The one pitfall of being the #1 seed

[Bostonian1962]

I LOVE when they play a team a second or third time, because BB is a master of using the first game to help game plan in the second or third (in the case of the Jets).

 

[RobertWeathers]

I LOVE when they play a team a second or third time, because BB is a master of using the first game to help game plan in the second or third (in the case of the Jets).

Very true. Although it didn't matter so much in the playoffs vs BAL in the last year.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I doubt any other #1 seed had this strength of schedule in the regular season, that the Patriots had. They blew out Pittsburgh (the number 2 seed currently) @ Pittsburgh. They blew out the current 2 seed in the NFC @ Chicago. They also played the Jets twice, GB, Indy, and Baltimore.

The team had 6 players out injured this week, as well, and I assume all will be back in three weeks for the playoffs. They also get their second leading tackler back for the playoffs (Spikes - at least he was at the time he got suspended).

There are no week sisters that you check off the automatic win (unless Jacksonville makes it IMHO), but I love the position our boys are in.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Very true. Although it didn't matter so much in the playoffs vs BAL in the last year.

That game was an abbheration born of faulty roster construction. Bill has retooled this team and eliminated some glaring faults... This team is younger and faster and more athletic as well as both physically and mentally tougher than those he fielded in the last couple of seasons... They also have better leadership than any teams since the glory days.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That game was an abbheration born of faulty roster construction. Bill has retooled this team and eliminated some glaring faults... This team is younger and faster and more athletic as well as both physically and mentally tougher than those he fielded in the last couple of seasons... They also have better leadership than any teams since the glory days.

Couldn't agree more. No question.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I have long believed that the best reward for the highest seeding is the right to choose your (eligible) opponent instead of just taking whatever opponent a formula gives you. Some competitions structure it this way and I wish that all sports would. It gives the maximum benefit for playing the best and means that it is never advantageous to intentionally lose a game.

 

[moosekill]

That game was an abbheration born of faulty roster construction. Bill has retooled this team and eliminated some glaring faults... This team is younger and faster and more athletic as well as both physically and mentally tougher than those he fielded in the last couple of seasons... They also have better leadership than any teams since the glory days.

Plus their offense was based on two options. Throw it deep to Moss, or throw it short to Welker. Welker had hugh...amazing stats last year, and when they lost him, on the last regular season game of the year, Brady lost his short threat.

They might have been able to overcome it against some teams, but when they hit a team like Baltimore, and got behind early, it was all she wrote.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Very true. Although it didn't matter so much in the playoffs vs BAL in the last year.

yes, but the Raven's are an older team this year. Many are talking, this could be their last year to have a good shot, with their defense getting older and changing. Conversely, the Pat's are a much younger team this year, playing much better than they were in the 1st quarter of the year.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

You never know how things are going to work out. Maybe the Jets are the 6 seed, Ravens 5, and both win. We'd be getting the Jets instead of the Ravens, which IMO is better than what the 2 seed would get.

Say we handle the Jets the way we did a few weeks ago and then we'll be getting a very beat up team since Balti-Pitt is usually a bloodbath. Hard to think of that scenario as significantly worse than anything else we could have gotten this year.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

yes they certainly helped. I don't believe 22 will ever be allowed on a colts jersey for some time.

But the trend did worry us greatly, and it bothers us with your team. BB is exceptional, so maybe nothing. It is one reason we dont care if the Falcons get #1 seed, no reason to temp fate 2x.

We also ruined a few Pittsburgh #1 teams as well :singing:

But it doesn't surprise me. No offense to the NFC, but over the past 10 years, you could make the case that 3 or 4 of the top 5 teams resided in the AFC. NE, Indy, and Pittsburgh alone have had an incredibly successful run this decade, consistently making the play-offs and competing against each other. So it stands to reason that the road through the AFC is a lot tougher regardless of seeding.

Philly had a similar run in the NFC, but they weren't really dominant in the same way. I can see Payton doing the same now in New Orleans, but he's just started.

So the #1 seed doesn't guarantee much, it's not essential, especially in the AFC, but I'd rather have it if possible.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Knowing our record in Gillette and past successes especially with cold, blizzard type weather, their no other place I'd rather be but #1 Seed going through Foxboro.

