An apparatus for controlling a feedback loop includes a digital finite impulse response filter configured to equalize digital samples to yield equalized data, a data detector circuit configured to detect values of the equalized data to yield detected data, a pattern detection circuit configured to detect at least one pattern in the detected data, an expected value comparison circuit configured to compare the digital samples corresponding to the at least one pattern with an expected value, and a feedback loop adaptation circuit configured to control a feedback loop based in part on whether the at least one pattern is detected by the pattern detection circuit and on an output of the expected value comparison circuit.