On to Miami .. PRACTICE news

[1960Pats]

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.

It was the other way around. Brady played much more last year than he did the year before against Buffalo, 93% of the snaps to 48%. It wasn't until Suh took a shot at his knee that he came out.

 

[Kontradiction]

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

Sounds good to me except Brady is going to want to get the work in. Bennett and Edelman should definitely sit. Hightower is nicked up and should sit too. Butler is in the "too important" category and Amendola probably won't even play. I could make a strong case for Lewis too. Those are all positions with important starters and the depth necessary to sit them. Most of the starting OL will still have to play as will the DL.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

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?

Dolphins-Oakland would actually be an interesting match up. Of course, I'd want to see it in the Divisional round with the Patriots waiting in the wings to meet the winner in the AFCCG.

DOlphins did beat Steelers earlier this year. It's not entirely impossible that that could upset them on the road in the WC road. I think Gase is already a much better NFL coach than Tomlin.

 

[mosi]

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.

Good point. And the KC is a late game so Miami won't know who has won.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Sounds good to me except Brady is going to want to get the work in. Bennett and Edelman should definitely sit. Hightower is nicked up and should sit too. Butler is in the "too important" category and Amendola probably won't even play. I could make a strong case for Lewis too. Those are all positions with important starters and the depth necessary to sit them. Most of the starting OL will still have to play as will the DL.

It's the whole "rest vs. rust" dilemma. I really have no idea of the risk-benefit analysis of potentially making a certain injury worse vs. the risk of that player being rusty from sitting an his *** for an extra week. I trust our coaching staff is experienced enough to know what's best.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's the whole "rest vs. rust" dilemma. I really have no idea of the risk-benefit analysis of potentially making a certain injury worse vs. the risk of that player being rusty from sitting an his *** for an extra week. I trust our coaching staff is experienced enough to know what's best.

They've rested key players in Week 17 plenty of times. I suspect they'll do it again this weekend. The only one who really has to worry about "rust" is Brady which is why I suspect he'll want to play. And, again, they don't have the depth necessary to sit the entire OL so he'll still have his guys in pass protection.

 

[jimnance]

The argument is bigger than " rust vs rest". Pats still have something important to play for. The #1 seed. Oakland can very well go into denver and beat the lifeless broncos even with a backup qb. So this is an important game. And from what I know of BB and the Patriots players and coaches, if there's anything at stake they will go all out. So my take is they treat no different than other regular season game. Those who are healthy and cleared to play, play.

 

[ChessToCheckers]

It will be balls to the wall. The Pats are focused on finishing strong. They can rest during the bye.

 

[Kontradiction]

The argument is bigger than " rust vs rest". Pats still have something important to play for. The #1 seed. Oakland can very well go into denver and beat the lifeless broncos even with a backup qb. So this is an important game. And from what I know of BB and the Patriots players and coaches, if there's anything at stake they will go all out. So my take is they treat no different than other regular season game. Those who are healthy and cleared to play, play.

I highly doubt Denver is going to throw a clunker like that in again in front of their home crowd.

 

[jimnance]

I highly doubt Denver is going to throw a clunker like that in again in front of their home crowd.

I agree denver is more likely to win BUT oak has more to play for. You just never know how teams will respond. But as long as oakland is capable of beating denver, Pats will play to win.

 

[luuked]

Looking at some of the stats that Pats Pulpit ([1]) has put together about Moore, I think we will be in for another one of those games where we try to take the run away, dare the QB to throw it consistently against our defense and just wait for him to make his mistakes.

I don't expect much aggression from our defense -- at least in the first half -- because as that article says.. the Dolphins live off the big play. If you can prevent those chunk plays from happening by giving up some of the intermediate game and you keep their running game somewhat in check I have my doubts that Moore & co. can sustain long drives.

I have a feeling the usual suspects will be out in full force *****ing and whining about the soft defense and lack of pressure next Sunday.

[1] Dolphins offense relies heavily on the big play to extend drives and score

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Looking at some of the stats that Pats Pulpit ([1]) has put together about Moore, I think we will be in for another one of those games where we try to take the run away, dare the QB to throw it consistently against our defense and just wait for him to make his mistakes.

I don't expect much aggression from our defense -- at least in the first half -- because as that article says.. the Dolphins live off the big play. If you can prevent those chunk plays from happening by giving up some of the intermediate game and you keep their running game somewhat in check I have my doubts that Moore & co. can sustain long drives.

I have a feeling the usual suspects will be out in full force *****ing and whining about the soft defense and lack of pressure next Sunday.

[1] Dolphins offense relies heavily on the big play to extend drives and score

Note to self: Stay out of game thread Sunday

 

[luuked]

Let's start the chicken little sirens..

 

[long distance]

 

[ViperGTS]

Brady wasn't at practice today at least for media portion. I think he's sick.

Bennett was there though as well as Edelman.

 

[luuked]

Brady wasn't at practice today at least for media portion. I think he's sick.

Bennett was there though as well as Edelman.

Given that they moved his press conference well ahead of it, it might as well just be a maintenance day for his thigh injury.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Let's start the chicken little sirens..

ARGGHHHHHHH The sky is falling!!!!!!!!

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[luuked]

ARGGHHHHHHH The sky is falling!!!!!!!!

THE SEASON IS OVER !!!! The regular season that is..

 

[PatsDeb]

Note to self: Stay out of game thread EVERY Sunday

Fixed it for you!