Throwdowns > Closed

(Un) said 07/22, 03:40 PM
Quick flashback to 2008.

The New England Patriots were coming off a Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. They entered the 2008 season with what was considered the easiest Strength of Schedule in the league. And then they faced this man:



Bernard Pollard. AKA New England's kryptonite.

- The man who ended Tom Brady's 2008 season.
- The same man who put Wes Welker on IR in 2009.
- The same man who caused Rob Gronkowski's debilitating ankle injury in 2011, essentially neutralizing Gronk in the Super Bowl.

Now let's fast forward to 2012.

The New England Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. They enter the 2012 season with what is considered the easiest Strength of Schedule in the league. Sound familiar?

My prediction:
New England opens the season 2-0 with Tom Brady.

They play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, where Bernard Pollard will inevitably give Tom Brady another season-ending leg injury. But the Pats manage to squeak out a win. At this point they're 3-0.

After that it's a whole lot of Ryan Mallett. They thrive off their weak schedule, lose to the contenders, and finish 12-4.

(Un) said 07/22, 11:14 PM
When it comes down to it the Patriots 2012 schedule is so easy they could win close to a dozen games regardless of who is at QB. It's just the really tough games (very few of which exist on their schedule) where they need Tom Terrific to put them over the top.

But 15 wins? You must be forgetting about that #31 ranked defense.

Ever since player personnel mastermind Scott Pioli left for Kansas City in Jan 2009, the Patriots once-heralded defense has steadily deteriorated. The talent just isn't there. Their free agency moves are highlighted by the Albert Haynesworth flop and their defensive draft picks have mostly disappointed.

Of the 14 defensive players they've drafted between 2009-2011 (including 7 players taken in rounds 1-3) only Devin McCourty has started a full 16-game season, let alone made the Pro Bowl. Meanwhile they've wasted 2nd & 3rd round picks on guys like Darius Butler (waived after 2 seasons) and Tyrone McKenzie (who never even made the team).

But we're supposed to believe they drafted some impact players on defense this year? That defies recent history.

Coming up: I'll break down the 2012 Patriot's four regular season losses...

(Un) said 07/23, 10:02 PM
Ras-I Dowling and his 2 career tackles is your idea of drafting a successful defensive player? Standards really have changed since Scott Pioli left.

Now, as promised, the Patriots four regular-season losses: Abridged!

Week 4 @ Buffalo. You don't think New England can win this game with Tom Brady. I know they can't win without him. No contest, moving on. Loss.

Week 5 vs Denver. Ryan Mallet in his 2nd career start gets in a shoot-out against the 2012 Comeback Player of the Year Peyton Manning (yeah, I'm predicting that too). Loss.

Week 14 vs Houston. Matt Schaub is the second-best QB New England sees all year. The Texans move the ball at ease against the swiss cheese Patriot defense. Ryan Mallett can't keep up. Loss.

Week 15 vs San Fran. After facing Houston's nasty front seven, the Pats O-line takes on the 49ers arguably nastier front seven. On a short week. Loss.

Yeah, I know the Patriots "never" lose 3 home games in a season. Tell that to the Brady-less 2008 squad. They went 5-3 at home as well. The stars have aligned. This is the season of deja vu. You can thank the New York Giants and Bernard Pollard for that.