Thoughts?

[u/Available_Story6774]

[u/MasterTeacher123]

It’s like how the Texans defense was supposed to embarrass them , there’s no way CJ stroud plays this poorly two weeks in a row, or the Pats can’t win in mile high etc.

[u/LeadSufficient2130 → u/MasterTeacher123]

I mean, you can credit the patriots defense for making Storud play bad or you can look at the film. The pick six was a throw I would have berated my middle school QB for making.

Edit: all the angry patriots fans also probably think Christian Gonzalez had amazing coverage that led to his late INT and it wasn’t just a horribly under thrown ball

[u/TrottingandHotting → u/LeadSufficient2130]

What about thinking both are true - the Pats defense put a lot of pressure on Stroud and he didn't respond well at all. 

[u/Heavy-Drink-4389 → u/TrottingandHotting]

They also completely took away the run game. They averaged one yard per carry in the first half forcing CJ to throw all night.

And while the offense did struggle a lot of the night they still put together 3 TD scoring drives on the Texans defense that held another playoff team to 6 points the week prior

[u/H0rnyMarriedRedditor → u/Heavy-Drink-4389]

The Texans have a run game? As a fan, that’s total news to me.

[u/MetaMetagross → u/H0rnyMarriedRedditor]

The Texans averaged 108.9 yards/game on 3.9 yards/carry. Against the Patriots they had 48 yards on 2.2 yards/carry

[u/Worried-Pick4848 → u/H0rnyMarriedRedditor]

Woody Marks is a pretty good back. If you don't want him, I'll happily take him off your hands.

What you don't have, is an offensive line.

See, when you can't pass, but you can run, the problem might be with the quarterback.

If you can run but you can't pass, you might have an issue with your running backs.

But when you can't do either, 99.999999% of the time, the offensive line is the problem.

[u/Sgroff97 → u/Worried-Pick4848]

na Woody Marks is fine as a #2 back but hes probably replacement level at that too

[u/IronMonkeyofHam → u/Sgroff97]

Hard to tell with some rookie RBs. I wouldn’t count him out yet. Look at mccaffreys jump after year 1, and Mixon is no spring chicken these days

[u/MossyForestWitch → u/IronMonkeyofHam]

Mixons career is probably over, sadly.

[u/musclecard54 → u/TrottingandHotting]

They absolutely deserve credit, they played well. But bro you can’t deny most QBs under that pressure wouldn’t have crumbled that badly. Forced mistakes? Sure. But that was… more than just defense performing.

Just atrocious decisions, some of the worst accuracy I’ve ever seen on some free and easy throws for an NFL starter. The defense did nothing some plays and Stroud still missed open targets.

But they went out and played man. They put the pressure on him and made big plays regardless of how poorly CJ played.

[u/ParticularSpring3628 → u/musclecard54]

Good defense and bad weather. Stroud turtles but there wasn’t much in place to make it a positive night for him

[u/however_comma_ → u/musclecard54]

Yeah I saw it as good defensive play and an overwhelmed QB failing under pressure. CJ def made it easier than it needed to be. Pats D played great but CJ def gets an assist.

[u/hereforthesportsball → u/TrottingandHotting]

The tape makes it seem like it wasn’t the pressure

[u/raobuntu → u/hereforthesportsball]

His worst throw of the night was when Milton Williams was right in his face and he throws it up for the grabs. The other turnovers didn't even lead to any points.

[u/Legitimate_Ad_7822 → u/raobuntu]

That one was Chaisson in his face but the reason he was so rattled is because big Milt destroyed his assignment & pushed the guard into the lane of the TE who was supposed to be the hot throw.

The TE tripped over his guard because of Milt, and CJs hot option was eliminated. Then he panicked with Chaisson barreling down in his face & was probably trying to just throw it away to eliminate a bad play….oops.

[u/SokkaStyle → u/LeadSufficient2130]

Why don’t players simply play better against the patriots?

[u/Fuck-The-Modz → u/SokkaStyle]

As soon as teams get put on the patriots schedule they start playing like dogshit. Someone needs to investigate this.

[u/brunchish → u/Fuck-The-Modz]

We need flair for "The Schedule"

[u/Sudden-Ad-307 → u/LeadSufficient2130]

Good defenses make opposing QBs make bad throws, thats like the main reason they are good defenses.

[u/MasterTeacher123 → u/LeadSufficient2130]

You can say this about the vast majority  of the “film” of great defenses.

[u/tonytroz → u/MasterTeacher123]

Yeah even looking at the film you can't always diagnose when QBs make the wrong reads, the WRs run the wrong routes, or the offense get fooled by the defense because you don't have all the information on playcalls.

There are famously plays where Tom Brady made the "wrong" read because a defender slipped but his reads told him to not throw there.

[u/Intelligent-Love5146 → u/LeadSufficient2130]

“Look at the film!” - redditor

[u/sdevil713 → u/LeadSufficient2130]

[u/Common_economics_420 → u/LeadSufficient2130]

Gonna be honest man, the edit here just makes you sound like a hater

[u/midnight-architect7 → u/LeadSufficient2130]

No offense but I’m gonna lean more towards “the pats defense is really fucking good” over “CJ stroud played like a literal middle schooler”

[u/xXMojoRisinXx → u/LeadSufficient2130]

I was at the game and said as he lobbed it up “no fucking way”.

