Is this a repeat of the 2009 season for the Patriots?

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This could be a repeat of the 2009 season

Via SI.com

The Patriots are now 3-5 on the road after the loss to the Steelers on Sunday.  This is the first time since 2009 the Patriots have lost 5 games in a season.  It’s like what Belichick said to Brady in ‘A Football Life’ “I can’t get this team to play the way I want them to.”  He said that after the New Orleans Saints game in 09, and remember they got shelled in the division round that season by the Baltimore Ravens.  The Patriots struggles on the road continue, and Brady looks like he misses the receivers he had last year.

Unusual for the Patriots to lose two in a row in December

The only teams the Patriots have beaten on the road this season are the Bills, Jets, and Bears.  The rest you’re left scratching your head as to why they lost to the Titans, Lions, Jaguars, Dolphins, and Steelers.  Every time they play on the road, that team treats it like the Super Bowl, because it’s the Patriots.  Then the following week they lose because they prepared too much for the Patriots.

I can’t remember the last time the Patriots lost back to back games in December.  Right now is usually the time they play well and not make stupid mistakes.  The Patriots had every opportunity to win that game Sunday and didn’t take advantge of Pittsburgh’s mistakes.  Instead they made mistakes of their own.  The drop passes and interception into double coverage is uncommon for this team, especially in December.  They don’t play a real team until the playoffs start.  The Bills and Jets matchups to end the season are over before they even start.  Not only because the Patriots are home, but the Jets and Bills are terrible football teams.

Don’t expect a Super Bowl run for this team.  As in 2009, they’ll lose in the first round.   Could this be the beginning of the end?  That’s hard to say because of what this team does after having a lousy season.  They rebuild and be better next season.  But at that point Brady will be 42 and who knows if Gronkowski will be on the team.

The Greatest Red Sox Legends by Uniform Number: 36-40

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The greatest Red Sox to wear the numbers 36-40 is next up in the series.  Although as a group this one drops off a bit, there are still some good names here.  One is a postseason hero, while another is the oldest player to win a professional game.

Number 36 – Tom Gordon

Tom Gordon wasn’t with the Red Sox a long time, nor was he always effective, but he did enough to be the choice at number 36.   Gordon signed with the Red Sox as a starting pitcher for 1996.  Despite a 12-9 record, Gordon was not effective, allowing more earned runs than any other pitcher in baseball.  Gordon was pitching better the following season despite a 6-9 record, but was moved to the closer’s role following the epic trade of Heathcliff Slocumb.  Gordon saved 11 games to close out the season.

1998 was Gordon’s signature season for the team.  He made his first All-Star Game that year and led the league in saves.  His 46 saves still stand as a Red Sox franchise record for one season.  He was 7-4 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in the fantastic year.  He only blew one game, which came in Mid-April.  The next season he extended his streak to 54 consecutive saves without blowing one, a Major League record.  At the end of May he had a 2.08 ERA with 11 saves and zero blown saves.  He blew back-to-back games in June and didn’t pitch again until the very end of the season.  Gordon would have to undergo Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL.

Honorable Mentions: Junichi Tazawa, Aaron Sele, Mike Myers

Number 37 – Bill Lee

The “Spaceman” gets the nod over Hideki Okajima for number 37.  Both of them boast strong arguments.  Lee pitched much longer and was an effective starting pitcher, so he’s my choice.  He still plays baseball where he can find the opportunity, and in 2010 was the winning pitcher for the Brockton Rox, becoming the oldest person to ever win a professional baseball game.

Lee broke in with the Red Sox in 1969 and spent most of the seventies with the club.  He started pitching mostly out of the bullpen, going 16-6 with a 2.95 ERA and 7 saves between 1971 and 1972.  In 1973 he moved to the starting rotation and made the all-star team.  He finished the year at 17-11 with a 2.75 ERA.  This was the first of three consecutive seasons winning 17 games for “Spaceman.”

After a couple down seasons, Lee was having a bounce back year in 1978, when Don Zimmer inexplicably banished him to the bullpen as the team collapsed down the stretch.  Lee pitched out of the bullpen three times in September, and never after September 10th.  The move made zero sense, and may have helped aid the teams collapse.  Lee finished the season with a 3.46 ERA over 24 starts and four relief appearances.  He finished his Red Sox career with 94 wins.

