Why it matters how the Pats win on Sunday

Just a take I have. It is not only vital that the Patriots win but also vital how they win. So how do they need to win? They need to win with a good game overall but particularly show up on defense.

Lets be real. Pitt is a good offense but Right now GB and Atlanta are the next level up. Pitt can get hot at times but they are a 2 man show. If the Pats win this game but have to win a shoot out to do it what does that say about their chances in the superbowl?

I know Pitt is more balanced than Atlanta/GB but that is besides the Point. If the Pats D shows it can not handle Big Ben when he is on the road then likely in a dome it will get lit up by GB or Atlanta and now we are in a shootout with what is likely the weaker offense overall. That is not a good situation to be in vs those teams.

This is not to say one game transfers over to the next or the Pats can't win. But I would say depending on how this D does on Sunday and if they win it will tell us a bit about what we can hope to accomplish 2 weeks from then.

To me the red line is 24. I'd like to see under 21 though. If they do that they can probably hold GB/Atlanta to 30 and that gives the Pats a good chance to win that game.

Barring injuries, and assuming the Pats finish the game with the most points, I could not care less about how it happens.

The Patriots since 2001 have played well in the AFCCG when they won the SB and struggled in the CCG before they lost the SB. So I agree.

The Patriots have the best defense out of all the four teams remaining in the tournament. They lead these teams in scoring, passing, rush and total defensive rankings.

So I expect our defense to come through big time against the Killer Bs.

I really don't care how they win. How the Pats play against the Steelers has no bearing on how they will play in the SB if they make it. They're the most well-rounded team in the entire league, let alone the remaining four teams.

Bottom line: if the Pats play the way they're capable over the next two games, they'll be Super Bowl 51 Champs.

Gotta disagree, Bob. Winning is ALL that matters.(except for injuries, of course).

But more than that, Pitt is hands down a better team than both GB and atl because their D is superior to both. The O's are all about the same.

Sure not playing well but winning does not mean you will lose the SB. They are 2 different games. But winning teams are generally playing really well this time of year, and they usually play better with each round. So it would be a good sign if they play well - not that that is earth shattering.

I want a win. Any how, any way. Go Pats!!

Let's not read too much into this.

In both Super Bowl losses we were literally one play away from winning both games despite having sluggish conference championship games.

Likewise, we were one play away from losing Super Bowl 49 despite absolutely dominating the Colts in the conference championship game.

I would like to see them light up the Steelers and shut up all the trash talkers out there. But, whether they win by 3 or 33, a win is a win.

jimnance said:

Gotta disagree, Bob. Winning is ALL that matters.(except for injuries, of course).

But more than that, Pitt is hands down a better team than both GB and atl because their D is superior to both. The O's are all about the same.

Click to expand...

Maybe this is why I want us to play well. I think Pittsburgh is inferior to both NFC teams - especially Atlanta - and that a Super Bowl with either team could be a real donnybrook.

It's the playoffs. It doesn't make a damn bit of difference HOW they win... just as long as they win. I'll take a 2-0 win and I'll take 55-48 win. I don't care. Just get the W.

I want the refs to hand the pats the win

I really don't care how they win as long as they win - with 2 exceptions:

1) I don't want injuries
2) I don't want anything controversial

I want to win after the Steelers have problems on a final game-winning drive and can't line up as time expires because their headsets weren't working. Because **** them

If the game is really close and the Pats win, one thing is certain, Everyone outside of New England will claim we got lucky, we bought of the refs, etc etc. For that reason alone, I want them to blow them out. Oh whom am. I kidding, regardless of the outcome, people will still give us no credit. I still want us to blow them out!!

Every game is different. It can be a game of inches that can turn a close game into a blow out. Its almost impossible to predict how everything turns out when you have to talented teams playing each other.

Look at Pitts and New Englands defense, which one will make more stops. Thats who is going to win. Most likely.

XLIX said:

2) I don't want anything controversial

Click to expand...

How controversial are we talking? Does Tomlin whining in the post-game presser about unfair audibles or that Gilette is haunted count? Because I'd love for that little ***** to go on another whining tirade. Of course I don't want it to create a distraction or illicit more bs punishment, but I actually enjoy when these whiners cry conspiracy.

Dorito Dink said:

How controversial are we talking? Does Tomlin whining in the post-game presser about unfair audibles or that Gilette is haunted count? Because I'd love for that little ***** to go on another whining tirade. Of course I don't want it to create a distraction or illicit more bs punishment, but I actually enjoy when these whiners cry conspiracy.

Click to expand...

No Tomlin whining like the ***** he is is cool. I mean something like winning on a really bad call.

bormio said:

The Patriots since 2001 have played well in the AFCCG when they won the SB and struggled in the CCG before they lost the SB. So I agree.

Click to expand...

And, interestingly enough, the years we won the SB? We struggled in divisional games most often. 01 in the snow, 03 freezing game vs Tennessee, and 14 vs. Baltimore.