As New England Patriots fans we have been down this road before, an awesome regular season that garnered the top spot in the AFC. Now that the playoffs are about to start we will see just how good this team rally is. Will it be another postseason of disappointment or one of joy?

The last two seasons the Patriots have been one and done in the playoffs, losing both games at home. In 2010 they lost the hated New York Jets. In 2009 the Baltimore Ravens blew them out. In fact the Patriots have lost their last three playoff games going back to their Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.

There are a few troubling signs for New England heading into the second season. Here are three that concern me.

Poor starts: Although the Patriots are on an eight game winning streak they have started the last three games in dreadful fashion. Week 15 against the Denver Broncos they fell behind 16-7. The next week, against the Miami Dolphins, they were down 17-0 at the half. Finally in Week 17 they were down 21-0 before they blew past the Buffalo Bills. If they continue this trend into the playoffs a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers would likely crush them. Falling down one score is okay, but trailing by several is an issue. The Patriots offense will become even more predictable, in other words passing on every down, and good defenses will get to Tom Brady.

Passing defense: The Patriots are no longer giving up the most passing yardage per game, now that distinction belongs to the Green Bay Packers, but it is definitely a concern. New England’s pass defense has made some mediocre quarterbacks look like All-Pros. The team’s survival in the playoffs will probably depend on the amount of turnovers they can generate. Having Patrick Chung back is definitely a plus as well. If the Pats can continue their bend but don’t break ways then a long playoff run is possible.

Recent history: I hate to say it but this is the same kind of team that has failed the last two seasons. When the Patriots were winning Super Bowls it was with defense. As much fun as it is sometimes to watch Tom Brady chuck it all around, it would be nice to sometimes play a grind it out style. Unfortunately this team is incapable of that.

Conclusion: In my opinion the Patriots would like to see the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Houston Texans so they could face the Bengals in Foxboro. The Steelers, although a bit banged up, present the biggest challenge of all the possible matchups. I would take the Patriots over the Bengals or the Denver Broncos, but not the Steelers. We will see after this weekend which team the Patriots will draw.

Quick notes: Is it wrong that I took so much pleasure when New York Jets imploded and missed the playoffs? I guess that is what you get when you make Santonio Holmes one of your captains. How long do you think it will be before Rex Ryan tells us the Jets will be in the Super Bowl after the 2012 season?

Also a big congratulations to Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker for the impressive seasons they put together. Welker is my favorite current player and I hope we Patriots fans have at least a few more years of watching this craftsman ply his trade. The fact that Gronkowski broke the record for both yardage and touchdowns by a tight end is impressive. If we are extremely lucky he will be a feared weapon for several years like Shannon Sharpe, Tony Gonzalez, and Antonio Gates.

Darren Pare has been a New England Patriots fan for over 25 years and Steve Grogan, Troy Brown and Wes Welker are his favorite all time players.

More from this contributor:

The Patriots All Time Wide Receivers List

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With the 2011 regular season complete, it’s time to take an early look at 2012 opponents for each AFC East team. The out-of-conference matchup next season will be the NFC West.

New England Patriots

Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

New York Jets

Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

Miami Dolphins

Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Buffalo Bills

Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Unless you want to be on the next “Remember last year” blog post, it would be wise to withhold predictions. It’s too early for that. Rosters will change dramatically after the draft and free agency. Therefore, what looks like an easy matchup today may not be in September.

AFC EAST
New England Patriots
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
New York Jets
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Miami Dolphins
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills
	   Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
	   Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
	   Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Cincinnati Bengals
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Cleveland Browns
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
	   Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Indianapolis Colts
	   Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
	   Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
San Diego Chargers
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Kansas City Chiefs
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   -- -- -- =
NFC EAST
New York Giants
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Philadelphia Eagles
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys
	   Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Detroit Lions
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears
	   Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
	   Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Minnesota Vikings
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons
	   Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
	   Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Carolina Panthers
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals
	   Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
	   Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
St. Louis Rams
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

FOXBORO — 

It goes on every week with every team in the NFL. A player goes down and someone shouts, “Man up.”

Injuries are an unwelcome, but grudgingly accepted part of football and no organization is immune to their potentially crippling consequences. But how the talent drain due to sprains, tears, twists, breaks and head shots is dealt with plays a crucial role in determining whether a season will be a success or failure.