Honorable Mentions: Hideki Okajima, Jimmy Piersall, Heath Hembree

Number 38 – Curt Schilling

Curt Schilling was a huge acquisition for Theo Epstein and the Red Sox, and his presence paid immediate dividends.  Schilling solidified himself as one of the all-time great postseason performers.  He also seemed to wrap up his spot in Cooperstown while in Boston, but the writer’s association has yet to vote him in.

Schilling’s first season in Boston cemented him as a Red Sox hero, helping break the 86 year World Series drought.  He led the American League with 21 wins, going 21-6 with a 3.26 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 203 strike outs.  He finished second in the Cy Young vote for the third time in four seasons. In the playoffs, he dominated as usual.  After injuring his ankle in game one of the ALCS, Schilling famously had a surgery that temporarily allowed him to pitch, while putting off the main surgery until the offseason.  On a hobble ankle, bleeding through his sock, Schilling returned for game six and allowed only one run over seven innings to pick up the win.  The effort was heroic.  In the World Series, Schilling allowed just an unearned run over six innings in Game 2 to pick up another win.

Schilling had difficulty recovering from his offseason surgery and struggled in 2005, even pitching out of the pen.  In 2006 he was back to pitching 200 innings and winning 15 games.  After a solid, yet unspectacular 2007, Schilling stepped up his game for the playoffs.  He was 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA including another World Series victory in the postseason.  Schilling finished his Red Sox career at 53-29 in the regular season, and 6-1 in the postseason.

Honorable Mentions: Jim Willoughby, Jeff Gray

Number 39 – Mike Greenwell

Mike Greenwell was a fantastic player early in his career, and finished with a career .303 batting average. He homered four times in 31 at-bats during his first cup of coffee in 1985.  As a rookie in 1987, Greenwell batted .328 with 19 home runs and a stellar .956 OPS.  By the next year he was an MVP candidate.

1988 was “Gator’s” signature season.  He finished second in the MVP vote to roided up Jose Canseco.  Greenwell was red-hot during the summer months, finishing the season with a .325/.416./.531/.946 batting line, 22 home runs, 39 doubles and eight triples.  He walked 87 times that year versus only 38 strike outs.  Greenwell made his first All-Star Game and won the Silver Slugger.

Greenwell was an all-star again in 1989, batting .308 and driving home 95 runs.  Greenwell remained a good hitter until the end, but never hit for the power he did in his first two seasons.  He rebounded from an injury-plagued 1992 to bat .315 with 38 doubles in 93 games.  He battled a bad back and injuries the rest of his career, which came to an end after the 1996 season despite a .295 average.  He had one huge final game that season, hitting two home runs and driving in all nine Red Sox runs in a 9-8 victory over Seattle in September.

Honorable Mention: Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Number 40 – Rick Wise

Rick Wise had a nice career, but that was mostly with Philadelphia.  He pitched a no-hitter with the Phillies and homered twice in the same game!  It wasn’t the last time he would hit two home runs in a game either.

Wise came to the Red Sox in 1974, and had a shortened season due to arm problems.  He recovered to win 19 games in 1975.  He also nearly had another no-hitter, losing one with two outs in the ninth inning against the Brewers.  Wise was solid in 1976, going 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA.

1977 was his final season in Boston, going 11-5 despite a 4.77 ERA.  He was then included in a trade to Cleveland to get Dennis Eckersley to Boston.  Therefore, his impact for the Red Sox went beyond what he accomplished on the field with them.  He finished his Red Sox career 47-32 over four seasons.

Honorable Mentions: Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Billy Conigliaro, Erik Hanson

 

Featured picture from Lookout Landing

Tips to Find the Best Fantasy Sports Sites

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Fantasy sports are a growing area of interest. When you want to play a fantasy sport or get involved in betting on fantasy teams, you want to work with the best fantasy sports sites for the sport you enjoy. By focusing on the best sites, you are able to avoid unnecessary hassles with the system and engage in your favorite sports without wasting your time.

Learn the Game

Before you take any steps to find the best sites for your game, you want to learn the basics of fantasy sports. Fantasy sports differ from traditional sports betting because you are not playing with existing teams. You play with fantasy teams that may combine players from a variety of teams to form the fantasy team.

