What result do you want to see Sunday night?

[RedOctober3829]

uh... yeah there is a lot more than that. They have few pass game playmakers and a rookie QB who is near the bottom of the league in arm talent. For this offense to take off (which I assume means legitimately be good) they need the line and RB rotation to be contending for the best running game in the league likely. If they just get good pass blocking this offense can take off all the way to being averagish at best (which with the defense could be enough to win 9-10 games)

I disagree. There are receivers open down the field, but Jones does not have the time to get the ball to them. Give him time and he'll get the ball to them. If he's getting good pass protection, it also most likely means they are getting better run blocking because that means Trent Brown is back. As far as "arm talent", Jones has enough arm strength to be a very good QB in this offense. He can make all the throws and is accurate.

 

[bankshot1]

With Richard Sherman, who hasn't played in awhile, getting signed and making the trip to Foxboro, Tampa's shortage of corners may leave them real vulnerable to a BIG MAC attack. Put Mac in the shot-gun and let him fling and Flacco them.

 

[moretsyndrome]

uh... yeah there is a lot more than that. They have few pass game playmakers and a rookie QB who is near the bottom of the league in arm talent. For this offense to take off (which I assume means legitimately be good) they need the line and RB rotation to be contending for the best running game in the league likely. If they just get good pass blocking this offense can take off all the way to being averagish at best (which with the defense could be enough to win 9-10 games)

Pass protection certainly has to be at the top of the list of questions, though. Hopefully Trent Brown can provide some answers, and stay healthy enough to keep providing them.

 

[djbayko]

Pats crush them. Brady makes a butt fumble.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Pass protection certainly has to be at the top of the list of questions, though. Hopefully Trent Brown can provide some answers, and stay healthy enough to keep providing them.

oh yeah, pass pro would be a huge help. I just think it's good to temper expectations. This team isn't gonna turn into the Chiefs, Cardinals or Rams with good pass pro. It might turn into a solid enough offense to win some games though.

 

[Norm Siebern]

I voted "other."

Patriots win. I don't care how Brady does, as long as he loses. He's not the QB of my team any more.

 

[jacklamabe65]

70-0 Pats with 5 Mac TDs and 5 Brady pick-sixes would be my preferred outcome.

Only 70--0? More.

 

[Devizier]

How Brady plays is directly coupled to how close a Pats win would be, so I’m going with poorly/miserably.

 

[RedOctober3829]

oh yeah, pass pro would be a huge help. I just think it's good to temper expectations. This team isn't gonna turn into the Chiefs, Cardinals or Rams with good pass pro. It might turn into a solid enough offense to win some games though.

This I can agree with. If they can pass, the box will loosen up which will in turn help the running game.

 

[NickEsasky]

More like it’d bring the idiots in the media that put the dynasty on just Bill back out of the woodwork.

Do these people even exist anymore after last year's Super Bowl?

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Hypothetical with no home in this forum: if a Patriots defender knocks Brady out of the game, does the defender get booed or cheered?

 

[EddieYost]

Pats win - don’t care how Brady does if the Pats win. I’ll go back to rooting for Brady next wee

 

[Cellar-Door]

Hypothetical with no home in this forum: if a Patriots defender knocks Brady out of the game, does the defender get booed or cheered?

cheered on the hit, nothing but the polite "oh no an injury" claps when it becomes clear he's hurt. Then if it looks bad some Brady chants or something.

 

[worm0082]

I Hope Brady/Gronk/Brown destroy them

 

[snowmanny]

70-0 Pats with 5 Mac TDs and 5 Brady pick-sixes would be my preferred outcome.

This is right. I love Brady but I want the Patriots to crush the Bucs.

 

[SMU_Sox]

I hate the term arm-talent. It’s just so amorphous. I know I use it too but I’ll need to be more specific. Do you want to talk about arm strength, touch, accuracy, ability to deliver the ball from different arm slots? All of these are part of arm talent. There is a minimum needed for arm strength. Mac probably has it. The problem with limited arm strength is you absolutely need to be on time with your throw. If Mac is just half a second late he will run into issues with deeper passes (15-20+ yards) as we’ve seen. The good news is you can increase arm strength and Joe Burrow has looked so much better throwing deep balls this year vs last. Getting the deep ball right takes chemistry with WRs. Mac’s had 3 games. I know it sucks to say this but Mac’s deep game is going to require at least a year of patience.

Edit: I would imagine right now Mac is in the bottom 5 of starting QBs for just raw arm strength. But it’s also something I think he can improve upon. He also probably has NFL adequate strength. A lot of his issues aren’t related to arm strength anyway.

There were also at least a handful of plays he didn’t get it to open wide receivers down the field under no pressure against the Saints. Some of the time it was because he is playing too fast. There are going to be growing pains with him. Knowing when to wait and when to check down quickly will come with time to some degree or possibly it will always be an issue for him. We don’t know. It’s too early to tell with a lot of things with him. Let’s see how he looks by the end of this year and next. And remember as always that most rookie QBs usually stink compared to veteran QBs.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I disagree. There are receivers open down the field, but Jones does not have the time to get the ball to them. Give him time and he'll get the ball to them. If he's getting good pass protection, it also most likely means they are getting better run blocking because that means Trent Brown is back. As far as "arm talent", Jones has enough arm strength to be a very good QB in this offense. He can make all the throws and is accurate.

