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

wizwor · Oct 31, 2015

The last two games are against division rivals on the road. The first game is against Gang Green which is at the middle of the latest chapter of Spy Gate. No one will be rested. The Pats will embarrass the home team. No doubt Shula et al will be in Miami for game Sixteen with champagne chilled. No way the Pats lay down for that.

I assume this is an undefeated season just because the Patriots do not have the stomach to lose any game which prudence says they should.

dannydyn · Oct 31, 2015

Under a different schedule, where say the last 2 games are gimme homes games against the Skins and Titans, I would play them all. But given that the last 2 games are divisional road ones, I would be very hesitant to play our starters. I can totally see either the Jets or the Phins (or more likely - BOTH), trying to go for cheap shots. Phins have lost Wake for the season in a game against the Pats, I'm sure they wouldn't mind taking one of our stars from the playoffs picture.

HeadHunter · Oct 31, 2015

Too early to really think about but since it's been brought up, here's my take.

I believe if it wasn't for framegate Bill would probably seriously consider resting starters. Just like spygate this team has its middle fingers up to the league. And you know Tom would want to go for it. I just don't seem them laying down with another chance at the record, especially under the circumstances. If we get past Dever and NYG this team won't lose another game.

And the best thing about it for me? (If the streak of being undefeated doesn't give me a heart attack first) I will be at the Miami game.

Tony2046 · Oct 31, 2015

Kdo5 said:
If we are sitting at 14-0, I say that you 100% play to go undefeated. No question about it.

It is the greatest accomplishment in NFL history to get 19-0. Forget Brady/Belichick's legacy it is an incredible opportunity for the players and I guarantee that they'll want it badly. You can't take it away from them. I don't think we should take our foot off the pedal in fear of a potential injury. Not to mention sitting guys out could also result in a rusty, shaky start to our first playoff game.

Go for 19-0 at that point. And that's not even something I care about right now. #5 is more than enough but if you have the opportunity you've gotta go for it.

Great point. I never thought of it from the players perspective. They would definitely want to be a part of a historical run. They'll get two weeks to rest with a bye anyways.

But there is still a lot of football left to be played and winning the division is the first goal.

Soul_Survivor88 · Oct 31, 2015

The glory of achieving a second 16-0 season, outweighs the risk of suffering injuries, as devastating as that would be.

pheenix11 · Oct 31, 2015

Let's just say I'm already plotting a trip down to Miami as that game will be huge with all the fins has beens showing up.

Another thought is this, Garoppolo and the other back ups are part of this team and I'm sure Belichick reminds them of their importance every chance he gets, next man up and all that.

Who's to say he doesn't put it on them to go out and get it so they can be part of history?

Rob0729 · Oct 31, 2015

Soul_Survivor88 · Oct 31, 2015

Rob0729 said:

Howard Payne: What do ya do? Huh? What do you do!!?

Answer: Keep going, and never take your foot off the pedal

mosslost · Oct 31, 2015

PATS16N0 said:
Patsfanken said last night that the undefeated talk was wildly premature. I agree with him, but there are a lot of Patriot fans and fans around the league wondering if New England will, in fact, go 16-0 again this season.

However…

Our last games are road games against the Jets and Miami.

If we get there at 14-0, would you even want to go for it?

I honestly believe a 5th Superbowl ring would be historic enough (unless, of course, we got a 5th Superbowl ring while being undefeated, which would just be crazy.)

Do you risk the injuries against dirty Suh and the Jets front at 14-0 to go for it, or do you start scaling back starters with the #1 seed locked up and focus entirely on getting a 5th Superbowl ring that puts Tom on a level all his own?

A lot of Patriot fans get excited about the prospect of 16-0, but I wonder if we get to within reach, if we'll even want to go for it. Would be scary as hell given what the Pats are playing for after last years Lombardi.

It's not impossible Pats will need 16-0 to clinch homefield.. (If Bengals win out) -not going to happen though

Ring 6 · Oct 31, 2015

PATS16N0 said:
Patsfanken said last night that the undefeated talk was wildly premature. I agree with him, but there are a lot of Patriot fans and fans around the league wondering if New England will, in fact, go 16-0 again this season.

However…

Our last games are road games against the Jets and Miami.

If we get there at 14-0, would you even want to go for it?