 

[RayClay]

Teams that take advantage of the bye week and home field will have an advantage. Also teams that are hot.

Otherwise, you just have the best teams in the league that happen to fall into slots. Making Judgments based on past history makes as much sense as putting the numbers in a hat and guessing which one comes out based on which ones came out last year.

1. Teams that know how to take advantage of the extra rest/prep time.

2. Teams that are hot.

3. The best teams (record).

I would add, personal opinion, teams that are balanced on offense, good on defense.

I like our chances based on those criteria.

 

[R_T26]

Ravens and Colts will knock the other out

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I'm not concerned with any wrinkle at any point during the playoffs as the #1 seed. You have home field advantage. The rest is over to the Gillette crowd and the Patriots.

The way the weather is shaping up this winter it could be frigid when anybody heads up to NE in January. That is a huge advantage.

 

[karran_s]

History is sometimes wrong and each year in the NFL is unique. The playoffs are always unpredictable.

IMO, it doesn't really matter who's going to come here to play. BB and Brady will be ready for them - I have full confidence in this team and their coaching staff and expect that they will put together a game plan to defeat them.

I hope it is a tough team as our win will be that much sweeter.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Wow, some people just seem to have a knack at finding the downside in everything.

 

[PatsWSB47]

Wow, some people just seem to have a knack at finding the downside in everything.

Yeah, how about it? You know all week long week after week we complained if someone picks against us. Before we led in the power polls we whined about that. Now we're worried about a strong team we might face????? Look it, if we are the best then we will win. It's pretty simple.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yeah, how about it? You know all week long week after week we complained if someone picks against us. Before we led in the power polls we whined about that. Now we're worried about a strong team we might face????? Look it, if we are the best then we will win. It's pretty simple.

If in August or after the Week 2 Jets game, someone were to say to me that this team would finish with home field throughout the playoffs I would have thought you were nuts.

I understand what the OP is trying to highlight but IMO there is no downside to having a 1st round bye and two home playoff games. There just isn't.

Now, being a 6th/5th or 3rd/4th, depending on the match-ups you can debate that one.

 

[sieglo]

Knowing our record in Gillette and past successes especially with cold, blizzard type weather, their no other place I'd rather be but #1 Seed going through Foxboro.

We play. That's what we do. We don't talk, we play. You come in Foxboro, it's gonna be snowing. It's gonna be cold. Come on in here. You want to say all you want, you want to change the rules? Change them. We still play. And we win. That's what we do.

 

[FCB02062]

I've found that regardless of Vegas odds, when the majority of talking heads pick against the Pats or shower us with reasons why they have a "good" chance of losing a playoff game, the Pats win. Some examples...

"Everyone" picked against Pats...
2001 - OAK - can't stop Gannon and their offense, @ PIT - defense too tough for Pats, SB 36 v STL - 73-0
2003 - TEN - too physical for Pats, IND - can't stop Manning and IND offense, SB 38 v CAR - their defensive line will dominate guys like Russ Hochstein
2004 - IND - same story, different year, @ PIT - can't stop their running game and blitzing defense + they're at home
2006 - @ SD - they're #1 seed, #1 in almost every category, no way Pats can win after cross country trip off a wild card game

"Everyone" picked the Pats...
I can think of two examples where MOST media types picked the Pats and they lost. In every other game I think the media was mostly split - both playoff games against JAX, 07 AFC Champ v SD, SB 39 v PHI, etc...
Now, in the 05 playoffs, the Pats looked very impressive against JAX in the wild card round and most people picked them over Denver in the divisional playoff. I distinctly remember someone on ESPN, can't remember who, saying "looks like Brady will be winning SB #4" - and this was after they won a wild card game. Well, we know what happened in Denver. The other game where they were "prohibitive" favorites was their last appearance in the SB...no need to rehash that....

Point is, regardless who they play we'll hear how the Pats can or will lose, etc. The media azzholes are already talking about bad matchups, who the Pats don't matchup well against....From listening to the local media, The Pats can't beat Baltimore or Indianapolis in the divisional round...