This has been proven false. There have been a number of plays highlighted where Mac missed open guys down field and checked down to a 1-2 yard pass. He needs to prove he can hit big plays. He definitely hasn't proven he can make all the throws, that's insane claim to make.

 

[rodderick]

Mac has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL, if he fails that won't be his downfall, but I think I'm missing something when I see how many people here are convinced he can lead a high scoring offense or even be an adequate NFL QB. There's not indication he can't/won't but so far I've seen a rookie struggle to put points on the board while playing okay with conservative play calling behind a meh pass blocking OL (that in my view we're painting as much worse than it actually is because we're so used to Brady not being under pressure).

 

[Kliq]

Mac winning a duel with Brady is the most optimal outcome.

 

[RedOctober3829]

This has been proven false. There have been a number of plays highlighted where Mac missed open guys down field and checked down to a 1-2 yard pass. He needs to prove he can hit big plays. He definitely hasn't proven he can make all the throws, that's insane claim to make.

Not to further hijack this thread, but you might want to read this and watch the big plays that are out there with better protection. I did not say he's proven it in a game yet. But, he has the ability to make all the throws necessary to have success in this offense. It's been apparent to anyone who was there every day and watched him all training camp and preseason long.
https://www.clnsmedia.com/lazars-film-review-the-big-plays-are-coming-for-the-patriots-passing-offense/

 

[E5 Yaz]

Not to further hijack this thread ...

Too late

As to the question, it's time for the Patriots to have their best showing on offense this season. Since I have no delusions about them being title contenders, I'd settle for that, regardless of result ... although I have to admit that seeing Brady down 7 with >2 min remaining and deep in his own territory would be appealing theater -- since it would pit what he does best against what Belichick does best

 

[lexrageorge]

Too late

As to the question, it's time for the Patriots to have their best showing on offense this season. Since I have no delusions about them being title contenders, I'd settle for that, regardless of result ... although I have to admit that seeing Brady down 7 with >2 min remaining and deep in his own territory would be appealing theater -- since it would pit what he does best against what Belichick does best

I was going to say that the “dream” scenario is that the Pats play an inspiring game, and pick up a late score to take the lead.

Then Brady gets the ball back with 1:50 left…. Strength against strength is a good way to put it.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Too late

As to the question, it's time for the Patriots to have their best showing on offense this season. Since I have no delusions about them being title contenders, I'd settle for that, regardless of result ... although I have to admit that seeing Brady down 7 with >2 min remaining and deep in his own territory would be appealing theater -- since it would pit what he does best against what Belichick does best

Yep, that would be music to NBC's and the NFL's ears.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I hate the term arm-talent. It’s just so amorphous. I know I use it too but I’ll need to be more specific. Do you want to talk about arm strength, touch, accuracy, ability to deliver the ball from different arm slots? All of these are part of arm talent. There is a minimum needed for arm strength. Mac probably has it. The problem with limited arm strength is you absolutely need to be on time with your throw. If Mac is just half a second late he will run into issues with deeper passes (15-20+ yards) as we’ve seen. The good news is you can increase arm strength and Joe Burrow has looked so much better throwing deep balls this year vs last. Getting the deep ball right takes chemistry with WRs. Mac’s had 3 games. I know it sucks to say this but Mac’s deep game is going to require at least a year of patience.

Edit: I would imagine right now Mac is in the bottom 5 of starting QBs for just raw arm strength. But it’s also something I think he can improve upon. He also probably has NFL adequate strength. A lot of his issues aren’t related to arm strength anyway.

There were also at least a handful of plays he didn’t get it to open wide receivers down the field under no pressure against the Saints. Some of the time it was because he is playing too fast. There are going to be growing pains with him. Knowing when to wait and when to check down quickly will come with time to some degree or possibly it will always be an issue for him. We don’t know. It’s too early to tell with a lot of things with him. Let’s see how he looks by the end of this year and next. And remember as always that most rookie QBs usually stink compared to veteran QBs.

Yeah I should probably have said arm strength and velocity, and ability to deliver without ideal situations (ie on the run, or when he can't take a standard stride into a clean pocket.

I think he can develop all of that, just that it takes time and I would say for this year, he's not gonna be making a lot of above average plays with his arm.

 

[Super Nomario]

My heart says I want a Pats win and Brady to play well, not "lights out" ... but Brady is my fantasy QB so I could really use the points. Maybe he throws 3-4 TDs but Fournette fumbles a couple times or the Bucs have a special teams snafu.

 

[BaseballJones]

What result do I want? A Patriots win, any way possible. Barring that, a good game by Tom, a very competitive Pats performance, and a stellar game by Mac that shows clearly that he’s the next man.

 

[Average Game James]

Don’t care about the details of the rest of the game, but my ideal is game tied with under 4 minutes left, Bucs have the ball in the red zone and Pats force Brady into a turnover. Mac drives the Pats 80+ yards for a game winning TD.

