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Originally Posted by RunKC
They are more vulnerable than ever IMO.
-Gronk is hurt and will not be 100%. He is on the downside and Bill knows it.
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Well, he's 29, so if he's healthy he should still perform at a very high level. I do agree that he's on the backside of his career and won't likely be great into his mid-30s the way some TEs have been, as his game is too physical. But I certianly wouldn't write him off yet.
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-their LT is Trent Brown and he isn’t that good
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You haven't watched them much I guess. Pats have the third ranked OLine by PFF. Brown has outplayed Solder, who we lost in free agency last offseason.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/new...s-after-week-9
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-their defense has 1 good pass rusher and that’s it.
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Sadly, this is true. Hightower is a very effective pass rusher also, when healthy (but IF) and when not doing other LB duties. But yeah, it's Flowers and a bunch of not great players, though Clayborn shows flashes.
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-Brady doesn’t have the velocity on his throws that he once had.
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He never had the strongest arm. His game hasn't tailed off that much. He's no noodle-arm Manning-at-the-end, that's for certain.
Other weaknesses:
1. Running game is inconsistent. RBs need to come back and be healthy. Rookie RB Sony Michel needs to continue to improve.
2. WRs need to consistently generate separation for Brady. Hogan is having a down year. Dorsett needs to contribute more.
3. Gordon needs to continue to improve his understanding of the Pats offense, and not fall off the rails somehow (suspended or whatever).
4. More consistency/quality from the front seven both against the run and regarding pass rush is needed.
All that said, as in prior years, the Patriots are coming together, playing better as the year goes along, and let's face it, there's no challenge, no adversity, they haven't overcome. They have massive amounts of intangibles (mental toughness especially) that will make them a tough out in the playoffs, whether at home or away. Certainly they'd be happy to host all playoff games until the SB. In fact, I don't think they've had to win on the road and managed to win the SB since like 2004. Their '14 and '16 Championships involved alot of home cooking.