The Patriots are considered one of 4 unfortunate groups with the NFL’s newest bye week.
After taking part in 13 straight video games, accumulating a 11-2 file and placing collectively a 10-game successful streak, the Patriots lastly will head off on their bye week after being within the facility Tuesday to rewatch Monday night time’s win over the Giants.
So, what’s head coach Mike Vrabel’s message to the Patriots this week?
“That we’re not performed. We’re not glad. I feel champions are by no means glad,” Vrabel stated. “I feel you’ll be able to admire the place you might be, however on the similar time, by no means be glad or complacent. The advantageous line between relaxation and restoration, and simply being sedentary. So, there’s a advantageous line of what we’ve got to do to have the ability to come again in right here, perceive that simply because you’ve gotten a bye, that doesn’t imply you’re assured some victory the subsequent week on this league.
“Groups are 16-12 coming off a bye this 12 months, so clearly the bye doesn’t assure something aside from we should always get some guys again that we didn’t have final night time, and we’ll see the place that goes all through the week. Give them a while to reconnect with people who they care about, after which even be able to concentrate on soccer and us ending this factor.”
It might undoubtedly be a optimistic if the Patriots can get a few of their injured gamers again on the sector.
Will Campbell and Milton Williams will stay on injured reserve when the Patriots return from their bye week on Dec. 14 in opposition to the Payments. Rookie left guard Jared Wilson (ankle), defensive sort out Khyiris Tonga (chest) and special-teams captain Brenden Schooler (ankle) additionally missed Monday night time’s sport with accidents.
All the Patriots’ harm replacements performed admirably in opposition to the Giants, with Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown filling in for Campbell and Wilson, Cory Durden, Eric Gregory and Joshua Farmer taking over larger roles withut Tonga and Williams, and Dell Pettus, Charles Woods and Miles Battle taking over Schooler’s jobs on particular groups.
It’s notable that Vrabel is even mentioning the “champions” phrase. The Patriots do have one of the best file within the NFL and are at the moment the No. 1 seed within the AFC. At +450 to win the AFC championship, they’ve the second-best Tremendous Bowl odds of any staff of their convention.
