The Patriots' next 4 games

[mgteich]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

I agree with all your comments. I would only add the the jets game is even more important than the Miami game due to possible tie-breakers with the jets.

It's two sets of two for me.

The Jets and Fins games are the most important, they almost wrap up the division. If we go in as a #4 seed, hopefully playing well, that's OK. We would still be a top contender to win the AFC.

The Colts and Saints are real nice as they'd give us a better seed, more HF, maybe a bye. But they're bonuses to me. The first goal is to make the playoffs, the second goal is to be playing well going into the playoffs, the third goal is a great seed. They're my goals anyway. We can lose to the Saints and Colts and still be in good shape for goals 1 & 2.

 

[Wax Frog]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

First making the playoffs is top priority and to do that you have to win your division. Where you are seeded is secondary. I might remind people that we didn't make the playoffs last year because of our division record.

How many people viewed the Giants as "legit" playoff contenders a couople of years ago? Didn't matter, did it?

Right. I've followed the Pats long enough to get it through my thick skull that only two things really matter:

1) Get your foot in the playoff door (best avenue being div. title)
2) Peak your performance when you get there

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

I agree with all your comments. I would only add the the jets game is even more important than the Miami game due to possible tie-breakers with the jets.

Agreed and even further, the Jets are currently a game closer to us than the Phins. We beat the Jets (assuming a win over the Colts) and we are 3 games up on Jets and Phins (with 6 to go) and the tie breakers are back to even. If we lose to the Colts but still beat the Jets, we still are in good position to win the division. Conversely, if we lose to the Jets we potentially are 1 game up with no room for error due to the tie break being a lock for the Jets.

Regarding Patsnuts "pure entertainment" comment? That is over dramatizing the point (but the point is well taken). More accurately put, if we have to lose a game over the next 4 then N.O. is, BY FAR, the game to lose (and it ain't even close). The Colts are the next least important to win (I don't buy the Patriots simply having the division sewn up). The Phins are next but measuredly not as important as the Jets. The most important game, again, IS the Jets......period.

Anyone who doesn't see this is, imho, looking at the playoff picture with rose colored glasses on. The difference between the Patriots and the Jets/Phins is not great enough to feel comfortable with looking past them. The Jets/Phins are capable of putting it together and going on a hot streak (I'd remind everyone about Parcell teams and there ability to play better as December approaches). Actually, any team around the 500 mark likely has enough tools on board to all of a sudden get hot.

First goal is to win the division!

 

[Patjew]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

OK Marley. asking someone for they are "f'ing stupid" is not what we consider civil conversation. However since you said it to me I won't take the action I would if you had said it to someone else. Don't want people to think I'm all sensitive

But call me or anyone else "f'ing stupid" again and you won't be around for the Jets game.

Now for the rest of your reply, it's unreadable so I don't have a response.

That's some admirable restraint. I would have banned that f'ing s'head for being such an a'hole.

 

[ausbacker]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

That's some admirable restraint. I would have banned that f'ing s'head for being such an a'hole.

In that poster's short time here, he/she has certainly endeared them-self with wonderful and insightful contributions to the board.

 

[klinefan]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

Your joking, right? Please tell me your just joking.

No, not joking. what makes you think I am?

Manning has been very quick and very, very accurate. I think getting pressure on him is key, but it's hard coming from a 3 or 4 man rush.

YYou need to state what you disagree with otherwise you're just being obtuse and I personally believe that obtuse people should be chastised severely.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

That's some admirable restraint. I would have banned that f'ing s'head for being such an a'hole.

You'd have to ban half the members of this forum then. And we couldn't agree on which half to ban.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

They're all important if we want a bye.

If we don't get the bye, the Saints/Colts games are losable and it most likely won't make a difference.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Every game no matter who we play is gonna be important. Playing Colts can be a preview for AFC CG. Nothing better than to have Colts come To NE In Jan. As for Jets need I even comment on that & Saints can be a preview of Superbowl. Yes I'm stating obvious but It comes down to Winning. Besides Taking out Colts,Jets,Saints Pounds a Message To Everyone, "BEWARE" & if some where down road we meet steelers, I'll take my chances, I like Pats chances.

 

[Patspsycho]

Rather have the road to the superbowl go through the Foxboro Graveyard.

 

[BelichickFan]

Rather have the road to the superbowl go through the Foxboro Graveyard.

Who wouldn't. We all hope to win all the games. But weeks 2 & 4 of the next 4 weeks are the must wins. The more flashy 1 & 3 are the nice to wins.

