Why is everyone so scared of the Patriots?
Its not fear, its respect for the most dominant franchise in the NFL this decade.
This is the correct answer. It's not Brady... see 2008 season. Its not the WR's (who are both top 5 receivers this year)... see any season prior to a '07. It's not the defense, and its not the assistant coaches who have come and gone.
It's billicheat... maybe the system... who knows. for whatever reason they are ALWAYS contenders and ALWAYS figure out ways to win games.
Yes.. the saints this year are truly special and have figured out how to win games several different ways but the Pats have been doing it for an entire decade.
If you think this game will be easy, you haven't been paying attention to football for 10 years. We may have the better record this year but when you look at what they have done in the regular season and post-season year after year after year then you must understand that they are a much more accomplished franchise than we are.
I love the saints, and know we can win this game. Outside of that, I know this is by far our toughest opponent on the schedule so far and am also remembering that it is our lease important remaining game... if we win great. if not, i'll be ok with 10-1 (and of course I'll be ok with 15-1 also!).