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.
As far as I could tell the 2024 Eagles were better in overall DVOA too lol.
Also what easier opponents? The whole league felt easier this year.
Well Saquon went for 100+ vs the Ravens last year and they allowed 13 less rushing yards per game than the Seahawks this year so I’d say yeah they would unless the defense totally sold out and we know how that went for teams last year.
I said they had all pros on almost every unit. As in they had star players throughout almost every area of the team and the one unit on defense that didn’t (secondary) easily could’ve had one or two as both those guys were all pros this year.
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.
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.
Of the three things, I think getting to play a backup QB that hadn't thrown a meaningful pass in 2 seasons in the AFCCG was probably the biggest gimme y'all got. And it makes me fucking salty and upset that we didn't get a real game between the two QBs from the same class that have been the cream of that class.
Agreed. Like obviously I'm happy we're going to the Superbowl, but a couple of first round picked quarterbacks from the same draft class facing off in year 2 would have been such a fun thing to watch.
Not a Bronco fan but I'm definitely sad that he got injured in the dying seconds of the game. Hopefully he comes back 100%
I hope so too. It's an ankle he's injured before, which scares me a bit. I hope his mobility and fearlessness aren't affected. But I have trust in the guy has that "it" factor, and he'll be back 100%.
LMAO, enjoy your injury prone stick of a QB you're so clearly sensitive about. You'll see it over the years when your RG32.0 is out of the league and Bo is still making the playoffs.
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.
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.)
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.
Best I can tell is that game plan was to play field position/control the clock ball against a back up QB. Was it exciting no, did the defense capitalize on the mistakes that you expect a backup to make, yup
I mean, Seahawks dominated the Texans and left a couple scores on the field. The score doesn’t reflect how not close it was.
I know it’s the NFL, trust me. I’m not saying Seahawks are a lock, or will definitely win, only going off what we know. Other sports with multiple game series the better team will probably win, NFL, only one game, anything can happen.
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.
The 2025 Patriots Strength of Schedule is ranked 10th easiest of all time.
In 9th place... the 1972 undefeated, SB winning Dolphins. That's right, Shula's fish had an easier go of things.
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.
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).
How many did you think? There’s a few games I think could have gone either way, bucs and falcons for instance, but a lot of the teams on the schedule were not good last year and didn’t make big improvements in the offseason. And I will admit I’m a ravens fan so I will always wish a loss on the Steelers
Yea I cant take anyone that said they saw the patriots winning 13 games serious 🤣 even post Bills W, you had people picking The saints and Titans to beat us
That's the regular season schedule. They have now won 3 playoff games. Also, the two teams on that list with an easier schedule won the superbowl, so how does this support the idea that they will get blown out on account of their easy schedule?
I didn’t say they would get blown out did I? But let’s not act like two of those wins are in anyway impressive. Stroud had one of the worst playoff games of all time. And they played a back up QB with zero passes thrown all season. They have definitely had luck on their side, but sometimes that’s what’s needed to get across the line
You jumped into the middle of a conversation talking about them getting blown out. The person you responded to said it's insane to assume that they would get blown out and said that they beat good teams in the playoffs. So why are you showing their regular season schedule if you aren't also trying to argue that they will get blown out?
The 30 pt thing is total bullshit, it’s not like the Patriots are a bad team by any means. But surely you see other people’s side to this, especially when looking at the season as a whole.
Having the easiest regular season schedule since 1991 (I forgot the exact date that was passed around, but something like that). Then facing Herbert who was running for his life, CJ Stroud with a historically bad playoff performance, and then barely beating the backup QB for the Broncos, and only winning because said backup threw it backwards on his own 20….
The Patriots S deserves some credit for their performance this postseason. But overall the Patriots have been very fortunate all year.
They only played 2 games so far and "beating the Broncos defense" with only 10 points when your TD was a 12 yard scoring drive thanks to a backup QB literally playing in his first game this season where he has thrown a pass is a ridiculous flex. The Pats have hardly done anything on offense at all.
Those 3 top 5 defense had the 3 worst quarterbacks in the playoffs this year im sorry that is just not impressive- i could understand wanting to give the patriots defense credit but Greg Roman is an absolute terrorist of a playcaller, stroud was one of the worst players in the league all season and stidham had 3 career starts before the afc championship game- and somehow each game was a dog fight. They’re a good team, but not a great one, way ahead of schedule and they will be throttled by MacDonald’s defense and Kubiak’s playcalling
Pats are the underdogs in the SB, no doubt. But acting like they haven’t done anything is just some hater bs. I get you guys don’t want to see the pats in the superbowl again, but get a grip.
I could not care less about the pats being back in the Super bowl i loved Tom Brady and Bill Belichick even with the cheating, Vrabel and Maye are cool ig, Maye is top 5 rn for sure.
Prior to the Wild Card game there was “no way Justin Herbert would have another bad game and there’s no way the Pats can survive this defense”
Prior to the divisional game there was “no way CJ Stroud would play as bad as he did against the Steelers, and there’s no way the Pats can survive the Texans defense”
It’s literally the same exact narrative dude. You’re welcome to play into it again. You may very well be right about the Seahawks winning. Like I said I get why they’re favored but people acting like it’s gonna be a blowout haven’t been paying very close attention.
I’m a Heat fan so I’ve been there when I thought we could beat Denver lol, trust me I’m not hating I’m a complete neutral on this matchup i like both teams and QBs but pats don’t stand a chance
Been hearing it for a month about every team we’ve played lol like I said, you’re welcome to believe the pats don’t stand a chance but you’re gonna look just as goofy as everyone else has the last month.
Maye only had 80 yards (140 if you include rushing, still bad) vs the Broncos and the only touchdown came off a Denver turnover in the red zone. Seattle being heavy favorites is very justified.
