Bill Belichick Will Not Play to Win The Game This Weekend (1 Viewer)

[benm3218]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.

IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.

So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better.

I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

 

[comfortably numb]

 

[amnesiac]

that may be possible that they will try to show as little as possible, but your thread title is inaccurate.

 

[benm3218]

that may be possible that they will try to show as little as possible, but your thread title is inaccurate.

fair enough... I edited it.

 

[AcerFC]

 

[CrossEyed]

Colts are 5-0, Steelers are 4-1 and the Pats have to play them both. Every game is important, so they can't afford to give a game away.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

they wont do it cause they need Home Field advantage over the Colts to make it to the superbowl.

 

[Bossman]

the odds are pretty slim that the Pats will play the Cowboys again since it would have to be in the Super Bowl.

I say Belichick throws the kitchen sink at them and completly dismantles them on both sides of the ball.

Romo will wet his pants by halftime.

 

[benm3218]

the odds are pretty slim that the Pats will play the Cowboys again since it would have to be in the Super Bowl.I say Belichick throws the kitchen sink at them and completly dismantles them on both sides of the ball. Romo will wet his pants by halftime.

havent you heard? its going to be Patriots and Cowboys at the Superbowl. He will not reveal his genius this weekend.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

that may be possible that they will try to show as little as possible, but your thread title is inaccurate.

fair enough... I edited it.

You may need to change it again.Belichick always plays to win,it would be foolish not to, but I agree that he will keep some tricks in his back pocket for a possible SB matchup.

 

[redman]

They are who we thought they were. Both of them.

 

[Phurfur]

the odds are pretty slim that the Pats will play the Cowboys again since it would have to be in the Super Bowl.I say Belichick throws the kitchen sink at them and completly dismantles them on both sides of the ball.

And this post is the winner. I am glad a few of you are thinking logically.

 

[perry147]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better. I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

Belichick knows that injury can cripple any team. What if on week 10 Brady breaks his arm? The PATS now are in trouble and might need that Dallas win to get home field advantage in the playoffs.

 

[mbuehner]

Bill Belichick isnt going to run out of different ways to rattle Romo.

 

[Whizzinator]

You haven't really followed Bill Belichick much have you?

 

[PatsFan72]

they wont do it cause they need Home Field advantage over the Colts to make it to the superbowl.

You people sure do like to over think things.They know that home field advantage is more important than 'not giving away defensive plays', which by the way, have you watched any Patriots games? They switch up defensive looks almost every down, and move around before almost every snap, you think they will suddenly switch to a vanilla scheme and look? Every team already knows that. What would be the gain in changing it for one game? The chance that they do play the Cowboys in the Super Bowl and the will not have gone against their 'real' defense? They also know that the difference between 1st and 2nd in the AFC might be 15-1 and 14-2. Couple that with the undeniable fact that Billy Boy wants to destroy the league this year, and completely burry any scandal talk, and he knows full well that this is the game to watch this week, and they will do everything they can to win every game, by as big a margin as possible.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Well, Coach Garrett isn't going to call any plays that are fancy or that should result in more than an 8 yard gain.

That way, when they meet in the Super Bowl, the team won't know anything about them. Dallas is actually hoping they lose 42-3 so that they make New England think they stink on offense and defense.

So, when New England wins and wins big.....that will be the reason why.

 

[Big Daddy Kane]

So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed.

I stopped reading right there.

 

[Ozymandias]

After all, predicting who will be in the Superbowl each year is a lock. You can do it before the season starts, and they really don't need to play the games.

This year, it's San Diego and Philadelphia.

Oh, wait...

 

[Ghost Rider]

With the way the Patriots offense is playing right now, they could probably call vanilla plays and still score 35+ this weekend.

 

[TheFanatic]

Throwing everything in the Defensive Playbook not only shows the Cowboys what they could see in the SB should the two play again this season, but it also shows the rest of the NE opponents what plays they could run.

I agree he won't reveal too much, but I would be willing to bet we see some defensive plays and packages we haven't seen yet. He won't show everything, but he won't hide everything either....

 

[erymer]

very good thoughts so far. I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

 

[jonessed]

It's not like Wade hasn't played the Patriots before.

 

[enfuego]

Title of post is

 

[switz]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better. I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

Every coach plays to win every week of the season. I'm tired of Patriot fans making excuse for their team. If the Pats lose, it's because they got beaten, not because of the genius of Bill Belichek.

 

[benm3218]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better. I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

Every coach plays to win every week of the season. I'm tired of Patriot fans making excuse for their team. If the Pats lose, it's because they got beaten, not because of the genius of Bill Belichek.

I'm a Titan's fan... fyi. I hate the Patriot's but they have a good team.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

 

[Wilbur Wood]

I am pretty sure that this philosophy will pervade the respective gameplans for both teams on both sides of the ball.

