Gresh & Zo: Are The Patriots A Good Team That Has Trouble Winning?
With Zolak getting a day off, Hardy slides over for Tuesday's show alongside Andy Gresh.
Is the sky really falling in New England? In looking back on past seasons, Gresh doesn't think so. Not yet at least.
"When you look at the New England Patriots record against winning teams, looking back to 2009 and 2010, it's up and down. In 2010 during the regular season, they were 7-1 against teams with a winning record. They beat only one team that won nine games, the rest were in double-digit victories – and then they lose in the division round to the Jets," explained Gresh. "In 2009, they were incredibly average against teams over .500, and the teams they beat were nine-win clubs. Last year, they were 0-2, and didn't beat a team with a winning record until the AFC Championship game."
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"This year, so far they're 0-3 (against teams with a winning record). Those numbers, you would think, would not make me as bullish on the Patriots over the next six weeks. But I look at the schedule, and see a team that is going against average clubs. When I see St. Louis, Miami, the Jets, those teams on the docket, I say the Patriots are better than them and will win. They are going to play the Texans (in Week 14) and be 9-3," said Gresh.
Hardy, however, thinks the Patriots are going to struggle to win games this year.
"I agree the Patriots are better than a lot of these teams; I still think they're better than the Seahawks, better than the Cardinals. However, there is a big difference between getting a lot of talent out there, and a lot of guys that can play the position at a high level, and being able to win," said Hardy. "I hate to bring up big losses in big spots, but when you go back to the Super Bowl, the playoffs loses to the Ravens and the Jets, you have a lot of the same personal – especially on offense – involved in whats going on this season, and you have to look at the difference between teams that win, and teams that are just good."
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"Right now, with a 3-3 record and the losses they've had, you have to at least consider the Patriots are a good team, but they have trouble winning," he said.
Where do you stand? Are the Patriots a good team that has trouble winning, or do they play down to their opponents?
