This game at Baltimore is basically the season.

[JoeSixPat]

Get into the tourney. At this point, that's all I want. Let the rest fall as it may.

I generally agree, and have been saying that for years.

That being said, given the extent of injuries and new players this seasons - and especially given a string of games in which officials calls - often favoring the home team - have decided games, I'll happily take any advantage I could get for this team, including a bye and home field advantage.

I'm sure they'd do their best to rise to the occasion as road warriors - but I think this team would benefit from the rest and the home field advantage.

 

[Ring 6]

If we can't beat Baltimore, and drop two L's in a row to limp into the play offs, we're not going through the gauntlet. Every week this season it's been a new trial and tribulation, and guys get injured, and Belichick patches it up, and Brady masks the weakness, and we win in the final seconds of the game.

Brady got the ball to his receiver in the endzone more than once against the Dolphins. Receivers didn't get it done. If we go into Baltimore and it's more of that, and nobody but Brady is making plays, and our offensive line is crumbling like paper, I suggest you brace yourself for the 2009-2010 post season experience.

Again, on the other hand, if we win, AFC beware.

We could easily be the 2 seed win or lose.
When we take the field in the divisional round, what happened in this game will have no impact on what happens in that game.
It just doesn't work that way.
2 teams play a game to determine a winner. What happened in their other games doesn't count toward that game.
If you are talking about your confidence or prediction, then sure your opinion will change based on each game, but this idea that an event guarantees what will happen in future games, unless it is an injury, just isn't real.

 

[Fencer]

Um, no.

But if you post something like this in January or February, I'll probably agree.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

This game is basically the season.

Get into the tourney. At this point, that's all I want. Let the rest fall as it may.

Thats all i want. I am not expecting a win this week or for them to make the SB this year. But i hope they at least make some noise come playoffs

 

[fnordcircle]

The ones that do are called homers . It is either love ******ing about how we suck or having faith and called a homer.

Being called a homer by fat, 50-something football nerds who can't get a boner anymore is significantly more preferable to living my life looking forward to things that I enjoy ending badly.

 

[supafly]

Utter nonsense!

We are highly likely to be the division winners at 11-5, the same result that most of us predicted months ago. We could even make the playoffs at 10-6.

This game does NOT in any way define the season.

As far as this game, we are road underdogs. Obviously, we all want us to win, and we certainly have a good shot. But if we lose, we come home to play Biffalo, and then (very likely) wait and host a home playoff game or two.

What he's saying is that there's an enormous difference between winning and probably having the #2 seed, and losing and having to hope that we win next week vs BUF just to get in the post-season at all.

Also remember that if we tie out with IND, they hold the tie-breaker over us, so we could be looking at a 4 seed; hell, we could be looking at nothing if we don't win and have to host BUF in a playoff like atmosphere next Sunday, but the biggest key to the OP is that we'd have to go on the road in the post-season at least once, if not twice--not to mention the extra game. We'd also be 3-5 on the road, with our only 3 wins coming against divisional bottom dwellers BUF, ATL, and HOU, who are a combined 11-31 and the laughingstock of the entire league. It would definitely prove that we suck on the road, and aren't really playoff material to go on the road 1-2x with no week off and an extra game in the tournament.

In other words, we can fall anywhere from #2 seed to even being out of the playoffs entirely--so yes, this defines the season pretty much in my opinion. If they win they regain everyone's respect, but more importantly their own confidence. If they lose, that would be the 7/8 games in a row where they've either lost or had to come back from double digit deficits--so obviously they aren't playing good football.

He's saying that the odds drop dramatically if they lose vs Baltimore, due to having to go on the road without the first round bye. In a season where we need that bye more than ever, I have to tend to agree with him. Losing Sunday changes the odds in a big, big way.

 

[ausbacker]

I've picked the Ravens in a close game owing to home field advantage but also have complete faith that the Patriots could reverse that score.

It'll come down to a play or two, a theme which has defined the 2013 Patriots.

 

[supafly]

I've picked the Ravens in a close game owing to home field advantage but also have complete faith that the Patriots could reverse that score.

It'll come down to a play or two, a theme which has defined the 2013 Patriots.

Couldn't agree more.

My concerns and a bit of a common sense factor point to a close BAL victory, but there's something in me that thinks we come out and set a season defining win on the road on their home turf somehow. They have to get this momentum back if they expect to do anything in the playoffs in my opinion.

 

[Huckleberry1]

No, but if we lose, I won't hold my breath for us to suddenly turn into the kind of team that would of won once the play offs start.

That makes sense. Judging by the OP you started holding your breath quite some time ago, not holding it any longer would probably be a good idea.

 

[supafly]

That makes sense. Judging by the OP you started holding your breath quite some time ago, not holding any longer would probably be a good idea.

I know that you feel differently, Ivan, and obviously you know I respect that, but I can't really find issue myself with what the OP stated.

