They're 6-0-0. They've outscored their opponents by 142 points. On a short week, battered by injuries and a Nor'easter, they won 35-14, covering an absurd 17 point line in the process.
So, what's everybody want to know?
How much longer must we endure this pigskin disaster that is the 2019 New England Patriots?
Okay, I get it. We're way past celebrating regular season wins here east of the Connecticut River. Success in these parts is measured in Lombardi Trophies. Such is the price of greatness.
So, maybe my glass of Bill Belichick's Wild Maine Blueberry Kool-Aid is half full. Maybe you'll raise a glass with me as I try to figure it all out…
Point: They haven't played anyone yet…
Tomato cans.
You may have heard the Patriots first six opponents have a comically cumulative record of 7-22-0. We shouldn't forget, though, that New England had something to do with that. Okay, yes; 7-16-0 is only marginally less ridiculous.
The quarterbacks they've faced can only be described as a Murderer's Row in the sense that they're killing their own fans pigskin hopes and dreams.
Their opponents' defenses rank 3rd, 12th, 17th, 28th, 31st, and 32nd in yards allowed per game.
Counterpoint: None of those teams had to face a full strength Patriots' offense, either...
Well, maybe the Steelers in Week 1.
The Patriots offense is playing without their starting center, left tackle, fullback, haven't really had a tight end (is Matt LaCosse actually made of glass?), and finished Thursday night with Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olzewski playing meaningful snaps at wide receiver because Phillip Dorsett wasn't even active (hamstring) and Josh Gordon left with an injury. They put their second string fullback on Injured Reserve Friday morning. The injuries to the O-Line, TE, and FB positions have ganked a running game that was supposed to be a strength, with a knock on effect on the passing game.
And somehow they've outscored their opponents, that motley crew of enfeebled footballers, by 142 points.
Wait, I meant, by 142 points!
Point: Tom Brady is obviously unhappy…
It sometimes feels like pigskin pundits and bobbleheads have spent more time deconstructing Tom Brady's press conferences than literary critics have spent analyzing the works of James Joyce.
Perhaps this was prompted by the injuries to Dorsett and Gordon, perhaps it's about Brady's supposed unhappiness with having to play with rookies, but I actually heard locals discussing the possibility of bringing back Antonio Brown today.
Maybe that's just what pigskin pundits and bobbleheads have to do. Is a return engagement for AB84 completely, utterly, batshit insane?
Yes. The answer is yes.
The speculative trade scenarios involving Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders are more unrealistic than insane, I suppose, but still, you know, not happening.
Would any of these scenarios make Tom Brady happy/guarantee a 7th Super Bowl win?
Counterpoint: How are you underestimating Tom Brady like this?
There was a moment after Brady scored his second touchdown after they unpiled from the quarterback sneak where he congratulated each and everyone of his teammates with a quick embrace, as if to say, well, to quote Bill Belichick's favorite rock and roller, we've got each other, and that's a lot...
As Brady noted, after the game, they were down to one position group; they grinded it out.
They had found a way to win.
They.
Few things are more powerful than a group of people who believe in and depend on and trust in each other. Maybe it's just wishful thinking filtered through a television screen on my part but…
I know what I felt in that moment.
Ryan Izzo isn't Rob Gronkowski. Jakobi Meyers isn't Antonio Brown. Josh Gordon isn't Randy Moss. Gunner Olzewski isn't Troy Brown. All of these things are true, and yet, for the first time this season, I felt like it didn't matter. Izzo, Meyers, Gordon, and Olzewski are the Patriots now.
They believe in themselves and I think Tom Brady believes in them, too.
Maybe it's time we all did.
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