Pats might want to lose week 17 on purpose

[Ring 6]

They did it in 2012 i think correct?

No

 

[mosslost]

STOP

it's not crazy. If losing that game knocks the Steelers out of 6 seed (which would make them our likely opponent for divisional) and does not hurt the one seed, is very spot on.

 

[Ring 6]

Also, there's that, "it's hard to beat a team 3 times in a season thing."

You wouldn't face Miami a 3rd time if you beat them.

 

[mosslost]

I don't want them facing a division rival in the play offs period.

what? You would take the Steelers over the Dolphins? or Baltimore?

 

[Ring 6]

it's not crazy. If losing that game knocks the Steelers out of 6 seed (which would make them our likely opponent for divisional) and does not hurt the one seed, is very spot on.

It is 100% crazy.

 

[Ring 6]

If the Matt Moore lead Dolphins beat the Pats then that means they would have lost to any AFC playoff team they played that day no matter who it was.

BB did it before IIRC.

You do not RC

 

[Brick27]

I see you edited your "first round bye" line to include "and the #1 seed". Why you didn't include that in your original post, I don't know. Before it looked like you were suggesting they settle for either the #2 or #1 seed.

 

[Ring 6]

If we have a chance to knock out Pittsburgh or Denver, and already have the #1 seed locked up at that point, then I wouldn't be entirely opposed to this idea.

Hell, I might even settle for the #2 seed, if it gives us a chance of resting our starters

Don't know why @BobDigital is getting flak for suggesting this....

I can see why you don't understand the flak

Let's give up HFA in the AFCCG so we can control what team that isn't good enough to get in on their own that we would play assyming that team that isn't good enough to get in would win in round 1 and we are so afraid of them we lose in purpose so we get to play the afccg on the road.

Do you people think before you post?

 

[borisman]

I know Bill does "what's best for the team" but if TB12 is on a roll and feels like a solid game vs. Miami will help him bag the MVP then I've seen Bill do what's best for a player in the past to help them net their goal. I'm not saying that's what they should do, just that it's a possibility. I would be against it since Miami has some guy named Suh who could put TB12 out of comission and C. Wake who's been "Jason Taylor" in Brady's side.

 

[SEA_Pat]

A lion doesn't concern himself about the potential playoff chances of sheep.

 

[The Gr8est]

So, which QB gets to be the sacrificial loser?

Brissett?

Or would we prefer to decrease Jimmy's trade value?

 

[HeadHunter]

That's assuming the Phins can even get past the 1st round...

Are you afraid of a backup QB or a hobbled Ryan Tannehill?

LOL. No not afraid, I just know divisional opponents can be a crap shoot. I wasn't scared of the Jets in 2010 either but we all know how that turned out.

 

[Ring 6]

I can just see BB now.
Well listen fellas I have thought this through. I am afraid of Pittsburgh, Denver and Baltimore. I know we beat all 3 but pats fans says I should coach so I try to get you easy teams in the playoffs.
So we are going to lose on purpose. If we lose to Miami we could get the chance to play them again instead of those mean bully teams. The whole thing revolves around getting a game against Houston so we don't even have to show up. Yes I am fearing every other team that could make the playoffs.
So trust me. Tank against Miami and pray we get them in round 1. Just remember to pack your bags because I just gave away the afccg at home.
Don't you all agree? The best thing for us to do is be afraid and lose on purpose so there is a chance we don't have to play anyone any good before we lose the afccg.

 

[goheels22002]

Squish the Fish.

 

[luuked]

You know there is a difference between suggesting to lose on purpose or giving hobbled players an additional week of rest. I am all for the latter but still want to win that game.

 

[FourierSeries]

If the Pats go into Denver and beat a desperate Donkey team in their home stadium, why do we care if they make the playoffs?

Why would we prefer to play Miami to Denver?

In fact, playing the Broncos in Foxboro has historically been a recipe for a very easy victory.

 

[BobDigital]

I see you edited your "first round bye" line to include "and the #1 seed". Why you didn't include that in your original post, I don't know. Before it looked like you were suggesting they settle for either the #2 or #1 seed.

It was an over sight on my part. I meant only if we have a first seed and after I saw I did not include it i added it to try to help avoid more confusion.

 

[Wordsmyth]

I know this is looking ahead but if things line up right it makes sense.

If the Pats beat Denver this week the best they can do is 10-6 (at 8-5) Pats @ KC Oak
On the other hand Miami is a team we can give a free win to (at 8-5) @ NYJ @ Bills Pats

As long as the first round bye and #1 seed is wrapped before this game there is no reason to want to win it. Also it ups your chances of maybe getting one the Dolphins/Texans/Titans in the divisional round as they are the 6th and 4th seed most likely. I would not be upset about that.

I know this is looking ahead but it is possible depending on how things go this week (A Pats win/Denver loss and Miami win) i think we can force Miami in.

********. You don't want to lose heading into the playoffs. Momentum is crucial. SMH.

 

[50-yard-line]

It was an over sight on my part. I meant only if we have a first and after I saw I did not include it i added it to try to help avoid more confusion.

If we have a #1 seed locked up, I would expect some people resting anyway. Get Flemming and Waddle some snaps at tackle...sit Bennett, Brady on a short leash, Edelman on a short leash...

 

[CelticPatriot]

Another potential scenario is Pats winning puts Tenneesee at 6, losing puts Miami at 6. Either way you're pretty much guaranteed, Steelers and Raiders (maybe Chiefs) win v Ten/Mia and Houston, then you have Pats hosting Oakland and Steelers visiting Kansas.