aluminum seats

This relates more to the last week of the season, I guess, because it's all-out until the division is clinched. But the last week of the season could pose an interesting choice for the Pats. If Tennessee beats San Diego, certainly possible, assuming the Pats beat Jax they'll go into their last game of the season against Houston with the #2 seed alive. No way in hell Washington beats San Diego out there, but how do the Pats approach that game?

Even taking the #2 seed out of the mix, it'll be interesting how the Pats juggle the different issues at play--resting guys (on the lines, Brady) who are banged up, every possible minute of experience for young guys in the secondary, and winning/losing based on who they want to play.

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Jimke

Beat Jacksonville and then rest Brady and the injured players against

Houston.

robertweathers

IMO this team has got to go full-bore for the #2 seed IF SD loses to TN week 17. With the injuries (Brady, Wilfork, Warren, etc) and more practice time to work out the funk this offense is in, the team needs the time and not and extra game this late in the year.

My .02$

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“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

letekro

You have to balance that with the likelihood of SD losing at home to washington in week 17 with a first round bye on the line (i.e., roughly zero). Better to rest week 17 and get ready for a tough 3 game run.

BelichickFan

I'm with Jimke, the #3 vs. #4 seed isn't a big deal to me. We need Brady, et al, to get a bonus bye week. If we clinch this week, even if we lose to Jax, I'd sit a ton of players. We'll likely to to go through the tough path of a winable home game followed by, in some order, @San Diego and @Indy. We need to be as healthy as possible for that, especially the banged up Brady.

Mack Herron

In addition to resting Brady, 2 other considerations:

1. He was not very effective. Completion % <50% and QB rating of 54. We should be able to get that from Hoyer.

2. Brady is listed as questionable and is game time decision on playing status. If these are injuries that could persist into Jan, then there is some benefit of getting Hoyer some game experience before he might nneed to come into a tight playoff situation.

On the down side, the offensive passing game is clearly struggling. I am in no position to judge whether Brady is better off playing his way out of it or resting. I suspect BB will do what is in the best interests of the team.

robertweathers

OK so your definition of balance is sitting Brady week 17. Doesn't sound like balance to me.

Balance is getting a 35-0 lead at halftime and sitting TB the rest of the 1/2.

Is that what you are saying?

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

letekro

No. If Brady is really hurt and taking a week off will allow him to perform better in the playoffs, that's what you have to do, IMO. SD ain't losing the last two games. They're like 17-0 in December.

aluminum seats

No, I think what he's saying is the #2 seed is a non-starter for the Pats, because there's no way the Chargers lose to the Redskins at home. (Which is probably correct.)

__________________
"So I'm going to throw myself against the wall...
'Cause I'd rather feel bad than not feel anything at all."

mayoclinic

1. Beat Jacksonville. No-brainer.

2. If we don't beat Jax, go all out against Houston. No-brainer.

3. Assuming we beat Jax, re-assess the health of the team. It's nice to win against Houston, but the priority should be making sure everyone is healthy for the playoffs. If that means resting key people, that's fine.

4. Do everything possible to avoid injuries to key personnel.

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