This game is critical

[Ring 6]

Pittsburgh looks like the biggest challenger for a #1 seed and homefield throughout that we will have. If we win this game, we not only have a 1 game lead over them, but also the tiebreaker.
We would also have the tiebreaker over Baltimore, and next week can earn it over Indy.
If the Jets lose, we are playing for the sole best record in the conference. And even if the Jets win, we are tied with them with a win, and still have the advantage of a game left at home vs them.
Homefield in the playoffs may be as important to this Pats team as to any other because of the youth on the squad.
Winning this one, then coming home to beat the Colts will set the rest of the season up very well. In terms of long term prospects for the season this is one of the biggest games the Pats have had in a long time.

 

[102 Pat]

I really think the Pats are gonna win on sunday. At the start of the week, I didn't think they would have a chance. No doubt that thought was highly influenced by the Browns blowout loss but as this week has gone on, my confidence has increased. I don't think it's lost on the players either the importance of the game. Don't get me wrong, EVERY game is important.

Before the game started last night, there was a graphic on if the playoffs started today, the Pats would only be a wildcard. I'd hate to have another 2008 season where 11-5 doesn't get them into the playoffs.

Too think how great things would be if the Pats win sunday. It would be even better if the Lions didn't implode last week versus the Jets. :bricks:

 

[SanAngeloState]

Yep, it's a big game. Biggest of the year so far. If they get blown out, then it's ominous, IMO. Maybe cleveland did have an edge in knowing what we were doing because of their coaches history with the pats.

I am excited. I hope I am not disappointed.

 

[zimmy]

I wouldn't say its a critical game. We can lose this game and still make the playoffs. It would be nice to have the tie breaker but the real critical game will be the Jets where a loss could mean giving up on winning the division and solely battling for a wildcard. Getting a game back on them and giving them a loss in the division would give us a decent chance of winning the East.

 

[aluminum seats]

Would be a great game to win, no doubt, but I wouldn't call it critical. The key to playoff success isn't getting the number one seed, it's getting either the one or two seeds. You gotta get that bye....two weeks to prepare for a home game and BAM you're in the AFC championship game. If the Pats get that, I can live with them travelling to Pittsburgh again or wherever and taking their best shot.

So it's important, but not as important as the Jets or the Colts.

 

[BradyManny]

Winning this one, then coming home to beat the Colts will set the rest of the season up very well. In terms of long term prospects for the season this is one of the biggest games the Pats have had in a long time.

I agree completely. I hate that people are saying we oughta just split these two games and call it a victory.

The Patriots of old don't split these games - they win them both. In terms of making the playoffs and setting ourselves up, maybe a split suffices.

But in terms of building a team that is ready to compete for a Super Bowl the way the teams of 2001-2004 did, I think we have to win both games.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Pittsburgh looks like the biggest challenger for a #1 seed and homefield throughout that we will have. If we win this game, we not only have a 1 game lead over them, but also the tiebreaker.
We would also have the tiebreaker over Baltimore, and next week can earn it over Indy.
If the Jets lose, we are playing for the sole best record in the conference. And even if the Jets win, we are tied with them with a win, and still have the advantage of a game left at home vs them.
Homefield in the playoffs may be as important to this Pats team as to any other because of the youth on the squad.
Winning this one, then coming home to beat the Colts will set the rest of the season up very well. In terms of long term prospects for the season this is one of the biggest games the Pats have had in a long time.

pitt is definitely or biggest challenge this year. however, i can see a scenario where we lose to pitt and still run the table or lose 1 more game. we can definitely beat indy at home, green bay at home, jets at home. the other games should not be too much of a concern. 12-4 could still get us the division and perhaps a bye.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

It's that urgency I keep wanting to see out of this team.

We need a sense of urgency. If I don't see that then I would be very concerned from here on out.

I have faith the boys will be a different team this week as oposed to last. Don't know what Chung's status is but would love to see him out there Sunday. This team needs a spark to get it going.

 

[aluminum seats]

I agree completely. I hate that people are saying we oughta just split these two games and call it a victory.

The Patriots of old don't split these games - they win them both. In terms of making the playoffs and setting ourselves up, maybe a split suffices.

But in terms of building a team that is ready to compete for a Super Bowl the way the teams of 2001-2004 did, I think we have to win both games.

I think it's less a matter of "calling it a victory" than being realistic about where this team is. Would be great if they won both, but the fact is these aren't the "Patriots of old" just yet.

 

[BradyManny]

I think it's less a matter of "calling it a victory" than being realistic about where this team is. Would be great if they won both, but the fact is these aren't the "Patriots of old" just yet.

And maybe that might be good enough this year - a year in which no elite team has emerged. But there's no reason why this team can't bring its A game when it matters and beat any team in the NFL.

