Pursuit of the Bye (1st Seed)

[Ring 6]

I want to throw a question out there. Let's assume the Pats beat the Bills... then they are in a good position to win out. 15-2 should be the first seed as Denver with their tough road is very likely to drop one.

But what if they drop 2 of the next 3? It be possible.

Then we enter week 18 with nothing to play for and a buy. How much do you play your starters? Keep in mind a lot of this team is young. I know you will limit snaps a little... but how much? It probably won't happen, but it doesn't seem impossible.

Pats get pass the Bills then they should be heavy favorites the rest of the way. Denver gets GB, Jag, @ KC They might lose 2 of those.

The right thing to do is to keep them sharp. Practice them all week as if they are playing the whole game. Start them then pull them in the 3rd quarter.
But you can only pull so many you need to field a team.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Why not?

I'm not OP, but I'm going to assume it's the same reason that I'm kinda glad they're not 13-0 right now . . . the added pressure from having one of the longest win streaks of all time.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm not OP, but I'm going to assume it's the same reason that I'm kinda glad they're not 13-0 right now . . . the added pressure from having one of the longest win streaks of all time.

I’d rather have them play well than worry about fabricated pressure.
Playoff games are more pressure than a winning streak that no one cares about.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Why not?

The same reason teams rarely go on 15 game winning streaks, eventually you have an off day. I would rather have that off day occur during the regular season than in the playoffs. Only 4 teams in NFL history have done it.



Only one team, the New England Patriots, (2003-2004), has achieved a 15+ game winning streak including playoffs, with their historic run reaching 21 consecutive wins, while teams like the Green Bay Packers (2010-11) and Chicago Bears (1933-34) also had long combined streaks, but none matched the Patriots' sustained dominance across regular season and postseason.
Longest Combined Winning Streaks (Regular Season & Playoffs)

• 21 Games: New England Patriots (2003-04)
• 19 Games: Green Bay Packers (2010-11)
• 18 Games: Chicago Bears (1933-34)

 

[TommyD4207]

I would hate for us to face Houston with that Defense so I want the #1 seed. It's no treat being the #2 seed and have to face that Houston D. Yeah they're for Real!

I wouldn't mind facing Houston in the slightest.

I don't think that's how it all goes down, but their game management is so bad, I'm not worried.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm not OP, but I'm going to assume it's the same reason that I'm kinda glad they're not 13-0 right now . . . the added pressure from having one of the longest win streaks of all time.

I just think that eventually you have an off day, the breaks go against you and you slip and lose a game. It's possible you're on a roll that can't be denied but that's unlikely, and over 100 years of NFL history demonstrates how unlikely that is.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I wouldn't mind facing Houston in the slightest.

I don't think that's how it all goes down, but their game management is so bad, I'm not worried.

That's a really tough defense, but I'd rather have Drake Maye and the Patriots defense than C.J. Stroud and the Texans defense.

I'm really looking forward to Maye getting tested in high pressure games, that's one of the hurdles that quarterbacks who want to be great have to deal with, and I'm glad he's dealing with it at such an early age. The entire experience of this season is going to make him into a better quarterback for his career.

 

[Lambeau12]

Our game against Denver is huge for you guys as well.

 

[TommyD4207]

Our game against Denver is huge for you guys as well.

Big statement win for you guys if you can get it done.

 

[Triumph]

I would hate for us to face Houston with that Defense so I want the #1 seed. It's no treat being the #2 seed and have to face that Houston D. Yeah they're for Real!

Houston would travel to NE and play in North Pole like weather to person living in Texas.

The other day it was 60 degrees in Houston. The Pats at full strength can handle Houston.

 

[Triumph]

I'm not OP, but I'm going to assume it's the same reason that I'm kinda glad they're not 13-0 right now . . . the added pressure from having one of the longest win streaks of all time.

Being undefeated is a curse.

The media doesn't stop talking about it.

 

[Lambeau12]

Big statement win for you guys if you can get it done.

We will try to help you guys out too.

 

[Real fan 02]

Of course the #1 seed is the Ultimate goal.. but if it doesn't and we end up #2.. I think aggressive defenses like Texans Josh could scheme up for.. they can be had for big plays against thier LBs Henry would be able to feast.

 

[Vindicate]

If we end up with the two, it'll be a road of stingy defense lol. Bring it on. We have the better offense of both teams by a good deal and we have a comparable defense.

