The Patriots play their seventh regular season game at Gillette against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, October 31st at 4:15 PM.
No column last week. I was home Friday with a sick toddler. It threw off my whole writing routine. Sorry if you spent your whole week looking forward to my Friday musings.
/sad game show sound
Let's get right back on that horse. Here's five things I'll be watching for this week.
1) Coaching - Did anyone think we'd be 5 and 1 at this point? With this team? I love love love me some Belichick. There's no one I'd rather have as a coach (and yes... I'm one of the people who consistently defends his need to go for it on forth down. Sometimes a little "Eff You" attitude is a good thing in football. Look at the way the Ravens totally turtled down the stretch against the Pats in Week 6). Look around the league. There's maybe 4 or 5 good coaches. That's it. We're not exactly living in a Golden Age of Great Coaching. Which is why the Patriots can have the 32nd ranked 3rd down defense and still be 5 and 1. At some point this week, Belichick will do something pretty smart. And Brad Childress will do something kinda dumb (other than "start Brett").
2) Tight Ends - Have we ever had TWO good tight ends? If so, I can't remember a pair better than Gronkowski and Hernandez. They've totally changed the offense. Belichick probably doesn't trade Moss without their emergence.
3) Running Backs - Poor showing by Woodhead and Green-Ellis last week. I'd like to see a little bounce back this week.
4) Linebackers - Mayo is a solid anchor. He looks healthy again this year. I like Spikes and Guyton. Jermaine Cunningham has taken the starting job away from TBC (Has anyone else noticed the Patriots lead the league in dreadlocks this year?). Another strong, young group. I'm starting to really like this roster.
5) Special Teams - With the exception of the onside kick-off late last week, the special teams play has been stellar this season. Definitely a source of strength.
Bonus Item: Candy. Handing out Halloween candy while the game is on? HELL YES. There's no way I won't be sneaking a few myself.
Bonus Bonus Item: Metamucil. Once a day. It's like a present to yourself (especially after loading up on candy).
My prediction: Pats 27, Vikings 17
Now... Let's go eat a goddamn snack.
No column last week. I was home Friday with a sick toddler. It threw off my whole writing routine. Sorry if you spent your whole week looking forward to my Friday musings.
/sad game show sound
Let's get right back on that horse. Here's five things I'll be watching for this week.
1) Coaching - Did anyone think we'd be 5 and 1 at this point? With this team? I love love love me some Belichick. There's no one I'd rather have as a coach (and yes... I'm one of the people who consistently defends his need to go for it on forth down. Sometimes a little "Eff You" attitude is a good thing in football. Look at the way the Ravens totally turtled down the stretch against the Pats in Week 6). Look around the league. There's maybe 4 or 5 good coaches. That's it. We're not exactly living in a Golden Age of Great Coaching. Which is why the Patriots can have the 32nd ranked 3rd down defense and still be 5 and 1. At some point this week, Belichick will do something pretty smart. And Brad Childress will do something kinda dumb (other than "start Brett").
2) Tight Ends - Have we ever had TWO good tight ends? If so, I can't remember a pair better than Gronkowski and Hernandez. They've totally changed the offense. Belichick probably doesn't trade Moss without their emergence.
3) Running Backs - Poor showing by Woodhead and Green-Ellis last week. I'd like to see a little bounce back this week.
4) Linebackers - Mayo is a solid anchor. He looks healthy again this year. I like Spikes and Guyton. Jermaine Cunningham has taken the starting job away from TBC (Has anyone else noticed the Patriots lead the league in dreadlocks this year?). Another strong, young group. I'm starting to really like this roster.
5) Special Teams - With the exception of the onside kick-off late last week, the special teams play has been stellar this season. Definitely a source of strength.
Bonus Item: Candy. Handing out Halloween candy while the game is on? HELL YES. There's no way I won't be sneaking a few myself.
Bonus Bonus Item: Metamucil. Once a day. It's like a present to yourself (especially after loading up on candy).
My prediction: Pats 27, Vikings 17
Now... Let's go eat a goddamn snack.
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