Victory Monday celebrating a team with no identity going into the final week of the regular season.

The New England Patriots started the season two and four. They looked like they were in the beginning of a rebuild with the offense still looking like the weak link.. The Patriots average scoring 20.83 points per game and were giving up an average 21.16 points per game. The team showed the fanbase that their identity was "just short."

"Just short" would be short lived as the Patriots would rattle off a seven game win streak. They would average 32.14 per game offensively whileninly giving up 7.28 points per game. They looked like the best team in the AFC and were projected going into the bye, to be the AFC superbowl favorites. Was that their identity for the season? Were they a "superbowl" team?

Coming off the bye, the Patriots played the Colts and the Buffalo Bills, pumping the breaks a lot. In both games combined they were outscored 38 to 60, losing both and being on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs. The Patriots were now a nine and six team. And once again their identity was appearing to be "just short."

While the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii are dealing with dysfunction from head coach Todd Graham, the Belichick led Patriots were heading into the game versus Jacksonville, the worst team in the NFL, the Patriots needed a win and help to secure a playoff birth. It all started with winning but the Patriots decided winning wasn't good enough. That they weren't a "just enough" team. They dominated the Jaguars 50-10 and the score wasn't even that close. As Langi could be seen pulling off during Jacksonville's touchdown.

The Patriots play the Miami Dolphins who need a win to make the playoffs. The Patriots can still win the AFC East and the AFC with help. The Patriots are in the playoffs but their identity is on the line. Are they a "just short," "just enough," or a "playoff" team? 

The Patriots need to come out and put up a two touchdown win over the Dolphins, anything less of a victory means they're capable of doing just enough but not dominant enough to be a playoff team. And a loss will signify that yeah, they might get lucky hear or there but when the chips are on the line, they're just short. That's not the identity the 2021 team wants.

January 9th at one p.m. the Patriots identity for the season will be crowned and the only way it will change after that is if they win the superbowl. So who are the New England Patriots, that answer is to be determined and it's coming in a few short days. The only thing that Patriots nation can take solitude in at the moment is "In Bill We Trust!" Pats nation, we're on to Miami, how do we feel?