I honestly believe a 5th Superbowl ring would be historic enough (unless, of course, we got a 5th Superbowl ring while being undefeated, which would just be crazy.)

Do you risk the injuries against dirty Suh and the Jets front at 14-0 to go for it, or do you start scaling back starters with the #1 seed locked up and focus entirely on getting a 5th Superbowl ring that puts Tom on a level all his own?

A lot of Patriot fans get excited about the prospect of 16-0, but I wonder if we get to within reach, if we'll even want to go for it. Would be scary as hell given what the Pats are playing for after last years Lombardi.

Losing is not the way to prepare for the playoffs.
Having your best players abandon playing football for 3 weeks does not prepare them for the playoffs

Football players play football. Winners win.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rhodey · Nov 3, 2015

PATS16N0 said:
Patsfanken said last night that the undefeated talk was wildly premature. I agree with him, but there are a lot of Patriot fans and fans around the league wondering if New England will, in fact, go 16-0 again this season.

However…

Our last games are road games against the Jets and Miami.

If we get there at 14-0, would you even want to go for it?

I honestly believe a 5th Superbowl ring would be historic enough (unless, of course, we got a 5th Superbowl ring while being undefeated, which would just be crazy.)

Do you risk the injuries against dirty Suh and the Jets front at 14-0 to go for it, or do you start scaling back starters with the #1 seed locked up and focus entirely on getting a 5th Superbowl ring that puts Tom on a level all his own?

A lot of Patriot fans get excited about the prospect of 16-0, but I wonder if we get to within reach, if we'll even want to go for it. Would be scary as hell given what the Pats are playing for after last years Lombardi.

If they do go undefeated, leadership and consistency should help them finish it off. More exactly, the team will need to be reminded- and understand -what happened in the past; how it can all come tumbling down in the last half/quarter. And through that leadership, consistency must be sought right down to the last play.

If this were the first time that Pats were headed toward and undefeated regular season, I'd be concerned about how they might let that affect them in the playoffs. But it's not. Even the new guys are aware of that Pats team that just kept winning...until that last half. I'm sure they don't want the same to happen to their team. Ergo, understanding what must need to be done until that last minute (of 60) is completed.

ivanvamp · Nov 3, 2015

mosslost said:
It's not impossible Pats will need 16-0 to clinch homefield.. (If Bengals win out) -not going to happen though

This is key. It is entirely possible that the Patriots will actually need those games in order to clinch the #1 seed. Which is totally crazy, but possible.

aluminum seats · Nov 3, 2015

ivanvamp said:
This is key. It is entirely possible that the Patriots will actually need those games in order to clinch the #1 seed. Which is totally crazy, but possible.

Well sure, if that's the case the point of this thread is moot.

The team would never sit guys for two games. But as we saw last year, Belichick will do it for one. But if they're 15-0, they'll play everybody. The risk of injury to Gronk, say, is really the only tangible downside to an undefeated run.

tasmlab · Nov 3, 2015

I say go for it. And as a bonus, when they are at 16-0, volunteer to play in the wildcard weekend so they can go 20-0 for the season.

Froob · Nov 3, 2015

Chevy said:
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?"

Just send the dorito dinks out there to get it. No postgame celebration or interviews.

lurker1965 · Nov 3, 2015

Depends on if the #1 seed is secure. Are the Bengals also 14-0? (The Patriots do not play them.) Are the Broncos 13-1 and hoping for a patriots loss?

BradyFTW! · Nov 3, 2015

If you're 14-0, you go for 19-0 IMO. Even if nobody is within 2 games of you. The upside is too high not to, it's a legit chance to plant your flag in the ground that says "**** all of you, we're the best team ever".

farn · Nov 3, 2015

Always go for it. Seau told us that them could be special. Seal the deal.

(It's way too early for this, the NFL is a wacky place)

Schmo · Nov 3, 2015

YOU look Brady in the eye and give him a good reason why he can't play. See what he says.

Gronk is just about the only fully healthy player I would be comfortable with benching (even though he's on my fantasy team). The fear of injury to him is completely valid. As we saw this preseason, Gronks don't rust... they just smash.

primetime · Nov 3, 2015

I think most of you are afraid of going into the playoffs undefeated and losing.

We've already been through that as a fanbase. Can't hurt us again.

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