 

[Vindicate]

Of course the #1 seed is the Ultimate goal.. but if it doesn't and we end up #2.. I think aggressive defenses like Texans Josh could scheme up for.. they can be had for big plays against thier LBs Henry would be able to feast.

Josh is extremely good at countering aggressive lines. It's the same story, every time: they'll look like world beaters in the first quarter and start to slow down by the half.

He's great at keeping an offense confident through an early barrage and draining the defense out. I like our chances against an aggressive line. It'll be interesting to see how we'd attack the Broncos, who have talent on both ends. I think it'd be a game where ST has to go off, but also Pop Doug or Boutte really having crucial games, with the TE's scoring for us in the RZ. Henderson on a lot of passes as well.

 

[Real fan 02]

Josh is extremely good at countering aggressive lines. It's the same story, every time: they'll look like world beaters in the first quarter and start to slow down by the half.

He's great at keeping an offense confident through an early barrage and draining the defense out. I like our chances against an aggressive line. It'll be interesting to see how we'd attack the Broncos, who have talent on both ends. I think it'd be a game where ST has to go off, but also Pop Doug or Boutte really having crucial games, with the TE's scoring for us in the RZ. Henderson on a lot of passes as well.

Exceptional post! You hit on exactly why as a fan we should be confident against anyone we see regularl season and post season.. it starts with the COACHING. Houston essentially has an aggressive front thst loves to attack the edges.. the addition of OL Mumford will pay dividends being able to add an extra blocker to handle a Nik bonnitto or Hunter..

I also feel to much scrutiny is being put on the running game and not enough focus is on the big play abilities that Henderson has shown.. the Broncos love to play it overly aggressive on 3rd down they love to bring Hufanga the SS on blitzes.. Josh would see that and employ Henderson deep downfield..

Henry and Hooper I'm confident against any of thier LBs or safeties in coverage.. Henry has been having a stellar season..

Diggs draws surtain wich frees up Boutte, pop and Hollins to feast on thier other guys .

 

[Vindicate]

Exceptional post! You hit on exactly why as a fan we should be confident against anyone we see regularl season and post season.. it starts with the COACHING. Houston essentially has an aggressive front thst loves to attack the edges.. the addition of OL Mumford will pay dividends being able to add an extra blocker to handle a Nik bonnitto or Hunter..

I also feel to much scrutiny is being put on the running game and not enough focus is on the big play abilities that Henderson has shown.. the Broncos love to play it overly aggressive on 3rd down they love to bring Hufanga the SS on blitzes.. Josh would see that and employ Henderson deep downfield..

Henry and Hooper I'm confident against any of thier LBs or safeties in coverage.. Henry has been having a stellar season..

Diggs draws surtain wich frees up Boutte, pop and Hollins to feast on thier other guys .

I can’t wait until this team has had enough time of success in the EP to start running hurry-ups often. No other teams really do it unless theyre in EP, and it would be exhausting to those aggressive lines

Edit: Here's a vid just to remind us how goddamn well that offense ran. The no huddle run attack is a beautiful thing -

 

[mgteich]

Houston would travel to NE and play in North Pole like weather to person living in Texas.

The other day it was 60 degrees in Houston. The Pats at full strength can handle Houston.

So, if all our players are healthy and at full strength, we can handle HOU. OK, I strongly agree.

 

[Real fan 02]

If we end up with the two, it'll be a road of stingy defense lol. Bring it on. We have the better offense of both teams by a good deal and we have a comparable defense.

And adding if anyone is worried about our running game....

I can’t wait until this team has had enough time of success in the EP to start running hurry-ups often. No other teams really do it unless theyre in EP, and it would be exhausting to those aggressive lines

Edit: Here's a vid just to remind us how goddamn well that offense ran. The no huddle run attack is a beautiful thing -

Yes, being that's it the first year for Drake in the offense.. wait until he becomes fully mastered in it like #12 was.. what makes this offense even more effective is the abilities of Drake.. this offense has big Play abilities under Drake that allows Josh to take it to the next level. Great video.

 

[Triumph]

So, if all our players are healthy and at full strength, we can handle HOU. OK, I strongly agree.

Yep, we saw KC falter again because of OL deficiencies specifically at OT.

Looks like Wilson is close or coming back this Sunday and Campbell will hopefully be good to go for the post season assuming NE clinches.