Cardinals/Pats Game - I don't think the Birdies see it as real important...

[JSn]

Boldin could be held out of game vs. Patriots - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

"I think that both these guys want to play and if they're ready to go, they'll play," Whisenhunt said, according to the Arizona Republic and the Arizona Cardinals' official website. "But I think also, you have to be smart with that situation. If this was a game that for us meant to get into the playoffs, it would be a completely different scenario."

Further reading:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2008/12/18/20081218cardsinjuryupdate-CR.html

"Obviously, in this type of situation, where you have a game two weeks away, you want to make sure you got as many of your guys available for that game," Whisenhunt said. "That's got to take priority."

Could be trickery, but I'm not sure this guy is of the same ilk as The Tuna and BB.

If Boldin and Arrington miss the game, it certainly doesn't hurt our chances.

 

[102 Pat]

Is there anything for the Cardinals to gain in terms of playoff seeding by winning there last two games?

 

[MetalBleachers]

Is there anything for the Cardinals to gain in terms of playoff seeding by winning there last two games?

Not much. Clinched the division, which assures them no less than fourth. Minny has a better conf. record.

NFL Standings: Conference

Come on, give Boldin a rest. Arrington, too. Come on, Ken.

think of those in need...

 

[upstater1]

Not much. Clinched the division, which assures them no less than fourth. Minny has a better conf. record.

NFL Standings: Conference

Come on, give Boldin a rest. Arrington, too. Come on, Ken.

think of those in need...

If they win their first playoff game, they'd either play AT the Giants or AT the Panthers.

I'M SURE IT DOESN'T MATTER TO THEM.

The only way this may matter is if someone convinces the Cardinals that the Vikings are going to win their first 2 games with Tavaris as QB, because then you can argue that Arizona is playing for home field advantage in the NFC championship. But let's get real.

This game is utterly meaningless for Arizona.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Is there anything for the Cardinals to gain in terms of playoff seeding by winning there last two games?

They have clinched 4th, impossible to move up to 2nd. So one way or another they get a home game but no bye. I doubt the are thinking well if we win both games as does Minn this would give us home field for the NFCCG. And without knowing who the 5 and 6 seed is it is really impossible to have a preference for wild card.

So not really unless you want to boast you were the thirds seed instead of 4th.

 

[swheeler23]

They have clinched 4th, impossible to move up to 2nd. So one way or another they get a home game but no bye. I doubt the are thinking well if we win both games as does Minn this would give us home field for the NFCCG. And without knowing who the 5 and 6 seed is it is really impossible to have a preference for wild card.

So not really unless you want to boast you were the thirds seed instead of 4th.

So by the comments on this thread no one thinks the Patriots can beat the Cards with there starters in? What is the point of making the playoffs then? I say the defense for the Patriots has to play better. If they do the Patriots have a chance against anyone. Who was the last good team the Pats beat?

 

[JSn]

So by the comments on this thread no one thinks the Patriots can beat the Cards with there starters in? What is the point of making the playoffs then? I say the defense for the Patriots has to play better. If they do the Patriots have a chance against anyone. Who was the last good team the Pats beat?

The 9-5 Dolphins?

I think many here want to see us make the playoffs, even if by a squeak, to validate the amazing feat of holding together with so much personnel chaos.

Of course we all want to see them make the big show, but for me personally, MAKING the playoffs will be a satisfying ending. Making some noise there would be ecstasy.

 

[SVN]

The 9-5 Dolphins?

I think many here want to see us make the playoffs, even if by a squeak, to validate the amazing feat of holding together with so much personnel chaos.

Of course we all want to see them make the big show, but for me personally, MAKING the playoffs will be a satisfying ending. Making some noise there would be ecstasy.

here is the thing. The fins and jets are the healthiest teams in the LEAGUE. The pats are a mash unit. Still with almost the same schedule and possibly even tougher(pitt,indy ) we are tied for 1st place. A playoff berth is a great accomplishment IMO.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

So by the comments on this thread no one thinks the Patriots can beat the Cards with there starters in? What is the point of making the playoffs then? I say the defense for the Patriots has to play better. If they do the Patriots have a chance against anyone. Who was the last good team the Pats beat?