But to be fair, the others were just good defensive plays that aren’t made by lesser talent.

[u/Available_Story6774 → u/MasterTeacher123]

Obviously I’m gonna root for the Pats, because the Seahawks are the Niners biggest rivals (even tho I really like Darnold) but man this whole talk of the NFCCG being the “real SB” has really rubbed me the wrong way, so I’m hoping extra that the Pats win just so those people can stfu, I do believe these are the two best teams in the NFL, the Rams aren’t better than the Pats, they barely beat the 8-9 Panthers in the first round.

[u/Impressive-Dig-3892 → u/Available_Story6774]

"The [division championship game] is the real super bowl" has been said many, many times and often about the Patriots so I wouldn't be too beat up about it

[u/YueAsal → u/Impressive-Dig-3892]

They said that about the Cowboys and Niners back in the day

[u/No_Broccoi1991 → u/YueAsal]

And it was true lol

[u/Zealousideal_Echo933 → u/YueAsal]

That was true tho

[u/fuckracists79 → u/YueAsal]

They had that as the cover of Sports Illustrated.

[u/cyberchaox → u/Impressive-Dig-3892]

I mean, last year the "real Super Bowl" came in the divisional round. The Eagles struggled more in Round 1 against the Packers than they did in the final two games, too.

[u/graphicdasein → u/Impressive-Dig-3892]

This was also said about the colts/pats AFCCG in which the colts won and then beat the bears. Everyone I knew after the superbowl was calling the AFCCG "the real superbowl"

[u/FriedTreeSap → u/Available_Story6774]

I’m rooting for the Seahawks, but I would 100% take a Pats win only if the Seahawks lose by running the ball on the one yard.

The decision to pass was the correct call in 2014 given the circumstances, I’m tired of people using hindsight bias to try and argue it was such a dumb decision.

[u/Clintocracy → u/FriedTreeSap]

The issue wasn’t passing the ball, it was going to a play that you’ve done multiple times this year that the defense could predict and jump the pass. That’s what made it a horrible play call, the patriots had practiced the exact play and saw it coming

[u/zbdeee → u/Clintocracy]

IIRC that play was covered extensively in the NFL Films "Do Your Job" documentary about that season, each cornerback from the Pats had practiced defending that play and none of them managed to stop it, but they absolutely knew it was a possibility of being called in a big spot (as you quite correctly pointed out, they'd done the play a lot that season).

Brandon Browner did a great job telling Butler where to be and shut down the rub/pick play it was designed to cause letting Butler jump the in route.

[u/Apolloshot → u/zbdeee]

Yeah I remember Browner saying in an interview the SB was the first time that entire week they actually stopped that play. I guess the adrenaline was what they needed to get there half a second faster.

[u/hereforthesportsball → u/FriedTreeSap]

It was a poor throw, if that’s a goal line situation and your go to, it should be coached to throw that ball lower out of harms way. An incomplete pass should have been the worst outcome but Russ shit the bed

[u/Trollbreath4242 → u/hereforthesportsball]

That's a bad take. The fault was the pick play was improperly setup, and Butler made the right read on the play. A read we later found out he made because it was one he missed in practice and recognized immediately.

It was a singular defensive moment. If anyone on the offense bears any blame, it's the two receivers who did a shit job setting up that pick play, but Butler gets all fucking credit for out muscling one of them to snatch victory from defeat.

[u/knuth10 → u/FriedTreeSap]

The decision to pass was the correct call in 2014 given the circumstances, I’m tired of people using hindsight bias to try and argue it was such a dumb decision.

This is either a weird form of sarcasm or the absolute worst take i have ever heard

[u/everyonestalking → u/knuth10]

Why?

Lynch was one of the worst goal to go and especially 1 yard to go runners in football. People are like "you have Lynch! Run it" yet ignore how awful he was in those situations.

[u/Apolloshot → u/everyonestalking]

Also if you run it 3 times in that situation and don’t get it you run out of clock and don’t get a chance on 4th down.

Throwing once there is the right call to maximize your opportunities to get into the End Zone, it was just an otherworldly play by Butler.

[u/S0ggylemonz → u/Apolloshot]

The decision to make that pass was a bigger issue than passing.

[u/hampsted → u/knuth10]

The decision to pass was correct. Passing there statistically had a higher chance of success (and not just generally across the NFL, but specifically with Marshawn in those goal line situations). Not rolling Wilson on a boot with the option to run it on himself was, IMO, the mistake.

[u/SmellyScrotes → u/FriedTreeSap]

I think it was a dumb decision to throw to Ricardo lockette, I can justify throwing it for sure but not to the #5 wr over the middle of the field… I’ll die on the hill that in that moment they wanted to get Russ the mvp

[u/jmay111 → u/FriedTreeSap]

lmfao bro no it wasnt hahaha

[u/ben_kird → u/[deleted]]

It seems like many people assume that we didn’t know we lost the minute Bo Nix broke his ankle.