I expect to see mostly 3 yards and cloud of dust on 1st and 2nd downs vs. vanilla 4-3 defenses and pass plays limited to 3rd and long (> 3 yards).

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better. I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

Every coach plays to win every week of the season. I'm tired of Patriot fans making excuse for their team. If the Pats lose, it's because they got beaten, not because of the genius of Bill Belichek.

Exactly, and it's not ALL Pats fans but come on now. If they win he's a genius and if they lose, he's even more of a genius?????? Things are out of hand.

 

[benm3218]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

no one doubts you. The Pats will outscore the boys for sure. I am simply saying Bill won't play his best defense, he'll keep it under wraps.

 

[Road Warriors]

Wouldn't the addition of Pro Bowl DE Seymour and Pro Bowl S Harrison be enough of a "wrinkle" for the SB, assuming both make it. Let's not dig too deep, folks. The Pats will gameplan this one just like they do every other week, to beat the one team in front of them.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I am pretty sure that this philosophy will pervade the respective gameplans for both teams on both sides of the ball.I expect to see mostly 3 yards and cloud of dust on 1st and 2nd downs vs. vanilla 4-3 defenses and pass plays limited to 3rd and long (> 3 yards).

Well Wilbur,You should mortgage your house, sell your car and empty your bank account on an under bet if that's how you feel. But when you start seeing bombs being thrown to NO. 81's, I have a feeling after you do those things you'll be trying to call QuickCash and get Gary Colemen on the phone for a loan.

 

[Crusaderfan]

Maybe he could throw Dallas a real curve and have Maroney suit up for a game.

Seriously - I really think that home field advantage would be more important than anything else. Chances are the AFC title game will be a more difficult game to win than beating the NFC champion this season. The Colts having to play at NE would be , as usual, a substantial advantage for the Pats. Belichick will not risk that trying to be cute vs Dallas.

 

[jonessed]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.

I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

no one doubts you. The Pats will outscore the boys for sure. I am simply saying Bill won't play his best defense, he'll keep it under wraps.

Where do you people come up with this stuff?

 

[enfuego]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.

I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

no one doubts you. The Pats will outscore the boys for sure. I am simply saying Bill won't play his best defense, he'll keep it under wraps.

The pride before the fall....

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

no one doubts you. The Pats will outscore the boys for sure. I am simply saying Bill won't play his best defense, he'll keep it under wraps.

Then I guess they truely are the best team ever.

 

[redman]

To defend the OP somewhat, I'll bet Belichick has ten ideas on how to beat the Cowboys with his defense, but he won't use all ten this game. It may be because he feels he doesn't need all ten, or because he's playing an opponent who runs a similar offense. I seriously doubt, however, that he's thinking much about a Super Bowl matchup at this point given that there's maybe a 1-in-6 to 1-in-8 chance of those two teams facing each other based upon what we know now.

 

[JaxBill]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.

I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

no one doubts you. The Pats will outscore the boys for sure. I am simply saying Bill won't play his best defense, he'll keep it under wraps.

Let me get this straight. Because the Pats played a vanilla defense against the Steelers, who they were sure they'd have to face in the playoffs some time, that means that thePats will keep it plain Jane aginst the Cowboys this week?Doesn't the fact that the 'Boys are in the other conference and the Pats would only have to face them in the Super Bowl if they both made it make this unlikely?

 

[Boffo]

I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls.

ORLY?

 

[twitch]

He'll give 'em vanilla. he'll give 'em chocolate. he'll give 'em strawberry. and in the SB, he'll give it to 'em again. and then, he'll also give 'em butter pecan, rocky road, mint chocolate chip, and rainbow sherbert. the guy's got a million flavors, and he loves 'em all. Its no secret what they'll do anyway. They'll bracket TO over the top. Put a shadow on Romo. And make sure they cover the seam tight as a zipper with Witten. This stuff's not rocket science. But Ive gotta give the OP some big marks for creativity.

Football is a fairly simple game. It still comes down to blocking and tackling. NE will do a whole lot of that on Sunday. But when you team up world class players like Brady and Moss is when it gets truly unfair, and you start beating everyone by 20. I dont care what Belichick is planning to call on the D side of the ball. It wont factor into Moss being the stud that he is with a 6-0 career mark with over 600yds and 10TDs against a team he'll forever hate. And this is Brady's first career game IN Dallas and the 100th regular season game of his career ( as some reporter just informed he the other day, as if he didnt already know)???? This is a big day for some big time people. And NE knows this is big game, no matter how much 'humble pie' theyve been eatin'. They'll win BIG this week, with or without the true genius of Belichick.

 

[switz]

To defend the OP somewhat, I'll bet Belichick has ten ideas on how to beat the Cowboys with his defense, but he won't use all ten this game. It may be because he feels he doesn't need all ten, or because he's playing an opponent who runs a similar offense. I seriously doubt, however, that he's thinking much about a Super Bowl matchup at this point given that there's maybe a 1-in-6 to 1-in-8 chance of those two teams facing each other based upon what we know now.

This I agree with 100%... but to say if the Pats lose it's because they didn't play to win is

 

[IM666]

Does this mean he is going to bring in Tom Walsh to call plays?

 

[Bad_Mo]

If NE executes basic offense and defense plays, they'd be at the level of many elite NFC teams.

 

[RBM]

Bellicheck knows the Cowboys arent getting to the Super Bowl

 

[TxBuckeye]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better. I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

Wow. Just... wow.

 

[Billy1x]

I was listening to the Moving The Chains show on Sirius about 5 minutes ago, they were talking about the difference in the way that Bill Belichick played the Steelers during the regular season and the way he destroyed them in the play-offs.IMPORTANT: They did not insinuate that Belichick would throw a game on purpose, but I am for the sake of argument.So, Belichick knows he can beat the Cowboys any day of the week with his eye's closed. He also knows he is going to the Superbowl right? We all pretty much say that on a regular basis. Moss IS better than Owens. Brady is better than Romo and go on and on the skill positions for the Patriots are better and the coaching is better. I submit to you all, that the Patriots will lose this week due to vanilla defense play calling, or win even though they reveal nothing truly damaging on the defensive play calls. I think there is a good chance they can win even if they call basic simple defensive plays, but I guarantee you that they won't give anything away on defense and that Belichick wouldn't mind losing this game.

Totally agree.

 

[John Mamula]

this is why the raiders played vanilla against detroit in week 1.

make your time kitna. we're coming after you in february.

 

[erymer]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

Ok let me appologize up front. After re-reading my post, I don't think it came out right. Vanilla might not have been the right term to use. What I meant was that they would not really want to open up the playbook completely and show everything they have. I am not a Pats fan in no way shape or form. I am pulling for the Cowboys and really hope they get the win. I was just trying to say that the Patriots would probably prefer not to show the league very much if at all possible. This will be the first real test for the Pats and I really think they are going to have to use all their weapons to beat a very good Dallas team. I was just making a counter point to the thought of the Pats trying to throw the game.

 

[Billy1x]

I would expect a very vanilla first half from the Pats. If they're ahead I would expect more Vanilla. If they are behind or it's close, I would expect him to just unload and open things up. Everyone will be watching this one and he won't give too much away. The only way they see Dallas again is in the SB and that's a lot of variables. He will most likely see Indy and/or Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He will only show as much as he has to this week. Should be a great game though.

It is this type of pompus thinking that makes me go from just trying to enjoy the game and see what happens to clenching my fist and shouting at the TV beat the Patriots.To think that the Patriots can go into the game and come out vanilla and be ahead at halftime is funny. I actually wish many of the posters in this thread were coaching the Patriots.Unfortunately for the Cowboys you are not which means that New England isn't going to be Vanilla and they'll open things up early and often.I'd be willing to bet in Vegas that if New England wins the toss and receives the ball, the very first play of the game is a bomb to Moss. That ball may be caught, dropped or overthrown but it sends a message that we're here to play and you better cover the entire field.

Ok let me appologize up front. After re-reading my post, I don't think it came out right. Vanilla might not have been the right term to use. What I meant was that they would not really want to open up the playbook completely and show everything they have. I am not a Pats fan in no way shape or form. I am pulling for the Cowboys and really hope they get the win. I was just trying to say that the Patriots would probably prefer not to show the league very much if at all possible. This will be the first real test for the Pats and I really think they are going to have to use all their weapons to beat a very good Dallas team. I was just making a counter point to the thought of the Pats trying to throw the game.

I'd say its 50-50 who wins this game. Toss a coin. If it was the Super Bowl it would be a slaughter.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

All this talk of teams(not just the Pats) being all "Wile E. Coyote, Supaaaah Genius" and "not showing teams anything" is pretty much a whole lot of nothing. Newsflash: Just about every team can get their hands on game tape of any team that they want. Unless all teams "never show anything" all year and completely switch systems for the playoffs, then it's all been done before. It comes down to who can break down tape better and pick up on/exploit tendencies.

The Patriots have won a lot of games under Belly-chick because they have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball(and apparently by cheating to boot ). Not because he has some kind of tin foil hat that makes him turn into Brainiac V on Sundays. The Steelers won a lot under Cowher because they had talent, not because he had a super computer housed in his jaw. Indianapolis wins because they're talented, not because Tony Dungy is a MENSA member. A cardboard box could call plays for the Colts or Pats this year and make the playoffs.

If the Pats, or any team, chose to "not show something because we may play this team later in the year" then they are asking, and deserve, to lose.