Do you perfer the Pats to receive or kick-off to begin the game?

[BostonNut]

EDIT: Option two should say possessions instead of positions. Nervous fingers

Personally I always hope they kick-off. Get the D out there right off the bat and if they can get a 3 and out it boosts the whole team.

Also, if the Pats happen to be trailing at the half then it gives them a chance to get right back in the game.

What are you thoughts?

 

[pwes]

Kick-off so we get it back after the half.

 

[RussFrancis]

I think you always start with your best unit and put the pressure on from the get go. No need to worry about needing the ball 1st in the 2nd half if youre up 24-0.

 

[MDPATSFAN]

I like them to receive, march down the field and score a TD. That puts maximum pressure on the opponent. Seems like during the close call games, the opponents received the ball first and changed the dynamics of the game.

 

[primetime]

Receiving. The Patriots have a nasty habit of going three-and-out when they get the ball at the half. They didn't last week, but it was kind of a rare occasion. Yet when they get the ball to open the game, they almost always put points on the board. That kind of psyches out an opposing team, when they're playing down without having touched the ball yet.

 

[BelichickFan]

A lot wanted to kickoff last week. I know last week was the first time ever a Belichick coached Patriot team has allowed playoff points on the opponents' opening drive but I want the ball. I want to score and remind the Chargers right off the bat that they're not winning.

 

[angelaf]

I like to kickoff and get the ball first in the second half.

 

[Roidney73]

Does it matter? We're the most awesome awesomes to ever awesome so heads or tails Brady prevails!

 

[brdmaverick]

EDIT: Option two should say possessions instead of positions. Nervous fingers

Personally I always hope they kick-off. Get the D out there right off the bat and if they can get a 3 and out it boosts the whole team.

Also, if the Pats happen to be trailing at the half then it gives them a chance to get right back in the game.

What are you thoughts?

I agree 100%.

Take the 2005 Colts at Patriots game (monday night regular season game)

The Colts received the kickoff and scored quickly on big plays.

The Patriots first drive stalled around the 25 yard line or so. They faced a fourth and two. Normally this would be an obvious field goal situation, but the Pats went for it, converted, and scored a TD. Belicheck must've known he was in for a high scoring affair.

I think had the Pats received the kickoff they would have kicked the field goal.
(Pats lost that game but I think the point remains the same)

 

[patsfan209]

I always liked the visiting team to get the ball first to start the game, then the home team gets its to start the 2nd half. Which I hope is the case today.

Lets say the Pats have a good lead and they get the ball to start the 3rd quarter, all the better IMHO.

 

[scout]

How about kicking off and getting a LOUD massive hit forcing a turnover deep in the Chargers territory? Would that rock the Razor?

 

[RussFrancis]

How about kicking off and getting a LOUD massive hit forcing a turnover deep in the Chargers territory? Would that rock the Razor?

without a doubt this is the best possible scenario. good call.

 

[Truck]

Option 3: It don't matter

 

[BostonNut]

While this is probably true it give us something to talk about to kill the next hour

Option 3: It don't matter

 

[Wildo7]

Does it matter? We're the most awesome awesomes to ever awesome so heads or tails Brady prevails!

B+, pretty decent troll job.

 

[serra]

I like the idea of getting the ball first (hopefully scoring) and putting the pressure on an injured Rivers to try to catch up and hopefully force a mistake or 3....

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I like kicking off to begin and to get the ball in the 2nd half to start grinding out the clock not because we are behind but because we are in the lead.

 

[Kdo5]

Get the ball first, drive down and score hopefully. Get another TD and take away the Chargers option to run the ball. Just like last time if everything goes right but who knows.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

I don't think there's a substantial advantage between kicking and receiving. The good thing about losing the toss, though, is you get to pick the direction for the 4th quarter. So losing the toss is good -- get the ball to start the second half, take a shot at a 3 and out on defense to start the game and get the direction you want set up.

On the road, losing the toss is definitely what you want. Now that they've gone to only a 12:00 halftime, the seats are half empty and you usually get to play your first possession with very little crowd noise.

Probably not as big a deal in the playoffs, and I think half time is slightly extended for the championship, but even so I remember lots of empty seats at the Razor to start the second half last week and was glad we got the ball.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I actually like the idea of the Pats kicking off to start the game. Whether it's a gimpy Rivers, or Billy Volek, I want the Pats D to step up and stuff them early. Then when the Pats score like they usually do, the Chargers will be even more discouraged. Give the Pats an additionaly guaranteed possession to start the second half, and a decent lead, could balloon to an insurmountable lead. Those are just my thoughts. Either way our Pats will need to score points. Le'ts hope the weather doesn't get in the way too much.