzgerald is a scary thing when the Patriots are starting names like Jonathon Wilhite and Terrence Wheatly in the secondary some weeks.