Open Thread: New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 19 (Divisional Playoffs)

Throw out the 16-0. Forget any individual record. Never mind awards and accolades.

This is the playoffs.

Every team started the second season 0-0. After one week, four teams are undefeated at 1-0; four are done for the year at 0-1. Like the stock market, past performance is not an indicator of future success.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Your New England Patriots played an unprecedented season, and while all the numbers and hardware have no significance for today's game, it's the same team, the same players, the same coaches; and thus, the same preparation, same dedication, same singular focus, same confidence with no complacency.

-- vs. --

New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Gillette Stadium, Jan. 12, 8 p.m.

The visiting Jacksonville Jaguars are no slouches, probably the most difficult matchup possible for New England at this stage of the playoffs. The "experts" are comparing them to the 2001 Patriots -- nothing flashy, very blue-collar, an aggressive solid defense, and a quarterback who makes few mistakes and manages the game well.

But those Patriots didn't face a coach like Bill Belichick and these Patriots won't underestimate the incoming opponent. These Patriots have been here, often, and they'll have their heads in the proper position -- hunkered between their shoulders, prepared to do their jobs.

This is the playoffs.

Enjoy the game, and Go PATRIOTS!!