Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN?

[TruthSeeker]

With back to back to back games against the Saints, Jets & Colts, is Sunday's game against the Dolphins a must win ? If the Pats win, they go up 2 games on the Jets and 3 up on the Dolphins. That gives us some room since we can possibly lose 2 out of the three games against the Saints, Jets & Colts. So I feel this is a MUST win for the Pats, what do you ladies and gents think ?

 

[JSn]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Yes.

It's not TECHNICALLY a must win, but I think it's very important to show us and them the discipline of this team, because I think discipline is the key component to surviving the upcoming gauntlet.

I just heard on WEEI that the Pats are going to run the table, so no worries.

 

[patchick]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

With back to back to back games against the Saints, Jets & Colts, is Sunday's game against the Dolphins a must win ? If the Pats win, they go up 2 games on the Jets and 3 up on the Dolphins. That gives us some room since we can possibly lose 2 out of the three games against the Saints, Jets & Colts. So I feel this is a MUST win for the Pats, what do you ladies and gents think ?

I think you've made a very cogent argument why it's a MUST win...for the Dolphins.

 

[Boots Electric]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

I'd say it's important but not because of the upcoming schedule, but because it's a division rival. The Patriots need this to be above .500 in the division and build a substantial lead between them and the rest of the division.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

It's a must win for both teams. For the Pats, it's a must win in that, like you said, it gives us a leg up on the rest of the division and puts us in a pretty good position for HFA. It also gives us some breathing room if we lose to either the Colts or the Saints. For the Dolphins, it keeps them in the divisional hunt with a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way out. Needless to say, there is going to be a lot of competitive fire between the two teams.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Not sure if it is a must win, but it is a very important win... need to keep momentum going, also need to squash that f..ing team from South Florida...my disdain for that Dolphins equals my disdain for the Jets... I dislike their teams and their fans and everything about them...

 

[olschool]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

It's entirely possible both the Saints and Colts games will be losses, so all the other games will become must wins, if they want to finish better than last years 11-5.

 

[patriots pam]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Of course it's a must win! Do you know how much smack talk I've laid on my Fins fan friends?! The Pats need to back my mouth up!!!

But seriously, it's an important win for division reasons, etc. as already mentioned. I also think it's important for the Pats to get a big win over better competition than the last two teams they've faced. Granted, the Fish may not light up the W column this season, but I think we can all agree (like it or not ) that they are much better than either the Titans or the Bucs.

 

[HarkDawg]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

It is a must win if you intend to put away the Dolphins. Rip their weak secondary into an ******* Brady.:singing:

 

[Its_The_Patriots]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Definitely a must win game for the Pats! In fact all games going forward are a must win for this team. You play to win the game! :lol2:

 

[Jimke]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

If the Patriots cannot win a home game against Miami, they are

not good playoff material. They might still sneak into the playoffs

but would lose early on.

 

[jmt57]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

IMPORTANT WIN?
Yes, absolutely. It's a division game, against last year's division champ, home game, a team that the Pats want to put away, gain a tie-breaker if needed, open up the division lead, there's a difficult stretch ahead, etc. In other words, lots of important reasons why the Pats need to win this game.


MUST WIN?
First off, let me say that to me "must win" means "must win or the season is over", or for all practicl purposes it's over; anything else is hyperbole. Perhaps others have different interpetations of that phrase, but that's my definition.

So is this really a "Must Win" game? Absolutely not. Even if the Pats were to lose they would still be 5-3, and would still be in first place in the division. I don't see any way that scenario qualifies this game as a "must win" - unless you are assuming the Dolphins and/or Jets will run the table, and also assume the Pats will lose to the Saints, Colts, Jets, and Dolphins in Miami.

Sure, if the Pats were to lose this game that would not be good, and when the season ends it could be one that we look back and say 'we should have won that game, that was the one that killed us.' But there's no way you can convince me that a game in week 9 for a 5-2 team is a "must win" - because even with a loss, the season is far from over.


On a side note: why are so many people seemingly convinced the Pats are going to lose to both the Colts and the Saints?

 

[jmt57]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

If the Patriots cannot win a home game against Miami, they are not good playoff material. They might still sneak into the playoffs but would lose early on.

Let me introduce you to the following:
Regular Season 2008 Eagles, and Playoff 2008 Eagles
Regular Season 2008 Cardinals, and Playoff 2008 Cardinals
Regular Season 2007 Giants, and Playoff 2007 Giants
Regular Season 2005 Steelers, and Playoff 2005 Steelers
Regular Season 2001 Patriots, and Playoff 2001 Patriots

For the reverse, check out how well three of the four teams with first round byes did just last year in the playoffs.


People are seriously making way too much of one midseason game. I am fully confident the Pats will win, but it won't be the end of the season if they don't.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Depends on how you look at it. If you're talking about making the playoffs, this game isn't a "must win," as the Pats could lose it and still win out in what is turning out to be a mediocre division except for New England.

From another perspective, though, since the Pats came through the first part of their season in pretty good shape (5--2, considering Brady's return, a revamped D and the usual injuries), my own hopes and expectations are very high right now for this team.

There's a lot of agreement out here that the next five games will tell us how good this team really is. Starting those games by losing at home, after a Bye, to the 3--4 Dolphins would suggest that I might want to think about lowering my expectations and would also probably make the Pats at least a six point dog in the Colts game.

So, if I'm going to continue thinking about this team as contending for a championship, this Sunday is a "Must" win. But, since they are still strongly in the hunt for the playoffs if they lose, in that sense it isn't a "Must."

 

[BionicPatriot]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

All depends if you care about seeding.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Depends on how you look at it. If you're talking about making the playoffs, this game isn't a "must win," as the Pats could lose it and still win out in what is turning out to be a mediocre division except for New England.

From another perspective, though, since the Pats came through the first part of their season in pretty good shape (5--2, considering Brady's return, a revamped D and the usual injuries), my own hopes and expectations are very high right now for this team.

There's a lot of agreement out here that the next five games will tell us how good this team really is. Starting those games by losing at home, after a Bye, to the 3--4 Dolphins would suggest that I might want to think about lowering my expectations and would also probably make the Pats at least a six point dog in the Colts game.

So, if I'm going to continue thinking about this team as contending for a championship, this Sunday is a "Must" win. But, since they are still strongly in the hunt for the playoffs if they lose, in that sense it isn't a "Must."

Precisely. If I wasn't so lazy I would have said the same thing. We'll still be OK to make the playoffs, but we want that #1 ticket to the show, or at least the 2 seed.

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

I think you've made a very cogent argument why it's a MUST win...for the Dolphins.

Bingo. A loss puts Miami 3 games down and no shot at a H2H tie breaker.

I am still trying to figure out how Miami is going to keep Brady from throwing 4 TDs. That secondary is a mess.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Pats vs Dolphins, a MUST WIN ?

Unless the Pats were to go 15-1, I think every game is a must win. The Dolphins are a division game which means a loss could hurt them with tiebreakers for the division AND playoff seeding with other AFC teams. New Orleans isn't a must win because it is a non-conference game. All division and conference games are must win unless you expect the Pats to win HFA throughout without the win or they aren't going to make the playoffs.

 

[JAYHAWKS34]

must win for the fins, bring on the wildcat

 

[aluminum seats]

The expression "must win" should be retired immediately. It has absolutely no meaning. As others have said, the only genuine "must win" is a game that ends a team's playoffs hopes, or a playoff game. Other games have varying degrees of importance. Let's give "must win" a rest already, like the saavy football guys I'm sure we all are.