Is this a "must win" game?

[PatsWickedPissah]

Every game from here on out is a must win. If we lose one and the Dolphins win one, the Dolphins own the tiebreaker and the division. On top of that, there would be a chance of the Pats having to go to Miami for a Wild Card game instead of the other way around, should that happen.

Exactly.

Remember we lose any and all tiebreakers to the Phins. So if we lose ANY of the next 3 and the Phins win out, we lose the division and have a limp chance at the wildcard at 10-6. Our lame wildcard chances would also diminish because our AFC record tiebreaker with other 10-6 teams would have another L.

So, this Bills game is a MUST win.

 

[wiggins!]

Yes...........

 

[NEPatriot]

Yes, you betcha.

 

[BradyMossWelker]

Of course this isn't a must win!
Have you seen the dolphins schedule???
I think they will lose every single game left!!!
They are not a good team!

 

[PATSNUTme]

Although I think this is a must win game. I don't think that winning both of the other 2 games is "must". I do not think that the Fins will win out.

But this being a division game, the last one,it is critical.

All we need to do is win our division. When the playoffs start, it's a whole different ball game. All we have to do is look at last year. AZ was a joke to many for being a playoff team with a 9-7 record. All they did was come to within one play of winning it all.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If we lose to Buffalo who really cares if we win the next 2? - This team would have no heart to lose to a team they have demolished for 6 years.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Yes, this is a must-win game.

I don't like talk of "swagger" or "momentum", but the story this season has been of games lost where the team had a lead, red zone opportunities not converted, last-minute drives that ended in INTs, third (and fourth) down stops not made. When that happens, it's not just the fans who get that feeling "Uh-oh, here we go again ..." And it's fatal.

No ifs, no buts, no excuses from now on.

 

[IcyPatriot]

It's a must learn how to win on the road must win.
​

 

[wiggins!]

It's a must learn how to win on the road must win.
​

great point.

 

[jmt57]

Yes it's a must-win game. Wouldn't have been that way had Jacksonville beaten Miami a week ago, but that's just the way things turned out. Although the Pats are one game ahead of Miami and split the series, last time I looked the Dolphins win the tiebreaker.

In addition, there are several other 7-6 teams in the AFC and even if the Pats won the last two games, there's a good chance they would lose the tiebreaker for a wildcard spot too. Right now the Pats are only 5-4 in the AFC and 3-2 in the East; Miami is 5-4 and 4-2. So if the Pats don't win the East, there is:

• 8-5 Denver; Pats lost h2h; 6-4 in the AFC
• 7-6 Baltimore; Pats won h2h but is 6-4 in the AFC
• 7-6 Jets; Pats split; 5-5 in the AFC
• 7-7 Jaguars; Pats meet next week; 6-4 in the AFC

Granted the pats would win a 2-way tiebreaker with the Ravens, but if there are multiple teams involved that win may turn into a moot point.

Bottom line is the Pats need to stay one game ahead of Miami. Pats need to take care of business in Buffalo, and become Tennessee fans tomorrow. Miami's remaining schedule is at Tennessee, home against Houston, and home against Pittsburgh; the best chance for a Dolphins loss is Sunday against the Titans.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

In regards to this thread - How many want Pittsburgh to win the next 2 so that they may have a shot at defending thier championship by beating Miami?

I want them to have a shot going into the last week

 

[BionicPatriot]

For the division, yes.

 

[PATSNUTme]

In regards to this thread - How many want Pittsburgh to win the next 2 so that they may have a shot at defending thier championship by beating Miami?

I want them to have a shot going into the last week

If Miami loses tomorrow and the Patriots win the next 2, I'll be a Fins fan when they play the Steelers.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Normally a must win game is one that means making the playoffs or not. However I do look at the Bills game as "must win". It is both a divisional and conference game.

Yes the Patriots can lose this one, win the next 2, and probably still make the playoffs.

So am I wrong? Is this a "must win" in your view or not?

Yes.They need to win one on the road,the conference and divisional win just seals the deal. A win in Buffalo would go a long way towards making life just that much easier down the road not just in terms of position but also in terms of bolstering the team. A loss in Buffalo will be nasty in a lotta ways

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Yes, IMO, and I was under the impression that we would. But I am now nervous after seeing the list of players who are out

 

[Jangles]

aren't they all...

 

[Mossachusetts]

Yes, I think to lose would be a very bad thing for this team. If there is such a thing as must win, then this is it. If we can't beat Buffalo, then we are in poor shape.

I agree 100%

 

[Funktopus]

looks like 10-6 (if the Pats lose to Buf, then win out) doesn't guarantee playoffs. And on top of that, none of the picks in the linked scenario are that outlandish.

NFL - Playoff Scenario Generator- Yahoo! Sports

 

[PatsFanSince74]

===================================================

I am cautiously optimistic about Sanchize, I like him, I think he has "it".

I am a poor evaluator of talent and do not put a lot of stock in my football opinions especialy when it comes to the Jets, I am a Jet fan and like all the players and coaches for the Jets, even Woody and Tannenbaum, hell I supported Mangini all the way till he got the boot.

Sanchize has all the supporting cast to be successful as the Jets QB, I think he tries too hard to make plays and needs to let the game come to him. The man has skills. Given time I think Sanchez could very well lead the Jets deep next year and for years to come.

[A bit OT for the thread if most of you want to ignore this, but it does touch on Divsional rival so it "kind of" belongs here. ]

Thanks.

In your first sentence you say he has "it" (which, I presume, means the ability to win a Super Bowl--the only "it" that matters in the NFL), but in your last sentence you are also describing Danny White who had a career 60--32 record and took his team to the Playoffs five times, including two Conference Championships, but never even got to the big game. He retired after a (yes) knee injury and ceded the job to Troy Aikman.

My point is only that there's no arguing that Sanchez can start in the NFL and maybe even lead his team to the Playoffs a few times, but I think Johnson and Tannenbaum assumed they were drafting a lot more than that. I think Sanchez' bad judgment as well as his being prone, since College, to injury make it questionable that they got what they thought they were getting.

 

[mgteich]

You are correct. In a 3-way tie for the wildcard at 10-6, we lose out on conference record.

QUOTE=Funktopus;1648881]looks like 10-6 (if the Pats lose to Buf, then win out) doesn't guarantee playoffs. And on top of that, none of the picks in the linked scenario are that outlandish.

NFL - Playoff Scenario Generator- Yahoo! Sports[/QUOTE]