Patriots Pregame Thread Pats-Ratbirds thread

[PATSYLICIOUS]

unfortunately, the Eagles are SOOOOO far ahead of the NFCLEAST that they will have zero necessity to win this game. Their job now is to win enough to get a home game, and with 2 games against Washington that they can't possibly lose there is no chance they can't reach those 2 goals, even with a loss to the Bills

Thats a very good point man. This game will mean very little to Philly from what i can tell too

 

[Sect140]

Spillane is key. His absence against the Bills created a big hole in the defense both physically and mentally.

I think he will, he was in uniform and was to be an emergency fill in if needed.

 

[Sect140]

Jaguars are better than most people realize.

How strange that once again we are relying on Jacksonville to go into Denver to beat the Broncos just like January of 1997, here’s to the Jaguars pulling it off again.

 

[dliverey44]

Dolphins have been eliminated, which should make that last game a little easier. It’s their players’ last workday before a months-long vacation. How much energy do you think they’ll have to play hard in New England?

to potentially keep the Pats from winning the division, I think they show up in a major way.

 

[dliverey44]

Is there no possibility that the game doesn't have playoff implications?

The Eagles-Bills game could impact the seeding for the eagles

 

[SVN]

The Eagles-Bills game could impact the seeding for the eagles

Seedings are all out of whack. i listened somewhere that if the rams lose on thursday the 49ers could be playing for 1 seed on sunday ! didnt even imagine they were in the running

 

[Sect140]

to potentially keep the Pats from winning the division, I think they show up in a major way.

At that point they won’t care if the Pats or Bills win the division. They never worried me coming to Foxboro on Jan. 4th, Tua is horrible in cold weather, last night they are playing to keep their playoff hopes alive, well temp was below freezing and they laid an egg in the cold.

 

[dliverey44]

Seedings are all out of whack. i listened somewhere that if the rams lose on thursday the 49ers could be playing for 1 seed on sunday ! didnt even imagine they were in the running

SF (10-4) has the best conference record in the NFC. They are behind the Rams and Seahawks both (11-3) and they play Thursday.

 

[dliverey44]

At that point they won’t care if the Pats or Bills win the division. They never worried me coming to Foxboro on Jan. 4th, Tua is horrible in cold weather, last night they are playing to keep their playoff hopes alive, well temp was below freezing and they laid an egg in the cold.

Fair Point

 

[VrabelJr]

Not sure how much this is new strategy wise.

Seems to me, BB played big nickel too, 10 & 20 years ago. Just you got to have that special talent (like a Rodney H. or the Ravens guy) that gives you that flexibility.

The modern version of this started 7-8 years ago when undersized LBs started coming into the league. Telvin Smith on Jax was a notable one.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I think this has changed some because it was before the loss to Buffalo.

It's being bottom lined as Win, or lose +

tie and loss by Hou OR
Tie or loss by Indy

Basically, best to just win the game to punch the ticket, and best to win out to have a good shot at the bye.

Honestly, we knew going into the Buffalo game that Denver was nipping at our heels. We were in charge of our own destiny and couldn't seal that deal. We could still take the first seed, but where we should fall feels more like where we will fall, in the scrum.

Ravens week. Drake - Lamar beef. Sunday Night Football for the (playoff ticket-punching) win. (Unless we're gifted the berth earlier that day)

 

[Real fan 02]

The Eagles-Bills game could impact the seeding for the eagles

Fly eagles fly...

 

[dliverey44]

Fly eagles fly...

That just makes me nauseous reading that

 

[Real fan 02]

That just makes me nauseous reading that

 

[Real fan 02]

Spillane is key. His absence against the Bills created a big hole in the defense both physically and mentally.

Yes he's the defensive signal caller.. on the bright side an extra game off should help him.. we need him!

 

[denverpatsfan]

That just makes me nauseous reading that

We will all be Eagles fans that day.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

We will all be Eagles fans that day.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

It's being bottom lined as Win, or lose +

tie and loss by Hou OR
Tie or loss by Indy

Basically, best to just win the game to punch the ticket, and best to win out to have a good shot at the bye.

Honestly, we knew going into the Buffalo game that Denver was nipping at our heels. We were in charge of our own destiny and couldn't seal that deal. We could still take the first seed, but where we should fall feels more like where we will fall, in the scrum.

Ravens week. Drake - Lamar beef. Sunday Night Football for the (playoff ticket-punching) win. (Unless we're gifted the berth earlier that day)

Lol

 

[Brotherblues]

Depends if the eagles get back on track. If they beat buffalo, us beating the ravens would mean we can afford to drop one of the last 2.

Yeah, I could see a scenario where we:

1. Win the next 2 games, clinch division, but don't catch Denver
2. Use week 18 to sit starters.

So this week is very significant in that regard imo.

 

[Sect140]

Fair Point

I was watching last nights game and the Dolphins are down three scores in the 4th quarter and they kept using the almost the whole play clock on each play, Troy Aikman was saying do they know it’s the 4th quarter or have they just quit.