TheAgitator.com
Pats Win
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007Two straight weeks now that someone has the Patriots on the ropes, and for two straight weeks when all he needed was a field goal, and was well in field goal range, a dumb quarterback went for the end zone, and threw an interception at a key point in the game.
The commentators tonight are saying, “If they can come back and win after playing like this, they’re going to go undefeated.” Which is what they said after the Colts game. And after the Eagles game. Maybe, just maybe, the lesson here isn’t that the Patriots are unbeatable because they keep playing close games and winning, but that they’re entirely beatable because they keep playing close games. And against teams that beat themselves (which, admittedly, the Colts did, too).
Also, I just watched Tom Brady’s press conference. Man this team is arrogant. He said his team didn’t make enough plays. He blamed the closeness of the game on poor calls by the referees. As if his interception and the fact that the Ravens ran all over the Pats defense had nothing to do with it. Generally, he copped a pretty snide, salty attitude. What he didn’t do was give the Ravens much credit at all. Seemed like he was embarrassed he didn’t have the opportunity to once again go for it on fourth down, in the fourth quarter, with a 30-point lead.
The Pats got lucky tonight. The Ravens played them tough, then handed them the game with some really stupid plays. I still don’t think the Patriots will go undefeated. And I still think my Colts will beat them in January.
You may believe it, but it doesn’t make it so.
Why do you dislike the Patriots so? To me it seems just like Yankee hatred. That is, hated because of their success.
At least you have something to cheer for. I am stuck with Matt “Glass” Schaub, Mario “Not-Bush-or-Young” Williams, and Ahman “One-game” Greene and must suffer another lousy season. The Colts win over the Jags was huge. A good team, but the win keeps the Colts out of the tailspin they can suffer. AFC playoffs look to be a lot of fun!
Maybe he hates them because they’re arrogant pricks. Personally my disliking of them started when Belichick refused to shake Peyton Manning’s hand last year after the Colts beat them. That was a pathetic sight to behold.
Being a good team and being nice people are mutually exclusive.
Before the Eagles games, people were saying the Pats were bound to loose soon because they’d only had to compete through four quarters once, and that would make them soft. Now that they’ve played two more games down to the wire, the conclusion is that they’re bound to loose soon, because they’ve had to fight all the way to end to win. Is there any event that won’t cause people to say they’re bound to loose soon? They’ve certainly looked beatable the last two weeks, but there’s a big difference between looking beatable and being beaten.
Amazing he says the referees were the reason the game was close when NE had 4 penalties and BAL had 13. That seems like an off number to me and that holding call on the play before NE’s TD was terrible, thats a no call in that situation and it should be in any situation.
The Bucs won this week, it was ugly but still a W. And nothing but creampuffs (.333 win %) left on the sked. Good times. Hello NFC South Champions and a fair shot of playing in the second week of the playoffs. With a few good breaks maybe even in the Championship game.
Just like the Colts, the Ravens *lost* this game by failing to put pressure on Brady for *all four quarters*. A dead giveaway that a team is going to win is when they pump-fake 5-6 times with a defender practically *spooning* them while working on a “comeback”.
My only beef with the Pats this season is that the commentary during NFL games insists on saying that they are playing *PERFECT* football, when their game is anything BUT perfect. They just have the good fortune to be playing teams who still believe that the Prevent defense does something other than PREVENT you from winning games.
Warren – so the Bucs are the new Saints?
Anyway, this game kind of reminded me of the 2005 Indy-San Diego game. That game showed the world how to beat a previously unbeatable team, and the Steelers took advantage of that knowledge in the playoffs. The same thing happened here. While there was one key difference – the undefeated team won – it’s as if Baltimore (and to some extent Philly the week before) exposed New England’s weaknesses for the world to see. It’s up to the remaining teams on NE’s schedule – Pittsburgh, the Giants, and whoever they face in the playoffs.
The new Saints? hardly. The Bucs have WON a championship game and a Superbowl. And are strong enough to make a push this year. Though having to play in Green Bay in the middle of winter against this Bert Farf guy everyone is talking about is unsettling.
All these last two Pats games are going to do is lower the betting line to something reasonable for the Pit game. Instead of -18 or -20 they will go off at -7 or so. This is their last test. After Pit comes the Jets at home where they will likely be 25 point favs and then Mia at home which may see the highest line ever -35 -40. Then the Giants away which they should win.
