Sunday – win or lose we will be in a good position for the #2 seed.

[Brady6]

I have seen a few articles and threads on here and online about last week and this week defining our season. While I think winning against Denver on Sunday would be huge I do not think losing will define us, we will still be in the driver’s seat for the #2 seed in the AFC. If we lose it will put us at 7-4 but if you look at our remaining schedule we absolutely have a chance to win out, our biggest challenge will likely be week 16 vs. the Ravens. The Colts and Bengals do face each other in week 14 so a loss for 1 of them is certain; also if you look at their schedules they face stiffer competition especially the Bengals.

We’re currently 7-3 with a remaining schedule of:
vs. Broncos 9-1
@ Texans 2-8
vs. Browns 4-6
@ Dolphins 5-5
@ Ravens 4-6
vs. Bills 4-7

• Combine win loss of opponents 28-33

Colts currently 7-3 with a remaining schedule of:
@ Cardinals 6-4
vs. Titans 4-6
@ Bengals 7-4
vs. Texans 2-8
@ Chiefs 9-1
vs. Jaguars 1-9

• Combine win loss of opponents 29-32

Bengals currently 7-4 with a remaining schedule of:
@ Chargers 4-6
vs. Colts 7-3
@ Steelers 4-6
vs. Vikings 2-8
vs. Ravens 4-6

• Combine win loss of opponents 21-29

I truly believe if we can get the #2 seed and get our secondary healthy and a few other areas of the team we have a chance to be dangerous in the postseason, winning or losing on Sunday doesn’t define anything - this team will be defined in January and February.

 

[supafly]

All in all, the #2 seed is well within reach. They'll have to get their team together and win either all of the last 5, or at least 4/5 with help.

I'm thinking 11-5 (going 4/5 down the stretch) is very reasonable. That would put us in a good enough position to hope that we see another couple of losses from IND/CIN.

 

[Brady6]

All in all, the #2 seed is well within reach. They'll have to get their team together and win either all of the last 5, or at least 4/5 with help.

I'm thinking 11-5 (going 4/5 down the stretch) is very reasonable. That would put us in a good enough position to hope that we see another couple of losses from IND/CIN.

I think 12-4 will lock it up for them, I would project best case for the Colts and Bengals to be 11-5 and although I would be shocked if the Bengals finished better than 10-6.

 

[stcjones]

I think that because the Pats have so many injuries and their propensity to lose games that they should have won, and an inability often to close out a game.....we won't be getting any #2 seed this year... hope I'm wrong and it all comes together obviously!

QUOTE=Brady6;3651644]I have seen a few articles and threads on here and online about last week and this week defining our season. While I think winning against Denver on Sunday would be huge I do not think losing will define us, we will still be in the driver’s seat for the #2 seed in the AFC. If we lose it will put us at 7-4 but if you look at our remaining schedule we absolutely have a chance to win out, our biggest challenge will likely be week 16 vs. the Ravens. The Colts and Bengals do face each other in week 14 so a loss for 1 of them is certain; also if you look at their schedules they face stiffer competition especially the Bengals.

We’re currently 7-3 with a remaining schedule of:
vs. Broncos 9-1
@ Texans 2-8
vs. Browns 4-6
@ Dolphins 5-5
@ Ravens 4-6
vs. Bills 4-7

• Combine win loss of opponents 28-33

Colts currently 7-3 with a remaining schedule of:
@ Cardinals 6-4
vs. Titans 4-6
@ Bengals 7-4
vs. Texans 2-8
@ Chiefs 9-1
vs. Jaguars 1-9

• Combine win loss of opponents 29-32

Bengals currently 7-4 with a remaining schedule of:
@ Chargers 4-6
vs. Colts 7-3
@ Steelers 4-6
vs. Vikings 2-8
vs. Ravens 4-6

• Combine win loss of opponents 21-29

I truly believe if we can get the #2 seed and get our secondary healthy and a few other areas of the team we have a chance to be dangerous in the postseason, winning or losing on Sunday doesn’t define anything - this team will be defined in January and February.[/QUOTE]

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I have seen a few articles and threads on here and online about last week and this week defining our season. While I think winning against Denver on Sunday would be huge I do not think losing will define us, we will still be in the driver’s seat for the #2 seed in the AFC. If we lose it will put us at 7-4 but if you look at our remaining schedule we absolutely have a chance to win out, our biggest challenge will likely be week 16 vs. the Ravens. The Colts and Bengals do face each other in week 14 so a loss for 1 of them is certain; also if you look at their schedules they face stiffer competition especially the Bengals.

