So do Patriots play starters vs. Houston?

[Kontradiction]

NFL.COM says otherwise...

Playoff Picture 2009

Pretty much everyone besides upstater says otherwise.

 

[mosslost]

Broncos don't control their own destiny. Jets and Ravens do. Broncos need Ravens to lose and Houston to win. If the Ravens and Houston lose, then the Steelers get in over the Broncos.

If that is true, why are they currently seeded BELOW the Broncos?

This is so confusing.

 

[DaBruinz]

Pulling the starters isn't going to happen. If the Pats weren't pulling starters at the end of the 3rd when they were up 28-0, they aren't pulling starters at the half next week unless the score is like 42 -0.. But against such a dynamic Houston team, that is going to be tough.

 

[JackBauer]

Historically, I don't see any benefit from pulling starters in games like this, so I don't expect us to start now.

I'd like to see how they figure to cover Andre Johnson, anyway.

 

[upstater1]

Pretty much everyone besides upstater says otherwise.

They were wrong last week and I was right. These same clowns were annointing the Steelers last week.

I was right.

Let me simplify things for you:

If Baltimore beats Oakland, we're playing Baltimore.

If they lose, we play the Broncos.

The tiebreakers are listed for all to see. This isn't a mystery. It's easy to see. The first tie-breaker is head-to-head, and Baltimore beat Den. They're in.

 

[upstater1]

If that is true, why are they currently seeded BELOW the Broncos?

This is so confusing.

I didn't seed them below the Broncos.

I seeded them above.

 

[Kontradiction]

They were wrong last week and I was right. These same clowns were annointing the Steelers last week.

I was right.

Let me simplify things for you:

If Baltimore beats Oakland, we're playing Baltimore.

If they lose, we play the Broncos.

The tiebreakers are listed for all to see. This isn't a mystery. It's easy to see. The first tie-breaker is head-to-head, and Baltimore beat Den. They're in.

So NFL.com, or just the NFL, are a bunch of clowns... on top of ESPN and CBSSports? How do you address this?

 

[The Dynasty]

I would treat it like a regular game unless Brady or anyone is seriously banged up and a week off would really benefit them. I dont see any problem with winning and getting the #3 seed, with the possibility of going to SD in the divisional round. If we're going to win a SB we would probably have to go through there anyway so why not do it in the divisional round? We are playing our best football of the year right now, why not want to play the best?

 

[upstater1]

So NFL.com, or just the NFL, are a bunch of clowns... on top of ESPN and CBSSports? How do you address this?

By doing the work myself. Just do it yourself. It's not hard.

The first tie-breaker is head-to-head.

Baltimore beat Denver.

What more do you need to know?

 

[upstater1]

I would treat it like a regular game unless Brady or anyone is seriously banged up and a week off would really benefit them. I dont see any problem with winning and getting the #3 seed, with the possibility of going to SD in the divisional round. If we're going to win a SB we would probably have to go through there anyway so why not do it in the divisional round? We are playing our best football of the year right now, why not want to play the best?

The thing is, we get the #3 seed if Cincy loses as well, no matter what happens against Houston. The game is almost irrelevant for the Patriots unless Cincy really tries hard for the 3 seed.

 

[patsinthesnow]

No matter how long the starters play, the pats won't lie down like the Colts did. The Pats have alot of young players on the team, and ending the season 4-0 will help the team as a whole.

 

[The Dynasty]

The thing is, we get the #3 seed if Cincy loses as well, no matter what happens against Houston. The game is almost irrelevant for the Patriots unless Cincy really tries hard for the 3 seed.

You would have to think they are going to try and win and gain some momemtum for the playoffs, they lost to SD last week and didnt look so great today against KC

 

[upstater1]

You would have to think they are going to try and win and gain some momemtum for the playoffs, they lost to SD last week and didnt look so great today against KC

I guess I can see the Jets losing this game. In fact, I'd welcome it.

Sanchez looked like he was scared out there today. I really feel sorry for him with that ferocious D bearing down on him like that.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I say go for the win. Laying down is a pretty gutless move and doesn't inspire confidence. Get the momentum rolling for the playoffs. If you get a safe lead then pull Brady in the 4th, but not before then.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Injured guys rest, but starters play.

 

[The Dynasty]

Injured guys rest, but starters play.

Some of the starters are injured though....

 

[furley]

NE@HOU
CIN@NYJ

Both Cincinnati and New England have reason to play their starters and try to win the game. The third seed is up for grabs. I like the Patriots chances of winning against the Texas than the Bengals against the Jets. Cincinnati has been less reliant on throwing the ball. But Palmer hasn't been that good this season anyways, so the Jets will focus on stopping Benson. While Houston has to hope that they can takeaway either Moss or Welker from Brady and force him to find a third receiver to throw to. That will probably be Watson or Edelman.

 

[thechris]

We need to have this team firing on all cylinders. Play the starters into the fourth quarter.

This.
(tencharacters)

 

[DaBruinz]

They were wrong last week and I was right. These same clowns were annointing the Steelers last week.

I was right.

Let me simplify things for you:

If Baltimore beats Oakland, we're playing Baltimore.

If they lose, we play the Broncos.

The tiebreakers are listed for all to see. This isn't a mystery. It's easy to see. The first tie-breaker is head-to-head, and Baltimore beat Den. They're in.

That is ONLY the case if the Pats WIN and hold the 3rd seed. If the Pats LOSE and hold the 4th seed, then they would play the Jets based on your scenario... Since the Jets would have the benefit of the record over common opponents...

 

[SoCal Pmen]

In the words of Herm Edwards, "You play to win the game!"