Watch CBS News

Boomer Esiason: Patriots Can 'Flip The Switch' In Playoffs

BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots stumbled into the postseason, losing back-to-back games to finish the regular season with a 12-4 record and as the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

They will try to get healthy and fix the error of their ways as they enjoy their playoff bye week, with their divisional round game set for January 16 at Gillette Stadium.

"The most important thing right now for the Patriots is getting healthy across the roster. That's why they feel pretty good about who they are because they're getting guys back," Boomer Esiason of The NFL Today and WFAN told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Monday.

VIEW: NFL Playoff Schedule

The Patriots aren't worried about carrying over momentum from the regular season, and Esiason said they're one of the few teams who can "flip the switch" when the stakes get real.

"Most teams I would worry about that, but this is a team that is battled tested with a great quarterback and coach combo," said Esiason.

The Patriots will host either the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans or Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, and Esiason says the Chiefs would pose the toughest challenge for New England.

"The Chiefs have won 10 in a row and while their offense isn't great or overly explosive, they've started to expand the wide receiver role," he said. "I still look at all the quarterbacks left and, with the exception of Ben Roethlisberger, you ask which one can put up 27 points to beat the Patriots? I think that's what it's going to take.

"I think the Patriots are going to get healthy, their defense is going to get healthy and they'll do smart things special teams-wise like they always do. They'll score at least 27 points in their two games; that's what I believe and why I think it will be very tough for any of theses teams to beat a healthy New England Patriots team."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.