Will the Dolphins play their starters on Sunday?

[Schmo]

Maybe they'd take a gentleman's agreement to kneel down all game for a tie.....you know, and split the refund of ticket sales.

 

[patfanken]

No. I want the top seed. I don't wanna see pitt in the divisional round. I rather see them in the afc championship game.

First you didn't want to see the Ravens. You don't want to see the Giants. Now you don't want to see the Steelers. Exactly who WOULD you like to see the Pats play this playoff season, the Browns, Rams, and Jags?????? Grow a sack will yah, PP.

From this point on EVERY team that we play is capable of beating the Pats on a given Sunday. Deal with it. In fact EMBRACE it.

This is no time for fear or even angst Fear is for the other guy's fans, NOT us. We are Patriots fans. We have an excellent team, with offensive and defensive balance, great special teams, the best HC in the league, if not in hisory, and the GOAT at QB. This doesn't guarantee a superbowl trophy, but I don't give a f*ck who shows up at Gillette or Houston. If THIS team plays it's A game, I'm not afraid of any team. The only reason I might not want to see the Steelers is that I'm TIRED of beating their sorry asses. Bring on some fresh blood.

 

[XLIX]

Doubt it. 5th seed means a potential home game.

It would be unwise to play hard for the 5th seed thinking it could be a potential home game. A WC team has never hosted a playoff game in the current playoff format. Not to mention that even with a win they would need a major upset so all that would likely be for nothing.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

I can't believe people are in favor of throwing another week 17 game and blowing the 1 seed again, unbelievable.

There's no need to have 2 weeks off in between games, you already have a week off you're just setting yourself up for potential rust.

Anyone who is banged up should be sat, everyone else should be playing.

 

[Gronkowski123]

homefield is ours

raiders will lose next week. worst case scenario...we play matt mcgloin in the title game! sign me up!

 

[Gronkowski123]

I can't believe people are in favor of throwing another week 17 game and blowing the 1 seed again, unbelievable.

There's no need to have 2 weeks off in between games, you already have a week off you're just setting yourself up for potential rust.

Anyone who is banged up should be sat, everyone else should be playing.

because that plan failed in 2014? wait, we won the SB that year!

tom should play a series or two...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Miami is not laying down for the last game of the regular season.

They may give their more banged up players some rest, but expect them to play as good a game as they are capable of,

Our goal is to win the game and not have any injuries.

Tom struggles is Miami, but we have a running game this year.

The defense needs to stop Miami from running the ball and force Moore to throw under duress.

 

[Deus Irae]

Gotta figure they'll (LOLphins) go for it, at least at the start. Moore needs the reps.

 

[pheenix11]

I predict we will be seeing a ton of Michael Floyd next week.

 

[TBR]

There's a lot of interesting scenarios that could fall into place.

Chiefs @ Steelers is possible for a Wild Card game.

Dolphins would have to beat Pats, Broncos have to beat Raiders, Chargers beat Chiefs.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

There is little doubt Miami will be playing to win. Even a seed jump as semi-inconsequential as #6 to #5, it is something quite tangible to play for. Further, the Phins would love to roll into the Playoffs having planted their flag in the ground with a triumph in Foxboro against the Patriots.

With that said, if the Patriot O and D pitch a strong first half, I think there will end up being room in the 4th quarter for resting anyone in extra need of it. I suspect a strong first half may cause some Miami players to be thinking of the flight home and balmy temps of Florida as a much better place to be mentally instead of concentrating on the icy battering of a second half game they appear to have no chance of winning.

 

[supafly]

It would be unwise to play hard for the 5th seed thinking it could be a potential home game. A WC team has never hosted a playoff game in the current playoff format. Not to mention that even with a win they would need a major upset so all that would likely be for nothing.

You certainly make a great point in reminding us that a #5 seed has never hosted a playoff game, but the potential still remains, and that alone would probably make most coaches/teams want to consider moving up in seeding.

That said, I think your reasoning is solid. I may try and use this week as a bye for key players with little to play for if I'm a team in the wild card round.

 

[supafly]

Gotta figure they'll (LOLphins) go for it, at least at the start. Moore needs the reps.

If I'm Adam Gase, I'm trying to ride the wave of momentum as far as it can take me. Another win coming at home in an exciting manner this week could help the team building phase, give them swagger against a good opponent, etc. That's what you want heading into the postseason.

Or...maybe they just want to get Moore some more reps, like you said.

 

[supafly]

There is little doubt Miami will be playing to win. Even a seed jump as semi-inconsequential as #6 to #5, it is something quite tangible to play for. Further, the Phins would love to roll into the Playoffs having planted their flag in the ground with a triumph in Foxboro against the Patriots.

With that said, if the Patriot O and D pitch a strong first half, I think there will end up being room in the 4th quarter for resting anyone in extra need of it. I suspect a strong first half may cause some Miami players to be thinking of the flight home and balmy temps of Florida as a much better place to be mentally instead of concentrating on the icy battering of a second half game they appear to have no chance of winning.

Although your point still stands for other reasons, I think it's in Miami, TBS. They played in Foxborough earlier with Garoppolo.

 

[Danger Zone]

Not really sure when Gase is such an unknown. No telling what he would do in this situation because, well.....he's never byeen in it. It's interesting though, the 07 Giants were in a similar situation and they didn't rest guys week 17...would wind up giving the Pats all they had. I think Gase shuts it down a bit, meaning they play to win but conceals some plays from being shown until next week.

One (possible) difference is that the Patriots were 15 and 0 going into that game.

Every team in the last half of the year (seemed) highly motivated to knock off the Patriots and be the ones to that kept them from going undefeated.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

There's a lot of interesting scenarios that could fall into place.

Chiefs @ Steelers is possible for a Wild Card game.

Dolphins would have to beat Pats, Broncos have to beat Raiders, Chargers beat Chiefs.

Broncos/Raiders does not matter. Dolphins win/Chiefs lose means the wild card game is Chiefs vs. Steelers.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Although your point still stands for other reasons, I think it's in Miami, TBS. They played in Foxborough earlier with Garoppolo.

Thanks for the correction Sup. I've been indulging in much too much holiday cheer last couple of nights....

 

[mihap]

I DONT CARE I LOVE IT!!!! RAVENS AND BRONCOS ELIMINATED FROM THE PLAYOFFSS LETS ****ING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Actually i rather have them both in playoffs, so that they can draft lower. And they are both easily beatable at home.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

From Miami's POV, if they are the #6, it guarantees a trip to Foxborough in the divisional round.

If they beat pitt...

 

[TomPatriot]

It doesn't matter. The Pats are winning next weekend. Book it.