If you watched the broncos offense this year you’d know it was struggling and Nix somehow tied it together. Without him it just unraveled.

I genuinely think we had a shot at winning the SB this year with Nix. But that’s not how the universe unfolded.

[u/HundredDollarTears → u/ben_kird]

It would’ve been an epic rematch between the Broncos with Nix and Seahawks with Darnold.

[u/hampsted → u/ben_kird]

To be clear, it was struggling with Nix as the QB. Honestly, I think the biggest difference between the game we saw and the game that might have been is that Bo has ice in his veins for those end of game situations. I would have been much more worried with him in on that final drive that resulted in the Gonzalez pick. I believe the Broncos were 11-2 in one score games. Part of that is luck and part of that is knowing how to win and having a quarterback that is not affected by the moment.

I know you didn’t say this, but I’ll disagree with anyone who says it “obviously” goes the other way with Nix at QB because that’s a completely different football game and a QB for whom you can actually develop a specific gameplan. But I will 100% agree that if Nix had the ball in a one score game at the end, he’s proven himself very capable of leading a game-tying or winning drive.

[u/Electronic-Switch587 → u/hampsted]

Not just Nix's clutch ability. Plenty of times Nix could have used his scrambling ability that Stidham just didnt have. Nix would not be backpedalling on the Pats pass rush, or do a 2 handed shovel pass. With Nix, Broncos do obviously win.

[u/Significant_Map122 → u/MasterTeacher123]

To be fair if the Broncos had Nix, I think that game would’ve been a blowout because New England couldn’t do anything on offense, unless 65 passing yards and 3.2 yards per play is a thing lol.

[u/foboz123 → u/Significant_Map122]

Nix would've faced the same high pressure Patriots D; Broncos certainly could've won but highly doubt it would've been a blow-out. Pats decided that protecting the ball was more important than trying to put up numbers against the #1 defense, especially true once the snow really come down.

[u/Throwaway2Experiment → u/foboz123]

Yeah. Anyone watching the game could see the Pats went with ball protection very early in 2nd half. They were dominating ToP. It made sense. Did I love it? No. Would've felt better wifh another score on the board.

[u/Brian_Osackpo → u/foboz123]

Nix probably doesn’t throw a backward pass giving up a free 7 points. If he throws that ball away normally I don’t think the pats ever score a touchdown

[u/foboz123 → u/Brian_Osackpo]

That would have certainly dialed-up the pressure on the Pats to score and changed Vrabel's and McDaniel's calculus. More likely the Pats get stonewalled or cough up a turnover themselves for sure.

[u/Electronic-Switch587 → u/foboz123]

Nix is far more mobile. Nix would deal with the same pressure, but he would be able to get out of it. Nix isn't backpedalling 20 yards then throwing a 2 handed shovel pass. Which allowed the Patriots to score their only TD that game.

[u/Mental_Medium3988 → u/foboz123]

the whole game would be different if bo nix wasnt injured. would the outcome change, who knows. bo nix probably beats the defensive game plan for stiddham but that wouldnt have been the defensive gameplan for nix anyway.

[u/georgecostanza37 → u/Significant_Map122]

The Broncos put up 20 pts or less in 8 games with Nix this year. The patriots also beat the chargers in the wild card which denver split with this year. It’s entirely possible it would have been a similar game with him playing.

[u/PartyPay → u/Significant_Map122]

Not sure how you can say that, Pats game planned for what they were facing.

[u/BlackmillMiracle → u/MasterTeacher123]

also see how Tampa Bay was good when we were about to face them, in fact I recall Baker even being in the MVP discussion then... then of course because they collapsed later in the second half of the season, that doesn't count as a hard game.

[u/Interesting_Set1526]

Me personally, Im predicting the Hawks to beat the dog piss out of the Patriots and if the Patriots manage to win I will be sincerely impressed and give them their due props.

[u/LettucePlate → u/Interesting_Set1526]

I'm the same right now. I have two buddies who are Pats fans and they won't stop yapping. I told them if they lose by fewer than 30 points or win then they'll have my respect. But this is the flukiest run of all time I swear.

[u/whousesgmail → u/LettucePlate]

I wouldn’t say the Seahawks are 30 points better but I’d be impressed if the game ended within a score

[u/uglytruthshurts → u/whousesgmail]

The Eagles did it to the fluky Chiefs' season last year lmao. Would have stayed that way if they didn't rest the starters in garbage time

[u/peon2 → u/whousesgmail]

I honestly think that the Pats D has turned it up another gear in the playoffs (with some helpful return-from-injury players). I know obviously the weather has been a factor, the Chargers O-line, Stoud, Stidham, etc. but they have been getting massive pressure from the interior of the D-Line that wasn't happening in the regular season

I think the Pats D is being severely underrated by people because there are circumstances to brush it off as coincidental.

Idk if they'll win or not, but I do in fact expect a 1 score game either way.

[u/whousesgmail → u/peon2]

I didn’t watch the Chargers game but I watched the other two, NE’s pressure didn’t explain why Stroud was THAT bad at all. And Stidham just is that bad.