The plays a specific player makes during a game contributes to the overall scores of the team. It focuses on the statistics between different players on the field or court. After you have a team or you follow a specific fantasy team, you are able to participate in placing your bets or engaging in the fantasy game.

Compare Websites

While it is important to understand the basics of the game, finding the best websites starts with comparing the options. Look into the popular sites for fantasy sports. Check their layout and look into the details of how players engage in the game. You want to find a website that fits your personal interest for a sport and has a user-friendly process to help you place a bet or form your team.

Look into any potential risks associated with a website. You do not want to face undue risks with your computer, phone or device due to viruses or other potential problems. Research the site and make sure that it has good reviews and information. Fantasy sports have a long history, but websites to bet on the games are relatively new and the industry continues to grow with greater interest from sports fans. You want to make sure that you select the best sites based on reviews and the website’s user-friendly design.

Check into the Legitimacy of the Site

Check the legitimacy of the site before you put any personal information into the site. The best sites will always have details about their legitimacy and reviews to help you determine that the site is ideal for placing your bets. Pay attention to bad reviews and check that the site does not have negative complaints on official resources, such as Consumer Reports. If you notice that the site has a myriad of negative reviews, then you want to opt for a different site. Make sure that you are working with a legitimate fantasy sports site to avoid unnecessary problems.

The best fantasy sports sites are legitimate and user-friendly. They allow you to place bets on a fantasy team or engage in creating a fantasy team for your favorite sports. It is a growing industry with interest around the world, so you want to focus on the best sites to avoid problems and enjoy the game. The key is comparing your options and evaluating the legitimacy of the site before you set up your account.

ROAD TO THE WINTER CLASSIC: Bruins and Blackhawks to be featured on outdoor documentary

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The series “Road to the NHL Winter Classic,” will feature the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks as they prepare for the outdoor game at Notre Dame Stadium on Jan. 1, and will air on NBCSN.

The series, which will feature a total of three episodes, will air reruns on NHL Network, and will also be available to stream on the league’s website, according to a press release.

Here is the full schedule of episodes:

Dec. 19 at 11:30 p.m.

Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 6 at 11:30 p.m.

The NHL’s documentary series on the Winter Classic, and other outdoor games, have aired on a variety of networks, including HBO and Epix.

Follow me on Twitter: @SOURCEFRIAS 

Bruins going Gold for Notre Dame

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The Bruins showed off versions of their Winter Classic practice jersey, and fans of Notre Dame will be proud.

The team will be wearing both a white and gold versions of their Winter Classic practice jersey when they prepare for this season’s outdoor game.

Returning Players

Hopefull, both Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron will be healthy enough to participate in the team’s third Winter Classic.

Follow on Twitter: @SOURCEFRIAS 

ENJOY A BROAD VARIETY OF CASINO GAMES WITH BINGO

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The bingo game has gained massive popularity in the world today. It’s a game played by people from all age groups and races. Kids, teenagers, and adults have gained an interest in the game over the past years. With advanced technology, the game can be played online with ease. There are many sites on the internet that allow users to play free bingo.

Different sites offer this feature as a way to attract more users and give new users a chance to try out the bingo game. The game can also be played free in some casinos and clubs that allow it. Different clubs use this as a strategy to market their business. Now you can enjoy Heart Bingo which is among the most trusted bingo operators, and that comes with various payment methods. Use the heart bingo promotional code and earn the benefits.

Playing the game online is simple. What is needed is access to the internet and a Smartphone or a PC. Using your browser will be able to search for sites that provide the game. Most sites have a feature that allows both old and new users to play bingo for free. Different sites have different terms, so it is important to read through them first before signing up. For free games, no payment is required. You need to register and go on and play the game. There is no limit as to the number of times that you can play. Play as many games as you like to determine which one you are best in.

The online game can be played at different sites. You can register with as many sites as you wish. This will give you a chance to experience the many benefits each site is offering. Different sites have different rewards. At times, you will get bonuses by just signing up at the sites. Do researches on the sites before you register to have a clear picture of what to expect. This will also help you to determine whether you are allowed to play at the site. Some sites have the requirements that users must meet to qualify to play at a site. Some of the determining factors include location and age. You might not be allowed to register on a site because of your location or because you don’t meet the age limit. Ensure that once your registration has been accepted, you obey all the rules of the game. Follow the instructions given correctly. Click this article to get in touch with other games.

