Is the #1 seed worth risking further injury to Brady?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Not sure, but I think Brady did start and actually played a significant amount in the game. Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember the issue people were talking about is if BB actually tried NOT to win that game because of the seedings and getting Jax as a higher seed instead of Pitt.

I thought it was Denver that would have been the opponent had they won.....could be wrong.

 

[brdmaverick]

I can't remember,but did Brady start in the last game of the 2006 season when they lost to the Dolphins and went on to face Jacksonville instead of Denver?

I remember the last play of the game was when NE was near the goaline for a final play to win but Cassel threw the ball wildly and incomplete to preserve Miami's victory.

Yes, and I believe he threw a TD pass to Deion Branch before bowing out after 1 QTR.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I remember the last play of the game was when NE was near the goaline for a final play to win but Cassel threw the ball wildly and incomplete to preserve Miami's victory.

Yup - I remember that well - I think it was to get Jacksonville in the playoff seeding.

I think if the Pats could control who goes into their bracket with a win or a loss they do what they think gives them the best advantage. In this case I think home field is the best advantage they can hope for.

Regardless, in this case I don't think the Patriots will be in control of who's in which bracket as of game time - so I expect they play to win, with the ideal situation being a big lead and Hoyer being given numerous reps (I think they changed the rules so letting another QB play doesn't disqualify the starter from returning early)

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Yes Brady should play. It's not just about whether he's hurting or not but if he doesn't play, that's three weeks between games when we start in the divisional round. Considering our early playoff exits the last two seasons, we don't need Brady a bit rusty to start a playoff game.

And as some have mentioned, there is a huge difference between playing the AFC Championship in Foxboro and possibly playing it in Baltimore or Pittsburgh.

 

[Ivan]

Play him. The best shot at getting to the SB is making teams come to NE. They played him all season to put themselves in this position so now they need to finish the job.

 

[UK_Pat37]

This is a no brainer. Play him.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Yup - I remember that well - I think it was to get Jacksonville in the playoff seeding.

I think if the Pats could control who goes into their bracket with a win or a loss they do what they think gives them the best advantage. In this case I think home field is the best advantage they can hope for.

Regardless, in this case I don't think the Patriots will be in control of who's in which bracket as of game time - so I expect they play to win, with the ideal situation being a big lead and Hoyer being given numerous reps (I think they changed the rules so letting another QB play doesn't disqualify the starter from returning early)

It never did unless the other QB was the designated emergency QB and 46th gameday active player who couldn't come in until the 4th or you lose the other two QB's was eliminated from the new CBA. If we have Hoyer and Mallett active this week they could play musical chairs with Tommy for series reps.

Brady will start unless the shoulder is something he could exacerbate. Ideally if they are up early Hoyer can step in and Mallett can mop up as both could use the reps just in case. But knowing this defense and given the OL situation that probably won't be the case. Buffalo has nothing to lose and jobs on the line, including a QB with an option due. Would be nice to see the D get a few guys back and really put together a 60 minute effort heading into that bye thereby enabling Brady to sit most of the second half.

Sitting for three weeks unless you really have to never seems to pan out. Guys lose focus and edge at times just sitting for that bye week.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Brady will and should start. Hopefully by halftime the O will have been playing sharp and built up a lead. But, even if they do BB will start him for the first series of the 2nd half.

BTW the #2 seed may be better:
1Ravens or Pitt
2. Patriots
3. Texans
4. Denver or Oak
5. Balt or Pitt
6. cincy
round one: cincy playing Houston
Balt or Pitt playing Den or Oak

Round 2
Balt vs Pitt
NE vs Texans

This would be better than playing the Ravens or Pitt. Let them beat each other up.

 

[JaxPats]

Yes. thats what he gets paid for. none of us have that option going to work everyday. Its just the same with him or any player. Hope for the best with all of them. If it so happens we have a good lead, I see no reason to sit him though. He won't like it, but thats the coach's decision then.

 

[PatriotReign]

Brady should play as we really need to lock up the #1 because should we make it past the divisional round I don't want the team to travel to BAL or PIT.

I'd pull Welker for this game because I don't want him hurt though.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i dont think Brady is injured bad a nuff to miss a game and if they play there cards right they will have the game in hand by the 4th and he can rest and well have full week befor they have to play, this team need the AFCCG to be at home the #1 seed is a must

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Play Belichick in this one....

Brady obviously will never let anyone know how much he is hurting because he is a trooper but it's obvious he is having some pain.

Would you risk more injury to Brady by playing him in this game with Mankins and possibly Light out just to gather the #1 seed?...or play Hoyer who might not pull out a victory and end up at #2?

It's possible the Pats can still win without Brady,but the odds go way down.

Too many "It depends" to answer that question as stated.

If it's an injury that could go from nagging to devastating without rest or from one more hit in the wrong place, the answer is "no."

If it's an injury that he can play through and that will be able to resolve itself in the, already clinched, bye week, the answer is "yes" because there is risk in any NFL game and home field might be worth it this year.

As always in matters like this, "In BB I trust" to make the right decision.

In any event, I don't want him to play a single additional down once the outcome of the game is clear on Sunday.

 

[supafly]

Too many "It depends" to answer that question as stated.

If it's an injury that could go from nagging to devastating without rest or from one more hit in the wrong place, the answer is "no."

If it's an injury that he can play through and that will be able to resolve itself in the, already clinched, bye week, the answer is "yes" because there is risk in any NFL game and home field might be worth it this year.

As always in matters like this, "In BB I trust" to make the right decision.

In any event, I don't want him to play a single additional down once the outcome of the game is clear on Sunday.

Very well put.

