NFL News Playoff Scenarios

[PowerRunRevival]

Yeah, I mean the Pats almost pulled it out so good for them, but the Bengals did the thing lots of teams do—huge lead, go in at halftime, it’s cold out, they basically felt the game was over.

One of Belichick’s strengths over the years was making sure the team kept its foot on the gas and not letting that happen.

Ahahaha. This PSA had me cracking up! Thank you!

The Patriots making the playoffs now would require the Patriots offense to miraculously come to life against two of the best offenses in the AFC East. Sorry to break it to you but that horse is officially DEAD. We're not riding it to victory against any actually good teams!



Do you really see Mac Jones outdueling Tua when he can just throw to studs like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle all day long? Or how about Mac Jones taking on Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs and outscoring the Bills in Buffalo?

Not every game is a high scoring Qb duel though. If the game turns into a QB duel then the Pats have no chance. If the Pats can muck the game up and make it a defensive rock fight they absolutely have a chance.

These Dolphins aren’t exactly world beaters otherwise they wouldn’t be only a game ahead of the Pats and sitting on a 4 game losing streak.

 

[State]

Go clean your basement. This team can’t beat upper tier teams. If they had a good offensive line…

 

[ashley]

Go clean your basement. This team can’t beat upper tier teams. If they had a good offensive line…

I expect a very competitive game. We've been competitive in almost every game this year with a chance to win in most. Shows the resilience of this team. I was very impressed with the way we fought in the 2nd half of the bengal game. We made great defensive adjustments and held them in check. We've got a real good chance to win against Miami, just have to learn to close out these games and hopefully not get screwed by the refs. lol

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Bills could still get the number 1 with a loss to Cincinnati.

It would require Bengals losing to Baltimore. Then, KC loses to Vegas.

Everything is dependent upon what time these games are on.

It's unlikely Buffalo would go into the NE game already knowing the results of the Cin & KC games.

Good point, if buffalo loses to Cincinnati and we can somehow end up in a 4 pm game at buffalo week 18 they may be locked into the 3 seed by kickoff.

This scenario , as unlikely as it is, is still probably more likely than kc losing to denver + buf winning in cincy.

 

[crawhammer]

Not every game is a high scoring Qb duel though. If the game turns into a QB duel then the Pats have no chance. If the Pats can muck the game up and make it a defensive rock fight they absolutely have a chance.

These Dolphins aren’t exactly world beaters otherwise they wouldn’t be only a game ahead of the Pats and sitting on a 4 game losing streak.

The Miami game will be meaningless if Buffalo is playing for something in week 18, which is basically a certainty at this point. Buffalo IS NOT losing to the Patriots in a game they have to win.

 

[ashley]

Buffalo IS NOT losing to the Patriots in a game they have to win.

That's why they play the games

 

[Real fan 02]

Yeah, I mean the Pats almost pulled it out so good for them, but the Bengals did the thing lots of teams do—huge lead, go in at halftime, it’s cold out, they basically felt the game was over.

One of Belichick’s strengths over the years was making sure the team kept its foot on the gas and not letting that happen.

As funny as this may be, the patriots still have a shot at the playoffs if they beat Miami.. to me it's unlikely. Even though it was frigid on Saturday the offense has been dismal all season.. I never thought I'd say the defense is the best offense for a Patriots team!

 

[crawhammer]

Good point, if buffalo loses to Cincinnati and we can somehow end up in a 4 pm game at buffalo week 18 they may be locked into the 3 seed by kickoff.

This scenario , as unlikely as it is, is still probably more likely than kc losing to denver + buf winning in cincy.

Buffalo will be playing either before or at the same time as KAN and CIN in week 18. No matter what happens in week 17, Buffalo will be entering that week 18 matchup needing a win.

 

[crawhammer]

That's why they play the games

I know, I'm not saying the Patriots should just forfeit the game, but this matchup has turned into David vs Goliath. That's the reality. Our only realistic shot in this one was Buffalo resting their starters and that's not happening.

 

[State]

When the Bengals were trying, it was no contest. Then the kitty cats curled up next to the heaters in the second half and went to sleep.

Yes, the Bad News Patriots didn’t quit. Good for us.

 

[sb1]

Maybe KC or BUF, not CIN. We nearly beat them, they are not smoking anyone.

A weak Patriots team with Hoyer and Stidham and a banged up OL hung tough with the Chiefs at full strength in Arrowhead a couple years back. I wouldn’t bet on the Pats in a potential wildcard matchup but never say never. First things first of course...

 

[State]

Our weaknesses are many. Not having a legitimate deep threat hurts. Until Tyquan Boney Thornton makes some big plays for us at least.

And please read Mark Morse’s recap of the Cincinnati game. The first TD was caused by McCourty’s slowing down. The deep open of the field is now going to be more open because of this.

And a decent running attack, which the offensive line didn’t deliver most recently, is a way to control the clock and open up the passing game.

And a replacement long snapper is a big deal for the special teams.

In short, baring a miracle, this team is going anywhere. Even if they somehow make the playoffs.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

A weak Patriots team with Hoyer and Stidham and a banged up OL hung tough with the Chiefs at full strength in Arrowhead a couple years back. I wouldn’t bet on the Pats in a potential wildcard matchup but never say never. First things first of course...

No qb likes to play a Belichick defense in the playoffs I am certain

 

[TinhWoodhead]

The Miami game will be meaningless if Buffalo is playing for something in week 18, which is basically a certainty at this point. Buffalo IS NOT losing to the Patriots in a game they have to win.

the rule is u cant beat a team twice in a season w/exception to pats/jets

 

[Steve102]

I'd like to say I am a homer and the have a chance. I think if anything I am a realist. They are not a playoff team. Whether or not they make it is a function of how many teams make the playoffs thru the league diluting the field, and not them earning it. They are not a good team. There's a lot of accountability to be doled out this off season, but that's for another thread later on.

 

[gitgronked82]

They had their chances. Packers, Vikings, Raiders, Bengals. All winnable games. Maybe throw the first Miami game in there too.

I am just hoping they pick before the Eagles who are in the playoffs but have the Saints pick.

Best draft position in decades and they still might pick after the Super Bowl winner.

It's truly a low point.

The ravens game too.

 

[State]

A weak Patriots team with Hoyer and Stidham and a banged up OL hung tough with the Chiefs at full strength in Arrowhead a couple years back. I wouldn’t bet on the Pats in a potential wildcard matchup but never say never. First things first of course...

2020? Yeah, but look what we had back then at OC. And offensive line: Cole Popovich/Carmen Bricillo. Those two really got it going and didn’t make us pine for Dante like we do now.

 

[VectorPrime]

No qb likes to play a Belichick defense in the playoffs I am certain

Allen does.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

The Miami game will be meaningless if Buffalo is playing for something in week 18, which is basically a certainty at this point. Buffalo IS NOT losing to the Patriots in a game they have to win.

There is a wild scenario where the Pats win at Miami, lose against Buffalo then make it in at 8-9 so the Miami game is far from meaningless.

 

[crawhammer]

There is a wild scenario where the Pats win at Miami, lose against Buffalo then make it in at 8-9 so the Miami game is far from meaningless.

Please explain. So I can poke a 1000 holes in it.