Patriots chances at the #2 seed

[Seymour93]

Bottom line is that in all likelihood we are going to have to beat the Ravens/Broncos/Dolphins/Jets at home, then go on the road and defeat the Colts and Chargers (not necessarily in that order), and finally play the Saints/Vikings/Eagles in Miami.

:scared:

 

[Metaphors]

Bottom line is that in all likelihood we are going to have to beat the Ravens/Broncos/Dolphins/Jets at home, then go on the road and defeat the Colts and Chargers (not necessarily in that order), and finally play the Saints/Vikings/Eagles in Miami.

:scared:

But there is a pretty dramatic difference between the 2 paths:

#3 Seed

Ravens at home
Chargers on the left coast (long trip to wear out Pats)
Colts on road after Manning gets sharp against Bengals/Broncos
Week Off
Super Bowl

#4 Seed

Broncos at home
Colts on road against rusty Manning
Chargers on the left coast (more opportunity for upset/injuries to hot Chargers)
Week Off...to recover from west coast trip
Super Bowl

I'll take door #4 please...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

But there is a pretty dramatic difference between the 2 paths:

#3 Seed

Ravens at home
Chargers on the left coast (long trip to wear out Pats)
Colts on road after Manning gets sharp against Bengals/Broncos
Week Off
Super Bowl

#4 Seed

Broncos at home
Colts on road against rusty Manning
Chargers on the left coast (more opportunity for upset/injuries to hot Chargers)
Week Off...to recover from west coast trip
Super Bowl

I'll take door #4 please...

Manning wont be 'rusty' no matter how long he has not played,The Peyton Manning of 2009 is as good as ever and is really carrying his team,I hardly think 2 or 3 weeks off will make him suddenly look like sh!t.

 

[Disco Volante]

Today, let's go Bengals & Raiders.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

But there is a pretty dramatic difference between the 2 paths:

#3 Seed

Ravens at home
Chargers on the left coast (long trip to wear out Pats)
Colts on road after Manning gets sharp against Bengals/Broncos
Week Off
Super Bowl

#4 Seed

Broncos at home
Colts on road against rusty Manning
Chargers on the left coast (more opportunity for upset/injuries to hot Chargers)
Week Off...to recover from west coast trip
Super Bowl

I'll take door #4 please...

I would just like to see us win today at Buffalo.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

But there is a pretty dramatic difference between the 2 paths:

#3 Seed

Ravens at home
Chargers on the left coast (long trip to wear out Pats)
Colts on road after Manning gets sharp against Bengals/Broncos
Week Off
Super Bowl

#4 Seed

Broncos at home
Colts on road against rusty Manning
Chargers on the left coast (more opportunity for upset/injuries to hot Chargers)
Week Off...to recover from west coast trip
Super Bowl

I'll take door #4 please...

I'll take the door that wins today in Buffalo and worry about this stuff in two weeks.

We also have a hungry Jags team next week on 10 days rest after what will be a brutal game for us today and then have to end the season against a pissed-off Houston team on the road, where, of course, we have excelled so far this year.

 

[mgteich]

I would worry more about the playoffs than the #2 seed at this point. We don't even get in if we lose today, Miami wins out, and both Denver and Baltimore end the season at 10-6.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I would worry more about the playoffs than the #2 seed at this point. We don't even get in if we lose today, Miami wins out, and both Denver and Baltimore end the season at 10-6.

:ditto:

10 Char

 

[Jimke]

I would worry more about the playoffs than the #2 seed at this point. We don't even get in if we lose today, Miami wins out, and both Denver and Baltimore end the season at 10-6.

Amen. It's time to realize that this Patriots's team is not the

2001, 2003, 2004, or 2007 edition. It is not much more than

average.

 

[Disco Volante]

There is no way I see the Dolphins winning their last 3 games.

 

[mgteich]

It is again time to note that the 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 teams all tied for a playoff spot or were in the playoffs. And yes, I agree that this year's patriots are more like this set than the more successful set. I would also note that the 2006 patriots were very close indeed to going all the way and being a Super Bowl winner, faults and all.

Amen. It's time to realize that this Patriots's team is not the

2001, 2003, 2004, or 2007 edition. It it not much more than

average.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

There is no way I see the Dolphins winning their last 3 games.

my first instinct was to say something like "Famous last words." But, i just don't want to rely on another team losing for us to get into the playoffs. (a) it's just not a good idea in itself and (b) if that's how we get there, I'm not too sure how we'll do.

 

[AFPatsFan12]

Actually, the Bengals don't need to lose vs. KC (in fact, that game really doesn't matter for much). They would just need to lose to the NYJ in Week 17.

Is it likely? Not terribly, but it's not like we're rooting for the Rams to go into SD and win or anything.

This game today is also important because, if the Patriots can't get the 2, it opens the door for Cincy to get the 2. Personally, I would want to avoid going to San Diego at all costs.

If the Patriots can't get the 2, the ideal scenario is for Cincy to win out, and SD to lose on X-Mas to the Titans. Then, the Patriots get the 3, SD the 4, and the Bengals the 2. If the Pats can beat whatever random team floats into the 6, they travel to Cincy for the divisional round, whereas San Diego (or the 5, if there's an upset) goes to Indy.

Obviously this all hinges on the Pats winning out, which is far from a given, but if the Pats get past Buffalo today, we all should be rooting for Cincinnati later today...

 

[Funktopus]

This looks like the most plausible scenario that gets the Pats to the #2

NFL - Playoff Scenario Generator- Yahoo! Sports

 

[tanked_as_usual]

right now, the chargers are probably the most dangerous team in the NFL......

 

[Disco Volante]

Actually, the Bengals don't need to lose vs. KC

Really? Then that makes things a hell of a lot more possible.

Bengals & Raiders winning right now.

 

[mgcolby]

right now, the chargers are probably the most dangerous team in the NFL......

I don't understand the love affair with a team that has won 8 games in a row vs teams with a combined 45-59 record. They played the Giants while they were struggling, they played the Chris Simms / hobbled Orton led Broncos. KC twice, Oak and cleveland. They had quality wins over Philly and Dallas. But Dallas really shot themselves in the foot.

I guess I'm one of the few on here that isn't impressed with them. Especially their defense.

 

[WhiZa]

This looks like the most plausible scenario that gets the Pats to the #2

NFL - Playoff Scenario Generator- Yahoo! Sports

Good site. I did a few senerios, but overall it looks like we need to win out and a SD and Cin need to lose at least one

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

A 3 seed would exceed my current revised expectations for this team.
When was the last time in Patriots history that all the other games fell in a way that the Pats suddenly vaulted several spots upward in the last 2 games? Maybe 2001 when the Pats won out but I don't remember what the status of the contenders was at that stage.

 

[TriplecHamp]

well this thread is shot lol