I'd certainly agree with everything that you said, and think you bring up some good points.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

The injury alone is not the only reason to sit Brady. His exposure to blindside hits is another. Ask Steeler fans how much they liked the decision to play their starter last week. Stupid decision that not only cost the game but probably made the injury worse. Pats can win rnd two game at home and might even get lucky and get another home game for AFCCG with the second seed. Bills suck. Hoyer and Mallet can take caree of them. Pats can run all over them and thendefense will be the same. Sit Brady.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Wow, wow, wow, look at Baltimore's record home vs. away. They are 8-0 at home and 4-4 on the raod, with losses to some very medicore teams. Pittsburg's field is basically dirt, which kills Welker's and Branch's games. So the answer is "yes" the Pats should play full tilt to win. Brady's left shoulder is dinged (non-throwing arm). As a vetran of numerous shoulder injuries/surgeries, as long as you ar not lifting it usually your sholder is fine. So play Brady, get the win, rest for two weeks and then you are two home wins away from the SB.........

 

[WhiZa]

Playing on our heels is what got us knocked out of the last 3 playoff games. Brady should play. The last thing we need is to tip toe our way into the playoffs. Ever notice how the #5 or #6 seed teams always seem to make it to the superbowl? It's because they are going at 110% at the end of the season.

 

[JMarr]

Wow, wow, wow, look at Baltimore's record home vs. away. They are 8-0 at home and 4-4 on the raod, with losses to some very medicore teams. Pittsburg's field is basically dirt, which kills Welker's and Branch's games. So the answer is "yes" the Pats should play full tilt to win. Brady's left shoulder is dinged (non-throwing arm). As a vetran of numerous shoulder injuries/surgeries, as long as you ar not lifting it usually your sholder is fine. So play Brady, get the win, rest for two weeks and then you are two home wins away from the SB.........

I don't think he should sit the whole game, but I don't agree at all that HFA should be the ultimate consideration.


1. They still might get a home AFCCG game even as the #2 seed.
2. Playing at Gillette unfortunately isn't as big an advantage as home field is for many teams.

Pats have come out flat at Gillette in the playoffs and many RS games the last two years. If they make the AFCGE, I want to see them playing like underdogs. I don't care about Baltimore's road record this year--they would come into Foxboro highly motivated to smack us in the mouth again. And Brady and the Pats are like kryptonite to the Steelers in playoff games in Pitt.

 

[AQPE]

I've been wondering the past few weeks whether it would be more of an advantage to have the Pats finish with the #2 seed in order to avoid what I am guessing is the likelihood of the #1 seed having to play #5 (which will be either Pittsburgh or Baltimore) in the divisional round and then having to play the other in the AFCCG, and for a while I had myself convinced that the Pats were better off with the #2 seed to avoid this scenario. The more I thought about it, however, the more I came to believe that:

(1) The Pats are going to win on offense, and in spite of their defense, and given their shaky starts the past few games, they would be hurting themselves to "take the foot off the accelarator" this week and then have the bye next week, I think they need to keep their offensive rhythm together as much as possible right now.

(2) I think the way the Pats are playing on offense this year, they need the home field, more so in comparison to Pittsburgh's crappy turf than Baltimore's, but I think it is a very important factor for them against either of those two teams.

(3) While I agree with the idea that it would be great if they could avoid playing Pittsburgh and Baltimore in consecutive weeks, but I think Houston's defense is just about as good as Pitt's or Balt's (I just don't see the AFC West winner beating Houston, even with TJ Yates), and so with the Pats defense in its current state, I'd rather have the home field against any of those three teams than I would to lose the possible home field in the AFCCG.

So, I'm firmly in the "play Brady" camp and in fact I'd prefer to see him play well into the 3rd quarter at least, and only leave the game if the Pats have a huge lead by that point.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Wow, wow, wow, look at Baltimore's record home vs. away. They are 8-0 at home and 4-4 on the raod, with losses to some very medicore teams. Pittsburg's field is basically dirt, which kills Welker's and Branch's games. So the answer is "yes" the Pats should play full tilt to win. Brady's left shoulder is dinged (non-throwing arm). As a vetran of numerous shoulder injuries/surgeries, as long as you ar not lifting it usually your sholder is fine. So play Brady, get the win, rest for two weeks and then you are two home wins away from the SB.........

How is Baltimore's record at away at 4-4 when they have yet to play the last game?

Don't think for a minute the Bengals will lay down for them

 

[brdmaverick]

Brady will and should start. Hopefully by halftime the O will have been playing sharp and built up a lead. But, even if they do BB will start him for the first series of the 2nd half.

BTW the #2 seed may be better:
1Ravens or Pitt
2. Patriots
3. Texans
4. Denver or Oak
5. Balt or Pitt
6. cincy
round one: cincy playing Houston
Balt or Pitt playing Den or Oak

Round 2
Balt vs Pitt
NE vs Texans

This would be better than playing the Ravens or Pitt. Let them beat each other up.

Trust me. I fully understand your argument and as you make some valid points, but I think we need to think big picture (Super Bowl). It all comes down to which path would you prefer.......

Option 1 (#1 seed)
Divisional Round: PIT at NE
Championship Round: BAL at NE

or

Option 2 (#2 seed)
Divisional Round: HOU at NE
Championship Round: NE at BAL


I can see logic for wanting to take option 2 if you feel that the quality of the opponent outweighs home field advantage, however......it really is up in the air on how the #3 HOU/#6 (someone else) game turns out.

I feel CIN, OAK, TEN, and the NYJ all have a legit shot at beating the QB-less Texans. If the Pats have the #2 seed AND the Texans lose, well now you are looking at the worst of both worlds. Now your potential path to the Super Bowl looks like......

Divisional Round: PIT at NE
Championship Round: NE at BAL

or

Divisional Round: BAL at NE
Championship Round: NE at PIT


I'd play it safe and fight for the #1 seed.