According to The Boston Globe, DE Richard Seyour will miss today's game. With Big Sey is out, DE Jarvis Green probably starts in Richard's place.
While it's nothing new to the team, I'm going to repeat head coach Bill Belichick's mantra that worked so well in the past and this season:
Do Your Job.
It's as simple as it sounds. Everyone has their role. Perform yours to the best of your ability.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. You'll be put in position to play to your strength. That means Green, who in the past was used in passing situations, needs to become the effective pass rusher he used to be. Remember that guy that subbed for Seymour in the 2003 AFC Championship and picked up 2.5 sacks against the Indianapolis Colts? If you can find that Green within you for one game, now would a great time to bring him out to play. It would make up for your zero-sack season thus far.
Another dominating performance would be in order for today. The 20-10 win over Buffalo in week 10 isn't indicative of much New England out-played the Bills by. Stomping the Bills today would be the third trampling in a row after marching all over Oakland and Arizona.
The offense needs to stay hot. QB Matt Cassel has thrown eight touchdowns and one interception in his last three games. Overlooked is the effectiveness of the running game that averaged 181 yards in that span. Keeping this momentum through the end of the season would be good to carry into the playoffs, if they get in.
But the playoffs shouldn't be on the players' mind. Don't worry about what the other teams are doing. While the Patriots' fate is intertwined with the results of the Miami-New York Jets game and the Jacksonville-Baltimore game, they don't play until after New England and Buffalo wrap up their regular season. There's no distraction to keep the Pats from losing focus. After the game the players can huddle together in the lounge in front of the big t.v. and wait for fate to determine if there's one more game to prepare for.
Nothing else matters but the job before you. After the job is done, wait to see if there's more work next week.
A few things I'm looking for:
Dress Rehersal - Seattle and Oakland ran the ball well against the Patriots. Stopping the run is the first priority for success in the playoffs. Getting ready starts with stopping Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson.
Soft Corner - LT Jason Peters is doubtful. I can't think of a better way to pump life back into an underwhelming pass rush than to attack the absence of the Bills Pro Bowler.
Plug and Play - I couldn't talk about Jarvis Green so much earlier and not mention him here. Will there be a drop off with Green in place of Seymour? Don't be surprised if Buffalo comes after Jarvis.
The goal is to put oneself in position to reach the playoffs, then leave the rest to the football gods. The Patriots keep their hopes alive with a win.