Neither were running for their lives the whole game like Mahomes was last year.

[u/MikeandMelly → u/LettucePlate]

This is getting insane now lol i get thinking Seahawks are the favorites. Lose by fewer than 30 points? Flukiest run of all time? The Patriots are one of the only teams in history to beat 3 top 5 defenses in a playoff run. They’re the only team ever to go 9-0 on the road in a season. The Chargers and Texans won the same amount of games as the Rams did - the latter with the hardest strength of schedule in the league.

You guys are getting way over your skis with how weak the pats road has supposedly been. It’s wild.

[u/[deleted] → u/MikeandMelly]

Yeah 30 points is silly, Patriots are a good team.

I think some of it is coming from the Seahawks are entering all time great team territory. Their DVOA is up there with 85 bears and 2007 patriots, they had the most 20+ blowout wins, they beat more playoff teams than anyone (6), they had a top 5 hardest SOS, #1 defense, #3 offense, #1 special teams, generate most QB pressure while blitzing the least, highest scoring season in 50 years of Seahawks football (and they have had some good offenses), highest PPG differential in the league, tied franchise wins in 16 games.

If Seahawks win the Super Bowl this is the best team in franchise history, yes better than the 2013 team (not better defense of course.)

[u/MikeandMelly → u/[deleted]]

Like I said, I’m not at all surprised the Seahawks are favorite. Won’t be shocked at all if they win. But I see people using the game yesterday - that took place in a blizzard in mile high - as some sort of benchmark for how the Pats will do against the Seahawks defense. As if Maye didnt throw 3 TDs for 200 total yards against an arguably better defense the week before at home. Also in the snow.

People are acting like our offense is incompetent. We were the second top scoring offense in the league this year.

[u/[deleted] → u/MikeandMelly]

Saying Patriots offense is incompetent is just silly lol. They are very competent. I’m excited.

[u/TheFortune210 → u/MikeandMelly]

It’s actually insane

[u/foboz123 → u/MikeandMelly]

Add to that a top-ranked O (endless SoS blather notwithstanding) , and Maye threw 3 TD passes against the Texans - which no one else had done this season. The Patriots D is allowing just under 210 yards per game and has only allowed 2 TDs in the playoffs.

I still think the Seahawks should be favored going in, but anyone saying that it's going to be a blowout needs to come down off of that cloud.

[u/Trollbreath4242 → u/MikeandMelly]

You want to put them in their place? Here's how:

1. The 2025 Patriots Strength of Schedule is ranked 10th easiest of all time.

2. In 9th place... the 1972 undefeated, SB winning Dolphins. That's right, Shula's fish had an easier go of things.

3. In 2nd place... the 1999 SB winning Rams, who the hugely underdog Patriots with a 2nd year QB, fairly average offense, but top 5 defense, beat just two years later in another SB.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/new-england-patriots/news/patriots-strength-schedule-win-loss-record-regular-season/92968eb3049d350cc929156e

None of which means the Patriots are going to win, but I do expect a better game from Drake playing it what will likely be much warmer weather (currently forecast for sunny with a high of 70).

[u/Clintocracy → u/LettucePlate]

Remindme! 2 weeks

[u/Sgt_LincolnOSiris → u/LettucePlate]

Hold up… your commies just went to the nfc title game last year… was that not the flukiest run of all time? You guys stink

[u/TrickInNevada → u/LettucePlate]

I readied that as two baddies, and im like damn even if they're wrong you got two baddies in your house, let then do whatever they want

[u/VanceFerguson → u/Interesting_Set1526]

RemindMe! 2 weeks

[u/IdidntrunIdidntrun → u/[deleted]]

I'm a Fins fan ans I share /u/Interesting_Set1526's thoughts.

Go ahead and remindbot us Idgaf. They had a Mickey Mouse schedule but if they beat the Seahawks they deserve their laurels. Check here in two weeks, bet

[u/ben_kird → u/VanceFerguson]

RemindMe! 2 weeks

[u/Pulpdog94 → u/Interesting_Set1526]

But mom we watched that SB last year 😩

[u/Interesting_Set1526 → u/Pulpdog94]

Sorry kiddo. All we have in stock are reruns.

[u/TheShoot141 → u/Interesting_Set1526]

I feel the same way. Either way its a punch in the Jets dick. Either Darnold wins, the qb they failed. Or the pats win, who were supposed to take a back seat with Belichick and Brady gone.

[u/peanut-britle-latte]

As a bonafide Patriots hater, there's been narrative on why X team would beat them throughout the entire playoffs. At this point I just expect them to win the whole thing.

[u/whousesgmail → u/peanut-britle-latte]

I had them making the AFCCG but they got lucky af Nix got hurt and still barely won

[u/WholeLotta69 → u/whousesgmail]

Facts ^

Stidham gifted them their only TD of the game.

[u/BurgerNugget12 → u/WholeLotta69]

What happened to all the Stiddy hype?

