Hypothetical- At 14-0, what do you do?

Rest a few people. Try to win anyway.

Top people to rest are probably Edelman, Lewis and Gronk. That means you don't rest Brady (much), so that he has a chance to work focused on his other receivers.

Rest whoever is most dinged up among the LBs and DL.

Rest Vollmer, but only if you think that won't mean too many extra hits on Brady.

But "rest" doesn't necessarily mean having them sit out the whole game.

Given the past year, you'd have to go for 19-0.....then make a deal to secure the 1st pick in the 2nd round

Rest those with nagging injuries as needed, play starters in the first half, play lower roster guys in the second half, expect everyone to play to win, win, prepare for the playoffs.
Oh wait.....anyone or any team on the deflate gate hit list that comes late in the season and has a chance at a playoff birth? Play starters all game and crush their hopes and dreams

Totally premature to start discussing this. Let's re-visit this topic if/when we're 14-0.
Once 1 seed is secure, play remaining games like it was pre-season but, for all we know, we may not have 1 seed locked before the last game.

we play like every other game. we can't allow ourselves to lose the mental edge. every game is a privilege and every game can be the last game each player will ever play.

14-0? go for the 16-0.

Family said:

Forget 14-0. Imagine if they were 15-0 having clinched everything and they are going into Miami. Remember the 85 Bears on Monday nite when all the 72 alumni showed up and pleaded with players "c'mon you are doing this for the franchise." Remember how hyped that city was for the game?

What happens if Mercury, Csonka and the gang show up and Shula rants about Bellicheat?

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Good luck trying to get a handicapped parking spot near the stadium if those old farts are there.

The Pats could go 19-0 and win their 5th Lombardi. Afterwards, the entire roster and staff could retire for all I care. We could start off 2016 like an expansion team. That's ok. 19-0.

Want it bumped up a level? The Pats finish at 19-0 and World Champs, beating the Pack who finishes 18-1.

We won't be Coltish cowards

Too early to talk about this, especially when there's 4 other undefeated teams left.

That said, if this becomes a genuine thing in December... I say go for it.

Without question, go for it. As others have said, 19-0 is the pinnacle of the barely achievable and can cement their place in history for all man time.

memento said:

Don't be a Dungy. Every game counts.

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dungy wasn't the coach of the colts in 2009 when they wimped out. it was caldwell, but i believe polian made the decision to rest their players.

Family said:

Forget 14-0. Imagine if they were 15-0 having clinched everything and they are going into Miami. Remember the 85 Bears on Monday nite when all the 72 alumni showed up and pleaded with players "c'mon you are doing this for the franchise." Remember how hyped that city was for the game?

What happens if Mercury, Csonka and the gang show up and Shula rants about Bellicheat?

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did you see the dolphins last night?

I'd assume they would try and win, unless there was a clear match up advantage being the #2 seed, as they lost to Miami to face Jacksonville rather than Pitt several years ago.

I'm one of the few that was ok with the way '07 concluded because I view football as entertainment and that season provided me the most entertainment ever. Sure, the SB win would have capped it, but we watched history unfold, and I still have fond memories. This season IS DIFFERENT. I want the SB victory more than anything, and I don't care about 16-0. I want to see that little rat f*&k Goodell have to tuck his little rat tail between his little rat legs and present these New England Patriots, and more importantly, TFB with the Lombardi.

Brady_2_Moss said:

I'm one of the few that was ok with the way '07 concluded because I view football as entertainment and that season provided me the most entertainment ever. Sure, the SB win would have capped it, but we watched history unfold, and I still have fond memories. This season IS DIFFERENT. I want the SB victory more than anything, and I don't care about 16-0. I want to see that little rat f*&k Goodell have to tuck his little rat tail between his little rat legs and present these New England Patriots, and more importantly, TFB with the Lombardi.

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Tom Brady, 4-time MVP and 5-time SB Champ, holding the trophy. National ... make that World ... TV. Looks at Goodell, taps the ball at the top of the Lombardi and asks "Did you want to check this one, too?"

I'd put trust in Garoppolo and sit Brady and anybody with an injury. I'd treat it as preseason, and maybe play some starteters for a quarter or half. The Playoffs become the new season.

It is what it is.

In BB I trust.. not sure how all of this fits with playing "complete games".. otoh there is only so much depth at any position so cannot do a complete substitution for oue "premiere" starters...

Maybe a few head games would help, deluge the NFL offices with allegations of cheating by the Jets/Fish and take out more free rent in the brains than we already have..

IcyPatriot said:

That being said division games are tough ... those last 2 games will be as tough as any of the other 14.
Never take a victory for granted vs Bills - Dolphins or Jets .... especially the Jets.
I think the Jets have a legit shot at the playoffs.

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Not to mention that once again, it's a back to back road game scenario. Including this year's back to back wins @Dallas and @Indy, we've now won BOTH games in these situations only 3 of the last 10 times.

Many will start talking about it should they get past @NYG and @DEN, but those last two end games pose more of a threat than most here seem to realize.

The one thing that would concern me is the playoff type atmosphere that would come in 7 straight games, should they get to 12-0. 7 games is almost half a season. That puts a ton of pressure on the team.

We're on to NY.