I really need to know.

Just what is an “acceptable” win for the New England Patriots?

When they win a nail-biter, the cry is that they cannot “close out” teams, they lack “killer instinct” and they don’t “step on the throat” of opposing teams when they have them down.

On the other hand, in games like yesterday’s 59-24 rout of the Indianapolis Colts, the cry turns to “running up the score” on a team whose coach has cancer, showing “poor sportsmanship” and “extreme arrogance” and “hubris.”

Additionally, there is talk of “karma” when all-world tight end Rob Gronkowski breaks his forearm while blocking for the final extra point of the game.

Other than the Gronk injury, it was a very nice all-around game for the Patriots, one only the soccer moms or self-appointed extreme “fan critics” could grouse about. And Ron Borges.  And they all will. The Jets are coming, babe.

If you want predictable, today’s (all week, actually) sports radio and TV topics are all lined up for you:

Patriots ran up the score!!!!

Why was Gronkowski in the game??????

They booed Adam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And yes, the Patriots won 59-24 yesterday.

Patriots show signs of hope on defense – Tom E Curran has the beleaguered unit actually doing a few things right yesterday.

What we learned Sunday: Patriots must now figure out how to live without Gronk – Christopher Price runs down a number of items from yesterday.

Aqib Talib shows his stuff – Karen Guregian says that the newest Patriot had a mixed bag as a debut, but he also showed he could be a big contributor. Greg A. Bedard has a similar view. Even Mike Felger acknowledge the big-play potential.

‘Old reliable’ does it again – Jackie MacMullan has Tom Brady showing Andrew Luck a thing or two about the QB position in the NFL.

It won’t be the same without Gronkowski – Chad Finn looks at the loss of Gronk. Mike Reiss says that while the Patriots have stockpiled depth at tight end, it won’t be the same without #87. Bedard says that the Patriots will have to make up for it in different ways.

Other Patriots with big days yesterday included Rob Ninkovich and Julian Edelman.

————————–

I want to throw out a thank you to Anna’s Taqueria for providing a great game-day spread for BSMW yesterday.

The food was awesome (picked it up out of the Somerville location) and was a big hit with gang at home The giant vat of guacamole they sent over was worth the drive from NH to pick it up all by itself. There were even some leftovers, which will be devoured shortly for lunch. A spot definitely worth checking out for your next game-day party.

Advertisement

Published by Bruce Allen

Automattician.

10 thoughts on “Pats Luck-y In Win, Unlucky With Gronk”

  1. Local angle: HOW DARE HOODIE RUN THE SCORE UP AGAINST A ROOKIE AND A TEAM MISSING THEIR HC DUE TO CANCER. HOW DARE THEY! PETER KING BETTER DEVOTE ALL 5 PAGES OF MMQB TO PONTIFICATING ON THIS AND USING PROSE TO TORCH THOSE EVIL PATRIOTS AND EXPOSE THE INJUSTICES TO THE WORLD. WE WILL ALSO ADVOCATE THE UN SANCTION BOB KRAFT FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

    Bruce, thanks for not linking Borges column here since he did just this.

    National media: Spent half the time on the Gronk injury and talking about why he’s still in there. Thankfully, most of the national media backed hoodie up because he’s one of _MANY_ coaches who leave/use starters even in situations like this. They also said “This is the Patriots being the Patriots.” and didn’t work the “oh the Patriots wanted to improve their BCS rankings so they ran the score up” (yes I know only one computer ranking in the BCS uses MoV.)

    Like

  2. I left the radio on 93.7 by mistake, and woke up to Gerry asserting that Gronk couldn’t have hurt himself on the PAT, it had to be some other point, earlier. (Because of course he couldn’t see the injury therefore it must not exist.) I hastily changed back to Mike & Mike before they could get into /too/ much “why was he out there!?” stuff. (Though they did that. In the first 5 minutes of the show.)

    I did not, at least, hear any cancer stuff.

    Like

    1. I heard inklings on the same show. However, I think most of it was from callers who either are NOT Pats fans and called up to troll the “karma” or people who sounded like they had something boiling up and used this as the “final straw” impetus to get their points heard.

      Like

  3. . I’m going to focus my comments on the Media who were on their haughty, “High Horses” concerning the, “OH THE HUMANITY!” booing of Adam Vinatieri yesterday. (Knowing full well their game is to tweek Patriots fans)

    Did these guys come out of the womb as media members?….Were they fans at ANY point in their lives? Booing is overrated and taken WAY too seriously by the media. First off, Adam V doesn’t have to worry about buying a drink in these parts for the rest of his life. That says it all… However in the “Heat of Battle” yes, he’s going to get booed. NOT because the fans “hate” him but because it’s a way to bust his balls…that’s all. It’s gamesmanship, it’s fan’s having a good time…that is all.

    I’m 100% sure when Adam comes back here for some ceremony AFTER he’s retired he’ll get HUGE CHEERS. …but as long as he’s playing for the Colts’ he’ll get his balls busted…It’s the New England way.

    Like

  4. Mike Francesa has officially lost it as well, praising Luck’s “superb” performance yesterday and talking about how “close” the game was in spite of the score.

    Can’t wait for another full week of “let’s trade Brady for Luck” talk on F&M…..lol.

    Like

    1. Luck is a very talented QB who will, barring injury, be among the league’s best throughout his career.

      However, considering that he was playing against the “terrible” Patriots defense, “superb” is a little strong to describe his performance. He made some great throws, showed some strength completing a pass with Ninkovich hanging on him and resiliency bouncing back from some hits. But he also turned the ball over 4 times, against a much criticized defense. That’s not superb.

      Like

  6. I’m starting to think that the only way the Pats can get positive press is if they go 16-0, with every game featuring the team coming from 35 points behind (points scored through flukeish coincidence and/or egregious referee bias, not poor defensive play) to win by a field goal in the last 15 seconds. And even then someone would write a story about how poor the punt coverage team is or something….

    Like

Comments are closed.