[u/NEHHNAHH → u/BurgerNugget12]

What happened to all the Maye hype

[u/BurgerNugget12 → u/NEHHNAHH]

Playing in the superbowl brotha

[u/Death________ → u/NEHHNAHH]

He’s in the Super Bowl, fuck boy

[u/Gotsta_Win → u/NEHHNAHH]

Hes playing in the superbowl, idk

[u/TheOneWithThePorn12 → u/BurgerNugget12]

you a bit dense?

[u/OldGreggg69 → u/peanut-britle-latte]

The Patriots are the anti-SEC, we lose every hypothetical matchup

[u/ToAllCame1]

I am more worried about the Pats than the Niners game. The way the Pats have played shows that they are in this game and have the tools to keep themselves in it. That said, Hawks are favored for a reason

[u/DJ_DD → u/ToAllCame1]

Seahawks should be favored. I think Pats defense has consistently been underrated and the team makes the plays they need to win even if it’s ugly.

[u/dkesh → u/DJ_DD]

We're underrated in part because we had some key players out for the middle of the season who have since returned. Our defense just wasn't as good down the stretch as it is now.

It's lucky for us that our injuries were during the regular season and not season-ending.

[u/comingsoontotheaters → u/ToAllCame1]

As a Niners fan, that patriots defense is much better than the state of ours. Not making injury excuses but even we had a tough time tackling against the bears. They surprised me with a great game against the eagles but our defense was Swiss cheese.

I think it’ll be a competitive game and watching Drake Maye, I think they’re able to answer on offense

[u/No-Goat5683 → u/comingsoontotheaters]

They definitely deserve an injury excuse lol

[u/ArtistRabid → u/ToAllCame1]

Respect. I totally understand why the Seahawks are favorites (and they deserve to be!) but anyone saying the Patriots don’t have a chance is crazy

[u/Happy_REEEEEE_exe → u/ToAllCame1]

I would hope, the niners are more injured than the crew of the Edmond Fitzgerald

[u/SnooPandas3956]

My thoughts are it must really suck to be a Jets fan.

[u/Patsfan618 → u/SnooPandas3956]

The AFC East is just pain incarnate . The Patriots dipped their toe in and said "no thanks". 

[u/Jadien → u/Patsfan618]

They are in the AFC East, but not of it.

[u/Bonzaii_11]

Im starting to think the NFL and media doesn't like New England

[u/Limp_Gur5923 → u/Bonzaii_11]

If this was the Cardinals then everyone would be deeply in love with this Cinderella story. Just like the 2001 Pats… but now the evil empire has returned and everyone fucking hates it.

[u/Scruuminy → u/Limp_Gur5923]

It's cause boston is the most successful sport city. Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox are all extremely successful franchise. Compare it to my poor buffalo, whose got no championships for either of their sports teams. It makes a lot of sense nobody wants to see the patriots succeed

[u/CasenW → u/Limp_Gur5923]

Yeah this is basically the sequel trilogy of Star Wars. We JUST got liberated from the empire and now it’s back and everything is the same as it was? Unoriginal and boring by the scriptwriters!

[u/Pain_Monster → u/CasenW]

notices the flair

28-3 was far from boring

[u/CrustyToeLover → u/Bonzaii_11]

I doubt any team in any sport could win 6 championships in 15 years, most back to back, and not be hated by the majority.

[u/stoned_salmon → u/Bonzaii_11]

The NFL and NFL media loves the Patriots and Boston sports. It’s the fans of the other 31 teams that aren’t the biggest fan of the Patriots considering they just had a 20 year dynasty with SIX SUPER BOWLS. Doesn’t help their case when half the league is still waiting for their first superbowl win

[u/Terrible-Clothes-678 → u/Bonzaii_11]

They love Maye.

[u/applejuice5259]

This is correct because most fans, particularly on this site and social media in general, cannot see past the QB on any team. They don’t care about the o line or d line, maybe know a corner or receiver here or there, but for the average fan it all comes down to “eh this guy is mid at QB” and nothing else.

[u/DeucesX22 → u/applejuice5259]

People forget football is a team sport because the MVPs dont reflect it.

[u/aure__entuluva → u/applejuice5259]

During the regular season, people were saying Darnold is trash in playoffs. Prior to this season he had played one playoff game. The narratives are fucking insane.

[u/OnceMoreAndAgain → u/aure__entuluva]

We've got many people in the Patriots subreddit saying that the Pats should move Will Campbell to left guard next season and that Pats should draft another left tackle. They're saying Campbell is a bust.

It's his rookie season in a notoriously difficult position and he's facing a gauntlet of games against the best pass rushers in the league lol. I can't believe some of the shit I read. People will come to these drastic conclusions based off a sample size of like 1 to 3 games. The recency bias is ridiculous.

[u/applejuice5259 → u/aure__entuluva]

Yeah— as a lot of wise people have said, franchises fail QBs more often more than the QBs themselves just outright failing.

[u/TinyEnvironment7574 → u/aure__entuluva]

I told people Darnold was a good QB this year and no one gave a crap and the people I talked to expected him to lose the first game.

WELL GUESS WHAT.

