I finally get the opportunity I’ve been looking for all season to mock the Patriots. I’ve written about them before, but usually it's been in the context of discussing one particular mistake, while acknowledging that the Patriots were (yes, I said were, as in past tense) the best team in the league. So, without further ado:
The Patriots: Your team sucks. I said it. Tom Brady has no one left to catch his passes and, as a result, the Patriots no longer have an offense. Rob Gronkowski is out indefinitely with a knee injury, and Julian Edelman won’t be back anytime soon. So the Patriots are left with a bunch of untested young receivers and an aging backup tight end. Somehow, in the span of two weeks, the Patriots managed to go from looking like the presumptive Super Bowl champions to a team that currently has to play in the first weekend of the playoffs. The Patriots will most likely make the playoffs and may even make a deep run, but for the time being, I’m going to say this as much as I can: your team is terrible.
Eddie Lacy: The Packers have been struggling over the past few weeks. However, the most difficult thing for the team to do is run the ball. There’s simply no excuse. Teams aren’t overcommitting to stop the run against an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. Lacy, the former Alabama standout, has always been injury-prone. It’s hard to fault him for that, but I would not be shocked if Lacy’s role in the offense shrinks next year. The Packers managed a miraculous Hail-Mary with substantial assistance from the referees on a blown face mask call. I want it noted, however, that had the correct call been made, I would be looking like a genius right now. In week 10, I made the then-bold prediction that the Packers would not make the playoffs this year, and I stand by that prediction despite their win.
Colin Kaepernick: Kaep once again didn’t play this week. Blaine Gabbert, meanwhile, is doing what no one thought possible -- he's looking competent. Gabbert is demonstrating weekly that, while uninspiring, Kaepernick’s difficulties are not the fault of his offensive line, his running backs or his wideouts. As the season progresses, Kaepernick is looking more and more like a replaceable piece of the 49ers' offense.
NFC East: There are no words in the English language to describe how embarrassing it is that one of the horrendous teams in the NFC East will receive a home playoff game as a gift. This division — once a proud, rivalry-fueled powerhouse — features play befitting of Pop Warner. The conference remains an anomaly because how can so many teams be so terrible all at the same time? That just doesn’t make sense.
With yet another week gone, the season is nearing its end. As a fan of the offseason drama, every year I look forward to the end of the season and all the stories that come with it. I can't wait for the inevitable release of (what I’m guessing will be) an unprecedented number of coaches.
