Are the Patriots Due for a Fall?

Are the Patriots due for a fall just like the other past “consensus” top teams so far this NFL season?

Raj: They’ll be in for a rough ride, no doubt about that. Having road games against Indianapolis, Green Bay, and San Diego are really tough so they will struggle. But a fall? Absolutely not. I just can’t see that happening. That’s not 21st century Patriots football. The consensus can say whatever but the fact is, this team is too well-equipped and well-coached to let something like that happen. I wouldn’t even bet on it.

Kyle: If they don’t look ahead and truly approach things on a “one game at a time” basis, they should be fine. If they lose a game, will their “ranking” fall- probably. Since they are ranked number one by ESPN and number two (behind Arizona) by CBS, they can only fall. The best thing is they tend to be a team that takes care of business and doesn’t get distracted- that skill will help them these next few weeks.

Rick: I don’t know if they are due for a fall, but the schedule is very difficult over the next four games , with three of them coming on the road. The Patriots can still play consistent football and lose to some of these good teams. Aaron Rodgers is playing great for the Packers, the Lions have a good defense, and Luck can match the Patriots in terms of points. The key for New England is to get at least two wins out of these next four games. If they can do that, I think they will be fine for at least a first round bye. I wouldn’t call it a fall, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the schedule caught up with them a little bit.

Derek: With the tough slate of games ahead, the Patriots are more likely to lose a game at some point than to win their final seven contests.  However, I wouldn’t consider a loss against one of these quality teams to be  a true “fall”.  As long as they remain healthy, I expect Bill Belichick and the veteran players on this team to maintain their focus and have a strong showing in each game down the final stretch.   I don’t expect to see them get their tail handed to them like the beat down they just gave to Denver.