Will the Pats have to run the table for the #2 seed?

[tombonneau]

At this point, it would take a pretty epic collapse by Indy to lose the #1 seed (just don't see them losing 4 games).

So the best case scenario for NE is the #2 seed. Will they have to go 13-3 to get it, or will 12-4 or 11-5 get it done?

The only good thing to come out of this weekend is it looks like a dogfight in the West & North. The way it is shaping up, the winner of the West will be 11-5 at best. So I think the Pats have some breathing room there, even with the loss to Denver.

Now with the North, shockingly Cincy has a 2-game lead at 7-2 and has already swept Pitt & Balto. Haven't looked at their schedule, but you can't think the Bengals will do better than 12-4, and in fact I'd be more worried about Pitt going on a run to 12-4 than Cincy.

So realistically, I think the Pats can get the #2 at 12-4, but likely need all the other division winners to be 11-5

 

[SHOWTIME15]

At this point, it would take a pretty epic collapse by Indy to lose the #1 seed (just don't see them losing 4 games).

So the best case scenario for NE is the #2 seed. Will they have to go 13-3 to get it, or will 12-4 or 11-5 get it done?

The only good thing to come out of this weekend is it looks like a dogfight in the West & North. The way it is shaping up, the winner of the West will be 11-5 at best. So I think the Pats have some breathing room there, even with the loss to Denver.

Now with the North, shockingly Cincy has a 2-game lead at 7-2 and has already swept Pitt & Balto. Haven't looked at their schedule, but you can't think the Bengals will do better than 12-4, and in fact I'd be more worried about Pitt going on a run to 12-4 than Cincy.

So realistically, I think the Pats can get the #2 at 12-4, but likely need all the other division winners to be 11-5

they would have to run the table. cincy's schedule outside of minn and another tough team I can't think of leave no room for error. We can run the table the rest of the way as the oppoinents other than NO are not too bad.

 

[mayoclinic]

Probably have to run the table. Cincy is 5-0 in the division with a game against Cleveland left and 2 losses in the AFC, and we alread have 3 AFC losses and a divisional loss, so there's a good chance they win the tiebreaker if we end up with equal records. Cincy has games against Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit, KC and the Jets. Their 2 tough games are away at Minnesota and SD in consecutive weeks. Unless they have a real collapse I can't see them being worse than 12-4. So it will realistically take 13-3 to have a decent shot at a bye.

 

[gmtaxi27]

Right now I would just worry about winning the division. We have a tough division game vs the Jets who always play us tough in Foxborro. If we lose, the division and a playoff spot could be in jeapordy.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Probably have to run the table. Cincy is 5-0 in the division with a game against Cleveland left and 2 losses in the AFC, and we alread have 3 AFC losses and a divisional loss, so there's a good chance they win the tiebreaker if we end up with equal records. Cincy has games against Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit, KC and the Jets. Their 2 tough games are away at Minnesota and SD in consecutive weeks. Unless they have a real collapse I can't see them being worse than 12-4. So it will realistically take 13-3 to have a decent shot at a bye.

You're confusing the tiebreakers.

The first tiebreaker is ALWAYS head-to-head, if applicable.

Since it's not, the next tiebreaker for teams in different divisions is conference records, not division records. The Bengals still win at the moment: they're 5-2, the Patriots 4-3.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Run of the table, and some help will get us the second seed..

 

[duce110]

Who said they cant run the table... Did anyone see the Saints game yesterdaii, they came close to a loss... I think we beat the Saints but if they beat us, they're goin 16-0 wit the colts and i already see the superbowl match... sorrii but the nfl is a business...

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Impossible to tell, but I would guess that 12-4 would get us the bye.

Cincy is for real, but they could potentially lose to any team on their sched (struggled to beat CLE) especially if Benson misses time. I could see them finishing 11-5.

Denver/SD/Pitt will finish 11-5 at best IMO.

 

[Simkin]

I ll be happy winning division and no facing Chargers or Steelers in WC

 

[Rob0729]

It is too early to tell. We still have almost a half of a season to go. By the end of the season, the Pats could even have HFA (although nearly impossible save a Colts complete collapse).

