Re: ATTENTION: We're rooting for the Steelers next week, NOT the Jets
It's absurd anyone is even trying to make a case otherwise.
Next week will be the 15th of the NFL season. No matter what happens the Patriots can NOT clinch the #1 seed next week. They can only clinch the AFC East (& bye) which would be made possible by Jets losing. The EARLIEST they can clinch the #1 seed is in Week 16. If the Jets lose (+ Pats win) Sunday, then all they have to do in Week 16 is WIN. That's it. Win and you clinch. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE EASIER SCENARIO THAN THAT.
If the Steelers and Patriots both win next Sunday then the Pats next win will clinch the #1 seed.
Steelers beat Jets
Patriots beat Packers (home)
Patriots beat Dolphins OR Bills
And the Patriots have the #1 seed.
Again, there is NO easier scenario than that. Please stop with the "I'm rooting for the Jets" nonsense
While everyone's visceral dislike of the Jets is very understandable, your "it is absurd" and "No easier scenario" statements are lacking foundation. The only way your post holds true is if the easiest path to the #1 seed is a 1 loss margin of error versus 2. Further, IF the Patriots lose to GB but Pitt loses to the Jets, we still clinch the #1 seed with a win over Buff. Conversely, if the Patriots lose to GB and Pitt beats the Jets, we must win our last 2 games (due to PItt's schedule).....meaning we cannot clinch #1 seed till the last game of the season against Miami (no resting of injuries).
Here are some facts to back that up. Currently:
- We beat out the Jets even by losing 2 more provided the losses aren't to Buff and Miami.
- We lose out to Pitt with ANY combination of 2 losses.
- Pittsburgh's remaining schedule, besides the Jets, is a terrible Carolina and a mostly bad Cleveland team that appears only to know how to beat the Patriots. If the Steelers beat the Jets they are a shoe in to end up 13-3.
- The Jets remaining schedule is against a very solid Chicago and a Buff that is proving to be playing better and tougher. The Jets are far from a shoe in to win both remaining games. We can expect help from the Jets losing (if we need it) but can expect no help from Pitt losing.
I don't think the Patriots will need it because I think they will win out (if Rodgers plays next week that could be our only slip up), however, I'd rather have the most favorable fall back plan. The most favorable fall back plan consists of the Jets beating Pitt and Pats clinching #1 seed against Buff (no matter what we do against GB).