Stats on Pats Weekly By Ian Abreu, southcoast247.com correspondent
Week VII Wrap-up
Champs Use Bye Week to Get Healthy/Tweak Problems
If it's one thing I've noticed in watching the Pats the past six weeks--it's the fact that our defending champs have been consistently inconsistent. One week, the offense clicks on all cylinders, the next week, the defense is getting run all over; and these same problems keep recycling over and over again, week-in, week-out. Bill Belichick hasn't been faced with so many problems since the 2002 season, when the Pats missed the playoffs at 9-7 due to both nagging injuries and poor play. But, there seems to be a light at the end of this very dark tunnel Pats fans; they seem to be getting healthier. Of course we're anticipating the long-awaited return of Tedy Bruschi--as well as getting both Cory Dillon and Richard Seymour back to somewhat full strength. This week should be interesting as yours truly will battle the Buffalo Bills at Gillette for the 91st time in the teams' history (Pats lead series 49-40). This contest is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season as the Pats will go into Sunday with a 3-3 record; while the Bills come in with a 3-4 mark. Why is this game so important? I'll tell you why, if the Bills can somehow steal a win from the Patriots--not only will it bump the Bills past the Pats in the divisional standings--but it would put the Patriots in the position where they would have to face Buffalo in a possible "must win" scenario down the lie. Let's just say for example that if somehow the Pats and Bills are tied upon the AFC East lead in the up-coming weeks; the Patriots would be forced to win this game for the mere fact that they would have to prevent the possible tie-breaker that could possibly come into effect. I'm just speaking in hypotheticals of course.
Pats D Looks to Re-Kindle 'Glory Days' of Years Past
Ever since 1996, it has been quite apparent that the Patriots have always had a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Whether it be Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, or even Rodney Harrison; they've always seem to have both a play-maker and a vocal leader on the field at all times. If you look at the current defense as is...who's the leader? Who will step up and tow the mark? Again, not one New England defensive back has yet to account for a single interception. You can't realisticlly expect to win ball games with a defense that puts up numbers (or lack there of) such as these. Now, with that being said--let's look at the up-and-coming positive aspects of Eric Mangini's boys. Defensive End Richard Seymour has practiced everyday this week; even though he's not 100%, he plans to play on Sunday. Seymour has been recovering from a sprained left medial collateral ligament which typically takes 4-6 weeks of recovery time. His return should greatly help their anemic pass-rush defense. Of course, we have to mention the ever-so anticipated return of Tedy Bruschi. This should be great--not only because he'll be helping the Pats defense, but we'll be witnessing someone who continues to accomplish their dreams despite physical ailments; thus playing football. Now, with Bruschi moving back to inside linebacker, that means that Chad Brown will move back to the outside linebacker position; a position in which he's more acustomed to playing.
All Systems a 'Go' for Pats Offense
From I've both seen and heard; it seems like the Pats offense looks to be in great shape. Cory Dillon seems to be healthier, Tom Brady has had a nice week of relaxation under his belt; and lastly, the receiving corps seems to be all set for Sunday night as well. It was nice to see that the Pats have a new rushing option out of the back field--that obviously being Full Back Patrick Pass. Two touchdowns in games, to go along with almost 100 combined yards; not too shabby if I may say so. I see no problems on the horizon for this offense; this is a team that put up 17 unanswered points with the flick of a switch last week against a tough Broncos defense. As long as Brady continues to spread the ball around, everything should be fine.
Adam Vinatieri Soon to Pass Gino Cappeletti's All-Time Pats Scoring Record
In more light-hearted news, we're fastly approaching the brink of Patriots history. It has been reported that within the next month or so, Gino Cappeletti's all-time Patriots scoring record of 1,130 points will be surpassed by "Mr.Clutch" himself, Adam Vinatieri. Good for you Adam! May you continue to futher cement your place in not only Patriots history-- but in NFL history as well. This couldn't be happening to a better man.
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See you all next for another edition of Stats on Pats Weekly. Feel free to email me your questions or comments at patsstats@southcoast247.com.
If it's one thing I've noticed in watching the Pats the past six weeks--it's the fact that our defending champs have been consistently inconsistent. One week, the offense clicks on all cylinders, the next week, the defense is getting run all over; and these same problems keep recycling over and over again, week-in, week-out. Bill Belichick hasn't been faced with so many problems since the 2002 season, when the Pats missed the playoffs at 9-7 due to both nagging injuries and poor play. But, there seems to be a light at the end of this very dark tunnel Pats fans; they seem to be getting healthier. Of course we're anticipating the long-awaited return of Tedy Bruschi--as well as getting both Cory Dillon and Richard Seymour back to somewhat full strength. This week should be interesting as yours truly will battle the Buffalo Bills at Gillette for the 91st time in the teams' history (Pats lead series 49-40). This contest is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season as the Pats will go into Sunday with a 3-3 record; while the Bills come in with a 3-4 mark. Why is this game so important? I'll tell you why, if the Bills can somehow steal a win from the Patriots--not only will it bump the Bills past the Pats in the divisional standings--but it would put the Patriots in the position where they would have to face Buffalo in a possible "must win" scenario down the lie. Let's just say for example that if somehow the Pats and Bills are tied upon the AFC East lead in the up-coming weeks; the Patriots would be forced to win this game for the mere fact that they would have to prevent the possible tie-breaker that could possibly come into effect. I'm just speaking in hypotheticals of course.