The Patriots are 13-2 in large part because Tom Brady, who’s on the verge of becoming the third player in league history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, has mostly remained upright. That he’s been able to do so despite multiple injuries to his pocket protectors can be directly traced to the universally acknowledged Patriot Way.

“I think there are probably a lot of places that may or may not have handled what we’ve had to go through up front as well,” said Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters, a 12th-year veteran and first-time Patriot. “I think that has to do a lot with the environment here. I think that has a lot to do with the way the organization has been built.

“Over the years you’ve seen a lot of players you’ve never heard of all of a sudden show up and do well and I think it has a lot to do with the way the coaches coach and the way the players take preparation seriously.

“I can definitely say I’ve been around places and been on different teams where a lot of people would have been in frantic or panic situations if they had to deal with some of the things we’ve had to deal with this year.”

At the middle of the medical madness has been the center position, which has dealt with more shuffling than a poker table at Foxwoods. Waters, the only one of the Patriots’ five starting offensive linemen with a chance to play in all 16 games, has lined up next to four different players.

Dan Koppen, who had been snapping for Brady since 2003, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. Dan Connolly stepped in at center until he was injured and replaced by Ryan Wendell, who was in turn injured and replaced by Nick McDonald.

Three rather anonymous substitutes, all of whom were undrafted and former practice squad players — two of whom were previously cut by other teams — filled in and did what they were supposed to do with minimal disruption to one of the most complex and prolific offenses in the league.

The bar is set high in Foxboro, and it isn’t lowered for anyone.

“Nobody comes here with limited expectations of themselves because I don’t think that’s going to be allowed here,” Waters said before amending himself. “That’s definitely not allowed here.”

Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer has only been available for six games due to back and foot injuries. Left guard Logan Mankins, a four-time Pro Bowler, suffered a knee injury on Christmas Eve that is expected to sideline him until at least mid-January and left tackle Matt Light, a Pro Bowler last season, missed that game with an ankle injury.

The Patriots replaced that trio against the Dolphins with rookies Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon and journeyman Donald Thomas. And while things were a little rough for one half, the patchwork line ultimately solved its communication issues and allowed Brady to do his thing as the Patriots rallied for a 27-24 victory.

“Everyone knows going into a game that they have to be ready to play,” director of player personnel Nick Caserio said. “Whatever happens before the game, whether it’s a day before the game or the day of the game, there’s really not much you can do about it. We have a lot of confidence in the players that are active for the game, so the expectation is that they’re going to go out there and perform and do their jobs.”

Bill Belichick seconded the motion while pointing out if the coaches didn’t have confidence in the player, he wouldn’t be on the field. You might get called on to douse a fire around here, but you’ll never be thrown into one.

“If they’re out there, we have confidence in them,” Belichick said. “If they’re not out there, there’s either another player ahead of them or we’re not confident that they can go out there and do it. It’s as simple as that. We’re not going to put anybody out there on the field that we don’t have confidence in.”

That in-game trust is built in practice where the offensive line is overseen by one of the best positional coaches in the league.

The Foxboro Faithful are quick to question the credentials of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and wonder if Matt Patricia is fit to be defensive coordinator — de facto or otherwise. But when it comes to Dante Scarnecchia, there are no such concerns.

“He does a hell of a job,” O’Brien said of the 63-year-old, no-nonsense assistant who has worked in the NFL since 1982, all but two of the years with the Patriots.

“I can’t say enough about Dante,” Brady said last week during his weekly paid appearance on WEEI. “His leadership at that position. He really handles the offensive line and coaches those guys extremely hard and he expects nothing less than their best every single day in practice and obviously in the game. I think you really see that.”

It all seems so seamlessly simple, but it isn’t. Just ask the 2-13 Rams or 6-9 Bills, both of whom have missed three-fifths of their starting offensive line for much of a season in which they ended up floundering after no one answered the call to “Man up.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady is practicing with the New England Patriots after being limited in Thursday’s session by an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

Two days after sitting out practice, Brady stretched with his teammates during the brief period open to reporters Friday.

Asked what Brady was able to do Thursday, coach Bill Belichick said Friday: “Play quarterback, the usual thing.” When asked if Wednesday was a planned day off for Brady, Belichick said he thought that had been covered.

The Patriots have said Wednesday’s absence was not injury-related.

When asked whether Brady would be able to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, Belichick said that, too, has been covered.

Comcast SportsNet has reported that Brady had X-rays to check for a separated left shoulder and was told he was “all set.”

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