Everyone Needs To Calm Down About The Patriots

     Anyone who says the Patriots are in trouble are spoiled and delusional.  Are they the best team in the AFC at this point? No, but look at the last two Super Bowl champions.  The Giants went 9-7 (including a stretch in the middle of the season where they lost 5 of 6) last year and the Packer went 10-6 the year before that. Hell, the Pats only had a bye week in the playoffs for one of their Super Bowl wins.  It doesn't matter how you make the playoffs, just how you play once you get there.  While a lot of people want to focus on the fact that the Pats' defense blew another ten point lead in the 4th quarter I'd like to point out the positives.  

     First off the offense got the ball with under two minutes down three and were able to drive down the field and score.  You don't have to be a brain surgeon to realize that up to this point the Patriots have struggled in close games.  This win was a huge step in the right direction for them.  The ability to play from behind is without a doubt something they will need to be successful in the playoffs.  That being said, it is clear they need to work on the 4 minute drill.  For some reason when they are up in the 4th quarter and need a couple first downs to seal the win they can't do it.  

     The other thing that was promising about the Patriots game was the defense. Now that you're done rolling your eyes and laughing at me for being a homer hear me out.  Yes, the secondary still looked lost at times; giving up five plays for a gain of 20 yards or more.  That being said, when they needed to make plays they did.  After the McCourty fumble the Jets got the ball with amazing field position and the Patriots' defense held them to just a field goal.  Then in overtime, they were able to force a turnover and end the game. Was it the cleanest victory? No.  Did it help that Mark Sanchez refuses to throw the ball away? Yes.  Regardless of what you think about Mark Sanchez those plays don't happen if the D-line didn't step it up big time.  You could even argue that the safety was a product of the D-line.  If Vince Wilfork doesn't absolutely destroy the Jet's offensive line than Sanchez doesn't shit himself and fuck up the handoff to Greene.  

     Now don't misconstrue what I'm saying.  I'm not telling you to go out an buy your ticket to New Orleans because the Pats are locks to win it all.  All I'm saying is they aren't that far away from being championship contenders.  They are easily the best team in a mediocre division and despite a sup-par secondary they would still be favorites when matched up against any team in the AFC with the exception of the Texans. Meanwhile the young defense will continue to improve in the weeks to come while the pretenders of the league crash and burn.