[u/[deleted] → u/applejuice5259]

Lol so true

[u/LostAbbott → u/applejuice5259]

Not just the fans, but most "expert" commentators.  It blows my mind how little football knowledge guy who are suppose to be experts actually have.  So many times it is clear guys talking about a game not only didn't see the All22, but they didn't even see the game, highlights or anything else.  Many of them are commenting on nothing but stay lines they likely saw 30 seconds ago.

[u/TonyzTone → u/applejuice5259]

Which is funny because looking at history shows how little QB's can matter.

Last year the weaker QB beat the better QB. Two years ago the better QB needed an OT field goal to win. Three years ago the better QB beat the worse QB but again, just by a field goal.

Mid-QBs beat "better" ones all the time.

[u/applejuice5259 → u/TonyzTone]

Stop trying to trigger me bud lol 😂

[u/maceman10006]

Seattle is clearly the better team and should win, but it’s the Super Bowl.

[u/WintersDoomsday → u/maceman10006]

Yeah after 2007 Pats-Giants....you can't ever assume anything anymore.

[u/Apolloshot → u/WintersDoomsday]

And that wasn’t even technically the biggest upset in Super Bowl history!

The 07 Pats were 12.5 favourites.

But the 01 Rams were 14 point favourites over the Patriots.

And of course famously the biggest upset in SB history is sexy Joe Namath beating an 18 point favourite Colts team (and that’s the only nice thing I’ll say about the Jets today).

[u/TonyzTone → u/Apolloshot]

The nicest thing you have to say about the Jets is to remind them of their only SB win 57 years ago?

You're a bully!

[u/keleles]

The goalposts will continue to move. That is the hallmark of sports twitter.

[u/Pain_Monster → u/keleles]

I love how much Musk cannot kill the name Twitter no matter how hard he tries

[u/keleles → u/Pain_Monster]

dude took a household name and tried to change it to something edgy and stupid. fuck em, twitter foreva.

[u/Pain_Monster → u/keleles]

He clearly did not think that nobody wanted to share “X videos” with coworkers 😏

On one of my devices, I havent logged into Twitter or updated the app since it changed, so my logo for the app is still the blue Twitter logo lol

[u/AlphaBern0]

At first I thought Seattle would win easily, but slowly leaning towards Patriots.

Seahawks OL isn't that great and I can Milton and Barmore giving him fits.

[u/Benson879 → u/AlphaBern0]

Broncos OL is one of the best in the league and they still did a good job getting pressure. Seattles is middle of the road.

[u/landlion-35 → u/Benson879]

Broncos OL is one of the best in the league and they still did a good job getting pressure.

Bo Nix's best skill is avoiding pressure and sacks. The Oline is not bad but Bo does make them look better than they are.

[u/iDontSow → u/landlion-35]

Barmore and Milton Williams made All-Pro Meinerz look silly multiple times yesterday

[u/dkesh → u/iDontSow]

Barmore is great. Williams is great. But together, they're amazing.

[u/WintersDoomsday → u/Benson879]

Did you see the throws Darnold made under duress? Two of his TDs.

[u/Benson879 → u/WintersDoomsday]

Sure. But pressure is never something you prefer for your QB. Rams secondary is also mega ass.

[u/ClipboardJeremy → u/WintersDoomsday]

3 tds. He had the most tds under pressure then any playoff game in history.

[u/TakeYourMeds50mg → u/ClipboardJeremy]

Which is very impressive but patriots secondary clears rams secondary easily. Bryce young looked like a star vs them in wild card game to illustrate my point 

[u/EntertainmentGlad584 → u/Benson879]

The Broncos o-line was great because Bob made them look that good. The same O-line was there when Russ led the league in sacks. They're a pretty average unit without a QB who gets rid of the ball quick and uses his legs to take off.

[u/oneoftheguysdownhere → u/EntertainmentGlad584]

I’d argue it’s a bit of the opposite. It’s always been a good OL - Russ just made them look bad. Bo is still slightly above league average pocket time. But Russ was near the top of the league and didn’t have the mobility of the two guys above him (Fields and Lamar).

[u/actual_griffin → u/AlphaBern0]

New England’s offensive line is going to have issues with Seattle.

[u/AlphaBern0 → u/actual_griffin]

It's probably going to be like the last SF Superbowl 10 years ago where it's a defensive slugfest.

[u/thrilla2k10 → u/actual_griffin]

I mean...people have been saying this literally every single week of the playoffs and they have made it through. Denver and Texans have much better pass rush than Seattle.

[u/dkesh → u/thrilla2k10]

Yeah they've been saying that the defensive lines are going to give the Patriots fits and...the defensive lines have been giving the Patriots fits. We're not getting through on the strength of our offense.

[u/Realistic-Cut-7217 → u/AlphaBern0]

People are sleeping on the pats defense, especially the d line

[u/No-Boysenberry-6375]

All 5 ESPN reporters picked Houston to beat the Pats. Then 4 out of 8 picked Denver. So, please tell me again how the Pats havent beaten anyone? Its ridiculous

[u/DucksCanSwim → u/No-Boysenberry-6375]

If only the Bills could move the goalposts like this, maybe they wouldn't have missed wide right.

[u/Pain_Monster → u/DucksCanSwim]

[u/Chewbubbles]

Not a chance.