 

[Ale Xander]

I Hope Brady/Gronk/Brown destroy them

Doubtful for Gronk

was looking forward to his return more than the other guy

 

[tims4wins]

I don’t understand any perspective other than the Pats playing as well as possible on both sides of the ball. Whatever that means. Like what the actual fuck? Are we not Pats fans???

 

[azsoxpatsfan]

I want a Pats win, of course, but would love to see Brady play well. I always root for him to play well, I always will. I just don’t want him to win against the Pats.

 

[WheresDewey]

We're on to Mac Jones. Pats win, Mac has a great game and Brady can do whatever (though I'll still root for him when he's not playing the Pats.)

 

[BaseballJones]

I don’t understand any perspective other than the Pats playing as well as possible on both sides of the ball. Whatever that means. Like what the actual fuck? Are we not Pats fans???

Where's the "like" button?

 

[loshjott]

I don’t understand any perspective other than the Pats playing as well as possible on both sides of the ball. Whatever that means. Like what the actual fuck? Are we not Pats fans???

This. Hopefully someone will say of the Bucs after the game: “this team hates their coach.”

 

[wiffleballhero]

My fantasy is that the Pats trade for Brady and Gronk around 6pm Sunday and they switch sides just before game time.

But I do worry about what that might do to Brian Hoyer's self esteem. ...

Edit: I want the Pats to win by infinity to zero. I want Brady to cry on the sideline in regret and I want Gronk to forget all his Gronkings in grief at the loss.

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

I wants the Pats to win big somehow, but I wouldn’t hate a Brady to Gronk TD

 

[RIrooter09]

I wants the Pats to win big somehow, but I wouldn’t hate a Brady to Gronk TD

Gronk is doubtful to play.

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Gronk is doubtful to play.

Yup. I think I saw he’s officially ruled out.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Patriots games have been boring to watch so far minus their defense. But when your offense is boring it makes the game less enjoyable to watch. I want the Patriots to win but I want it to be a classic game I can look back and remember with great satisfaction. Something like fantastic play by both sides. Back and forth. Thrilling plays. Nail biting suspense. Then Mac Jones leads the team down the field for a game winning touchdown with no time left on the clock. I’d love a classic/epic. Most games I hope for a comfortable but enjoyable Patriots win. This one is different. Do I think that will happen given the trajectories of both teams? No, but that’s what I want.

 

[ngruz25]

I think I'm less of a "laundry" guy than a lot of posters here. Sports are compelling because of the human beings involved, not because of where the corporate entities happen to be domiciled. A person's fandom shouldn't be judged as less than someone else's because of where their emotional attachment is centered between the people playing the sports and the name on the front of the jersey. One is not any more right than the other.

Pats win, Brady plays great, and the crowd never stops cheering.

 

[rodderick]

If you guarantee my team a win in the first place why would I wish for anything but an awesome nail biting classic? Which Super Bowl do we remember more fondly, the Seattle game or the second Rams game?

 

[Justthetippett]

Competitive, first and foremost. Would love to see both BB and TBs creativity and ability to adjust come out. Pats win because they had a good plan, executed and made plays.

 

[CR67dream]

I voted Pats win and Brady has miserable game, but it's nothing personal. If he has a game like that, it means our defense performs at a very high level against a very good offense, and would, at least to me, change the outlook a bit for the season ahead.

That would be nice.

 

[Ale Xander]

If you guarantee my team a win in the first place why would I wish for anything but an awesome nail biting classic? Which Super Bowl do we remember more fondly, the Seattle game or the second Rams game?

Falcons

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I think I'm less of a "laundry" guy than a lot of posters here. Sports are compelling because of the human beings involved, not because of where the corporate entities happen to be domiciled. A person's fandom shouldn't be judged as less than someone else's because of where their emotional attachment is centered between the people playing the sports and the name on the front of the jersey. One is not any more right than the other.

Pats win, Brady plays great, and the crowd never stops cheering.

So then why do you care if the Pats win? That's just where the corporate entity happens to be domiciled.

 

[dirtynine]

I will take pleasure from Brady performing poorly against a Belichick scheme. I don’t see it happening but I’d like a blowout Pats win that makes Brady look old. A pick 6 and a few big sacks will be great. Thinking Judon might be primed for a role in that. Hope springs eternal.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I kind of think this game goes one of two ways:

• Bucs absolutely destroy the Patriots, with the game basically over in the first quarter
• Hard fought game that could go either way

I'd like to see the Pats win in a blowout, but I don;t think that outcome is in the cards.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Bucs are banged up. I know it’s strange to think that the Patriots could lose 28-13 against the Saints but beat the Bucs but a win against this banged up Bucs team is in play. Look, the chalk says the Bucs win but this isn’t as bad as I thought it would be right after the Saints game last week.

 

[bigq]

Bucs absolutely destroy the Patriots

This is where I think the game is headed with the game out of reach for the Patriots by halftime. I don’t think the Patriots have the personnel to get consistent pressure up the middle to make Brady uncomfortable.
Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Erik Hanson's Hook]

I hope Tom cleans house.

 

[GoJeff!]

Sox win, three way tie for second WC