JoeSixPat

Factor in whatever you want... AFC seeding and the potential for a bye, helped greatly by the win...

Or an eye on the Division with the Jets now 4-6, which would be 2 games behind going into a Thanksgiving Day matchup had the team lost - and the potential to wind up 6-5 with the Jets 5-6 if by some chance they also beat the Patriots on Turkey Day

Of course we'd all prefer the win and good health - that goes without saying - both Gronk and Jones are important cogs in the a smooth running team.

Just to be clear I'm not using this to launch into a "What the hell was he doing out there late in the game?" rant - players play and you can't sit everyone late in a game.

I'm just wondering what the pulse of PatsFan nation is as so many seem to caught up in vying for the bye each year.

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smg93

7-3. Injuries are a part of football as long as it isn't TB.

CityOfChampions

7-3 with injuries. There's a chance that we can catch up to the Ravens and Texans record and get a first round bye to heal a bit.

Haley

7-3

Gronk will be back and ready to go for the playoffs. With 7-3 we aren't likely to lose the division, so losing him for a month really isn't that huge of a problem.

pazrul72

Short of Tom Brady going down week 1 with a season ending injury you always take the win. Injuries are part of the game and the good teams learn to overcome them. Yeah it sucks that GRONK is hurt but if the Patriots are who we think they are the rest of the team will compensate and overcome.

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PatsDeb

You have to go with the better record. Injuries are always a factor and you have to figure out a way to win while incorporating them.

JoeSixPat

I think you're right - at least I hope you're right. And although the arm isn't insignificant in ball security - especially when you're dragging three defenders with you into the endzone - I'm glad it's not an ankle or something that more seriously limits him as it did in the Super Bowl.

Of course, losing him for the remainder of the regular season could also put a crimp on our ability to win games down the stretch as well - last year's Super Bowl is a reminder of how not having Gronk at full health can limit the offense.

That's my bottom line. Whether we have a bye, play at home, or on the road, I have absolutely no doubt that, if the team is fully healthy come the playoffs, no team can stop the Patriots, whether they're the #1 seed or #6 seed.

As I don't think this one game against the Colts will make or break whether they make the playoffs (but could effect seeding) I'd opt to see Gronk (and Jones) healthy.

No doubt wins are always good. For arguments sake let's conservatively assume (even with a healthy Gronk) losses to Houston and the 49ers and wins against Miami, the Jets and the Jags. That'd leave us at 10-6 even with a loss to the Colts - and while that might seem a bit too close for comfort, under that scenario there'd be no chance of any other AFC East team catching up with us.

Good health remains my #1 priority going into the playoffs - not seeding.

Not having Gronk for the remainder of the season makes wins against Houston and San Fran a much taller order - and having him would be preferable even against the Jets and Fins. But to get to 10 wins which would likely clinch the Division, at this point I'd say going .500 from hereon out would be enough to get the job done just to make the playoffs.

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chasa

Ill take giving gronk 4 weeks for his leg, hip to heal why his arm gets put back together.

We got some swagger back with that win.

Dutchmaster617

What if we lost at home to a rookie for the second time this year? No injuries SUNDAY, yet Gronk or someone wakes up in pain, goes to the doctor and needs surgery MONDAY?

Or what if the big injury happens on thursday with a possibility of being 6-5? Either way you can't avoid it, a win is better than a loss no matter what.

Dutchmaster617

I disagree, I bet we score 34+ easily on Thur, without Gronk because we execute. The SB we couldn't block the rush, run the ball, catch the ball, or play any D down the stretch. Now the running and defending seem reasonable but the blocking and catching was way off the average.

Gronk or no Gronk if we play like **** (CLE in 10, NYJ in 10, NYG in 11, PIT in 11, ARI in 12, SEA in 12 etc.) we deserve to lose. I only think it will limit the offense if Mankins gets exposed and Welker/Hernandez is dropping passes like a bum.