 

[Patspsycho]

Pittsburgh looks like the biggest challenger for a #1 seed and homefield throughout that we will have. If we win this game, we not only have a 1 game lead over them, but also the tiebreaker.
We would also have the tiebreaker over Baltimore, and next week can earn it over Indy.
If the Jets lose, we are playing for the sole best record in the conference. And even if the Jets win, we are tied with them with a win, and still have the advantage of a game left at home vs them.
Homefield in the playoffs may be as important to this Pats team as to any other because of the youth on the squad.
Winning this one, then coming home to beat the Colts will set the rest of the season up very well. In terms of long term prospects for the season this is one of the biggest games the Pats have had in a long time.

If they win it, it will be a big morale booster that will probably dictate how the rest of the season turns out. The Saints started believing in themselves after they blew us out last year.

 

[aluminum seats]

If they win it, it will be a big morale booster that will probably dictate how the rest of the season turns out. The Saints started believing in themselves after they blew us out last year.

What were they, 10-0 when the Pats played them? I'm pretty sure they were believing in themselves before that.

 

[Patspsycho]

What were they, 10-0 when the Pats played them? I'm pretty sure they were believing in themselves before that.

Payton said so himself.

 

[aluminum seats]

Payton said so himself.

That's nice, but they were still 10-0. 10-0 teams tend to believe in themselves.

 

[Patspsycho]

That's nice, but they were still 10-0. 10-0 teams tend to believe in themselves.

You can have a discussion with Payton about that. I am just recounting what he said.

A lot of people know Payton and the Saints have always considered the Patriots as a role model. So to beat them was something special.

 

[denverpatsfan]

A win would be great but please explain to me how this D will stop a better running game than they faced the past 2 weeks?! They gave up 184 yards to a cast off last week?

I don't think this young D is ready to beat the Steelers on their home field.

Let's hope for the best but calling this game a must win is putting the team in a difficult spot.

 

[flycessna]

Every game is critical because of the need for wins!

But if you want to break it down into divisional games vs staying at least tied for number 1 in our division (should the Jets beat the Browns??) then yea this game is critical like most games..

I would like to point out though that each game brings its own challenges with different match ups..

First for me I am anxious to see how the Patriots deal witht the loss of Gostkowski! This could be HUGE... I am hoping that it opens the door to maybe approach kicking situations a little different.. the patriots might have to scheme a little bit and maybe we can see something different in the kicking game..

But as far as match ups I am really anxious to see if this defense can get it together and pressure the hell out of Big Ben.. On a personal level I just dont like the guy... in fact I REALLY dont like him!! I think he's a scuz ball. But he is awesome moving around the pocket and keeping plays alive.. a match up that on paper is not advantage pats.. I say blitz and blitz again this guy and phisically hurt him.. he's gonna make big plays, and he's gonna score so why give him the clock.. blitz the hell out of him and hit him.. sure this will give away some big plays but of he's going to score let him pay for it.. eventually it will get to him..

well thats my 2 cents! either way... GO PATS!

 

[Ron Sellers]

A win would be great but please explain to me how this D will stop a better running game than they faced the past 2 weeks?! They gave up 184 yards to a cast off last week?

I don't think this young D is ready to beat the Steelers on their home field.

Let's hope for the best but calling this game a must win is putting the team in a difficult spot.

I think you are basing your comments as much or more on reputation than on reality.

Pittsburgh has a reputation for having a strong running game, but that hasn't been the case for a couple of years now. They rank 19th in yards per carry this year and are averaging 3.6 ypc over the last three games and 3.7 ypc at home this year. On top of that they have a couple of starters out on their offensive line.

Cleveland actually has a much better running game than Pittsburgh this year; in fact, the Patriots have run the ball better than they have this season. I really have no idea how you can say the Steelers have a better running game than the Vikings do.

As for Peyton Hillis, just because he wasn't a first round pick in fantasy football that doesn't mean he isn't any good. Wes Welker was a two-time cast off too, if you recall. Before Hillis was hurt he had back-to-back 100-yard games - including 144 yards rushing and 180 total yards on the road at Baltimore; he's no slouch.

Obviously the Pats need to have a better plan and also need to execute better than they did last week with their run defense. But I don't think the Steelers are as good as you make them out to be, nor are the Pats as bad as you portray them either. Throw out the Cleveland game, it was a bad game where the team stunk in every phase of the game; if anything it will serve as motivation for the team to play better. Assess the Pats on the entire season, not their worst game.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

If the Browns do to the Jets what they did to us, we are in good shape regardless of what happens Sunday night. This game and the Colts game are both important but, as long as we are close in the division standings, the Jets game is more important. In other words, winning the division is the first priority. If that is acheieved, worrying about home field comes next.

 

[Boston Boxer]

just hope no one gets carted off on a stretcher...this will be physical