Watching the playoffs is making the Pats' absence more painful

[aluminum seats]

I thought I had dealt with the Pats not being in the playoffs pretty well, until I started watching the games this weekend.

Tennessee? The Ravens? Carolina? Arizona? Oh my god, the Pats would beat any and all of these teams. I'm waiting for an impressive performance from SOMEBODY. Seriously, this is awful....it's making the end of the Pats season--when I was just really proud of how they performed, and OK with them not being in it--much worse.

 

[slash83]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

I think its gonna be Pitt vs Philly in the SB. Two best teams imo. Pitt would take that game if it actually comes down to it.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

I think its gonna be Pitt vs Philly in the SB. Two best teams imo. Pitt would take that game if it actually comes down to it.

Unless McNabb decides he needs to hurl again.

 

[SVN]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

after the mcnabb benching it will be nice twist of fate if its balt/phil

 

[maverick4]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

Good news is we get MUCH NEEDED rest after many deep runs the past few years, plus you know Belichick is going to use the extra time to self-analyze the team and revamp it for another Superbowl run.

 

[Patsfanaustin]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

I didn't feel too bad (at least accepted things since there was no other choice) until one of the morning pre-game commentators mentioned how the Pats should have been in the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

 

[Metaphors]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

I didn't feel too bad (at least accepted things since there was no other choice) until one of the morning pre-game commentators mentioned how the Pats should have been in the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

Dolphins beat Jets in week 1 (they lost 20-14 but were driving late)
Ravens beat Titans in week 5 (they lost 13-10 but were winning 10-6 late)
Pats beat Jets in week 11 (no recap necessary)

Just imagine if these results had actually happened. The Pats would have finished in a tie for the best record in the NFL and still would have missed the playoffs.

 

[aluminum seats]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

Dolphins beat Jets in week 1 (they lost 20-14 but were driving late)
Ravens beat Titans in week 5 (they lost 13-10 but were winning 10-6 late)
Pats beat Jets in week 11 (no recap necessary)

Just imagine if these results had actually happened. The Pats would have finished in a tie for the best record in the NFL and still would have missed the playoffs.

Wow, I have to give you props for taking the time to figure that out. That really is something....and very painful! So come to think of it, cut it out!

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The silver lining in my book was that missing the playoffs put an end to the slow but steady drip of serious injuries.

 

[Grenouille]

It’s just disappointing that this team didn’t even get a chance to keep things going. Yeah, you can say they should have won one of the earlier games to get in, but 11-5 should still get you in. They had hit their stride in the last month and would have been an interesting playoff team in my opinion.

 

[upstater1]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

Wow, I have to give you props for taking the time to figure that out. That really is something....and very painful! So come to think of it, cut it out!

If that doesn't tell us something is really wrong, I don't know what will.

GreyHoodie was on here showing that a team could conceivably win their division with a 3-13 record, and knock out a team with a 13-3 record.

That's why I don't understand the, "Should have won one more game," argument. Of course they should have won one more game, BUT that doesn't necessarily guarantee you a playoff spot either. 11 wins is as arbitrary a number as 12 wins or 10 wins for that matter. When a team can knock you out with 3 wins, you're not good until you win 14 games.

 

[Metaphors]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

That's why I don't understand the, "Should have won one more game," argument. Of course they should have won one more game, BUT that doesn't necessarily guarantee you a playoff spot either. 11 wins is as arbitrary a number as 12 wins or 10 wins for that matter. When a team can knock you out with 3 wins, you're not good until you win 14 games.

Those numbers are interesting in theory but this year was amazing in that the doomsday scenario (Pats miss playoffs with best record in the NFL) was a Kerry Collins late TD pass (assisted by a bogus roughing call on Suggs), a Chad Pennington late end zone interception and a coin flip from coming true.

 

[brdmaverick]

Original Poster, I completely agree with what you are saying. I was thinking the exact same thing. Watching these games is making it that much more painful that the Pats did not make the playoffs at 11-5. In fact, the Chargers are one WIN away from HOSTING the AFC Championship game after finishing the regular season 8-8....it's making me want to throw up.

Anyways, I will try, I repeat "try", to turn the tables and put a positive spin on things....which do you think is better........

1.) Not making the playoffs after a strong finish and 11-5 record, missing due to some flukey occurrence

or

2.) dominating the regular season and then experience a sudden unexpected end to the season after having Super Bowl aspirations (ie, see Tennessee, Carolina, Indy, Miami). Remember the shock we felt after the Dolphins thumped us in week 3? I'm sure the four teams noted previously are still feeling worse than that right now.


Maybe if I think it enough I will actually believe what I am writing.

 

[brdmaverick]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

Dolphins beat Jets in week 1 (they lost 20-14 but were driving late)
Ravens beat Titans in week 5 (they lost 13-10 but were winning 10-6 late)
Pats beat Jets in week 11 (no recap necessary)

Just imagine if these results had actually happened. The Pats would have finished in a tie for the best record in the NFL and still would have missed the playoffs.

That's pretty crazy that you were able to come up with that scenario, which was very close to playing out.

The thought that I left the regular season with was....It's a good thing we got destroyed by the Steelers as opposed to losing in the fashion that we did against the Colts. I say that because if we had won the game against the Steelers then the Pats would have been the two seed and earned a first round bye. Imagine if the Pats were only a Gaffney drop and Thomas personal foul penalty away from being the two seed as opposed to missing the playoffs entirely? Like I said, it's a good thing they got killed to make it a little easier to take. Of course, I still do think of the 'what if's' if Moss doesn't drop all those balls that night.

 

[WhiZa]

the way I like to look at it is Cassel had a great ending to the season. His stock couldn't be hire. If we made the playoffs, and Cassel got trashed again by Pittsburgh or some other team we would not be able to get the same value as we do now.

 

[PatsFanInEaglesLand]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

I think its gonna be Pitt vs Philly in the SB. Two best teams imo. Pitt would take that game if it actually comes down to it.

Please, God, NO!

I will have to leave home for 2 weeks I couldn't take it.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Re: Watching the Playoffs is Making the Pats Absence More Painful

Dolphins beat Jets in week 1 (they lost 20-14 but were driving late)
Ravens beat Titans in week 5 (they lost 13-10 but were winning 10-6 late)
Pats beat Jets in week 11 (no recap necessary)

Just imagine if these results had actually happened. The Pats would have finished in a tie for the best record in the NFL and still would have missed the playoffs.

wow. /\/\/\/\/\

 

[NYCPatsFan]

I share the OP's sentiment; watching the Ravens slug it out with the Titans and the Cards stunning the Panthers, I really wish the Ravens had met us in their first game. With all our cyclinders clicking, we would have certainly dealt with them and others.

Glad that the arrogant Titans got sniffed out.

 

[102 Pat]

I was good with the playoffs so far but seeing Arizona win tonight really feels like a kick to the groin for Pats fans. We throughly thrashed this team that wanted no part of us a few weeks ago (based on there play that day) and now there one win away from SB 43? As long as the Eagles can knock off the Giants tomorrow...

 

[desi-patsfan]

I was good with the playoffs so far but seeing Arizona win tonight really feels like a kick to the groin for Pats fans. We throughly thrashed this team that wanted no part of us a few weeks ago (based on there play that day) and now there one win away from SB 43? As long as the Eagles can knock off the Giants tomorrow...

I agree, the fact that the Cards will be playing more games this year than the Pats is killing me. The Pats could have destroyed any of the teams we have seen so far. Hopefully the games tomorrow prove to be better.