A deafening silence ran across Gillette Stadium as the clock struck midnight in Foxboro on Monday. The new day signaled the end of an unparalleled era in Patriots history. The period saw three Super Bowl rings and an NFL record 21-game win streak. It seemed that victory was guaranteed, regardless of whom the Pats were playing. Monday represents the irretrievable loss of this confidence.
This is a dark and depressing realization for Patriot Nation. Many fans, who were living in complete happiness, have been forced to accept the the team's limitations.
It has been difficult for fans to acknowledge that Brady and Belichick can bleed like the rest of the NFL does. Even after losses to Denver and San Diego this season, fans were unwilling to accept reality.
They pushed those dismal losses to the back of their memory and convinced themselves that when necessary, in a clutch, this Patriots team would be like all those in recent memory: capable of winning when it really mattered. But, the truth might have finally set in. This team will not be traveling to Detroit to play in this year's Super Bowl.
The difficulty with this team comes in separating talent from passion. Those who think that the losses are coming from a lack of desire and motivation are stuck in the past. They need to realize that the Patriots are giving everything they have, but their talent is merely average.
Injuries are only part of the problem. The rest of the team's difficulties stem from the failed signings of Scott Pioli.
Pioli, the Vice President of Player Personnel, strongly misjudged the off-season acquisitions of Duane Starks and Monty Beisel. As a result the team is uncapable of keeping up with teams like Indianapolis. The most sobering part of the whole process is that New England played up to its potential (considering the circumstances) last Monday.
It was not a matter of the Patriots having a bad night and the Colts having a great night. It came down to the superior talent of the Colts.
Despite all of these factors, New England should feel confident going into the last half of the schedule. The Patriots have played through the most difficult part of their season and they are still standing alone atop the AFC East, albeit with a 4-4 record.
Realistically, New England only has to win five more games to guarantee its place in the playoffs. The Patriots should be able to take advantage of the minimal competition within this year's AFC East, but they will not be able to rely on weaker opposition for a title. Even if they do manage to win the division, no one should expect them to do anything of importance. Not this year, anyway.