We’re currently 7-3 with a remaining schedule of:
vs. Broncos 9-1
@ Texans 2-8
vs. Browns 4-6
@ Dolphins 5-5
@ Ravens 4-6
vs. Bills 4-7

• Combine win loss of opponents 28-33

Colts currently 7-3 with a remaining schedule of:
@ Cardinals 6-4
vs. Titans 4-6
@ Bengals 7-4
vs. Texans 2-8
@ Chiefs 9-1
vs. Jaguars 1-9

• Combine win loss of opponents 29-32

Bengals currently 7-4 with a remaining schedule of:
@ Chargers 4-6
vs. Colts 7-3
@ Steelers 4-6
vs. Vikings 2-8
vs. Ravens 4-6

• Combine win loss of opponents 21-29

I truly believe if we can get the #2 seed and get our secondary healthy and a few other areas of the team we have a chance to be dangerous in the postseason, winning or losing on Sunday doesn’t define anything - this team will be defined in January and February.

Though I agree with the overall assertions of your post, I disagree with that one statement. I do not believe #2 is as fully critical as years past (at least as of right now). While I'm not discounting that extra week of rest it provides (which obviously increases the chance at achieving health), health IMHO is the singular critical key with the offense continuing towards hitting its stride quite important too. When you look at Cincy, Indy, Jets, KC (a list which excludes the obvious tough mountain to climb in Denver), is there two opponents you can choose that equal "that's a tall order to win those two"? I don't see that. Then when you consider we will have to go to Denver whether the #2 seed or the #3 seed, I see the road into Denver as reasonably doable at either seeding.
Now the road through Denver? I'll comment on that if/when we qualify for the playoffs and if/when we demonstrated we have hit our proverbial stride.

 

[Rob0729]

You know, I used to be big into getting a bye in the playoffs, but recent history says it might actually be a hindrance. Most of the Super Bowl winners since the Pats last won the Super Bowl played on Wild Card Weekend.

2012 - Ravens
2011 - Giants
2010 - Packers
2007 - Giants
2006 - Colts
2005 - Steelers

It is all about the team playing best in January, not what seed they start in.

 

[Froob]

#2 seed is fine with me as long as KC is #1. I'd rather be #3 with KC as #1 than #2 with Den as #1.

 

[patsinthesnow]

You know, I used to be big into getting a bye in the playoffs, but recent history says it might actually be a hindrance. Most of the Super Bowl winners since the Pats last won the Super Bowl played on Wild Card Weekend.

2012 - Ravens
2011 - Giants
2010 - Packers
2007 - Giants
2006 - Colts
2005 - Steelers

It is all about the team playing best in January, not what seed they start in.

Don't forget the Colts without Wayne and the Bengals without Atkins aren't very good football teams too.

If we can beat the 14-2 Chargers on the road in the divisional round, we can beat those two average teams if they somehow get the #2 seed.

 

[jah]

Don't forget the Colts without Wayne and the Bengals without Atkins aren't very good football teams too.

If we can beat the 14-2 Chargers on the road in the divisional round, we can beat those two average teams if they somehow get the #2 seed.

This isn't the same team as 2006. Maybe better, maybe worse, but not the same.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Last week's loss and the aggravating loss against the Jets two seasons back (@ home too!) have convinced me that the bye week is not a big factor, especially if your opponent is more hungry for the W. I was hoping that the bye week would allow the coaches to conjure great schemes to confuse the opposing team but am not sure if that occurred the last few times we played after a bye.

Similarly, what good does a high seed do if the team is not focused and unable to execute in its first game?

As Rob pointed out, I would rather the Pats get their consistency and fire @ full throttle towards the end of the season so that they can demolish the opponents irrespective of their rank or bye week.

But first, let us get into the playoffs.

