Lot of moving parts trying to figure this one out.
On the Pats side of things that o-line is still a mess, both TEs have been underwhelming, no James White as a relief valve or to keep Mac from getting crushed, and that's just on the O-side of the ball. Coaching has been average at best, a couple steps down from what we're used to seeing especially in gameplanning. Special teams have been average to poor, blocked punt last week, stupid penalties, missed assignments, poor execution, long list. Defensively solid but nothing special, can't seem to get a stop when they absolutely have to have one. I'd like to say it's a typical BB team in the month of September but there seems to be something missing, just can't identify what it is. Maybe it's just a combination of shortcomings in a lot of areas. In the past these type of issues get resolved as the games get played but with this team it might take a while.
On the TB side of things I'd be worried about that defense. Richard Sherman is not the answer unless there are three of him in his prime suiting up on Sunday. (and Bowles installs the legion of boom defense this week). Gonna be fun watching the TB corners trying to play man. The front seven is not getting home and they've struggled against the run. LBs have been superb and if Trent Brown doesn't suit up Sunday night expect Shaq to have a field day in the backfield. Offensively it's hard to find serious issues but Gronk is dinged, RoJo has the football IQ of a rock, granite fingers Lenny is always a high wire act, dumb penalties, you know the drill if you've been watching. However, none of this matters if TB12 lights the place up which he very well might. If he throws in a clunker (which he does 4-5 times a season) the Pats have a chance.
Interesting story on one of the NE local sites that brought up the Peyton Manning gameplan BB used to use where he goes two high safeties and 6-7 secondary types and forces you to run the ball ALL GAME LONG. Worked that night but that was Manning, not Tom Brady.
I don't have enough brain cells to begin to guess what BB will come up with but you know he will fuck with Tom more than a couple times just because he can.
I'm betting the over 48' and gun to my head I'd take the 7 with the Pats. Good chance they let Mac air it out against that suspect secondary (assuming the oline doesn't get him killed). Tommy doesn't throw in a clunker and we have a back and forth entertaining contest. How about something like a 32-29 final? Ring any bells?