So they can win them all. They were just not able beat the spread in all of them.
Try being a Browns fan.We gave a game away and though the call at the end of the game was a push out and a TD I can’t complain.We didn’t deserve to win.As for the Ravens and Pats I just can’t stand either coach.Neither shows any class.I can say the same for many NCAA coach”s I saw on TV this weekend.I’m not sure Ohio State deserves the championship game,but, Jim Tressel is a class act.He doesn’t disparage other teams in the press,he keeps his cool on the side lines ,he doesn’t curse and yell at his players or officials like their dogs.I wish more would follow his example.
I kept yelling at the screen last night. Every time the Ravens would play off of Randy Moss the Patriots made a play. Not to Randy every time, but if you play off of him, don’t bump him at the line, you’re GONNA need help from a safety and that opens it up for another receiver to come across the field and get 13-15 yards on you. Play physical football (bumps, 6 men in the box, corner blitz, etc.) and you can beat the Patriots.
Also, it’s no secret, running the ball and controlling the clock is the way to beat them. The Stealers are #1 in total defense (allowing only 230 yards a game), #1 in pass defense (allowing only 154 y/g), and #2 in rushing defense (allowing only 77 yards a game). Meanwhile, they’re #6 in points scored and #3 in rushing yards/game. If anyone has a chance to beat them this year it’s Pittsburg next week.
I’m hoping for an equalizer such as wind (like last night), rain, or even a snow storm. If the Patriots are forced to run the ball against the #2 rushing defense in the league, Pittsburg will have a great chance of coming away with the victory.
BTW, the Ravens gave that game away last night. They definitely had them right where they wanted them and, BOOM! They literally grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory.
Since there is no “Edit” button, I’ll have to add another post (sorry).
The stealers are also #1 in Time of Possession (the Pats are second). This should be interesting.
Ahaha, try being a Dolphins fan.
I just made myself cry :(
A transcript of Brady’s press conference can be found at .
I’m not sure what evidence there is for not giving “the Ravens much credit at all”:
“They played great.”
“Give a lot of credit to the Ravens. A very experienced team with great players that plays hard.”
It’s quite funny for a fan of Bill Polian’s Colts to call a team “arrogant” for complaining about the lack of calls when the other team is clutching and grabbing receivers.
Sorry, cut and past of the link to Brady’s press conference got whacked. The transcript can be found at boston.com.
I have no love for the Pats, but I hope they finish the season undefeated so that I don’t have to hear about the 72 Dolphins and their @&#%! champagne any more.
Go Steelers! Also, do you think they took up a collection from Pats players to pay the refs last night? Or did Belicheck just pick up the tab himself? I’m sure he’s got the cash. Selling defensive signals has to have as much of a market as selling personal information to telemarketers.
Yes, the Patriots were whining at the post game conference. They were bullied for the first time, physically bullied. They didn’t like it- There is no whining in footballl! The Ravens talk trash, they are known for talking trash-some of the calls were questionable,but on replay they looked ok- the time out by Billick will be forever questioned, and I understand the players do not like him- he probably will not be back next year- he gave a 55 sec post game conf. The 72 Dolphins had several games like the Pats- and they were undefeated. Close games does not mean they can’t remain undefeated. The Pats won through the brilliance of Tom Brady- it was not luck. Come on people , Buck Up, Radley, it is inseason to hate the Pats- ok, we can take it- bring it on- The Pats are the best. I admire the Colts and Manning-I hope we meet again-nail biter of a game- Go Pats!
I defended the Pats for a long time and I’ve always liked Brady (it’s Belichick I can’t stand) until recently. When he stated in a press conference that he wanted to kill and humiliate the other teams, that’s when I lost respect for him. He was always quiet but confident but he lost serious points with me that day (I think it was after the Buffalo game). I’ve been rooting against the Pats every game since.
Now the Steelers (I’m still a proud fan, win or lose next week) have a chance to knock that chip off their shoulder. They have better a defense, a better running offense, and a better all-around team (including coaching) than the Ravens and Eagles. If those two teams were able to stay close, I have no doubt the Steelers will as well. It might come down to the end of the game and the Steelers really missing Troy Polamalu and Najeh Davenport, but I give them a good chance of taking this one. The only problem I see is Ben getting sacked a few times too many (like 5 times). As long as he can step up in the pocket, he’ll be fine.
