Why are people viewing TEN as a "meaningless" game?

[tombonneau]

I'm not sure why people think this is a "meaningless" game, that 3 vs 4 seed does not matter. Last year was different, in that a lose meant we knew who we would play. Right now we don't know.

IMO, there is a HUGE diff. in #3 & #4, not just bc it might mean playing SD in rnd 2, but far more importantly it could be the diff. between a championship game in Foxboro vs. Indy. I don't think its far-fetched at all to see Indy as a 3 or 4 beating either Bal or SD.

I'd much rather be the #3, beat BAL and then have Indy upset SD and have them visit Foxboro.

This is a far more favorable scenario than a game at SD, then a game at either BAL or IND.

 

[PatsDeb]

I'm not sure why people think this is a "meaningless" game, that 3 vs 4 seed does not matter. Last year was different, in that a lose meant we knew who we would play. Right now we don't know.

IMO, there is a HUGE diff. in #3 & #4, not just bc it might mean playing SD in rnd 2, but far more importantly it could be the diff. between a championship game in Foxboro vs. Indy. I don't think its far-fetched at all to see Indy as a 3 or 4 beating either Bal or SD.

I'd much rather be the #3, beat BAL and then have Indy upset SD and have them visit Foxboro.

This is a far more favorable scenario than a game at SD, then a game at either BAL or IND.

I guess you're right; the problem is, most people (including me) don't see Indy losing to Miami (unless we lose first and they rest everyone), and they now play at 4:15, so we won't know until after our game whether we have a shot to get the third seed, and Indy has the advantage of seeing us play first, and playing accordingly. Therefore, it is "meaningless" in the sense that we probably won't get the third seed even if we go all out to win. You have to weigh that against our guys not getting a week off prior to the start of the playoffs.

 

[BelichickFan]

IMO, there is a HUGE diff. in #3 & #4, not just bc it might mean playing SD in rnd 2, but far more importantly it could be the diff. between a championship game in Foxboro vs. Indy. I don't think its far-fetched at all to see Indy as a 3 or 4 beating either Bal or SD.

If people think you're nuts, just look back at last year. If we beat Denver we would have hosted the AFC Championship vs. Pittsburgh despite not being one of the top two seeds. Upsets happen, even in the playoffs. We need to be seeded as high as possible and hope something drops in our laps.

 

[tombonneau]

I guess you're right; the problem is, most people (including me) don't see Indy losing to Miami (unless we lose first and they rest everyone), and they now play at 4:15, so we won't know until after our game whether we have a shot to get the third seed, and Indy has the advantage of seeing us play first, and playing accordingly. Therefore, it is "meaningless" in the sense that we probably won't get the third seed even if we go all out to win. You have to weigh that against our guys not getting a week off prior to the start of the playoffs.

This is the same Indy team that couldn't beat Houston though. They are seriously slumping. I'd love nothing more than for NE to beat TEN and put the pressure on Indy to have to actual win. If they have that pressure and *still* lose, they are psychologically done for.

 

[frankiesfly]

This isnt meaningless to me. i think we need to win this one to, to carry some momentum into playoffs.

 

[patpatriot]

Forget about it! That @sshole Saban is on record that he is playing Lemon as his QB in the second half of that game, come what may. It's a stone cold Indy lock

 

[Digger44]

I'm not sure why people think this is a "meaningless" game, that 3 vs 4 seed does not matter. Last year was different, in that a lose meant we knew who we would play. Right now we don't know.

IMO, there is a HUGE diff. in #3 & #4, not just bc it might mean playing SD in rnd 2, but far more importantly it could be the diff. between a championship game in Foxboro vs. Indy. I don't think its far-fetched at all to see Indy as a 3 or 4 beating either Bal or SD.

I'd much rather be the #3, beat BAL and then have Indy upset SD and have them visit Foxboro.

This is a far more favorable scenario than a game at SD, then a game at either BAL or IND.

How do you think Indi can stop LT? Ron Dane just killed them.

 

[PatsSox363804]

Forget about it! That @sshole Saban is on record that he is playing Lemon as his QB in the second half of that game, come what may. It's a stone cold Indy lock

Lemon isn't the one who would have to beat them, Brown is.

 

[tombonneau]

How do you think Indi can stop LT? Ron Dane just killed them.

