Postseason picture isn&#39;t as promising for Patriots
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Although they still can earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs with a win today over the Jets, the New England Patriots have problems.
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If recent playoff history is an accurate barometer, there has been much wasted gnashing of teeth in these parts the last few weeks over the importance of the Patriots finishing ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers and having the best record in the AFC.
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Patriots fans have come to expect the unexpected with the team's offensive attack. Some weeks it is a receiver-laden spread formation with a focus on passing. Other weeks it is multiple tight ends and a power running approach. Sometimes the change is on a play-to-play basis.
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With the Patriots having clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, one of the top questions entering the final two weeks of the regular season was whether the team would rest any starters.
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I was hoping that New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick would put Tom Menino into the game. There was an opportunity, second half, free safety Eugene Wilson lying on the ground with a busted arm, a spot now open in the lineup. Menino could have ambled onto the field as if he were looking for dining room chairs placed in ...
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One thing to remember about the playoffs is that it isn&#39;t always the best team that wins, but the team that plays the best in October.
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Strange how things evolve. The New England Patriots are in the midst of one of the great runs in NFL history. They are on the brink of dynasty status and have totally spoiled loyal fans who expect nothing less than another Super Bowl victory.
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It was a game that had meaning beyond the AFC seedings, although the Patriots [stats, news] had to be very satisfied where they stood in that regard at the end of the day.
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The stunning 29-28 loss to the Dolphins Monday night in Miami was not the proverbial wake-up call for the Patriots. But it was a grim - and rare - reminder of how vulnerable
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The first reaction to Tom Brady [news]&#39;s performance against the Cardinals on Sunday was, ``Thank goodness the Patriots [stats, news] weren&#39;t playing a real NFL team.
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FOXBOROUGH -- With five games remaining in the regular season, the Patriots are in position to set a franchise record for fewest points allowed.
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Kevin Mawae isn&#39;t sure whether or not he&#39;ll be playing with a club-like cast on his right hand for a fourth straight game Sunday, but if he does and the Patriots don&#39;t like it, that&#39;s tough.
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The Patriots might be facing the playoff-bound New York Giants Saturday night at Giants Stadium - or they might be facing their backups.
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FOXBOROUGH -- It seems to happen every Sunday. That's the one thing opponents of the New England Patriots can count on these days. Something will happen.
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Until now, all that spying was mostly mischief that usually was more smoke than fire. But what Bill Belichick and the Patriots did was a bonfire not normally associated with a model franchise.
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The Patriots can be healthy or hurting. The field can be drenched or dry. The opponent might have a stingy defense or a high-scoring offense.
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It turns out that next week will not just be about the Patriots' pursuit of perfection. After the Browns and the Vikings failed to clinch playoff spots Sunday, Week 17 will now feature several games with potential playoff implications. There are two berths left â the No. 6 spot in each conference â and five [...].