The New England Patriots are at it again— probably back to win another Super Bowl. And I’m tired of it.
As a Giants fan, I’ve always had anything but love in my heart for Bill Bellichick’s gang, so this year more than ever I’ll be rooting actively for pretty much anyone else. So here are my keys to the game for each of the Patriots’ potential opponents this postseason to help stand in their way of a fifth Super Bowl title this millennium.
The Philadelphia Eagles
Get Carson Wentz back.
Yes, Nick Foles has done a very solid job in Wentz’s absence. He has done everything the Eagles could have asked for. However, does he have the talent or experience to take down the well-oiled machine that is the New England Patriots? That is still to be determined. Wentz, I would personally have a bit more faith in. But Foles faltered against my Giants, of all teams, this season. And that is quite embarrassing.
The Minnesota Vikings
Deflate, deflate, deflate. If it worked for the Patriots, why can’t it worked for their opponents? Who can forget the 2015 AFC Championship Game, in which the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts, all the while employing the used of underdeflated footballs?
I mean, compare Tom Brady and Case Keenum. I may not like the guy much, but Brady is a legend, whereas Keenum simply hasn’t had the opportunity to prove himself in a high-pressure situation like the Super Bowl. That’s where deflate comes in. Cold weather in Foxboro, Massachusetts? No problem.
Sure, it might result in the loss of two draft picks, a $1 million fine for the team and your quarterback’s four-game suspension, but clearly life went on for the Pats despite all that. Why can’t the Vikings do the same? Now, I’m definitely not endorsing cheating. I’m simply saying that if the Vikings wanted to work towards the “W” against New England and win a Lombardi Trophy in front of their home crowd, this might be the way to do it.
The Jacksonville Jaguars
Go back in time and lose to the Steelers.
I’m sorry, I just simply don’t see a world in which Blake Bortles and the Jags take down Brady and Gronk. I just cannot see it happening. The AFC lost its chance at a different champion when the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Jags last week.
However, if it were the Steelers against the Patriots for the AFC title, I could see a different outcome, no funny business needed. So, if it were Big Ben versus the Pats, the game might be a much more competitive one. The Steelers are simply a more established program. They’ve been here before and they know how to combat the Patriots, at least some of the time.
So, America, let’s band together to take down Tom Brady and co.
And if all else fails, there’s always the spying option. Since that worked out so well last time.
