The New England Patriots are at Buffalo tonight and favored by 15-½ points, to go 10-0 on the season. Even casual football fans are aware of the Patriots pursuit of an undefeated season. I’m sure if you were to ask Tom Brady, Randy Moss, or Bill Belichick (is that really how it’s spelled, belly-chick?) they’d each say their just taking them one game at a time, and each game one snap at a time, in their business like, lunch pail, blue collar, get the job done style.
However, one has to wonder after ten games, should New England win (and why shouldn’t they?), if in the private circles of the Patriots meetings and practices there aren’t murmurings and speculations about, dare to dream, what if they do go undefeated and surpass the record of 17-0 set by the ‘72 Miami Dolphins?
Wasn’t it Lexus whose ad slogan a few years ago was “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection”? For what it’s worth, “perfection” is a term that’s overly used in the NFL and quite frankly, poorly defined. How many times have we been watching a game and hear John Madden or Troy Aikman, when referring to a pass completion say that so-and-so quarterback threw a “perfect” pass. So then what constitutes a perfect pass? Is it a nice tight spiral? If it is, then Anthony Wright has a bust destined for Canton. Most coaches and quarterbacks worth their salt, I believe, would say something to the effect of ‘a completion for positive yardage resulting in at least a first down, if not six points on the scoreboard’, whether it be a pretty ball, or an end-over-end toss reminiscent of Billy Kilmer’s Redskin career. Kilmer was renowned for throwing ‘ugly’ passes.
Antithetically speaking, this years edition of the Miami Dolphins are on a quest of another distinction, more dubious than exemplary. Miami is at Philadelphia to play the Eagles today and are 9-½ road underdogs to Philly. The Dolphins are 0-9 and may set the record for football futility if they finish the season winless at 0-16. How ironic would it be if the Patriots lose a game and the Dolphins go winless, making the same NFL franchise hold both records for going both undefeated (1972) and winless?
The St. Louis Rams won last week for the first time this season ruining the chance for two teams, them and the Dolphins, to go winless. If that had happened I would have been in favor of a one game postseason contest between the Rams and Dolphins. It could be called the Futility Bowl, but it would probably have ended in a 0-0 tie.
If there is any justice in the world, the Dolphins first win will be against the Patriots, putting an end to both probable streaks. I hope not.
All things considered, perfection, in football as in life, is virtually unattainable. We all have a love-hate relationship with our teams, which reminds me of something I told a very sweet girl once: It’s our imperfections that make us perfect for each other.
What you hear from Coaches and Players alike when it comes to long win streaks is "we just play them one at a time, we don't even think about it". Oh really? Maybe you should and more teams would go on longer streaks. As Americans we value 10-0 but don't value 9-1. Think about it Patriots. The only team that can keep you for going 16-0 is called the New England Patriots.
Thanks for the comment, Dusty. The Pats first loss will probably be because they beat themselves with turnovers or some other kind of mistake like senseless penalties. I don't see it happening, though.
Hi Lion, I might be way off base here but my guess is Belichick (It is Belly-chick, by the way) would rather not have the distraction of the possibility of an undefeated season hanging over his head - it's hard enough to win consistently in the NFL without any of that other stuff adding pressure and the only real goal should be winning the Super Bowl.
That said, there is no question that Belichick and the entire coaching staff of the Patriots approach every single game with a single-minded intensity in the attempt to win each and every time they step on the field.
So in my humble opinion, they probably don't even talk about going undefeated, but are doing their best to win every game, one at a a time....
Hey Mr Knightly- interesting assessment of the Pats and perfection in general. I get more and more nervous with each passing week- I wish the undefeated talk would just go away. I wish they had lost one game already because I think its giving most fans a heart attack.
At this point, I agree with HB- only the Pats can neat the Pats. ~2cg
OSL- well, I know you THINK you made up that ending quote, but its really Mr Knightly, the hero of Jane Autens' "Emma". Sorry to call you out on a sports blog... :)
Call me out all you want. I never heard of Knightly, or the book (or was it a play?) probably both. For the record, I didn't say it was original, I just said I told it to a sweet girl once. Thanks anyway, glad you stopped by, and please accept the friends invite I sent you.
Dear God I dont care who it is but someone needs to beat the Pats. 56-10 right now thats bad. I feel for the Bills and the game isnt even done yet. The Pats are so high on points that Brady is out and now they are just goofing off mocking the Bills saying ha ha ha we are so ahead of you we can sit our starters and still beat you. I say the Pats are cheating
Last edited by broncogirl on November 18th at 8:03 PM.
OSL- They dont have a choice to let 31 other teams play in it. I want the team tested for everything. Drugs steriods aliens. I want it all done. Check videos do something this is silly. After all is said and done I think the final score on the Pats end is going to be 70 if not damn close to it. Atleast Denver wasnt this humiliated.
Last edited by broncogirl on November 18th at 8:09 PM.
If we think this game is bad just wait until they play Miami. I think its safe to say I have my 16 points on my pickems for this game. To all those in my pickems leauge ( you know who you are) Shame on you for chosing to take only 1 or 2 points if they won.
How cool would it be to see both extreme ends of the curve attained in a single season?
While the Patriots use the "one game at a time" mantra with the press, I have no doubt that behind closed doors, they wear the 19-0 goal on their sleeves.
onesouthern'
Chances are that if Pats go 16-0 and fail to win the Superbowl their season will be seen as a failure. The prize albeit whatever it's seen as in the eyes of Belichek and the players mopst definately has to be the Superbowl. Anything added to that will be a bonus !
As for the 'fins as Marie Antoinette said about her subjects........let 'em eat cake.
It's not as if Cameron has brought any discipline to this team since his tenure as coach. At best they've been downright pitiful in their mediocrity.
In terms of perfection- that was the most perfect game the Pats have played yet. It was, in fact, a little ridiculus.
And sorry, broncogirl, they aren't cheating. If you want to test them, test everyone else. How else could the Jest beat the Steelers? (not hatin, just syain...be fair).
and yup- if tey lose the SB, it will all be for nothing. I can tell you right now, that's how everyon on that team feels. ~2cg
Nice post, OSL, and well written. I agree that "perfection" is overused. It's like when people say something like "more unique" or "really unique" as if there are degrees of unique. Or when people misuse "literally" to emphasize something figurative. I have a lot of pet peeves with language, and you've hit on one in this post.
I like the idea of the Futility Bowl. It could be played at halftime of the Super Bowl like the Bud Bowls of old. First team to score wins and gets the top draft pick.
This is really good stuff. Looks like the competition is gonna be tough. good luck in kieth's blogger competition. I am gonna send a friend request to you to see if I can figure out how to.
