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Week 10 NFL Byes: Colts, Patriots, Vikings have momentum, Chargers, Texans, Washington need it

By Andrew Garda

Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Denver Broncos during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 43-21. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Denver Broncos during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 43-21. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) makes an adjustment at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 43-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) makes an adjustment at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 43-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots (7-2)

I was at the Patriots-Broncos game Sunday for Sports on Earth as well as in the locker room after the victory. After a win such as the one the Patriots had Sunday, you get a sense of relaxing, especially going into a bye week. Not complacency (at least not with the good teams), but a relief that the players finally have part of a week to focus on something other than football.

Not so with the New England Patriots. As I wrote after the game, this was a team which was already focused on the next game. Tackle Nate Solder told me he would be spending part of the coming week “off” looking over film and preparing for the Colts in Week 11. Tom Brady told us that he was already  ready to get back to work on Monday and see what the team could improve.

Love them or hate them, this is why the Patriots are as successful as they are. They are focused, driven and never, ever satisfied.

Nor can they afford to be with the schedule after the bye, including the aforementioned Colts game, followed by the Lions, Packers, Chargers and then three straight division games.

The Dolphins and Bills are both hot on the Patriots heels, so expect tough games there. And while the Jets are a dumpster fire combined with a nuclear meltdown, they always play the Pats tough.

No, this isn’t a team that thinks it can relax. It knows it has to improve every day.

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