Week 8 rewind

5-3. That's where the Pats stand after eight games. That's exactly where the Pats were after eight games last year. They won their next ten games to get to the Super Bowl. I wouldn't bet on the Pats going on a ten game winning streak this year but I sure would bet on them winning another AFC East title. Especially if they play like they did Sunday in London.

GOOD

• The Gronk is back. Rob Gronkowski caught touchdown passes #6 and #7. He had eight receptions for 146 yards. And he had two ridiculously Gronked-up spikes. Gronk is back. He's only the best offensive weapon in football. And the most entertaining.   
• Stevan Ridley is leading the AFC in rushing. That's right. Stevan Ridley has more rushing yards through eight weeks than Arian Foster, Darren McFadden, and Ray Rice. Meanwhile, my guy BenJarvus is doing nothing in Cincy. Isn't Belichick sick of being right? The running combo of Ridley, Bolden, Vereen, and Woody is the big difference in this year's Pats.
• Special teams play -- often overlooked -- is starting to be a factor. McCourty's touchdown return against the Jets was one of the five biggest plays of the season so far.  He may not be able to play corner any more but he can return kicks. Gosty made two huge field goals against NY and his kickoffs are often going going gone. Then there's Zoltan. The third-year punter is only 29th in average. That needs to get better. But he's also third in the league in the number of punts inside the 20. And that's impressive considering he doesn't punt as much as most other guys because he plays on the team with the highest scoring offense. 
• Of all the stats that are cited in the NFL -- QB rating, passing yards allowed, sacks, sacks allowed -- the most important one is turnover ratio. "Take care of the ball" is rule one two and three. The Patriots are following all three rules. They are tied for first in turnover ratio at +13. The defense leads the league with 11 fumble recoveries. 

BAD

• Just one thing. What else? The pass defense. On the Rams' opening drive the defense gave up a 50-yard bomb. It didn't look good. It still doesn't. The Pats are among the worst in the league in giving up big pass plays. Ras-I Dowling is done for the year. Chung and Gregory have missed most of the first half. McCourty looks better at safety than corner -- again. But there's hope. Chung and Gregory should be back soon and their veteran presence at safety should help. Youngsters Ebner, Dennard, and Wilson have made some mistakes but when the veterans come back the experience they have gained in the first half should only help down the stretch.

5-3. Not great. But it's only October. The time for great isn't now. It's in January and February. The Giants have taught everyone that lesson.