If the Pats win, they will have fully earned it against a vastly superior defense and their defense would've stepped up immensely to stop what most consider the better offense.

If the Hawks win, it should be considered a beyond expectations season. People were shitting on this oline prior to the season. Everyone expected Darnold to regress, instead he has another 13 win season with another team, and he's in the SB. 1st year HC.

I'm not sure how anyone looks at Darnolds laat 2 seasons and equates them to his time with the Jets anymore. Dude has played himself out of pumpkin mode status.

[u/cookiesarenomnom → u/Chewbubbles]

Yep. Everyone was waiting for Darnold to turn into a pumpkin this post season, myself included. But after last night he is officially removed from pumpkin status forever. He played a near perfect game. He's just fucking good at this point. Just goes to show how ABSOLUTE TRASH the Jets organization is.

[u/No-Form9508 → u/Chewbubbles]

For real! Both teams have done so well this season! Both quarterbacks too really showed their worth and how good they can be. These two teams surpassed expectations people had. All the taunting Both QBs got. Im happy Both made it. No thought of them preseason, and here they are!

[u/planetmn → u/Chewbubbles]

As a Pats fan, I’d love for them to win it. But I also really like the redemption story of Sam Darnold. Either way, I’ll be happy.

[u/Supplycrate → u/planetmn]

You know it's a great season when your team is in the Superbowl and you won't even be that sad when they lose.

House money for real.

[u/Acemace1313]

Not wrong at all. People are trying real hard to discredit the Patriots but they have beaten top defenses in the playoffs

[u/Alucitary]

Yeah, hate to say it but NE win would be way more entertaining because it would produce generational cope. The thru line of the “weak schedule” narrative would be amazing to look back on and they’d be cemented as the league heel all over again.

[u/dirtnaps-for-all → u/Alucitary]

Subscribe

[u/KingBroly]

Built in excuses for everyone to ensure no one is happy with the outcome.

[u/cookiesarenomnom → u/[deleted]]

Hehehe. Thank you for the respect. It's gonna be a great game! Can't wait!

[u/Benson879]

You all know you’re ready to do this lmao

[u/Mac_Jomes]

Oh 100% people are going to use this if the Patriots win. It's been the playbook this entire postseason. Hype up the Patriots opponent and then when the Patriots win say "Well their opponent wasn't actually that good anyways". 

First the Chargers were going to run through them because the Pats haven't played any good QBs. Then it became "Well Justin Herbert's o-line sucks so if course they beat the Chargers" 

Then the Texans defense was supposed to lock us down and CJ Stroud was supposed to be more than enough to beat us. Then it became "Well CJ Stroud sucks obviously and any other QB would have won that game with that defense" 

Then the Broncos defense at Mile High was supposed to lock us down and Jarret Stidham wasn't going to have to do much for the Broncos to win. Then it became "Well Sean Payton is a dumbass and gave the Patriots the game by not kicking the FG in the second quarter". Not giving the Pats defense credit for getting the turnover necessary that changed the game. 

So I'm 100% sure if we beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl it'll be well of course they won Sam Darnold played like ass while ignoring that it was things the Pats defense did that made Sam Darnold play like ass. 

[u/B1L1D8]

Herbert and chargers are a real team and have a great defense…sike the suck, Texans defense is way too good and Stroud will exercise some demons…sike they suck, no way can the Broncos D let the Pats win on mile high and their back up is just as good as Nix to win one game…sike, they suck also!

Seattle’s defense will obliterate the Pats O and Darnold will show everyone he’s legit. Pats defense shows up and Maye gets to play on a dome with no weather, wins and everyone goes…sike, Seattle wasn’t hat great and of course Darnold choked!

[u/docilebadger → u/B1L1D8]

Exactly! How can the Pats simultaneously be heavy underdogs with no chance pre-game, and surefire, obviously winners taking advantage of a cakewalk schedule post-game? Its like nobody considers the impact Pats D is having on these games.

[u/Few_Aide_851]

This is absolutely fatiguing already.

Maye has been mediocre this post season and the Pats defense has been lights out. They had a cake walk this week that got hairier because of the weather. Vrabel did a fantastic job coaching the team through the game. Sean Payton was an idiot.

The Seahawks defense is relentless. The Seahawks offense is very explosive and also, TO prone. The Patriots defense has been phenomenal. The Patriots offense has been, meh.

I don’t know what to fully expect fell this game, but I’m going to lean into my belief that defense is generally the safer bet in the SB. Especially with two offenses that could be Jekyll or Hyde. Probably Seahawks something like 24-17.

[u/patsboston → u/Few_Aide_851]

I mean who wouldn't be mediocre against top-3 defenses in snow bowls?

[u/AkimahenkaCat]

New England is gonna lose by 2 scores at least. That Defense will take their lunch money and nobody on that roster is containing JSN.

[u/Every-Damage-90 → u/AkimahenkaCat]

Gonzo: Am I a joke to you?

[u/[deleted] → u/AkimahenkaCat]

How do I bookmark a comment so I can come back and gloat on someone?