Playing bingo is a good way to relax and have fun. You can play free bingo to relief yourself from boredom. The game is very exciting and lively thus will keep you busy instead of being idle. It’s a good way to relax after school or work. Many people also play the game when on holiday because it’s very interesting. With the free version, you relax your mind without spending a penny.

There are many sites to choose from thus finding one that suits you will not be hard. You should do the homework well before signing up. Choose a website that provides adequate information on the game and which outlines the terms clearly. A large number of sites have intensified competition, and each site wants to attract more users. You will have to concur with the terms and conditions first then proceed to play the game.

As such, you will experience a wide range of benefits by signing up at different sites. This is because different sites have introduced many rewards in the form of incentives and bonuses, to remain in business. As a part of the incentives, some sites allow users to play free bingo and win real cash. Just like those playing for the jackpot, you can play the trial game and win real money. Isn’t that awesome? You don’t get to spend any money, but in the end, you get some. There is no risk of losing money with free bingo since you pay none.

The online bingo betting apps are very friendly, as you get to interact with many people. New members are always signing up. Thus you will interact with new people daily if you are a frequent player. It’s a good way to make new friends by just playing. Most sites have chat facilities that allow one to chat with other players as you have fun playing. It’s not only a good way to relax, but to make friends too. You will interact with people from all over the continent, not just in your locality.

With an internet connection, you can play free bingo online which is very convenient. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to play the game. Those in the office can also play it during lunch breaks to relieve stress. The game is not hard, and most sites will provide help to new users who have difficulty playing the game. Therefore once you get started, you are likely to catch up very fast. Online sites remain open throughout. Thus you can play the game any day at any time.

Running Backs Will Be a Major Factor For This Offense

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Patriots Running Backs Need to Be More Consistent

Michel is important for NEs SB chances

Sony Michel has had great games when healthy this year.  The rookie has been a stud, making opponent’s respect the run game.  Last week in Miami wasn’t the same ground game as we saw against the Vikings. Sony Michel has the talent and football IQ to have great games.  The rookie just needs to be more consistent, weeks 4-6 he was running like a veteran.

New England lost him for a few  weeks after a scary looking injury.  Michel returned in week 10, although limited as the team wanted to be cautious.  He had 11 attempts for 31 yards, and the Pats lost to Tennessee.

New England came out of the bye with Sony looking great, as he rushed for 133 yards on 21 touches and a touchdown.  The last two weeks the Pats featured running back hasn’t eclipsed 65 yards on the ground or a touchdown.

The Running Game With The Return Of Rex

Sony’s Numbers were expected to go down slightly with Burkhead coming back from IR.  The Patriots brought Rex back in week 12, and Michel had his second best game of the year.  Since then, the numbers show that Michel is still getting the same amount of touches as he did weeks 4-6.  The yards and touchdowns haven’t followed.  Sony should get back on track against the Steelers, in a huge game for both teams.

Is Rex resting or still injured?

Rex Burkhead could be a huge playoff addition

Rex Burkhead came back from a long stint on the IR, looking to help the offense.  The hope was to take some pressure off of Michel and James White, since they’ve been overworked most of the season. Rex didn’t play in week 12, while Sony and White ran all over the Jets.  Burkhead’s return hasn’t been what I expected it to be.  Rex has only 11 rushing attempts for 22 yards in two games, with 3 receptions for 24 yards.  The Patriots could be bringing him back slowly, as they know what they’ve got in him from last year.

James White has been the glue, doing his job catching passes out of the backfield, also as the early down back on occasion.

White did have a good day running the ball alongside Michel in week 12, adding 73 yards on just 9 attempts.  This was his highest total of rushing yards of the season.  The following week, White had a great game against the Vikings.  But last week against Miami he had his lowest output of the year rushing and catching the ball.  New England’s on to Pittsburgh, and this running game should get back on track.

The Patriots Run Game Will Be Fine Moving foward

The Patriots have one of the best RB groups in the NFL, and they will need it against a tough Steelers run defefese.  James White and Sony Michel could be used heavily this week to keep Pittsburgh’s potent offense on the sideline.  James White and Sony Michel have been very impressive this year, but because of injury we’ve yet to see both at a high level consistently.  The offensive line, and injuries to Gronk and Dwayne Allen, have also contributed to some inconsistencies in the run game.

