A must win for Patriots in Jacksonville

[frankiesfly]

To me this is a must win for the patriots. I think this is a really tough match up, and think we will see who the patriots really are this week. Do they have the character, to go on the road and beat a tough team in jacksonville. Remember this was the team that literally shut down Manning and the colts, who's coming off a pretty embarrising loss to the titans last week. The patriots scored a bunch of points last week but really weren't that impressive. Houston is probably the weekest team in the NFL, and pats didnt have to do much with the great field position they had all game. The patriots haven't prepared well for any big match ups yet this year, and the bear game was just a sad example of football on both sides to call that a big win. I know Maroney is one player, but to me the one player that can make the difference whether or not we win this game. Maroney gives us a good solid running game with dillion,, and Maroney will also open up the play action and give our recievers a better chance at getting open. Do the patriots have the heart, and character to win this game, or are they going to have depend on the Jets losing. The easiest way to get into the playoffs is having your own fate in your hands, and to be in control of your own destiny. To me this will tell me who the Patriots are, because to me its the passion, and character that has been missing from this team alll season long.

 

[IndyKen]

To me this will tell me who the Patriots are, because to me its the passion, and character that has been missing from this team alll season long.

I agree, and I've noticed it all season too. The general "feel" that existed(esp in both the 2003-04 seasons) just hasn't been the same. Things ebb and flow though, so hopefully, the buzz factor and excitement will return.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

While it's an important win, it's not a must. Were we to lose we still have 1 more game which would be a must win.

We may lose to the Jags for the simple reason that too may key positions are really banged up and best rested if you assume you're going to the playoffs. Rushing guys back too soon only to aggravate an injury could be a recipe for a 1st round loss. Tough tradeoffs for the coach Sunday.

 

[PatsDeb]

While it's an important win, it's not a must. Were we to lose we still have 1 more game which would be a must win.

We may lose to the Jags for the simple reason that too may key positions are really banged up and best rested if you assume you're going to the playoffs. Rushing guys back too soon only to aggravate an injury could be a recipe for a 1st round loss. Tough tradeoffs for the coach Sunday.

I don't think the Pats or BB can afford to assume they are going to the playoffs. The Jets have two relatively easy games left, although depending which team shows up, Miami may give them a tough one. The problem is that we won't know where the Jets are until Monday night, well after we play Jax. We have to try to win this game with all we've got and hope we can rest people against Tenn the following week.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

While it's an important win, it's not a must. Were we to lose we still have 1 more game which would be a must win.

We may lose to the Jags for the simple reason that too may key positions are really banged up and best rested if you assume you're going to the playoffs. Rushing guys back too soon only to aggravate an injury could be a recipe for a 1st round loss. Tough tradeoffs for the coach Sunday.

Literally this is obviously not a must win game, however in the mindset of this team it is. They have to win....this Sunday....in Jacksonville.

Period.

 

[QB12]

I think we go down and gut out a win. Period. Call it being in a pissy mood over the Pro Bowl snubs, or a favorable matchup (when have we ever lost to Jacksonville?), or it just being that time of the year, we dominate and propel ourselves back into the 'Patriots are an elite team' conversation.

Before I'm dismissed as a homer, take heart b/c I predicted (in the official 'predict a score'thread) the Pats would roll over the Texans 38-7.

QB12

 

[vyrago]

Call it being in a pissy mood over the Pro Bowl snubs, or a favorable matchup (when have we ever lost to Jacksonville?), or that time of the year, we dominate and back in the 'Patriots are an elite team' conversation.

Or, the game in which Rodney reappears.

 

[Gumby]

I'm in with PatsDeb & frankies,

while granted mathematically it is not a MUST WIN; psychologically and momentum wise for the playoffs it is a must win.

they need to act like div champs somewhat controlling their own destiny and not back into the playoffs.

Plus you can't count on the Titans game being any pushover either; if they smell blood and the opportunity to take out the former world champs out of playoff contention - you just gave Vince Young something to play for.

 

[mcbee]

I'll be rotting for them (even though in another post I said they'd get beat down).

If they do win, then color me impressed! Not that anyone cares, but it'll be a very good win. Jacksonville is tough.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't think the Pats or BB can afford to assume they are going to the playoffs. The Jets have two relatively easy games left, although depending which team shows up, Miami may give them a tough one. The problem is that we won't know where the Jets are until Monday night, well after we play Jax. We have to try to win this game with all we've got and hope we can rest people against Tenn the following week.

However I wrote it, I did not intend to intimate that BB would take going to the playoffs as a given. While we all know the "one game at a time" mantra, I think that BB as an economist and manager has to consider the opportunity cost of rushing guys like Maroney, Vrable, Wilfork, Faulk, etc, back quickly to win 1 game and possibly as a result lose the war. The Pats play 4 must win playoff games against quality opponents. A somewhat healthy squad will be needed.

I think that several key guys will miss the Jags game and that we could lose. That being said, I would not be surprised to see a recovered Harrison in for a few series, just to get his game timing back.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Literally this is obviously not a must win game, however in the mindset of this team it is. They have to win....this Sunday....in Jacksonville.

Period.

I would certainly hope that that is the players' mindset.
If it isn't, we have real problems.

 

[mgteich]

We do NOT want to have to play TENN in order to win the division. The jets have the raiders for their last game.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Yes, this is another must win crucial game. The Pats clinch with a win. They can also rest anybody and everybody for the last game and better prepare for their playoff showdown the following week. In fact I would use this as a motivation tool for this weeks game.

 

[richpats]

It's a 'hat & t-shirt' game as Bruschi would say - they don't lose 'hat & t-shirt' games

 

[frankiesfly]

Literally this is obviously not a must win game, however in the mindset of this team it is. They have to win....this Sunday....in Jacksonville.

Period.

agreed its the mind set, and whats inside this team, that makes this a must win. Its a lot about character in this point of the season.

 

[Dagg]

This game is a must win for Pats fans if we hope to do anything at all in the playoffs.

We have not played well against playoff calibur teams.

We have not fared well against good run teams with Seau out.

We have not fared well aganist teams that can pressure the QB and have staunch defenses.

Our receivers cannot get seperation against decent secondaries.

To me our season is all about this game.

 

[DB15]

Literally this is obviously not a must win game, however in the mindset of this team it is. They have to win....this Sunday....in Jacksonville.

Period.

couldnt agree more

 

[frankiesfly]

This game is a must win for Pats fans if we hope to do anything at all in the playoffs.

We have not played well against playoff calibur teams.

We have not fared well against good run teams with Seau out.

We have not fared well aganist teams that can pressure the QB and have staunch defenses.

Our receivers cannot get seperation against decent secondaries.

To me our season is all about this game.

Yeah, im real concerned about how our recievers are going to play in this game. By the way is Maroney gonna play?

 

[tkayo]

Its not a must win. In most scenarios, we are going to be the #3 or 4 seed in the AFC. We MUST we one of the next two. In fact, the Jets would really be in a bind if we lost this weekend.

With that said, I think that Jacksonville is going to have a lot of offensive problems with us, besides the fact that they are really banged up.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

While it's an important win, it's not a must. Were we to lose we still have 1 more game which would be a must win.

We may lose to the Jags for the simple reason that too may key positions are really banged up and best rested if you assume you're going to the playoffs. Rushing guys back too soon only to aggravate an injury could be a recipe for a 1st round loss. Tough tradeoffs for the coach Sunday.

I agree. I think we've all been waiting for that one character game. that one game where it looks like patriots football. The bears would have been that game had they not turned it over so many times.

I think "must win" is a cliche used too often in today's sports.

So if they don't win is the season over?