Where did you get that idea. We are commenting on the motivation of the team.

Starters in / starters out -- Many teams play more aggressively and with a greater intensity when the game is must win than when it is meaningless. Is a punter going to risk a season ending injury to stop a TD that could knock the team out of the playoffs -- probably. Is he going to do it if the 3rd vs 4th seed is on the line I doubt it.

I believe that the Patriots are capable of beating a fully motivated Az team in any weather. But we have a thread discussing the weather. Just because we are discussing the playoff implications of this game on AZ doesn't mean we don't believe in the team.

 

[BPF]

Minny has a better conf. rec

The Vikings just beat them, they have head-to-head adv.

 

[Fencer]

The Vikings just beat them, they have head-to-head adv.

So if the Vikings go exactly L-L-W-W, what the Cardinals do the next two weeks makes a difference, and otherwise it doesn't?

 

[patsox23]

So by the comments on this thread no one thinks the Patriots can beat the Cards with there starters in? What is the point of making the playoffs then? I say the defense for the Patriots has to play better. If they do the Patriots have a chance against anyone. Who was the last good team the Pats beat?

The Patriots haven't beaten a lot of good teams this year. No one's denying that. But your obnoxious post is duly noted, and here's another answer, this to your first question:

WRONG. Yours is the post of a tool with no sense of integrity. Because we'd welcome the improvement of odds that the Patriots win that means we don't think we can win AT ALL if Boldin plays? Get lost.

 

[Gumby]

So if the Vikings go exactly L-L-W-W, what the Cardinals do the next two weeks makes a difference, and otherwise it doesn't?

Whisenhunt just doesn't care about 3rd vs 4th seed. Understandable; either way you have to play in WC weekend.

But what I would think he would care about is the tenor being set if they go into WC weekend having lost 4 in a row. Or even 3 of 4. Not exactly the way to go into playoffs. I would still expect them to be playing to win.

And don't discount that all the media play up of how BB likes to play with the injury report hasn't made Cards decide just this one week to throw some disinformation out there.

Lastly; all those hoping for snow and cold to disrupt the Cards passing attack... just remember the Snow Bowl. When field was slick the running game couldn't get traction and when we needed to score the passing game moved the ball. Running game relies on 8-10 players all having good footing and executing their blocks. Passing game only the wr you throw to has to maintain his footing. So snow/cold could end up not being amy more of a detraction for them than it is for Pats.

I fully expect a a tough hard-fought game.

 

[Ryan]

It's the first time Warner has played the Patriots since Super Bowl 36. He might want to go all out to get a little payback.

Too bad he's going to get owned again though.

 

[neuronet]

The lesson of last year is that the teams that don't relax at the end of the season do better in the playoffs.

This is mind games he's playing. They will come out here to win. We're the New England freaking Patriots. Of course they will be motivated. Don't get ****y or complacent. That's what he wants.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I certainly hope our players don't feel the Cards don't see it as important. No team wants to limp into the playoffs, just because they are resting a few guys doesn't mean they won't give us everything they got. The Seahawks sure as heck gave us a fight who expected that?

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Count me among those not believing that the Cards are not considering this game as important. They cannot afford to take it easy especially after how they played their last game.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

This guy is either blowing smoke and the Cards are going to come out firing on all cylinders or he's trying to lower expectations because he knows the Pats could embarrass this "Division Winner."

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Count me among those not believing that the Cards are not considering this game as important. They cannot afford to take it easy especially after how they played their last game.

I don't know. That's how an experienced playoff team like the Pats would be thinking about it, but the Cardinals...haven't been to the Playoffs since forever...maybe not...

 

[NYCPatsFan]

I don't know. That's how an experienced playoff team like the Pats would be thinking about it, but the Cardinals...haven't been to the Playoffs since forever...maybe not...

I expect the Cards to do what you said in your earlier post: come out firing to show what they can do irrespective of their past record(s) and travel and weather.