Running mates

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

New England is as healthy as it’s been all year, and the Patriots RBs are going to use that to their advantage.  James White and Sony Michel will most certainly be used heavily, since history shows this is when New England starts to lean on the run game.

Rex Burkhead could have a breakout game, or he could still be getting some rest for the home stretch.  Bill Belichick is impossible to predict, especially when it comes to RBs.  Anyone who plays fantasy football knows that.  The Steelers are having a rough stretch as of late, and I expect Michel and White to run all over them.  New England’s RBs will set up the play action pass, and the Patriots will need the run game the rest of the way to be SB contenders.

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MLB Winter Meetings Wrap-Up

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The 2018 Baseball Winter Meetings have ended.  Here is a Red Sox focused roundup, and other related notes.

Rule Changes

Before the meetings, there was a lot of buzz about a pitch clock to speed up the game.  Once the meetings began it was all about The Shift.

https://twitter.com/megrowler/status/1073012029437296640

2018 resulted in a league wide .248 batting average, the lowest since 1972.  Singles are also in a five years decline.  Apparently, according to Jason Stark of the Athletic, the Commissioner, owners, batters, and pitchers are all for shift reform.

Of course there’s backlash.  People are decrying unintended consequences.  The debate rages on.

Eovaldi’s Back

The Red Sox led off the Winter Meetings by agreeing with Nathan Eovaldi for 4 years and $67.5 Million.  It seemed like a reasonable deal at the time.  Little did we know something like this would happen, seemingly within hours of the signing becoming official:

The Red Sox Crying Poor Mouth

https://twitter.com/SportsRaid365/status/1072984889681698817

Could this be true?

It seems incredible, with the Red Sox coming off a World Series title and raising ticket prices, that they need to clear salary space.  Dave Dombrowski threw some cold water on this story, but didn’t deny it.

A Red Sox Bullpen In Flux

Early this morning, new broke that Fightin’ Joe Kelly is going west.

Kelly was one of the stalwarts of a transformed bullpen, that turned into a bunch of vintage Ecks, in the 2018 playoffs.  With Kelly gone, could a reunion that seemed impossible happen?

It seems incredible, with reports of Kimbrel seeking a six-year deal for nine figures, that he could come back.  Apparently, the Red Sox are playing chicken and waiting for the price to come down.

Other than Kelly and Jeurys Familia, more on him in a minute, the reliever market has been quiet.  The Sox probably need two more relievers this off-season.

2019 Lineup Changes

Mookie has been known to resist moving out of the leadoff spot, and he can be stubborn, so Cora is planting the seed early.

It makes sense to move the more powerful Betts behind Benintendi.  More RBIs for Mookie, a two-three of Mookie and JD is pretty formidable.  This will lead to a right handed heavy 2-3-4, with Xander behind JD Martinez or vice versa.

Not every lineup can have Papi and Manny back to back.

Too Many Catchers

The Red Sox having one too many catchers has been an open question for some time.  Alex Cora spoke about the possibility of a trade at the Winter Meetings:

The Winter Meetings were anti-climatic in terms of moves being made by the Red Sox.  But there was one team that lead off the Meetings with a bang:

The Mets Making Moves

They started by acquiring Cano and Diaz from the Mariners.  They ended the meetings by bringing back Jeurys Familia.

https://twitter.com/TheCouchGMs/status/1073202870646923264

The Red Sox have the assets to almost perfectly match up with the Mets.  If the Red Sox are truly considering moving Jackie Bradley, would the Mets consider a left handed bat in the outfield?  The Red Sox have extra catchers.

Noah Syndergaard is rumored to be available.  Stay tuned.

 

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Anthony Davis Would be Money in Green

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On Monday night the Boston Celtics subdued the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time in two weeks. Despite 41 points from Anthony Davis, the Pelicans could not compete against a Celtics’ starting unit that was absent two of its biggest guns, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, leaving the heavy lifting to Terry Rozier and Daniel Theis in their stead. Add to that, Gordon Hayward (illness) and Aron Baynes (ankle) were also MIA which clearly illustrates how far this team has come in a matter of weeks. When the final buzzer echoed throughout the Garden, the Celtics had delivered a 113-100 beatdown of Davis and the boys on the bayou.

