So, I live in the belly of the beast. February 3, 2002 was a nightmare for me. Vinatieri's kick goes through and people are literally screaming down in the streets outside my wife's and my apartment in Boston and our phone is ringing off the hook from hecklers. It wasn't pleasant. I literally didn't watch TV or listen to radio for 2+ weeks.
But you know what, at the time I was probably slightly insufferable myself... It was the end of year 3 of the GSOT after all. I can recall telling a few Patriots fans to enjoy the 30-13 beat down they were going to take.
My wife has asked me "how are you going to handle this?" And you know what, it's just different this time. We're 1.5 point underdogs, not 14.5 point favorites for one. And yes, after the Dark Times (2007-2011, and then 2016) my view is just way different. I enjoy the ride WAY more now. I am by no means just "glad to be here" but at the same time I have a huge appreciation for being here.
I see this as an absolute 50/50 game with a ton of great storylines- 2/3/19 vs 2/3/02, back in Atlanta where the Rams won it, it being McVay's hometown, etc. etc.
So here's the reality about Patriots fans. And yes I am generalizing a bit but it's what I see season after season. They don't see anyone else as really any good. I mean really. There is an arrogance there and, well, after 18 years wouldn't we? Insufferable as it might be... Just as one example, I recall a few years ago making a comment about how great Aaron Rodgers was playing and before I could finish my sentence this person blurted out "Brady's better!" OK.....
Also, Patriots fans watch very little football that isn't the Patriots playing. Between how bad the Rams were for so long, local TV blackout rules, etc. the odds are 90% of Patriots fans have seen maybe 1-2 Rams games at most this year (KC, Chicago) and maybe 1-2 in the previous several years in total. See the comment about Littleton making the Pro Bowl- they don't know that's because of special teams. They've never heard of guys like Josh Reynolds and Gerald Everett and Rob Havenstein. They know Wade Phillips (and how well he's done vs. NE previously), Talib, Gurley, Goff, Cooks, Donald, Suh and Peters. Those are the names they know. A few know that Johnson went to BC. And they're otherwise frantically reading the team's season stats, etc.
Also, until 3-4 weeks ago most Patriots fans were resigned to the fact that they were going to get bounced in the divisional round. The Pittsburgh and Miami losses sealed it. Few thought they'd get a bye and past the Chargers. Fewer that they'd beat KC. I would guess 70% of locals felt KC would win.
They actually have quiet respect for McVay and what the Rams have done. They mostly won't say it (or post it) but there is a nervousness there about this. They realize what happened vs the Giants (twice) and Eagles and that this Rams team is as dangerous or more. For most of this year they viewed this Patriots team as the worst they've had in 8-9 years. But then they also (rightfully) see the great coaching job Belichick has done the past two games.
Teams and fans that have the "why not us" attitude to me have an advantage. There's more energy to it vs. "I hope we don't blow this." If the Rams can withstand things early and not get down big early then I really think the team (and fans) will start to feel it and the Rams will start to get into a groove.
