On to Miami .. PRACTICE news

[Ring 6]

The Raiders are a team with no defense and a backup QB. The top seed is no longer as important as it was before Carr's injury.

Disagree. Giving them HFA across the country may be the only thing that gives them a chance.

 

[Ring 6]

There are only a handful of guys they absolutely can't afford to lose. One of them is Brady who I'm sure will play at least a quarter to get the work in as he usually does. They cannot rest "everyone" as depth won't allow it. They will rest a handful of guys though. Those guys will either have nagging injuries or be too important. It happens every year in Week 17.

There are few players with significant injuries. I bet Brady plays until the game is decided.
This team knows what losing in Miami cost them last year and I think you see everything they've got.

 

[Wheelman]

I really really hope we bench Bennett for this game. The way he was running for that big gain against the donkeys was just bad. That should have been an easy TD for him. Heck just bench him in practice too.

 

[Kontradiction]

There are few players with significant injuries. I bet Brady plays until the game is decided.
This team knows what losing in Miami cost them last year and I think you see everything they've got.

I excluded Brady in my OP because he seems to be the only one that will play until he wants to in these situations. IIRC he played most of the game vs. Buffalo in 2014 even when other starters sat out.

 

[long distance]

It is clear (per Mike Lombardi) that the Patriots will be playing all out to win against Miami this week.

BB said something like that a few minutes ago. Its not so much about HFA (although they are certainly playing for it) .. but to have your team playing well (entering playoffs).

Id guess the starters will be active .. some with their workload managed (High, Julian, Bennett) .. somewhat depending on the game situation.

 

[goheels22002]

Weather in Miami at game time is forecast as 79 degrees, 62% humidity, 14 mph winds. Perfect day for baseball.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Raiders are a team with no defense and a backup QB. The top seed is no longer as important as it was before Carr's injury.

HFA may be less important in the AFC this year than in any other year in NFL history.

 

[oldrover]

Any of you Pats practice trackers, I'm curious as to whether we hear about Amendola seeing the field. He will be a nice bonus to have healthy for the divisional game.

 

[Mack Herron]

There are only a handful of guys they absolutely can't afford to lose. One of them is Brady who I'm sure will play at least a quarter to get the work in as he usually does. They cannot rest "everyone" as depth won't allow it. They will rest a handful of guys though. Those guys will either have nagging injuries or be too important. It happens every year in Week 17.

Brady, Edelman, Bennett, Hightower, Slater, Butler, Amendola...

 

[TomPatriot]

HFA may be less important in the AFC this year than in any other year in NFL history.

Maybe, but its still an advantage to play at home.

 

[Deus Irae]

Maybe, but its still an advantage to play at home.

Historically, sure. And, historically, the potential first seed would be a stronger apparent threat than the Raiders without their starting QB. This year, however, as we head into the final week of the regular season, New England is 6-2 at home, and 7-0 on the road, and the only team the Patriots would have to face on the road would be that Raiders squad.

 

[mosi]

It is clear (per Mike Lombardi) that the Patriots will be playing all out to win against Miami this week.

Miami gains nothing from a win or a loss, I wonder how they will approach the game?

 

[deroc5050]

Miami gains nothing from a win or a loss, I wonder how they will approach the game?

They will play to win and try to get #5 seed over KC. If KC loses and Miami wins then I think Miami gets #5 and would play the Texans in the first round. I think if your Miami your really hoping for and playing for that scenario.

 

[denverpatsfan]

You play to win the game!

 

[AtomicDawg]

Any of you Pats practice trackers, I'm curious as to whether we hear about Amendola seeing the field. He will be a nice bonus to have healthy for the divisional game.

Well this was the last word about him (from last week).



She followed it up by saying the Pats "hope" to have him back for the playoffs. Take of it what you will.

 

[AtomicDawg]

Pats may be able to throw like crazy if they want to do so.

Dolphins lose another starting safety to IR

Via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are placing Isa Abdul-Quddus on season-ending injured reserve following a neck/shoulder injury suffered Saturday against the Bills. They’re expected to fill his roster spot by promoting undrafted rookie A.J. Hendy from the practice squad.

They were already without star safety Reshad Jones, who only played six games this year before a shoulder injury cut his season short.

 

[Kontradiction]

Historically, sure. And, historically, the potential first seed would be a stronger apparent threat than the Raiders without their starting QB. This year, however, as we head into the final week of the regular season, New England is 6-2 at home, and 7-0 on the road, and the only team the Patriots would have to face on the road would be that Raiders squad.

Who has basically no shot to make it to the AFCCG. Without Carr, they may be the worst playoff team in the AFC.

 

[patchick]

HFA may be less important in the AFC this year than in any other year in NFL history.

Yep, I can't recall another occasion where an offense-first #1 seed lost its star QB right before the playoffs. At this point, how many potential playoff opponents would Oakland even be favored against?

 

[Kontradiction]

Yep, I can't recall another occasion where an offense-first #1 seed lost its star QB right before the playoffs. At this point, how many potential playoff opponents would Oakland even be favored against?

I honestly can't think of any. I think even Houston and Miami would beat them by at least a touchdown.

 

[dannydyn]

Dolphins place safety Isa Abdul-Quddus on IR with neck injury