The best betting sites, found all in one place at Sportsbook Review, tagged the Green as 2 ½ point favorites, down from the original 6 ½ before the information became available that the Celtics would be without some of its biggest stars. And lest we forget, this latest victory came hot on the heels of a spectacular 56-point win over the Bulls on Saturday, the largest margin of victory in the team’s history.

The box score for Monday’s win over New Orleans will tell you that Marcus Morris had a brilliant season-high 31-point performance on 66 percent shooting while Anthony Davis led all scorers and donned his Superman cape yet again. But what it won’t tell us is what Davis was thinking as he sank shot after shot yet had no Robin to his Batman, let alone a legion of superheroes at his side. Okay, so maybe the Celtics aren’t comprised of game-changing All-Stars and caped crusaders but Kyrie Irving certainly qualifies and Jayson Tatum is on his way. The Pelicans are a bad team that Davis makes mediocre but how long do you think it would take for Davis to run, not walk, into the lovin’ arms of the Boston Celtics? Blink of an eye, maybe? Yeah, you’re right, too long.

Boston is a solid, although unspectacular, 16-10 on the season but the trials and tribulations they endured earlier in the season seem to have dissipated once head coach Brad Stevens started moving some of his pieces around the chessboard. Gordon Hayward is now coming off the bench, and easing into the role of a team player appears to suit him more than co-starring as the centerpiece of the offense. Once the 2017 All-Star gets acclimated we could see a more substantial role but right now, Stevens is pushing all the right buttons as his team is in the midst of a six-game winning streak that could easily reach 10 before they entertain the Greek Freak and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Garden a week from Friday.

The best betting sites were virtually unanimous in offering the lowest odds, along with Toronto, on the Celtics to claim the Eastern Conference championship this season. Yet, as satisfying as that would be, there is a giant looming in the West by the name of the Golden State Warriors. Even the most optimistic C’s fan would concede that defeating the Warriors for an NBA title would be an outside shot at best. Winning one game in that series would at least take away the humiliation of a sweep and winning a pair from the defending world champs would support the premise that Boston is the second best team in the league.

That’s about as good as it will get with this team as presently constituted unless injuries ravage the Warriors or a heavenly light from above shines on our boys and grants them a series win over a legendary foe. However, getting Davis in a Celtics’ uniform would be the coup de grace, a brilliant masterstroke from Trader Danny. What would it cost? Does it matter? Maybe it happens now or later but if the Celtics want a real chance at defying the odds and defeating the Warriors, it’s a trade that has to happen. Are you listening Mr. Ainge? Continue reading →

The Patriots can’t seem to win on the road

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The Patriots have trouble on the road

Playing in Miami has always been tough

Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is pressured by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Earl Mitchell (90) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots not only have issues in Miami, they have issues with winning on the road.  The Patriots losses this season have all come on the road: Jacksonville, Detroit, Tennesse, and Miami.  It’s not like these are good teams either.  They are beatable teams and the Patriots should be able to beat them.  The problem is these teams treat games against the Patriots like it’s the Super Bowl.  They prepare so well for the matchup with the Pats, then are terrible the following week.  It’s like teams are out to get them.  The defense doesn’t play well on the road either.  They need to or it’ll be a short playoff run.

The defense has been inconsistent all season

The defense at home has 15 sacks, while away they have nine. They also allowed 14 touchdowns at home and 12 on the road.  Not much of a difference there.  Finally, the defense has six interceptions at home, and eight on the road.  That proves the defense really hasn’t been playing well all season,  regardless if it’s home or away.  But to hold the Vikings to ten points one week, then let the Dolphins score almost every time they got the ball in the first half the next week, doesn’t make sense.

The real test will be Pittsburgh this week.  If they lose this week it could be a factor for the number two seed.  The number one seed, of course, is out of the picture after the debacle in Miami.  They need to win on the road if they want to go to the Super Bowl again.  The way they’ve been playing all season, and the mental toughness questions surrounding the defense, might make that a tough task.  Doesn’t mean it’s not possible, but they would have a better shot if they were home.