Can Mike Vrabel’s Patriots run the table?

Sure, sure, mmm-hmm, I do know.

One sport at a time. Think about solely the subsequent opponent. Don’t rely your victories earlier than they’ve hatched.

Mike Vrabel’s Patriots received’t take any of their remaining six regular-season video games as a right, so neither ought to we.

I get the sentiment, a remnant of the Invoice Belichick/Tom Brady years.

Now please be part of me whereas I attempt to determine whether or not the Patriots can run the desk.

Hey, I do know we’re not purported to get forward of ourselves. Nevertheless it’s sort of inconceivable to not when the Patriots have received eight in a row by means of this weekend’s mini-bye.

When the Patriots began the season 1-2, I used to be nervous that my preseason prediction of 9 wins — essentially the most optimistic of the taking part Globe writers — was going to be about 4 too many.

And now right here they’re, having already matched that nine-win projection with a half-dozen video games remaining. Outstanding. Virtually unbelievable. And but as actual because the rain.

The Patriots themselves want to remain targeted, and Vrabel and his workers will. However we don’t must be so inflexible. We will get pleasure from this, as a result of what they’re doing is uncommon and particular and it’s purported to be loved. It’s loopy, nevertheless it feels a heck of lots like 2001 round right here, and I certain didn’t assume I’d ever say that once more.

So right here’s the query of the day: Can the Patriots win out heading into the playoffs? This century, the Patriots have ended an everyday season with a successful streak of six video games or extra six occasions:

2001: six straight after an encouraging Week 10 loss to the Rams dropped them to 5-5. They might meet once more, and had been they ever prepared.

2003: 12 straight, en path to 21 consecutive wins, playoffs included, by means of Week 7 of the 2004 season.

2007: 16 straight — your entire common season was a successful streak unto itself. That is essentially the most dominant group of all time, Tremendous Bowl hiccup be damned.

2010: eight straight, previous postseason catastrophe towards the Jets.

2011: eight straight, in case you’d forgotten how these Belichick/Brady groups normally acquired higher and higher because the season performed out.

2016: seven straight, none of which required getting back from a 28-3 deficit. They saved one of the best for final.

If the Patriots win out over the ultimate six weeks this season, that will ship them into the playoffs on a 14-game successful streak. That will have appeared unfathomable two months in the past. Now? It’s believable, if nonetheless unlikely.

For the game of it, and since we are allowed to get forward of ourselves, let’s take a look at every of the remaining video games and challenge how the Patriots may fare in making an attempt to maintain their streak alive.

Week 12 at Bengals: Joe Burrow, who has been out since struggling a toe harm in Week 2, returned to practice in a restricted capability final week, nevertheless it’s unlikely that he’s prepared for sport motion by subsequent Sunday. His stand-in, veteran Joe Flacco, has been a Patriots nuisance in his lengthy profession — he beat Tom Brady within the playoffs twice, and almost did it a 3rd time throughout his Ravens’ heyday. However the Bengals’ atrocious protection — they’re dead-last within the NFL, permitting (33.4 per sport) — received’t give him an opportunity this time. Patriots win in a shootout.

Week 13 vs. Giants: Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has already received over Giants followers together with his reckless-abandon model of play. However that recklessness caught as much as him in Week 10, when he suffered a concussion towards the Browns. He has visited the blue medical tent 4 occasions this season for concussion checks. It will be smart for the Giants to be cautious with him the remainder of the way in which, however he could possibly be cleared to play for subsequent Sunday. A Drake Maye-Dart showdown on Monday Evening Soccer could be enjoyable, however the Patriots shouldn’t have a lot of an issue with the Giants whether or not Dart or Jameis Winston begins. Patriots win with out a lot suspense.

Week 14: Bye. Relaxation up, fellas. Hibernate, even. The following two weeks convey two of essentially the most compelling matchups of the season.

Week 15 vs. Payments: The Patriots’ affirming 23-20 win at Buffalo in Week 5 was portrayed because the Stefon Diggs Revenge Recreation, after the ex-Payments receiver tormented his former group with 10 catches for 146 yards. May this matchup 10 weeks later be the Payments’ revenge on that Diggs revenge sport? One supposes, however the rested Patriots ought to have the benefit. Patriots win a good one.

Week 16 at Ravens: I feel that is the place it ends. I feel that is the place lots of people assume it ends, and with good cause. The Ravens, after a stunningly dismal and harm plagued 1-5 begin, entered Sunday’s sport towards the Browns having received three in a row. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed three video games (Weeks 5, 6, and eight, with Week 7 the Ravens’ bye), seems to be like himself once more, and Derrick Henry must be at his finest because the climate will get colder. The Ravens will doubtless be preventing for his or her playoff lives come their matchup with the Patriots, who will nonetheless be without Milton Williams. The group that wants it extra will prevail. Ravens win as Henry turns into the primary and solely 100-yard rusher towards New England this season.

Week 17 at Jets: By this level, the Jets’ mind belief, presuming there’s such a factor, will probably be absolutely targeted on which future bust of a quarterback they plan to take on the prime of the 2026 Draft. Patriots win a rout.

Week 18 vs. Dolphins: I, for one, am going to overlook the Mike McDaniel period. This will probably be his ultimate scene as an NFL head coach, however he has a brilliant future as the best play-caller in Madden any gamer has ever encountered. Patriots win by a big quantity, even with backups getting the brunt of the snaps.

So, doing a little fast math right here, that places the Patriots at 14-3 heading into the postseason, with their most vital moments nonetheless to come back.

Simply as all of us predicted in September, proper?

Chad Finn

Sports activities columnist

Chad Finn is a sports activities columnist for Boston.com. He has been voted Favourite Sports activities Author in Boston within the annual Channel Media Market and Analysis Ballot for the previous 4 years. He additionally writes a weekly sports activities media column for the Globe and contributes to Globe Journal.