 

[SVN]

This team is still growing and we have some tough road games left, at Baltimore,houston and maybe miami. We have lost the last 3 road games albeit to some questionable refreeing.Right now Iam worried about locking up the division with all the injuries .This game is more important after the CAR loss although I dont expect them to win. Margin for error is quite low right now.

 

[SVN]

You know, I used to be big into getting a bye in the playoffs, but recent history says it might actually be a hindrance. Most of the Super Bowl winners since the Pats last won the Super Bowl played on Wild Card Weekend.

2012 - Ravens
2011 - Giants
2010 - Packers
2007 - Giants
2006 - Colts
2005 - Steelers

It is all about the team playing best in January, not what seed they start in.

I dont think that means bye is a hindrance. You play 2 games instead of 3 to get to the SB. How is that not an advantage beats me. Of course you still need to play well after bye which is where all the other teams have faltered. And both in 2007 and 2011 a team with a bye got to the SB .

 

[SVN]

Don't forget the Colts without Wayne and the Bengals without Atkins aren't very good football teams too.

If we can beat the 14-2 Chargers on the road in the divisional round, we can beat those two average teams if they somehow get the #2 seed.

that team had a veteran defense although they were missing rodney. This still is very green on the defense.Not the same.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I dont think that means bye is a hindrance. You play 2 games instead of 3 to get to the SB. How is that not an advantage beats me. Of course you still need to play well after bye which is where all the other teams have faltered. And both in 2007 and 2011 a team with a bye got to the SB .

It will help getting the bye, but the last 3 years have proved that it isn't essential to getting to the Super Bowl.

 

[Brady6]

This team is still growing and we have some tough road games left, at Baltimore,houston and maybe miami. We have lost the last 3 road games albeit to some questionable refreeing.Right now Iam worried about locking up the division with all the injuries .This game is more important after the CAR loss although I dont expect them to win. Margin for error is quite low right now.

Houston is a disaster and they're probably looking to align themselves for a shot at one of the top QB's in the draft. I would agree with Miami but I think they're really affected by the off the field turmoil going on with them.

I see the Ravens as our biggest challenge but we should be able to feast on their secondary. Overall I cannot see us losing more than 2 game max and finishing 11-5.

 

[Brady6]

It will help getting the bye, but the last 3 years have proved that it isn't essential to getting to the Super Bowl.

I think it helps this team more than most however, I see these players benefiting from the extra week:

Brady - hand
Gronkowski - back/forearm
Amendola - groin
Talib - hip
Dennard - knee
Gregory - thumb

Others like Ninkovich, Arrington and others have some ailments as well.

 

[SVN]

Houston is a disaster and they're probably looking to align themselves for a shot at one of the top QB's in the draft. I would agree with Miami but I think they're really affected by the off the field turmoil going on with them.

I see the Ravens as our biggest challenge but we should be able to feast on their secondary. Overall I cannot see us losing more than 2 game max and finishing 11-5.

Miami was supposed to lose the last 2 games also to turmoil. Houston is bound to win one soon. they are not as bad as made out to be. Pats are everyone's SB.

 

[SVN]

It will help getting the bye, but the last 3 years have proved that it isn't essential to getting to the Super Bowl.

Well sure, but doesnt mean you dont want the free win. You still need to play well but odds are certainly better whatever the record may be. One win after the bye and you are in the AFCCG.

 

[mgteich]

What we don't want is the 4th seed. That would mean an extra game against KC or DEN instead of the 6th seed (or a free win - a bye).

Even with a loss, our seeding is certainly within our control.

 

[JoeSixPat]

You know, I used to be big into getting a bye in the playoffs, but recent history says it might actually be a hindrance. Most of the Super Bowl winners since the Pats last won the Super Bowl played on Wild Card Weekend.

2012 - Ravens
2011 - Giants
2010 - Packers
2007 - Giants
2006 - Colts
2005 - Steelers

It is all about the team playing best in January, not what seed they start in.

I've been asserting this for years - though have endured quite a bit of mocking among some of our more stridently opinionated members here.

That being said, given the Patriots injuries this year, I don't think I'd mind giving them a week to patch their bones before the playoffs.

Beyond that I feel like the wild card round winner enjoys a momentum advantage coming into the next game and I think the past years Super Bowl winners might affirm that.