We are on to Miami...

[SHOWTIME15]

What a great win! The score should have been 40-17, but no complaints here...it's on to Miami with the 2nd seed at stake. Ironically, it was our win against Buffalo week 16 last year 24-12 that propelled us into the 2018 postseason...

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I know it’s unlikely but if Chicago pulls the upset it could be a rest game.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I know it’s unlikely but if Chicago pulls the upset it could be a rest game.

Only if Baltimore loses too tomorrow to Cleveland...

 

[DaBronxPats14]

LETS GOOO!!!

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Only if Baltimore loses too to Cleveland...

Well if that happens we gotta go for it and try for home field. Pitt would be playing for their playoff lives against the ravens.

 

[Uptown]

Is this a SB manifestation thread?

 

[ALP]

so right now we can have one of seed 1 or 2 or 3

1 if we beat dolphins and baltimore loses both last two games, 2 if baltimore wins at least one of their last two and we beat fins or KC doesn't catch us

if we lose go fins and KC wins their last two we are seed 3

most likely Balt, KC and NE all win remainder of games so we get seed 2

anything wrong w/ above?

 

[neckroll#14]

Which sentiment is stronger? Miami wants to continue to "tank" for a better draft pick and Flores helps out his old mentor with the bye - or - this game once again becomes 'the superbowl' for a crappy team as they go all out to try and beat the Pats, see if they can hang with the best, and try to prevent the AFCE divisional sweep?

 

[supafly]

Which sentiment is stronger? Miami wants to continue to "tank" for a better draft pick and Flores helps out his old mentor with the bye - or - this game once again becomes 'the superbowl' for a crappy team as they go all out to try and beat the Pats, see if they can hang with the best, and try to prevent the AFCE divisional sweep?

I think your second scenario is more likely, especially if Cincy lays down today like I think they might, which would give Miami a 4th victory. Flores seems to be coaching pretty passionately for a guy who’s supposed to be tanking. Then you have the whole mentor/teacher aspect, too. It looks like they’re trying to build on something this year, even if they have talent issues and a bad football team.

 

[Flash]

The game to pay attention to is the Chiefs/Bears game. If the Chiefs lose this game, we can rest players next week as we lock up #2. If the Chiefs win, then we have to go all out against Miami next week to secure #2.

We can only get #1 if Baltimore drops both games, but I don't see that happening.

Either way, with multiple players banged up (Brady, Edelman, Sanu, etc.), we should be rooting for the Bears so we can rest players next week. The result of next week's game is inconsequential (if the Bears win). 12-4, 13-3, doesn't matter. I read that Baltimore is fully healthy other than the players on IR. We need to match that somehow.

 

[Triumph]

2 weeks rest is no good. Team always gets stale off that long.

Pat's would already have wildcard weekend off if KC loses. Go out and play hard and win vs Miami but take starters out gradually in the last half. An ice cream game. Take the team to Kimballs in Westford after.

 

[PatsFan2]

Seems like Two Seed have the Toughest route to the SB: KC then Baltimore. Hopefully the Offense gets better with a week off.

 

[oceansizer]

Which sentiment is stronger? Miami wants to continue to "tank" for a better draft pick and Flores helps out his old mentor with the bye - or - this game once again becomes 'the superbowl' for a crappy team as they go all out to try and beat the Pats, see if they can hang with the best, and try to prevent the AFCE divisional sweep?

Everyone wants to humiliate Patriots including Miami. I AM sure they will not give up that game.

 

[Triumph]

Seems like Two Seed have the Toughest route to the SB: KC then Baltimore. Hopefully the Offense gets better with a week off.

There is usually an upset Wildcard weekend.

 

[WHPats]

Seems like Two Seed have the Toughest route to the SB: KC then Baltimore. Hopefully the Offense gets better with a week off.

I’d be pretty surprised if Mahomes and co. came into Foxboro and won twice in the same year. Can’t remember the last time a team’s done that. Chargers and Chiefs seemed pretty daunting last year too. Chargers were outstanding on the road and had a better record than the Patriots. KC’s offense was terrifying last year and Arrowhead is Arrowhead. The point is, any playoff game this year is going to be tough. No gimmes anymore, and it’s going to be very competitive. I think the Pats will be in the thick of it though, always like our chances this time of year. Not guaranteeing a SB or even an appearance but but we’re right in the thick of it and that’s really all you can ask for

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I’d be pretty surprised if Mahomes and co. came into Foxboro and won twice in the same year. Can’t remember the last time a team’s done

Ravens in 2012 come to mind.

 

[oceansizer]

After what I saw yesterday I am pretty sure Houston is a very desirable opponent for us. I just do not get it how they won with us.Additionaly with Fuller out "for several weeks" seems like they are the weakest playoff participant in AFC.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Everyone wants to humiliate Patriots including Miami. I AM sure they will not give up that game.

Yup. Dolphins won’t forget the 43-0 whooping from earlier. And I’ve seen some talk BB ran it up as an FU to Flores for raiding his staff. So no love lost.

(For all the talk of new receivers and blockers, the fact the Pats had such an exodus of coaches and didn’t miss a beat is an under-reported aspect of this team. Maybe it’ll get more attention this week.)
Schiano's exit continues N.E. coaching exodus

 

[RobertWeathers]

After what I saw yesterday I am pretty sure Houston is a very desirable opponent for us. I just do not get it how they won with us.Additionaly with Fuller out "for several weeks" seems like they are the weakest playoff participant in AFC.

I'd rather face Pitt. Crappier QB

 

[The Brandon Five]

The game to pay attention to is the Chiefs/Bears game. If the Chiefs lose this game, we can rest players next week as we lock up #2. If the Chiefs win, then we have to go all out against Miami next week to secure #2.

We can only get #1 if Baltimore drops both games, but I don't see that happening.

Either way, with multiple players banged up (Brady, Edelman, Sanu, etc.), we should be rooting for the Bears so we can rest players next week. The result of next week's game is inconsequential (if the Bears win). 12-4, 13-3, doesn't matter. I read that Baltimore is fully healthy other than the players on IR. We need to match that somehow.

It sounds like that is the way BB is viewing it. In the locker room postgame vid he told the team that the Miami game was a "playoff game". No way anyone is getting rest next Sunday. They do however get to rest this Sunday, which is nice.