Now that the glow of winning the SB last year is completely gone, what in the world is happening with the Pats? I have not been able to see most of the games, but did get a chance to watch last week's, and can't tell if Brady is just feeling the pressure, if the defense has lost some spark, or if it is a combination of these and other factors. 4 losses in a row has got to be some kind of record for the defending champions.

Didn't they loose five in a row last season?

I agree they have problems. But they may not be internal. Sometimes other teams see what you're doing right and compensate by defending against it or doing something better.

I wonder how many upsets there have been this year compared to previous ones.

Well, I see portions of the Pats games every week because I go to a friends house and he has the NFL package on Direct TV. And the Pats look....

Flat. This is just my personal opinion, but I don't think they should have even been in the Super Bowl last year. I don't want to re-ignite the whole "It was a fumble/It wasn't a fumble" and I'm NOT some bitter Raider's fan, but I think they had a big call go their way in a crucial playoff situation and that allowed them to make the SB.

Now, they totally schooled the Rams, true, but I thought it was a mistake to get rid of Bledsoe and keep Brady for one thing. They just haven't played well at all this year. The defense looks vulnerable esp. with regards to the linebackers, there's no running game to speak of, Brady looks shaky and they keep getting behind early, taking them away from their game plans.

They are in a tough division and with the Bills much improved--er, um, thanks to Drew--and the Dolphins a better team with the addition of Ricky "In A Dress" Williams, they might struggle to make the playoffs, let alone win the division.

I hope they enjoyed the post-Super Bowl backslapping and dinner circuit though.

I think this week will be a turning point for the Pats. If they can get fired up about playing Bledsoe and come out with a decisive win, that could rally them to salvage their season. If nothing else, Brady should be anxious to get out there and quiet all those people who've been saying New England kept the wrong guy. (Like Jim Allen )

Well, Alton had it right, and Brady was clearly fired up - an 87% completion rate! Wish I had been able to see the game, but the highlights in the paper alone were worth it. Here's to hoping this is the sign of the Patriots' ship righting itself.

Alton--hahahaha! Well, considering that I'm someone who thought that the Colts were iditos for not taking Ryan Leaf ahead of Peyton Manning (D'OH!!!), maybe I'm not the best judge of talent, to say the least. I still think the Pats made the wrong choice but it was shocking, shocking I tells ya, at how unprepared the Bills were at the beginning of the game. The Patsies came out really fired up--where was that sense of urgency for the games they lost?--and just took the game to the Bills. I mean, in retrospect, the game was won on that first drive.

Sure makes that division interesting now, doesn't it?

[ November 04, 2002: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

Well, I'm not one to gloat...especially since that game won't mean doodley-squat unless the Pats can build on the momentum and continue to win.

I was home watching my beloved Iggles, so I didn't get to see the Pats/Bills game, but the recaps looked impressive. Hope they can ride this wave for a while (got a soft-spot for 'em; my best buddy's a New Englander)