I would not want to be the Philadelphia Eagles coming to play in
the Big Razor this Sunday.
Somebody's got to pay.
The New England Patriots are 10-1-0 and still control their own
fate. Okay, we all control our own fate (we do) but what I mean in this case is
as long as the Patriots keep winning, they'll get the bye and home field
throughout the playoffs. Having said that, getting everyone healthy may be more
important than home field, if that's the transactional question (we don't
actually get an option, do we?), Anyway, in the spirit of making lists, the only
other thing on the Internet besides cats and racists (and if you think I'm
talking about you then I probably am), it's time to take a look at the breaks
that haven't been but should be coming the Patriots way as they continue their
quest for their unquestioned place in pigskin history!
It is the season of miracles, after all.
Top Breaks Coming the Patriots Way
#1 Gronk
Comes Back Like Schwarzenegger in "The Terminator"
I want to see Rob Gronkowski at 100% in January. Take your time,
big fella. Get that knee right with Jesus.
#2 The
Offensive Line Gels
What's left of them is starting to get healthy. Now they need to
eat all their vegetables, regain their strength and remember what blocking is.
#3 James
White Steps Up
I'll happily replace "James White" with "Trey
Williams" or "Brandon Bolden" but somebody has to fill that 3rd
down back role and do that job well. Having said that, I'd like to see White
start running and catching like Shane Vereen. Perhaps more importantly, I'd
like him to stop running and catching like Laurence Maroney. I mean, it's too
much to expect to catch lightning in a bottle twice in the same season with
another diminutive passing back with Trey Williams, isn't it?
#4 A Few
Make Up Calls
Okay, I don't think the refs are out to get the Patriots but I do
think the league office is. Roger Goodell can't like the optics here because
even if they aren't it sure looks like they are. At the very least, they
shouldn't make it look so obvious, should they? So, down the stretch, I'm
looking forward to a few questionable calls going the other way.
Note: I
reserve the right to change my mind regarding the refs being out to get the
Patriots should they begin tossing their yellow hankies at Scott Chandler for
OPI.
#5
Getting Healthy
Danny Amendola and Jamie Collins are reportedly going to play
today against the Eagles. Dont'a Hightower? No news on that but he'll be back;
perhaps next week if not today. Haven't seen any updates on Dominique Easley's
ankle today, either. Julian Edelman will be back as will Rob Gronkowski. Can
they hang onto the #1 seed in the meanwhile? As noted above, I'll take a
healthy Patriots' roster on the road over playing the AFC Championship game in
Foxborough without Jules and Gronk.
#6 Scott
Chandler Gets Hand Transplants
Okay, actual hand transplants may be a bit extreme (and he'd
likely have to miss some time in post-surgical recovery) but Chandler has to
produce in the 5-6 catches for 60-75 yards range while Gronk is out and put up
those numbers on 10 or fewer targets.
#7 Malcolm
Butler and Logan Ryan Stay Healthy
Overall, the defensive backfield has outplayed expectations this
year but I don't think any of us saw Ryan's return to form or how well Butler
has played in his first full year as a starter. Keeping these two healthy is
imperative as the drop off in talent from the starters to the backups (whoever
they are) is significant. Haven't the Patriots already suffered injuries? I
guess the answer to that question depends on whether or not you're a citizen of
Patriots Nation but from a pure numbers point of view, the Patriots have had
more than their fair share of injuries (only
the Ravens have more players on IR than the Patriots). Unfortunately, I
don't see the Patriots blowing out many opponents in December so there won't be
those opportunities to rest Butler and Logan in the 4th quarter so I'm going to
have to spit three times, throw some salt over my left shoulder and roll with
statistical unlikelihood.
I hate rolling with statistical unlikelihood.
#8
Fitting Opposing Quarterbacks for a Chandler Jones Suit
I'd like to see Jones get multiple sacks of Sam Bradford and Mark
Sanchez (after Bradford leaves the game with something broken). Yes, I'd be
happy if Chandler was sharing the wealth with Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich;
we need the whole defense to step up while the offense is short-handed more
than we need Jones to put himself back in the discussion for DPOY but Jones is
one of the emotional leaders of the New England defense and getting him going
seems to get everyone going.
#9 Bill
Belichick Has a Special Christmas Gift for Roger Goodell
As hard as the league has tried, I believe there's still something
left in the rule book that Belichick will be able to use to his advantage, if
needed, in December. And if not in December, then January.
#10 Tom
Brady Being Tom Brady
Tom Brady is 52-10-0 in December/January. That's a winning
percentage of 83.87%. (Better than his overall regular season mark of 77.27%.)
But okay, mentioning that Tom Brady wins a lot is simply stating the obvious.
Perhaps more importantly, last Sunday reminded Tom Terrific that he's wicked pissed
off. You know, Deflategate, integrity, honor, respect, etc. Maybe LeGarrette
Blount gets 30 carries against the Eagles and goes off for 180+ yards rushing
(and trust me, I'd take that in a heartbeat) but I think this game is more
likely put in Brady's hands and he has one of the best games of his storied
career.
Perhaps I'm being obvious again. That could happen any Sunday,
couldn't it?
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