If we lose to BAL we'd be 3-5 on the road for the season with the only 3 wins coming against divisional bottom dwellers. Obviously it would prove that we're not very good on the road. To be honest, it may actually prove that we've been struggling pretty badly lately as a whole, as it'd be 7 of the last 8 games where we either were losing by 10+, or lost in general.

I'm not seeing why people would think that they'd suddenly go to being a great team who is ready to battle the AFC's elite on the road, although we can all (including the OP) agree that you'd never count them out either. It just kind of sets up the inevitable in my opinion, although maybe it's just my defense mechanism in me kicking in due to trying to prevent a let down that seems like a very good possibility, so don't hold it against me.

The bottom line is that we'd be limping into the playoffs with a ton of issues and resembling nothing like a playoff team. The only good news and saving grace is that the AFC is wide open, aside from DEN being the front runner, so that gives anyone a shot, and you can never count our Patriots out. I can certainly respect those who wouldn't have much confidence at the same time though, and I kind of agree a bit with what the OP says about it drastically changing our odds/seeding etc. That's really my only point. I don't mean to be pessimistic or a bad fan, and I actually think that we find a way to win on Sunday. I had the score as 26-17 in the score prediction thread. I just think that the BAL game is a pretty big game with a lot on the line, possibly most of all our team's confidence.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I've picked the Ravens in a close game owing to home field advantage but also have complete faith that the Patriots could reverse that score.

It'll come down to a play or two, a theme which has defined the 2013 Patriots.

Well said Aus. I, too, think the Ravens have a slight edge with homefield. However, it's all about that play or two. Side not, this is what makes BB the coach he is, his team makes that one or two plays more often than most others. Obviously it isn't perfect but it is most of the time. While a game/season frequently comes down to this "play or two", this season's epitaph REALLY may just end up being "it was a play or two".
Anyway, with this game, my concern is A LOT of young guys on this team. That concerns me when it comes down to executing that 'play or two'.

Also agree with those saying just get in the tourney. Sure, I want entry into it with the optimum position but I'll take #6 if need be. And if it is #6? Whatever the top seed team we play, they should think to themselves "we're the damn top seed! How is it we just got one of the toughest friggin matchups??/".

 

[Rob0729]

Last year, the Ravens limped into the playoffs losing four of their last five games. Their only win was against a Giants who didn't go to the playoff. No one giving them a shot when the playoffs started last year.

In 2007, the Giants lost two of their last three games and were predicted to be one and done in the playoffs.

In 2010, the Packers were 3-3 in their final six games of the season.

Anyone saying that the entire season rests on tomorrow isn't paying attention.

 

[goheels22002]

The Pats may clinch the AFCE before kickoff if the Bills beat the Dolphins. If that happens, Belichick has to sit guys he'll need for the playoffs like Solder and any of the guys on the questionable list with serious nagging injuries, like Talib. The Ravens game may be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

 

[cstjohn17]

I kind of feel the same way, everyone keeps saying "They have a punchers chance..." but I need to see it. Tough matchup against Baltimore, if they can pull this out it will be impressive.

In another random note, I had a crazy dream that Randy Moss joined the Patriots just in time for the playoffs.

 

[RayClay]

I kind of feel the same way, everyone keeps saying "They have a punchers chance..." but I need to see it. Tough matchup against Baltimore, if they can pull this out it will be impressive.

In another random note, I had a crazy dream that Randy Moss joined the Patriots just in time for the playoffs.

Tall Marshall receiver who makes incredible catches?...

Aaron Dobson's One-Handed Catch - YouTube

 

[QB12]

The Pats may clinch the AFCE before kickoff if the Bills beat the Dolphins. If that happens, Belichick has to sit guys he'll need for the playoffs like Solder and any of the guys on the questionable list with serious nagging injuries, like Talib. The Ravens game may be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

Utter nonsense.

 

[Ring 6]

This is not a good team we are playing this week.
There is absolutely no reason the Patriots should not win this game.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Nothing's over until WE SAY IT IS!

 

[RhodyPatriot]

The key to a playoff run for this injured squad is the #2 seed.
Plain and simply - they need the week off.
If they are forced to play on wildcard weekend I don't see them making the AFC championship game.

Patriots can beat Baltimore and I believe they will beat Baltimore.
This Patriot team is a gutsy group and they got their "dumb game" out of their system in Miami. Think we'll see a much sharper and smarter game plan on Sunday.

 

[PP2]

The Pats may clinch the AFCE before kickoff if the Bills beat the Dolphins. If that happens, Belichick has to sit guys he'll need for the playoffs like Solder and any of the guys on the questionable list with serious nagging injuries, like Talib. The Ravens game may be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

I don't really like this scenario. I'd like for us to win against Baltimore and hope for them to lose to the Bengals. This is not just to eliminate Baltimore but it also sets up the scenario that we'll play the Bengals (if they beat Miami in the first round) in the 2nd round. More importantly, it steers Kansas City (assuming they beat the Colts) towards Denver so that we face one less dangerous team.