Niners game a must win?

[patsfan13]

It is not a must win game, BUT it is a big test for the O.

This is the type of D like the Ravens and Giants that have given them trouble in the past, due to pressure with only 4 rushing and 7 in coverage. The drafting of Ridley and Vareen was intended to improving the running game so we wouldn't be 1 dimensional in games against D's like this.

I want to see the O be productive against this sort of D, if it is my confidence in the Pats winning it all goes way up.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Not a must win, but telling in one sense and completely useless in others.

If this offense is going to be able to handle a good defense, you would think they need to show up and put up points. Because, we all know the post season rules seem to get to more of a "let them play" style and if we are shut down by a powerful D when the rules favor us, then how will it be when the rules are reversed?

On the other hand, we don't have our full production offense with Gronk out, so nobody has actually seen our complete offense this season.

Thus, I'm with Dues in that there re no moire must wins until we get to the post season.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Thinking ahead a little:

Imagine Pats at Denver for the AFCC? It's like completely the opposite of what the game used to be - like 06 in a damn sauna. Some of the best games in Patriots history have been in the wintery conditions, smashing Manning into a horrible performance.

Would Manning play better if it's snowing or 15 degrees out in Denver in January at night?

 

[JJDChE]

Even though the term is self-explanatory, a lot of people seem to misunderstand what a 'must-win' game is.

The Pats have already clinched a playoff berth, we could go 0-3 and still be in the playoffs.

 

[BrainTrust66]

Must win? No, of course not. But it would be really, really really nice to have for the following reasons (sorry if this is just a re-hash of multiple replies):

1. The path to the bye is pretty much secured and the path to the #1 seed remains very much in play.
2. As others have noted, this is the kind of defense that has given us trouble in the past.
3. It makes a statement to the league - the Pats will have beaten two of the best teams in a span of 6 days, any questions?
4. Just my opinion, it will mean that this team is "Super Bowl Ready."

I've been following the team long enough to know that there are no guarantees but a win this week will put my confidence meter on "High"

 

[JR4]

Of course there are "must win" games.

But to determine if a game is a must win or not you need
to phrase your question better than you have. IMO

Is this a "must win game" to get into the playoffs? No
Is this a "must win game" for PATs to win 13 games this season? Yes

Is this a "must win game" for PATs to get a 1st round bye? No there are
other scenarios.

Is this a "must win game" to insure a first round bye assuming PATs
win their last two game against the Jaguars and Fins? YES

 

[Jimke]

The Pats are banged up and need a #1 or #2 seed to get healthier.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

To answer the question posed in the thread, "Not quite, but almost."

In general, I'd rather that the Pats have the Bye (for all the reasons that have been thoroughly analyzed and discussed in two excellent threads here over the last month...I suggest to anyone who wants to argue or discuss that at length to read those threads first), but, to me, the highest priority is on not having to play in Denver in the postseason...the city seems to have the Pats jinxed in December and January.

Choice Number 1) If the Pats and Baltimore both win, the Pats hold onto the number two seed and have a full game of breathing room over the Broncos, for the next week.

Choice Number 2) If the Pats and Denver both win, the Pats hold onto number two and go two games up on the Ravens, but have not yet shaken the Broncos, for the next week.

Choice Number 3) If Baltimore beats Denver, a Pats loss to SF would put Baltimore back in Number Two with the tie breaker over us, but would still leave the Pats at number three, holding the tie breaker over the Broncos, thereby avoiding a Pats postseason game in Denver, at least for the next week.

Choice Number 4) If Denver beats Baltimore, a Pats loss to SF puts us at number three, still ahead of Baltimore on overall W-L records but vaunts the Broncos into number two, with a Bye, for the next week.

[I'm not factoring Houston into the equation until they lose another game, but, obviously a Pats W and a Texans loss gives the Pats the Number One seed, for the next week. I'm also not thinking about weeks 16 and 17; too many variables and it makes my head hurt.]

 

[whoartthou]

Of course there are "must win" games.

But to determine if a game is a must win or not you need
to phrase your question better than you have. IMO

Is this a "must win game" to get into the playoffs? No
Is this a "must win game" for PATs to win 13 games this season? Yes

Is this a "must win game" for PATs to get a 1st round bye? No there are
other scenarios.

Is this a "must win game" to insure a first round bye assuming PATs
win their last two game against the Jaguars and Fins? YES

You are absolutely right.

What I meant to say was this is a must win game in the sense that we will MOST LIKELY face a top notch defense in the superbowl, so this is a big test for the pats.

 

[mosi]

The key to this game is to keep it close. Do not turn the ball over and keep them honest by running the ball. We may have a lot of 3 and outs but live with it. Wait for their QB to make a mistake or two and sneak a win.

Spread the field and run on first down, run on second down and run on third down if it is 3 yards or less.

Also, this is an aggressive defense, use the play action and run some screens. You should also be able to goad the niners into some penalties.

I would also tell the receivers to get down after getting the ball over the middle. This is a team that lives for the big hit.

 

[brdmaverick]

It's only a must win if Denver wins earlier in the day.

 

[PatsSox363804]

It's not a must win, we're in the playoffs and can beat anyone if we play our best game.

That said it's definitely a statement game. If we go out there and demolish this SF team in all 3 phases it gives us a great shot at a bye and puts the rest of the league on notice. Ideally, we win out and Houston loses another game so if Denver finishes 3rd, which I assume that they will, the Broncos and Texans can beat each other up in the divisional round while we get a home game against whoever comes out of the 4-5 matchup.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Anyone else feel like this is a must win game for the patriots?

Let's get real.

No.

 

[Haterproof]

It's not a must win, we're in the playoffs and can beat anyone if we play our best game.

That said it's definitely a statement game. If we go out there and demolish this SF team in all 3 phases it gives us a great shot at a bye and puts the rest of the league on notice. Ideally, we win out and Houston loses another game so if Denver finishes 3rd, which I assume that they will, the Broncos and Texans can beat each other up in the divisional round while we get a home game against whoever comes out of the 4-5 matchup.

I love that scenario! I think the Pats are going to win a very hard fought game against SF on Sunday night! It's going to start out close. Then NE will put it away in the 2nd half.

 

[JJDChE]

Important? Yes.
Must-win? No.

 

[Chopblock CB]

Even though the term is self-explanatory, a lot of people seem to misunderstand what a 'must-win' game is.

The Pats have already clinched a playoff berth, we could go 0-3 and still be in the playoffs.

Wow...The "Patriot Way" is that every Game is a must win game..no matter what....even the meaningless last game of the season is a "Must Win" Game..Granted it must be won the the 2nd and 3rd stringers..but nevertheless a must win game!!!:rocker:

 

[Deus Irae]

Wow...The "Patriot Way" is that every Game is a must win game..no matter what....even the meaningless last game of the season is a "Must Win" Game..Granted it must be won the the 2nd and 3rd stringers..but nevertheless a must win game!!!:rocker:

If the "meaningless last game...." were really a must win game according to the Patriots way, you wouldn't be playing it with the second and third stringers.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Anyone else feel like this is a must win game for the patriots?

No. Must still means must in Miriam Webster.

Think about it: If this was a must-win game you wouldn't have to ask who FELT it was or wasn't.

 

[BananaRepublican]

It's only a must win if Denver wins earlier in the day.

You have to separate out a must-situation from an advantage-situation. All the games now are advantage-situation since they've clinched division.

 

[Rob0729]

Ironically, this may be the one game the Pats can most afford to lose out of the last three. Being a non-conference game, this would hurt the Pats the least in any seeding possibility.