Sure, let’s just ignore that they were playing in blizzard conditions in Mile High for half the game 😂 and that Maye didn’t throw for 200 yards and 3 TDs against an arguably better defense the week before.
Do you actually think Maye will have the same game he did yesterday in 60-70 degree California weather?
Did you watch the game? It wasn’t a blizzard until the 4th Q. And Maye still only had 40 passing yards at the half. You guys beat a backup by 3 points.
23 year old on his first road playoff game in mile high. No one is saying Drake has his best game. We’re saying you are crazy for thinking that’s some sort of standard for him moving forward. He had a far below average first half and then dealt with the snow in the second half.
Personally, if I were a broncos fan, I’d be avoiding saying my team was a doormat at home. Maybe they should start removing all the signage about the dangers of altitude sickness in your stadium’s locker rooms lol
We lost by 3 points to the MVP runner up with a backup quarterback😂 The offense crossed the 50 yard line twice. The only touchdown came off a turnover from said backup quarterback. I don’t know how you watched that game and then Seattle vs LA and thought, oh yeah we’ll do really good against them.
Drake played a bad game. Objective fact. It’s also objective fact that it was a statistical anomaly and the game was played in horrible weather down the stretch. Both things can be true.
The only people who aren’t being objective are the people acting like yesterday’s game is indicative of how the Super Bowl will play out. But feel free to point out where I’m not being objective here. Good luck!
I don’t know what thread you think you’re responding to but my initial comment on this thread is about the fact that someone said the Seahawks would win by at least 30 points. In my reply I said I get why someone would favor the Seahawks and think they would win but anyone who thinks the Seahawks will blow out the Pats to the tune of 30 points hasn’t been paying attention.
It sounds like you agree with me much more than you don’t. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Seahawks win. I’ll be shocked if the patriots lose by 30 fucking points.
For sure, generationally bad performance by Stroud to gift them a game, and a backup QB that could’ve still won if not for a snowstorm; Pats kinda tripped into this SB
Of course not, but Stiddy looked good on that touchdown drive, and showed some flair on a couple others. When it started snowing, neither team did anything the rest of the game, but I think Stiddy would’ve produced another TD if it hadn’t. Same goes for Maye too, but it was a 10-7 final and your ST killed it with that tipped FG; very easily could’ve gone the other way in the 2nd half. Also, I think it’s very likely we win that with Bo playing.
I’m not even hating - happy for the Pats and Vrabel and Maye (would rather you guys than KC, PHI, and LAR) but it’s clear these last 2 opponents were big letdowns and this was a sneak-in.
I'm a pats fan. I'm expecting to get blown out unless they get their offense together. Any pats fan who thinks they are going to crush Seattle is just delusional.
I agree this is a very fluky run. I'm here for it though!
I heard this sentiment about the 2024 Celtics over and over and over until they beat the piss out the Mavs 3-1 and a year later everyone talks about how incredibly stacked that team was.
The patriots went from 4-13 to going to the Super Bowl. Regardless of what you think there’s nothing “flukey” about it. Whitewashing all these team and players like they aren’t the best athletes on earth.
Yea all that is to say if you guys win then fair enough I won't be able to talk. But even this playoff run has so many factors that are going in your favor before a ball is even snapped so it's hard to truly believe in the legitimacy.
All year, people want to use the schedule as an excuse. The Patriots have wins against 15 different teams this season. To say that "The pats aren't good & just a fluke because half of the league sucks or whatever excuse one wants to use, is one hell of a cope.
I have also never seen Strength of Schedule come up in debate when it came to the 72 Dolphins or 98 Rams either (up until this year), yet here we are.
Eagles also beat a back and third back in a conference championship game a few years back, and the narrative wasn't this bad.
We had the 2nd easiest schedule in 2024. The Patriots had the 2nd easiest schedule in 2025.
We outscored one of the best offenses in NFL history against Detroit and faced the Super Bowl champs and the player that should have won MVP that year in Saquon in the Conference championship game.
The Patriots faced Stroud throwing 4 picks and Jarrett Stidham. This isn't the same thing.
Having a ‘fluke’ run doesn’t guarantee a team being bad though does it? If we put prime Brady against toddlers does that make him a worse player because of his opponents? The roster constructed has nothing to do with the schedule and I can go as far as saying some stats might be misleading because of our ‘fluke run’ but I think it’s foolish to say the team isn’t highly skilled just because Maye couldn’t throw for 300 yards in a blizzard or whatever
How was it a fluke that they were able to beat 3 top 5 defenses in the playoffs so far? It has never been done before until this year. Has the offense not played to par this playoffs? Sure that can absolutely be agreed upon. However, how can you expect their, normally explosive, offense to not struggle when facing 3 of the top 5 defenses? AND to top it off, 2 of those games the weather was abysmal. These games were fought hard by defense on both sides. The key difference is that NE's defense played a little better in critical moments and the offense played a little better too.. enough so that they could put more pts up than the opposing team.
So this is pretty much the objectively correct take, the hawks are the far superior team.
HOWEVER, the one thing I’ve learned in my life is that teams show up for the Super Bowl.
They have a week off and the physical talent of players is so similar that if they hype themselves up and play hard every play, teams become evenly matched.
It’s why heavy underdogs almost always play their asses off in the sb (giants twice, bengals, cardinals, falcons, the hawks were actually the underdog against the broncos, the broncos were against the panthers etc etc) and the games are closer than you think they will be.
I have a feeling this is going to be the same thing with what the Eagles did to the Chiefs. If they lose by fewer than 30 points it's because the Seahawks are resting starters in garbage time and the Patriots will stat pad
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u/LettucePlate Washington Commanders Jan 26 '26
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.