Damn, bookended the season. Would much rather be Week 18 (feels very weird to say) in Miami than at Buffalo.
Damn, bookended the season. Would much rather be Week 18 (feels very weird to say) in Miami than at Buffalo.
That would be awesome, but I agree seems unlikelyWe'll see if this guy really has inside knowledge. I'm skeptical because of the 1 SNF appearance.
View: https://twitter.com/SpikeKing76/status/1392485033873743872
Agreed. Three national games ... plus the possibility that the Bills and Dolphins games after the bye could be flex possibilitiesGiven the current state of the Pats in the national consciousness, I find only one SNF appearance (super compelling because of Brady's return) to be entirely understandable.
I think the Patriots are still ratings darlings and will get at least 2 if not 3 SNF games.Agreed. Three national games ... plus the possibility that the Bills and Dolphins games after the bye could be flex possibilities
99.9% sure this is correct.We'll see if this guy really has inside knowledge. I'm skeptical because of the 1 SNF appearance.
View: https://twitter.com/SpikeKing76/status/1392485033873743872
They went 7-9 last year and have a loser at QB named Cam Newton. No one wants to see that QB on SNF.I think the Patriots are still ratings darlings and will get at least 2 if not 3 SNF games.
Nice rational take right here!They went 7-9 last year and have a loser at QB named Cam Newton. No one wants to see that QB on SNF.
It's as rational as saying the Patriots are still ratings darlingsNice rational take right here!
It's because they are. They had the maximum number of prime-time games last year even without Tom Brady. The Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since 1995 yet they keep getting a ton of primetime games because they get ratings. The Patriots are on that same level.It's as rational as saying the Patriots are still ratings darlings
Because it was a curiosity factor as to how they would do in Year 1 without him ... not because of some national fascination with the brand, a la the CowboysIt's because they are. They had the maximum number of prime-time games last year even without Tom Brady.
The Pats had a lot of prime time games last year because they were "given the benefit of the doubt" going into their first post-Brady year. They lost that benefit by only going 7-9. Thus, we have what we have here: few prime time games (because the nation doesn't want to watch a 7-9 team, its legacy notwithstanding).It's because they are. They had the maximum number of prime-time games last year even without Tom Brady. The Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since 1995 yet they keep getting a ton of primetime games because they get ratings. The Patriots are on that same level.
Because it was a curiosity factor as to how they would do in Year 1 without him ... not because of some national fascination with the brand, a la the Cowboys
I disagree as I believe the Patriots are now a national brand and they should get the primetime treatment. One off year should not affect that. They also made massive improvements on the roster that went 7-9.The Pats had a lot of prime time games last year because they were "given the benefit of the doubt" going into their first post-Brady year. They lost that benefit by only going 7-9. Thus, we have what we have here: few prime time games (because the nation doesn't want to watch a 7-9 team, its legacy notwithstanding).
I think we're finding that Brady was (either entirely or largely) the "brand", which makes sense because no one tunes in to watch BB coach and none of their other players are particularly marketable (which isn't to say that they don't have any good players). Although they've improved their roster and have a good shot of being a playoff team, I think that they're going to need to actually prove that they're a playoff level team before they get a healthy dose of primetime games like in the past.I disagree as I believe the Patriots are now a national brand and they should get the primetime treatment. One off year should not affect that. They also made massive improvements on the roster that went 7-9.
The Indy game is one that could be flexed to a stand-alone Saturday game as well. I could also see that if the Buffalo game on 12/26 is for the division that it could be flexed to SNF.
Yes, unless Cam improves significantly or the rookie Jones comes in and plays at a high level, that's what they are.In all the inane “power rankings” I have seen they tend to fall between 18-21. So the perception of the Patriots is as basically a 8-9 or 7-10 team.
So no mention of the much-improved defense?Yes, unless Cam improves significantly or the rookie Jones comes in and plays at a high level, that's what they are.
Or the much-improved offense?So no mention of the much-improved defense?
There also does not appear to be a gauntlet stretch like last year with the 3 straight road games or a long stretch against really tough teams. To me, the closest it gets to a brutal stretch is 3 of 4 on the road with at LA/at Carolina/Cleveland/at Atlanta on a short week. But, then they get a mini-bye to get ready for Tennessee, an extra day to prepare for Buffalo(MNF), then they get their bye week.I love this schedule. 5 of the first 7 at home would normally be problematic because it would mean so many second half road games, but A) they get 9 home games this year and B) it gives them the potential to get out of the gates really quickly. 5-2 seems realistic, 6-1 isn't even really out of the question - if they are as good as we think they might be.
Exactly - nothing close to a gauntlet.There also does not appear to be a gauntlet stretch like last year with the 3 straight road games or a long stretch against really tough teams. To me, the closest it gets to a brutal stretch is 3 of 4 on the road with at LA/at Carolina/Cleveland/at Atlanta on a short week. But, then they get a mini-bye to get ready for Tennessee, an extra day to prepare for Buffalo(MNF), then they get their bye week.
If this is correct, the Pats will have 7 games televised in the NYC market. Not horrible. Maybe more if they are playing well and get flexed into another national game or 2.
There won't be a 4:25 game on CBS in NYC Week 1 since the Giants are home on FOX at the same time.If this is correct, the Pats will have 7 games televised in the NYC market. Not horrible. Maybe more if they are playing well and get flexed into another national game or 2.
Only one MNF on Week 1 this year? There have been 2 for the past several years.Week 1 Schedule.
Thursday, September 09, 2021
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET CBS
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Denver Broncos at New York Giants, 4:25 p.m ET, FOX
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Monday, September 13, 2021
Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
That surprises me. I understand the rules regarding protecting a teams market but I assumed that the NFL would not shut CBS out of the biggest TV market for their "national" game and let Fox have it all to themselves.There won't be a 4:25 game on CBS in NYC Week 1 since the Giants are home on FOX at the same time.
Both networks have national games Week 1 but unless they're lifting the rule, only the Giants or Jets can be televised opposite the other team playing at home at that time.That surprises me. I understand the rules regarding protecting a teams market but I assumed that the NFL would not shut CBS out of the biggest TV market for their "national" game and let Fox have it all to themselves.
Yeah and there are a couple times throughout the year now where the blackouts are lifted.Both networks have national games Week 1 but unless they're lifting the rule, only the Giants or Jets can be televised opposite the other team playing at home at that time.
Edit: You may be right. Looking at the maps for Week 17 last year (and Week 17 previous years) when both networks had doubleheaders, there were no blackouts.