Cincinnati/Denver winner likely heading to Foxboro - New England Patriots Forums

***richpats*** · 12-19-2006, 02:51 AM

The winner of this game will go to 9-6 and will have the inside track on the #5 spot based on conference record (winner would have only 4 AFC losses).

Cincy hosts the Steelers Week 17 while Denver hosts the 49ers, so odds are the winner will take care of business at home.

Gut feeling is that Denver has a great day running the ball and pulls out a close one. Cincy has a short week and a long road trip ahead. Denver hasn't won at Invesco since October 15th, the drought ends Sunday.

Actually, a Cincy/NE or Denver/NE matchup could be clinched by X-mas night if:

KC loses to Oakland Sat night*
*Only necessary if Denver wins, KC holds division tiebreaker (div record)

NE beats Jax

Indy beats Houston^
Baltimore beats Pittsburgh^
^This will eliminate NE from contention for the #2 or 3 spot (NE loses conference record tiebreaker)

Jets lose to Miami Monday night+
+Jets could slip into the 5 spot by winning out and the Cincy/Denver winner losing in Week 17

SVN · 12-19-2006, 07:56 AM

nothing is predictable the way this season has gone..iam just hoping pats win their games and win the div and care less who they play...

***PatsDeb*** · 12-19-2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVN

nothing is predictable the way this season has gone..iam just hoping pats win their games and win the div and care less who they play...

Agreed. I'm feeling like BB in that I don't care who we play. Just focus on this week and hopefully get a win, then we'll see where we are.

***Mike the Brit*** · 12-19-2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatsDeb

Agreed. I'm feeling like BB in that I don't care who we play. Just focus on this week and hopefully get a win, then we'll see where we are.

I don't want to have to play Denver in Denver. Anything else, well ... we've got to take what comes. It isn't like we've rolled over our rivals this season.

***PatsDeb*** · 12-19-2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike the Brit

I don't want to have to play Denver in Denver. Anything else, well ... we've got to take what comes. It isn't like we've rolled over our rivals this season.

Unless the unthinkable happens and we don't win the division, we won't have to play Denver in Denver as the only way they can get in is as a wildcard, I think. Hasn't San Diego clinched that division? Well, this is why I don't want to think about it any more. We are an imperfect team who alternates between looking great and looking pretty bad. Hopefully the notion of the playoffs and thei team's experience therein makes the team turn it up a notch and we can go into the playoffs riding on a high note. GO PATS!

Halifax_Pats_Fan · 12-19-2006, 08:22 AM

Look, I think what you see from NE this Sunday is what it's gonna be from here on out. Bill will certainly have them focused on Jacksonville, like they should be, they are coming off a pretty good win, against the texans fine, but it was a pretty good win in my eyes. The season and the division is down to this weekend for NE. If you lay an egg here, then you really start losing control of your own destiny.

Bill will have them ready and what you will see this Sunday is the team that's gonna be for the rest of the year. Tom said his peace, some players are getting a bit of confidence, we may even have some starters back, so we may get a bit better. You gotta roll heading into the playoffs. My philosophy in evaluating these records and their opponents is simple, you have to win the next game.

NE has to win the next game. They need a good execution in all phases in Jacksonville....

***BelichickFan*** · 12-19-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike the Brit

I don't want to have to play Denver in Denver. Anything else, well ... we've got to take what comes. It isn't like we've rolled over our rivals this season.

I have my preferences but, yes, we will have 3 tough games to get to the SB. And then an easier one

QB12 · 12-19-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halifax_Pats_Fan

Look, I think what you see from NE this Sunday is what it's gonna be from here on out. Bill will certainly have them focused on Jacksonville, like they should be, they are coming off a pretty good win, against the texans fine, but it was a pretty good win in my eyes. The season and the division is down to this weekend for NE. If you lay an egg here, then you really start losing control of your own destiny.

Bill will have them ready and what you will see this Sunday is the team that's gonna be for the rest of the year. Tom said his peace, some players are getting a bit of confidence, we may even have some starters back, so we may get a bit better. You gotta roll heading into the playoffs. My philosophy in evaluating these records and their opponents is simple, you have to win the next game.

NE has to win the next game. They need a good execution in all phases in Jacksonville....

Well said.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukah to all,

QB12

Sean Pa Patriot · 12-19-2006, 11:41 AM

Lets take care of Jax first...

***Michael*** · 12-19-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike the Brit

I don't want to have to play Denver in Denver. Anything else, well ... we've got to take what comes. It isn't like we've rolled over our rivals this season.

I don't want to have to play the officiating crew in Denver.