Coming into any football season fans, observers, and casual admirers all have expectations as to how the season is going to work out. These can be found here, here, and here. Without fail, there are always surprises, and those surprises are borne, by and large, from the assumptions that we make about a team.
The Titans are terrible this year. We knew that Haynesworth was gone, but we assumed that the defense would not be severely damaged by this loss. We also assumed that the loss of Haynesworth would not cause the secondary to become the biggest shitshow in the league. We did the same thing in year's past with the Bengals where we lived by the mantra; they should be good, they should be good, THEY SHOULD BE FUCKING GOOD! But we overlooked other aspects of their chemistry and makeup that clearly suggested they suck and with good reason.
Perhaps the greatest example of this folly comes from one of the most deceptive teams of the last decade, the New England Patriots. With the return of Brady, everyone simply seems to assume (The Delay included) that the Pats return to form. Not quite the "Fuck You" Patriots of 2007 but something in between 2007 and 2008. In other words, a playoff team that will pull down at least 12 wins and have a shot at another Super Bowl run. We base these expectations off of things like the quality of the coach and personnel, performance from year's prior, and the dreaminess of the quarterback.
And even after a slow start, people still maintain that it is only a matter of time until this team puts it all together. The chemistry is a bit off and they just have to play it out, the prescription goes. But what if this isn't a slow start? What if this team is as flawed and incomplete as their performance suggests up to this point?
New England stands at 3-2, but their record could just as easily be much different. As has been suggested, they could have easily beaten the Broncos last weekend after having led the entire game. Instead, the offense sputtered down the stretch even with the assistance of two 4th down penalties that extended a key 3rd/4th quarter drive where the Pats were unable to capitalize. But, to be fair, they should have definitely lost to the Bills if it weren't for one of the biggest bonehead, albeit classic Bills, plays of all-time. And the Ravens were knocking on the door step before Clayton went all Stonehands on Flaccosaurus. There have only been two convincing games for the Patriots this year; a convincing loss to the Jets and a convincing win against the Falcons.
Now, based on what we have seen to date, what is it about the Patriots that suggests a turning of the corner is coming? Two of their three wins have come based not on what they have done, but on what the other did NOT do (take a knee, catch the ball). Both of their losses have come based on the offenses inability to maintain and move the ball. What we have left, is one rain-soaked victory at home against an above average dome team. In other words, the Pats are this close to being 1-4 this season. Even though this is not the case, is anyone that has been paying attention convinces that the Patriots are a 12-4 team this year? How about a playoff team?
While the defense has actually been overachieving at this point (ranked 17th in total yards. Yes, my expectations were low), they have been playing with approximately 1.5 capable linebackers and have a serious lack of play-making ability, clocking in at 2 interceptions this season (Randy Moss has one of them) and if you take away the Buffalo game, the defense has 6 sacks in the last 4 games and 10 for the season. It's difficult to be confident in a defense that is neither able to pressure the quarterback nor create turnovers.
And the once vaunted offense is not making it any easier for them. With Josh McDaniels turning turds into gold out in the Rockies, it is strange that no one has really discussed the fact that the Patriots are working with a brand new offensive coordinator, because there is clearly something awry with the offense. Whether it is an over-reliance on a safety valve in Welker, or an inability to run the ball effectively (by the way, what's the best way to help a recently injured quarterback regain his confidence other than a steady running game?). Randy Moss is on the field most of the time, but you would never know it. And, there are two capable tight ends that have combined for 18 catches in 5 games. With all these weapons collecting dust, one has to wonder who has their finger over the button, as well as whether or not has fallen asleep at the controls.
Sure, the Patriots seem to have plenty of pieces to make a run at some point this season. As long as Brady is taking snaps, one never really loses site of the playoff picture. But at this time, is that picture really complete? Or is it simply memory from past years? Either way, this team certainly appears to lacking in certain areas, and if you don't actually have all of the puzzle pieces, can you really ever put it together?
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