The Pats are one game out of the second seed right now and anything can happen. The Bengals did lose to Houston. So they could lose to anyone one of about 4-5 teams left on their schedule.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They may have to. Assuming that Cinci plays as well as they have over their next 3, they should go to into their last 4 @10-2 w/ 3 of 4 on the road vs MN, SD, NYJ and home vs KC.

IMO Pats are looking at 11-5....w/ losses to the Saints and another mystery team.

 

[Jimke]

Right now I would just worry about winning the division. We have a tough division game vs the Jets who always play us tough in Foxborro. If we lose, the division and a playoff spot could be in jeapordy.

Right on. If the Patriots do not beat the Jets, Dolphins, and

Bills, they may be watching the playoffs on their TV sets.

 

[AllstonPatsFan]

Getting the 3 wouldn't be bad either. Then you would go to Cincy that's not exactly a scary situation.

Cincy has games left with the Raiders, Chiefs, Browns, and Lions. Ouch.

 

[Kontradiction]

Well, as it looks right now the Jets are coming into a stadium this weekend against a team that's going to be (rightfully) pissed off. That should be a win. Next weekend we have to go into New Orleans for another dogfight, but they can be had. Injuries are starting to take a toll on a defense that was overrated from Jump St. After that, we're looking at another dogfight against a Dolphins team that might stll have the division on their minds. Good thing about that is they might not have Ronnie Brown back by then (he was spotted on crutches after the game). If we can get past these three games and finish out this gauntlet at 4-1, we then have games vs. Carolina, @ Buffalo, vs. Jacksonville, and @ Houston. Needless to say, it is very possible that we win out the rest of our schedule. I said we'd finish 13-3 before the season started and I still think we can do that. At 13-3, we'd be looking at the second seed in the playoffs (assuming Denver continues their slide and San Diego and Cincy lose at least one to two more games, which is possible).

This loss was very, very bad. It hurt like hell to us and if it hurts to us then I'm sure it hurts too the team. This weekend's game will be telling as to whether or not we have what it takes to win out the rest of the way. If we come out pissed off and pound the Jets, then this team is in great shape for a run. If we come out flat and let the Jets stay in the game, then there isn't a chance in hell for a postseason run.

 

[bostonia3333]

The way I look at it, the bye means nothing, we can't beat the Colts--17 point lead blown? We will need other teams to do the dirty work this year. PIT/SD needs to match up with Indy in the divisional playoff game and beat them. If NE can get to the playoffs and are lucky enough to get to the divisional, I think they can beat PIT/SD. Otherwise, it's just one of those years man

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

It's really early, but the Bolts could win the west and be in line for #2 seed. They have a pretty easy schedule. Chiefs, Browns, Titans and Redskins should be handled easily. The other two are @ the Boys and next week @ Denver (with Orton hurt).

But I am not worried about them. We play Tubby Wrecks boys next.

 

[BelichickFan]

Getting the 3 wouldn't be bad either. Then you would go to Cincy that's not exactly a scary situation.

Yeah, I was just talking to someone about that. #3 is very attractive, we'd get a first round home game then @ Cincy. And if the Colts were to lose to a team like Pittsburgh or SD, very possible, we'd then host the AFCCG. #3 is really quite critical the more I think about it.

 

[BradysBunch12]

I'm looking at the big picture. This team can't beat Indy. We outplayed them, but all that matters is the "W" and Indy is finding a way to win games the way we did when we were winning Super Bowls.

Unless we get lucky and San Diego matches up with Indy and beats them yet again, this team isn't going far in the playoffs.

Indy has been in my head since 05, and unfortunately the same is true of our head coach.

 

[dman91]

Using this site as a guide, it looks like if we run the table, we will most likely have the second seed. 6-1 nets us a lower chance at that spot with a 5-2 rules us basically out of that #2 seed

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NFL/AFC/East/Patriots.html

 

[Jimke]

All of you should remember that this is not the 2003, 2004, or 2007

version of the NE Patriots. The overall talent is nowhere as good

especially on defense. I don't think the Patriots are good enough

to finish up 6-1. A 5-2 or 4-3 record would be more realistic. A

loss to an AFC East team might be fatal to their playoff hopes.