Win or lose?

[lancerman]

Winning the next two games won't make the remaining players feel less like losers, it won't change the complexion of this season, it won't even be remembered this time next year.

Hitting on a high draft pick QB will be remembered and more impactful

 

[Real fan 02]

I'd love to see a strong finish. I think there's a solid core to build on. I hope Bill is super-motivated to keep going and we have some momentum heading into next year. [I do think it kinda sorta carries over]

Agreed. Judon, gonzo, peppers, Dugger, barmore, Bentley, Tavai on defensively the team is in excellent shape.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

Agreed. Judon, gonzo, peppers, Dugger, barmore, Bentley, Tavai on defensively the team is in excellent shape.

I even like some of the offense. Onwenu, Strange, Sow, Andrews, Stevenson, Douglass, Bourne, Henry. Guess I'm not in the "tear it down to the studs" camp.

 

[venecol]

The difference in draft position between finishing 4-13, 5-12 or 6-11 will be negligible, with 5-12 the likely outcome.

All three of your scenarios overlap where they could end up if they win both games, at #9. So your point is honestly dumb. The real comparison is between #3 and #9. There's a significant difference in value between those two draft positions (3 = 9 + 20).

Beyond that it all hinges on how other teams fare. Rooting for the likes of Carolina, Arizona and Washington to win improving New England's draft position is fine.

Agree, below are the teams we should root for so Pats can overtake Commanders at #3 position. I see most of those results likely or very likely except Bengals this week.

Of course, if Pats win out, it makes all of these results meaningless.

Rooting for Patriots losses is unconscionably bad mojo. Messing with the football gods is known to earn first-round busts, so beware what you wish for.

Next you'll say if we all pray, it'll make a difference? Like all of NE wasn't praying during those NYG SBs, lol.

 

[venecol]

Agreed. Judon, gonzo, peppers, Dugger, barmore, Bentley, Tavai on defensively the team is in excellent shape.

LOL. NO.

 

[venecol]

Winning the next two games won't make the remaining players feel less like losers, it won't change the complexion of this season, it won't even be remembered this time next year.

Hitting on a high draft pick QB will be remembered and more impactful

Exactly. Even if Pats win out, they'll still be in the cellar of the AFC.

Or is this the dreaded moral victory thing that's been infesting this forum for the last 4 seasons.

Or maybe we'll hear calls for Bill to get COY because no other coach could get 6 dubs with this team. Lol

 

[Real fan 02]

I even like some of the offense. Onwenu, Strange, Sow, Andrews, Stevenson, Douglass, Bourne, Henry. Guess I'm not in the "tear it down to the studs" camp.

I'll agree. I hope KB stays.. Sow, ownenu Douglas and rham are definitely part of going forward. Andrews has been great. But getting older and often injured plus over 30.. Henry I'd like him to resign as well.

 

[Real fan 02]

LOL. NO.

No on Tavai? Lol he's been one of the best players on the defense, consumute pro, former and rounder found his niche in the NFL. Always around the ball.

 

[signbabybrady]

Winning the next two games won't make the remaining players feel less like losers, it won't change the complexion of this season, it won't even be remembered this time next year.

Hitting on a high draft pick QB will be remembered and more impactful

I'm going to use some hyperbole to make a point here but how are you going to know you hit on these draft picks if you tank again next year at the first sign of trouble in favor of next year's draft position.

There's 2 games left which leaves opportunity for any number of players to prove themselves as something useful to this team next year.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Whatever happens happens , everything happens for a reason. Go Pats!

 

[Ring 6]

BB's lost games on purpose for playoff seeding. Why not for draft position? He's the reason the roster's a mess.

No he did not

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm going to use some hyperbole to make a point here but how are you going to know you hit on these draft picks if you tank again next year at the first sign of trouble in favor of next year's draft position.

There's 2 games left which leaves opportunity for any number of players to prove themselves as something useful to this team next year.

Absolutely agree. I'm a firm believer that players only get better by playing. Have to be in real live game situations. If barmore rode the bench the last 2 seasons I don't think he'd be reaching his potential as one of the most disruptive players in the league. Look at Jennings, Tavai, white, Mack Wilson Sr. All these guys are coming into thier own because they are playing and able to have a feel for live game action and situations in a real game. The guys that has regressed is uche he isn't seeing as many snaps .

 

[PatsFanInVa]

LOL... not you guys, but some threads here make me feel like "This is a must-lose game, bro!"

 

[venecol]

Absolutely agree. I'm a firm believer that players only get better by playing. Have to be in real live game situations. If barmore rode the bench the last 2 seasons I don't think he'd be reaching his potential as one of the most disruptive players in the league. Look at Jennings, Tavai, white, Mack Wilson Sr. All these guys are coming into thier own because they are playing and able to have a feel for live game action and situations in a real game. The guys that has regressed is uche he isn't seeing as many snaps .

Lol, aside from white (rookie), all those dudes are jags.

 

[Ring 6]

Winning the next two games won't make the remaining players feel less like losers, it won't change the complexion of this season, it won't even be remembered this time next year.

Hitting on a high draft pick QB will be remembered and more impactful

Historically whether they finish 4-13, 5-12 or 6-11 and what the corresponding pick is will have zero impact on the odds they hit on a QB.

 

[Real fan 02]

Lol, aside from white (rookie), all those dudes are jags.

Right. But point I'm making is they are making plays and have carved out a role in the defense. When judon and Gonzo are back next season this defense has the potential to be down right nasty!

 

[Tunescribe]

All three of your scenarios overlap where they could end up if they win both games, at #9. So your point is honestly dumb. The real comparison is between #3 and #9. There's a significant difference in value between those two draft positions (3 = 9 + 20).


Agree, below are the teams we should root for so Pats can overtake Commanders at #3 position. I see most of those results likely or very likely except Bengals this week.

Of course, if Pats win out, it makes all of these results meaningless.





Next you'll say if we all pray, it'll make a difference? Like all of NE wasn't praying during those NYG SBs, lol.

The standard Jimmy Johnson-style chart for assessing relative pick valuations:

2026 NFL Trade Value Chart | Drafttek

Also, a BB perspective from four years ago:

Bill Belichick: Every team uses the same draft chart

The 1990s Cowboys were built in large part by Jimmy Johnson's wheeling and dealing with draft picks, and Johnson developed a chart that demonstrated how to value draft picks.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[palialka]

Tanking is a fan delusion…players and coaches play to win 99% of the time.

They’re gonna try to win out and I’m ok with that. Let’s try to hurt Buffalo’s playoff seeding and…well…f@ck the J-E-T-E-S.

We’re not getting Williams or Maye so might as well let the chips fall where they may.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Let's deduce what Belichick might want - look at the unbounded delight he demonstrates when that long kick won the game and tanked our draft position.



More seriously, the players and Belichick himself all benefit personally with a good performance.

 

[Steve102]

Let's deduce what Belichick might want - look at the unbounded delight he demonstrates when that long kick won the game and tanked our draft position.



More seriously, the players and Belichick himself all benefit personally with a good performance.

I don't see how you can deduce anything. He's on to the next play, albeit with only 2 seconds left. He's looking at who's on the field and how many seconds are left.