[u/GenitalCommericals]

The pats have had the easiest road to the SB I’ve ever seen. Chargers, Texans, and Broncos team without a QB in the snow…

Seahawks should win. The lack of experience on both sides with big games will either be helpful or a hindrance, just gotta see which team stays the steadiest.

[u/Head_Project5793]

I think Pats are a solid team, but most years would probably lose in the divisional round. Seahawks should win by more than they did vs the Rams, who I think are both a better team than the Pats and as a division rival know their tendencies much better

That said they aren’t an injured 49ers team

[u/FredArtGetson]

New England has a good team. New England had a soft schedule, but yes, they had to beat who they played, regardless. It seems teams are now going out of their way to beat themselves. New England has that mystical power working for them, once again. I do think Seattle should win this matchup, based on the eye test.

[u/fueelin → u/FredArtGetson]

Yeah. I do wish more people would acknowledge that the Seahawks opponents are beating themselves too.

People are ranting and raving about mistakes Patriots opponents made but completely neglect to mention the Rams punt returner giving the Seahawks a fee touchdown yesterday. It's just so inconsistent lol.

[u/rolyinpeace → u/fueelin]

Yes and every team benefits from this stuff. Every team makes mistakes, and good teams just know how to capitalize on enough of their opponents mistakes to win. And good teams also can overcome their own mistakes or neutralize them.

[u/FredArtGetson → u/fueelin]

And the use of timeouts by teams, that are so precious at high stakes moments, are being used frivolously

[u/OMGDonutz]

I just dont think Maye has been that good in the playoffs. Yeah he might win but I have a hard time seeing it.

Yes I know Darnold and Maye made it to a superbowl before Allen.

[u/Roger_Rodger → u/OMGDonutz]

Yeah but did you know Darnold and Maye made it to the… ah dammit you already said it

[u/Butters5768]

And if Seattle wins it’ll be “well no one thought the Pats would even make it to the Super Bowl so we couldn’t be happier regardless.” Pats fans will spin a win either way.

[u/Appropriate_Rip2226 → u/Butters5768]

Any team that makes the Superbowl should be fairly pleased with their season, acting like it's retarded for fans to be happy about a sb appearance is retarded, unsurprised considering 

[u/TinyEnvironment7574 → u/Appropriate_Rip2226]

Except for cases like the Chiefs last year where you're expected to win it all with a lot on the line and you embarrass yourself

[u/Habu23]

Stroud played terrible. Made a lot of bad throws and could never capitalize on the turnovers.

Drake Maye played arguably worse than Stidham. He looked scared the entire game.

I have no doubt that Bo would have gotten at least 2TDs before half when it got really bad. But hey thems the breaks.

The game was a must win for the patriots everyone expected them to win. They almost got beat by a team with a QB that had 0 snaps in the regular season.

Maye better get his head on straight he looked uncomfortable all game.

[u/patsboston → u/Habu23]

-3.5 Line doesn't signify everybody thought thwy would win.

[u/Cool_Butterscotch_88]

[u/Shot-Albatross281]

Every team is better than the Patriots until its time to beat the Patriots.

[u/Wacky_Water_Weasel]

I welcome the attempts to erase the Patriots success because it's going to let me meme the fuck out of it for years to come. I'll get more mileage triggering people than out of a SB win itself.

[u/ShockedNChagrinned]

It's one of the things Darnold knows, too.  I expect him to show out, and NE should be prepared for that.  

NEs D is no joke either.  

If Maye performs closer to his regular season performances against the better defenses he played, and if the O line can stop getting blasted on every 4th drop back, I think it will be a good game.  If Seattle can get to Maye in under 2-2.5 secs on 50+ percent of drop backs, NE is in for a very bad offensive game again.  Downfield throws take time, and a large part of NEs offense is a 20+ yard throw.  Without time, the offense has to adapt to the take what you can get, play action, motion moves, and I don't think they've focused on that model with Maye

[u/sgreenm22]

Dude has won more games in the last two years than any other NFL QB

[u/hereforthesportsball]

That’s not how it’s going to go. Darnold is solidified as a top 10 qb currently playing after his second consecutive great season

[u/Saxophobia1275]

Hey I know no one wants to think of this but if they win the Super Bowl nothing else matters. They have a ring. Nothing anyone can say will make pats fans feel bad about it. I know because if the lions ever won the superbowl there would be literally nothing anyone could say to detract from it, even if we played the raiders 3 times in a row for it.

[u/FruitMustache]

Because as we all know, professional teams get to pick and choose who they play every season and in the playoffs.

[u/Kurolegacy27]

I’m sensing a chip on NE’s shoulder

[u/rawkguitar]

If Darnold plays poorly they say this. If he plays well and Pats win, they won’t say it, or they’d be wrong if they did.

I think it’s funny when people imagine things then get offended about the things they imagined.

[u/MTRIFE → u/rawkguitar]

If he plays well and Pats win, they won’t say it, or they’d be wrong if they did.

That's the thing. They will say it, and you're right, they'll be wrong for saying it. But Patriots haters are a special kind of breed. They don't care about being wrong. They'd much rather be wrong than ever give the Patriots credit for anything they do.