Also, PLAY PHYSICAL FOOTBALL!!! I can’t say it enough. Don’t play off the receivers, especially without Polamalu in the back field.
To Radley:
“What he didn’t do was give the Ravens much credit at all. Seemed like he was embarrassed he didn’t have the opportunity to once again go for it on fourth down, in the fourth quarter, with a 30-point lead.”
We all hear what we want to hear it seems. Listen again, Radley.
http://www.patriots.com/games/index.cfm?ac=completereportsdetail&pid=29389&pcid=81&special_section=na
“It was a great game and give credit to the Ravens. They are an experienced team and they play hard, and just kept clawing back.”
For some reason I am not allowed to refute Radley’s comments about Tom Brady- I receive a message that says I have already made those comments, which I have not.
“It was a great game and give credit to the Ravens. They are an experienced team and they play hard, and just kept clawing back.”
A-MEN about the Prevent. I saw the Ravens sitting there with 4 minutes left rushing three and thought to myself, “Well, you really do want to lose this game, don’t you?” Success with putting pressure on Brady kept them in the game, so why’d they quit? That was pretty foolish.
The Pats were whining? What about the Ravens? They played a GREAT game then ruined it all by complaining and whining about everything except their own play.
Also, I love arrogance when winning. Watching Belicheck’s press conference filled me with joy. However, I also like humbleness when losing or when the inevitable fall comes…time will tell how they respond to that.
I really enjoy Radleys political and social postings, but when he posts about the Colts or the Pats, its just one-sided fan blather. He hears and sees only what his horseshoe shaped glasses allow.
“They just have the good fortune to be playing teams who still believe that the Prevent defense does something other than PREVENT you from winning games.”
No truer words can be spoken of the prevent defense. All it prevents is your team from winning the game!
Watched UofU lose to BUY two years in a row doing exactly the same thing! Screaming at the TV was of course to no avail and both years with mere seconds left, BYU scored and won. (oh those are western teams) :)
I hope NE as well goes all the way, probably for the same reasons as another mentioned, tired of listening about the ancients of Miami! The only thing that could be better is if Miami loses every game as well. Or with the single NE loss coming at the very hands of the winless Dolphins! Now how would that look?! :)
“It was a great game and give credit to the Ravens. They are an experienced team and they play hard, and just kept clawing back.”
Don’t forget, pris, that nothing is good enough for a Pats hater. If Brady genuflected and vowed that the Ravens were the better team, they’d complain that he’s being too insincere.
Someone above complained about Brady saying that they wanted to ‘kill and humiliate’ other teams. If he said the opposite he’d be called a liar by the same person.
Unfortunately, I’m afraid that they will get the last laugh. It is plainly evident that the Pats are not an invincible juggernaut. Lousy defense, average (at best) running game, and receivers who apparently can’t catch the ball in cold weather.
What the Ravens showed is you can beat the Pats if you run it down their throats for 60 minutes.
Also, that Brian Billick should not be coaching this team anymore.
So many lies and loose paraphrasing going on here. Every little thing the Pats do is magnified 10x by the media, and people eat it up every week. The Pats sometimes trip up and celebrate a bit too much, but by and large, every week, they smile and praise the opponents. Anyone who watched the Colts game or the Eagles game must laugh when they hear people say the refs are biased toward the Pats. Every week, the opponent has gotten the benefit of the doubt until the Watson hold. Last night, Scott charged the ref, threw his flag into the crowd, and the Ravens were absolutely terrible sportsmen all night, and all I hear people complain about is the Pats? Get over it; the Pats are good, even if they didn’t play well last night.
“What the Ravens showed is you can beat the Pats if you run it down their throats for 60 minutes.”
Well actually they didn’t! Ravens lost the game.
But fer sure they did come to play and play they did! Hats off to them.
Wallster,
I agree that Pats haters have blinders, nothing positive, nothing at all that the Pats do will ever be acknowledged. It is much more difficult to be a Pats fan when they win every week. However, those of us here who are Pats fans rise to the occasion. How difficult it must be in reality to have such hate in your heart.
Go Pats!