I really wanted to be in the playoffs again.  In reality, we probably would not go deep with this team barring some series of small miracles, but I wanted to dream for a week like I did last year like many of you wanted.

There's a saying with young teams in all sports, "You have to learn to lose before you learn to win."

I think our team is a prime example of that right now.  And it's probably part of the reason so many teams take a step back in the second year.  It is also probably part of the reason that this is all so frustrating to watch.  Blown leads, blown opportunities, comebacks after a half or 3 quarters of inconsistency, only to be snuffed in the dying moments of the game.  That's a team that can compete, but is learning from its losses,  so it can learn to win. 

Of course, we still need to add talent, especially at safety, Linebacker (inside and out) probably nose tackle, and of course a true number 1 wide receiver has been a hot topic all year.  But look how close each week this team has come. All while being injured at QB, CB, NT and RB times 2.   We have the talent to compete with anybody in the NFL.  Just ask Indy and New Orleans.  But we need to learn to win.  That comes with keeping up the intensity for 4 full quarters and delivering consistently on both sides of the ball.  Houston beat us today, but look at how they let us back in the game.  Same as Tennessee, up and down all season.  Yes, just like us...learning to win.  We still have holes like any team, but at least we have some depth now to fill in with injuries.  Remember a few short years ago when a no name guy would be forced into action and all we learned was why he belonged on the bench?  Now when an injury occurs, more often than not, young guys, or older backups come in and deliver.  Henne, Wake, Smith and Davis have a lot to learn, but the future looks bright when you see how they have played with limited experience.  This is a growing year and I think we have had plenty of growth as a team.  We played meaningful games to the end of December with a bunch of backups in some of the most key positions. 

The media marveled at how the "almighty" patriots did that  last year and we did same thing in the second year of a rebuild.