Patriots Pregame Thread Pre Game Thread - Pats @ Bills

[sb1]

When was the last season the Patriots faced elimination in the final week of the season and won to get in? I can't think the last time it's happened if at all.

 

[crawhammer]

Most likely the league is putting out all kinds of trial balloons to see what will be the least offensive.

Oh you mean they're acting like a-holes. Getting everyone all fired up! I thought Hamlin's health and well-being was the primary concern? That didn't last long.

 

[Tom Tupa]

When was the last season the Patriots faced elimination in the final week of the season and won to get in? I can't think the last time it's happened if at all.

It might be as far back as 94. I think the Pats had to beat the Bears the last week or the Raiders would've got in over them.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Oh you mean they're acting like a-holes. Getting everyone all fired up! I thought Hamlin's health and well-being was the primary concern? That didn't last long.

That's what sourceless reports are for in the PR world. They get to put information out and see how it plays. And if they don't like the reaction, they can deny the validity of the reports and say that Hamlin's health was always their only concern.

 

[ashley]

8th playoff team is a really lame idea in my opinion. 7 teams is already one too many. The NFL will end up compromising the competitive integrity of the season. How many teams already quit on the season thinking they had no shot (or a slim chance) to get in as the 7th seed? Then now suddenly there's an 8th spot. Pretty sure this would bring the Jets back into the equation. I know for sure if NWE wins then they're in. If NWE loses then MIA and PIT would get in with wins. Beyond that who the hell knows?

An 8th also screws over the #1 seed... having to play what will likely be an entirely uncompetitive blowout of an undeserving team.
This also creates an advantage for the NFC if an 8th playoff team isn't added there. Potentially their SB representative will have only played two games. The NFC already has too many subpar teams getting into the postseason... no they're potentially adding another? The Commanders literally can't figure out which of their lousy quarterbacks to start for week 18 and yet now they're possibly back in the playoff fold. What a mess.

It seems like whatever decision is made by the NFL, it will screw over some team. For arguments sake, let's say Buffalo wins this week and KC loses, can we make Buffalo the number 1 seed and depending on what Cincy does, they will get the number 2 seed while KC gets the 3rd seed. I don't see KC losing, but this year has been crazy and this seems like the best and most fair outcome.

I agree with your premise that an 8th team wouldn't be fair. Not only for the number 1 seed but it potentially also puts the AFC champion having to win 3 games as compared to the NFC champion potentially only winning two like you said....in the end, no matter what scenario is played out, there always seems to be some team being adversely affected.

 

[Patsfan1958]

 

[SHOWTIME15]

When was the last season the Patriots faced elimination in the final week of the season and won to get in? I can't think the last time it's happened if at all.

The Pats are going to have a tough time winning this weekend. Buffalo is playing for Damar.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If this is true, then I agree with the NFL on this. Cancelling the game is the best thing moving forward, even if it screws Buffalo and Cincy.

 

[denverpatsfan]

No way are they adding an 8th playoff team.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Makes sense.

Do the fans get their money back/voucher to a future game?

 

[notex]

When was the last season the Patriots faced elimination in the final week of the season and won to get in? I can't think the last time it's happened if at all.

Definitely didn't get in.. but last time I remember it being close/coming down to the wire was the Brady injury/Matt Cassel year (2008?). Not sure what circumstances were but pats "did their job" and won last 3-4 games and missed playoffs still.

Not what you were looking for exactly - but thats as far back as I can remember a "win or be eliminated" scenario.

 

[Ring 6]

It seems like whatever decision is made by the NFL, it will screw over some team. For arguments sake, let's say Buffalo wins this week and KC loses, can we make Buffalo the number 1 seed and depending on what Cincy does, they will get the number 2 seed while KC gets the 3rd seed. I don't see KC losing, but this year has been crazy and this seems like the best and most fair outcome.

I agree with your premise that an 8th team wouldn't be fair. Not only for the number 1 seed but it potentially also puts the AFC champion having to win 3 games as compared to the NFC champion potentially only winning two like you said....in the end, no matter what scenario is played out, there always seems to be some team being adversely affected.

They should play bengals/bills this weekend, actually Monday makes sense, then this weeks games next week.
Every team gets a week off. No team is negatively affected. You literally skip 7 days and pick up where you left off. Just eliminate the week off before the SB.

 

[Ross12]

The cleanest path for the league is for the Pats and the Chiefs to win. That way only the Bills and Bengals are impacted by the game that was removed from the schedule. C'mon Pats win one for Roger.

There ya go. They can safely cancel the Bills/Bengals game. Bills will 'soft forfeit' against the Pats by not playing that hard and sitting a lot of players. The Raiders will also 'soft forfeit' by starting Jarrett Stidham. It all adds up.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

If the game is not to be resumed, then declare the Bengals the winner. They were leading at the time and were going to win it anyway.

 

[Jlaff]

Florio suggesting that the NFL might move to 8 teams in each conference making the playoffs to help balance the schedule (number one seed wouldn't get a bye anymore)

NFL ponders playoff seeding without playing Bills-Bengals

The NFL continues to discuss and deliberate the unfinished Bills-Bengals game from Week 17.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

They keep floating trial balloons.

 

[TommyD4207]

Makes sense.

Do the fans get their money back/voucher to a future game?

lol of course not.

An NFL Owner? Giving money *back*?

 

[Jlaff]

Looking at those TV screen shots I am amazed to remember how bad TV sports looked pre HD...

I'm starting to think 1080p looks bad compared to the 4k broadcasts.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I can only imagine whatever the a-holes at NFL HQ decide, it will screw the Pats!

 

[RobertWeathers]

lol of course not.

An NFL Owner? Giving money *back*?

I thought crowning customer service is an NFL hallmark.

Cheapskate Mike Brown especially.

 

[sb1]

So the Patriots can either notch their second playoff appearance post-Brady...or as of right now there are less than 4 days left in the Matt Patricia OC era.

Dunno about anyone else but I think that's a no lose situation.