I know Indy can't stop the run for crap, but they've been beating teams all year that have run all over them. And they can also score points. I'd certainly think SD would be favored, but saying Indy has no chance to beat SD is a bit silly.

 

[PATSNUTme]

This is not a meaningless game. Felger and Gresh were arguing this on NEST last night.Gresh thinks it doesn't make any difference and Felger does. I agree with Felger on this.

Now the Fish can beat Indy. Ronnie Brown and Sammy Morris can riddle that Colts run D. All Lemon has to do is hit an occassional pass to some decent recievers that Mia has, just to keep the Colts D honest. Mia's D can put pressure on Manning.

We need to win and then see what happens. If we don't win then there is no hope for the #3 seed and a date with the Jest in Foxboro. I'd rather play the Jest than Denver.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'm not sure why people think this is a "meaningless" game, that 3 vs 4 seed does not matter. Last year was different, in that a lose meant we knew who we would play. Right now we don't know.

IMO, there is a HUGE diff. in #3 & #4, not just bc it might mean playing SD in rnd 2, but far more importantly it could be the diff. between a championship game in Foxboro vs. Indy. I don't think its far-fetched at all to see Indy as a 3 or 4 beating either Bal or SD.

I'd much rather be the #3, beat BAL and then have Indy upset SD and have them visit Foxboro.

This is a far more favorable scenario than a game at SD, then a game at either BAL or IND.

This is definitely one of those times when I say "In BB I trust" and leave this kind of strategy-making to him. If he thinks going for the higher seed is the top priority, then it is, if he doesn't, then it isn't.

 

[Digger44]

I know Indy can't stop the run for crap, but they've been beating teams all year that have run all over them. And they can also score points. I'd certainly think SD would be favored, but saying Indy has no chance to beat SD is a bit silly.

Nobody said Indy doesnt have a chance, but where the heck have you been over the last 4 weeks? Indy has certainly not been beating teams that run all over them. They lost to the freaking Texans. How can you make that statement?

 

[spacecrime]

If people think you're nuts, just look back at last year. If we beat Denver we would have hosted the AFC Championship vs. Pittsburgh despite not being one of the top two seeds. Upsets happen, even in the playoffs. We need to be seeded as high as possible and hope something drops in our laps.

Weren't we the 4th seed last year? If so, then how is the above an argument that 3rd seed would make a difference?

 

[spacecrime]

It isn't meaningless. There is value in the Tennessee game. The value is this: Use it as a bye week to get skill players rested and healthy. The value of getting third seed instead of fourth seed at the expense of beating up your skill players and have them head into the playoffs tired and sore is negative value.

Especially since there is almost no chance of Indy being so bad as to lose to Miami next week and at the same time being so good that they beat SD in SD or Balt in Balt during the playoffs. You can't have it both ways. Does Indy suck (lose to Miami) or are they superb (beat SD in SD)?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

spacecrime hits it.
BB understands the value of what economists call "opportunity cost" and he'll evaluate whether the non-guaranteed gain of a 3 seed is worth more than resting injured players after a 15 game season and giving backups some needed reps to establish their game timing.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Ask Bob Kraft how much money a home Conference Champ game with Indy means to him. Something tells me he's had a talk with BB about playing real hard to win at TEN. Anyone know how much the Pats might take in the home game vs. Indy?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Ask Bob Kraft how much money a home Conference Champ game with Indy means to him. Something tells me he's had a talk with BB about playing real hard to win at TEN. Anyone know how much the Pats might take in the home game vs. Indy?

If Kraft indirectly or not is pushing the decisions on who plays and how long, we're in trouble

 

[wistahpatsfan]

If Kraft indirectly or not is pushing the decisions on who plays and how long, we're in trouble

I think it's understood that the possibility of a home game for the Conference Championship is the best possible scenario for the franchise, both for the team and the business. Even though the Pats had a tougherr time at home this year, I think the playoffs are different. Not only that, the possibility of avoiding the trip across to SD might look good

 

[PatsSteve1]

As a matter of principle, I don't consider trying to win a gane meaningless. I didn't like what BB did in the last game last year and I may not like it this year either. But it's obviously not my decision so what happens, happens.

 

[pats63]

winning or resting that the question Can we do both .....GO PATS!!!!!!:eat3: