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Five Things to Watch This Week - Week 16

By Patty O'Tool


The Patriots play their fifteenth regular season game at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday December 27th at 1:00 PM at Gillette Stadium.  A win here and we own the AFC East.

Anyone else sad about football season being almost over already?  Where does the time go?


Here's what I'll be watching for this week:

Tom Brady - He's still hurting.  Shoulder, finger and ribs.  And I'm sure the cold isn't helping the knee.  This doesn't bode well for January.

Ben Watson - Will we see him this week?  Maybe!

Fred Taylor - He's been a great interview as team spokesman this year.  I hope he comes back next year.  What?  When are we going to see him on the field?  He's supposed to PLAY, too?  Oh.

Vince Wilfork - Speaking of "players I hope come back next year", if I'm Vince's agent (and I've been lobbying hard, but he doesn't seem to return my calls), I sit down at the negotiating table and show the Patriots the opening drive against Buffalo last week.  Think the Bills knew they could run up the middle on them?  Yeah.  That's why we need Vince.

Pat's Secondary - The secondary has been toasted by average QBs lately.  Thankfully, David Garrard has a ways to go to be an average NFL QB.

Bonus item:  Tackling!  Hopefully, the defense practiced some this week.


Do I expect them to go deep in the play-offs?  Of course not.  They'll probably win on Wild Card Weekend (which will be at home).  Then they'll have to go to Indy or San Diego.  And while I don't think either of those teams is unbeatable, I just don't think it'll be the Patriots that beat them.  We don't travel well.


My prediction:


Pats 27, Jags 17
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