 

[shmessy]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

OK Marley. asking someone for they are "f'ing stupid" is not what we consider civil conversation. However since you said it to me I won't take the action I would if you had said it to someone else. Don't want people to think I'm all sensitive

But call me or anyone else "f'ing stupid" again and you won't be around for the Jets game.

Marley has just received an infraction. There's no room for that on this board. If he wants to trash posters on a forum, he can do that on the toilet that is the ESPN.com forum. He's had several incidents in the past few weeeks.

 

[shmessy]

Rather have the road to the superbowl go through the Foxboro Graveyard.

Patriots have never lost a playoff game in Gillette.

I'd say that homefield is the goal.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I don't disagree about home field. And I want the Patriots to gain that.

But, the point of the thread was that the games against the Jets and Fins are way more important to reaching the first goal- making the playoffs.

I guess some think that's in the bag and looking beyond that.But it's never a sure thing until you get it.

 

[BelichickFan]

I don't disagree about home field. And I want the Patriots to gain that.

But, the point of the thread was that the games against the Jets and Fins are way more important to reaching the first goal- making the playoffs.

I'm not even sure that's true, if we beat the Colts we're well on our way - BUT I generally agree that if we lose today, it sucks but it's not a disaster, we then reset to beating the Jest and Fins and we're still in solid shape.

 

[Patspsycho]

I'm not even sure that's true, if we beat the Colts we're well on our way - BUT I generally agree that if we lose today, it sucks but it's not a disaster, we then reset to beating the Jest and Fins and we're still in solid shape.

It may not be a disaster but it puts us within striking distance for the Jets.

 

[BelichickFan]

It may not be a disaster but it puts us within striking distance for the Jets.

Which is why we then need a quick reset of priorities of : win the division games and deal with the seeding when the playoffs start.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

Personally, I think your nuts. And if anyone suggested to BB that a game was just "pure entertainment" and not terribly important I think he'd take their head off.

All 4 games are important. I understand the importance of division games, but right now we're in control of the division. Wins against the Jets and Phins are still very important, no doubt about it. But the games against Indy and NO are even more important as far as I'm concerned.

I don't want to just win the division with an 11-5 record and make it to the playoffs as an also-ran. If the Pats want to establish themselves as a top 3 team and a bona fide Super Bowl favorite the road goes through Indy and NO right now. Both teams are 8-0, and NO will very likely be 10-0 when we play them.

To be the best you have to beat the best. I know it's not the playoffs now, but there is tremendous importance to both games. Beat the Colts and we break their grip on the AFC, and re-establish ourselves as the dominant team. The NO game could easily be a preview of the SB, and we want to learn everything we can from that game and figure out schemes that will maximize our success. I understand that as a non-conference game a loss has a lesser impact on our playoff tiebreakers than conference and division games, but as a bragging rights game and possible SB preview it has immense significance.

Go 2-2 in the next 4 games and we are 8-4. If we beat the Jets and Fish and lose to Indy and NO we will be 8-4 and considered a second class contender. We'll have proven that we are a very good team that can beat up on the weak teams but can't beat the other top teams. If we beat Indy and NO and end up 8-4 we will be considered a first class contender by virtue of knocking off the top 2 teams. That will carry a lot of weight come playoff time, and give us a lot of confidence no matter who we play.

Agreed. The division games only count towards tiebreakers. But don't forget that overall record is the most important factor in winning the division. All 4 games count towards the most important factor, while 2 can improve our tiebreaking scenarios.

That doesn't make them more important though, because winning the other 2 games is far more significant than just holding a tiebreaker edge.

And as mayo points out, there's the mental importance. I consider beating these elite teams more significant mentally than beating up on the Jets or the Dolphins, who look almost done.

 

[mayoclinic]

Well, we blew the first game of the 4. Gave it away.

Now we're 6-3 and still 2 games up in the division. Wins against Miami and the Jets are still crucial. And does anyone think the NO game is just an "entertainment" game? We need to go there and whup them to prove that we can beat an "elite" team and not collapse at the end the way we have in big games the past 3 years.

Unlike the 2003-2004 Patriots, this team needs to learn how to beat top teams and win big games. The NO game is huge as far as I am concerned. It's the last top team we will face in the regular season.

 

[crowell33]

Re: The patriots next 4 games.

OK, tell me how the Saints game is as important as the Jets, Fins , and Colts games. Other than being another W, I don't view it that way.

,

Just for their own confidence before the playoffs start, the Pats need a win against at least one good team this season. A win against the Saints does that. Beating up the Jets who have lost 5 out of their last 6 games will be fun. So was beating up on Tennessee and Tampa.