With a victory tomorrow against the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots will have sole possession of the NFL's record for consecutive victories. But before I start thinking too far ahead, a mortal sin in the New England Patriots locker room, I'd like to go back and review the string of wins that's occurred over the past 377 days since the Patriots last lost a football game. Some would call it lucky. Some would say that it's meaningless. And most would say that it's a streak that's about to end very soon. I, on the other hand, disagree with all three. I'm sure you're shocked.
Over the past eighteen games, I can only recall one game in which "luck" came into play. And that was when Miami missed a field goal to win the game. But in my book, that goes down as justice since the Dolphins had possession only because the official botched the coin toss. The other seventeen have come down to the Patriots stepping it up when it really counts. I've heard a lot of people tell me that the Patriots have looked very sloppy their first three games, and I fully agree. The Patriots just aren't a team that's going to come out week after week and clobber teams. However, despite their inability to put the nail in the coffin early, there hasn't been a moment yet this season, where I've really worried that the Pats weren't going to get the job done. Even as Buffalo was heading down the field late in the game last Sunday, I knew that the Patriots were moments away from from another big play. Sure enough, Tedy Bruschi forced Drew Bledsoe to fumble the ball which Richard Seymour ran back for a touchdown. Game Over.
The Patriots don't shoot themselves in the foot very often. And when they do, just like Corey Dillon's fumble on the 2 yard line which led to a Buffalo touchdown drive, the fix the problem rather quickly. And because of that, they've been able to compile a winning streak that was thought impossible in today's NFL. It all comes down to making big plays at big times. That's why the Patriots the Patriots are playing for 19 straight tomorrow. And that's also why I believe we aren't going to see this streak end any time soon. Weeks 6-9 give the Patiots home games versus the Seahawks and Jets and road games versus the Steelers and Rams. Four formidable opponents, but four teams who flat-out aren't as good as the Patriots. Is a loss in those weeks unthinkable? Certainly not. But would four wins be far-fetched either? It's going to take some team playing the game of their season to dethrone the Patriots. Because the Patriots play like it's the game of their season every week. Winning breeds a winning attitude, which breeds more winning. It's an amazing cycle which has infected the Patriots locker room, and sent shockwaves through the NFL.
Predictions: I can admit when I'm wrong. I've already admitted to my Seattle mistake. And the Bengals weren't such a good choice either. Throw in some major Carolina injuries and a Falcon's hot start, and you've got yourself a set of preseason picks that could use some tweaking.
NFC NORTH:
1. Vikings
2. Packers
3. Lions
4. Bears
NFC SOUTH:
1. Falcons
2. Saints
3. Panthers
4. Buccanneers
NFC EAST:
1. Cowboys
2. Giants
3. Eagles
4. Redskins
T.O. Time bomb.... tick. tick. tick.
NFC WEST:
1. Seahawks
2. Rams
3. Cardinals
4. 49ers
NFC SEEDING:
1. Seahawks
2. Vikings
3. Falcons
4. Cowboys
5. Rams
6. Saints
AFC NORTH:
1. Steelers
2. Ravens
3. Bengals
4. Browns
AFC SOUTH:
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Titans
4. Texans
AFC EAST:
1. Patriots
2. Jets
3. Bills
4. Dolphins
AFC WEST:
1. Chiefs
2. Broncos
3. Raiders
4. Chargers
AFC SEEDING:
1. Patriots
2. Colts
3. Steelers
4. Chiefs
5. Jets
6. Jaguars
NFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Falcons over Saints, Cowboys over Rams
Divisional Round:
Cowboys over Seahawks , Vikings over Falcons
NFC Championship:
Vikings over Cowboys
AFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Jaguars over Steelers, Jets over Chiefs
Divisional Round:
Patriots over Jaguars, Colts over Jets
AFC Championship
Patriots over Colts
SUPERBOWL XXXIX:
Patriots over Vikings
Against my better judgement, I'm sticking with it.
