Patriots Pregame Thread Pre Game Thread - Pats @ Bills

[crawhammer]

True draftnik thinking right there. Sheesh. A guy might be knocking on heaven's door, which is more important that the actual playoffs... but WAIT! It's not more important than a shift of a spot or two up or down in next year's draft (in the high 20s)!

Whoever you're talking to... me or @MAC10 or both. You're not being fair at all. No one is dismissing the severity of Hamlin's condition here. Do we have to preface every comment with a reminder that Hamlin's health is the priority? You can chase anyone around the forum and shout them down as being insensitive anytime they comment on something not directly related to Hamlin's well-being. That's just ridiculous. We all know what's going on there, and I'm sure most everyone is concerned for Hamlin's well-being, but it shouldn't shutdown discussion of everything else on the forum.

 

[crawhammer]

If both teams lose in the first round, it will affect their draft position...the higher seeded team would get the lower pick. Also, even if the Chiefs get the 1 seed after this weekend, cancelling the Bills-Bengals game affects who gets the 2 seed and 3 seed.

Whatever about the draft position, they can flip a coin between two spots. But anyway, in the situation you describe, the original seeding would determine the draft position.

I just took a closer look at it, and I believe no matter what the outcomes of week 18, the Bills vs Bengals week 17 game will need to be concluded to solidify the seeding.

 

[VectorPrime]

Mike Reiss is on 98.5 right now and is outright stating that from what he’s hearing literally everything is on the table and, in his own speculation, he wouldn’t be totally shocked if the Bills forfeited the next two games and went into the playoffs as whatever seed that is.

 

[notex]

Im

Whoever you're talking to... me or @MAC10 or both. You're not being fair at all. No one is dismissing the severity of Hamlin's condition here. Do we have to preface every comment with a reminder that Hamlin's health is the priority? You can chase anyone around the forum and shout them down as being insensitive anytime they comment on something not directly related to Hamlin's well-being. That's just ridiculous. We all know what's going on there, and I'm sure most everyone is concerned for Hamlin's well-being, but it shouldn't shutdown discussion of everything else on the forum.

Agreed... And the reason I've avoided this thread until right now. There seems to be a lot of that happening on Twitter as well. Name your tragedy, people take the opportunity to try to shout how they are the "most sorry" and send the most "thoughts and prayers" because it helps them believe they are somehow morally superior.

Look, its tragic...But its a multi-billion dollar business and the show must go on. There is no right answer in terms of rescheduling the game, how standings are affected - but the NFL just cannot seize to operate completely because of the health of one player. Doesn't change how sad it is for a very promising, bright, and talented young man that almost died last night. Never thought I'd say this but I actually feel bad for the NFL... No matter what decision they make in this scenario, someone is going to be upset. They absolutely did the right thing to cancel the game last night, however, I dont think anyone is arguing that.

 

[DaBruinz]

Ok, in other words, she has no idea what she's talking about...

How is SHE the issue when she's repeating what Vic Carucci reported on the WGRZ TV Broadcast?

 

[patsfan13]

If the Bills win this week they will be the #1 seed and no need to play a makeup game with the Bengals.

 

[Steve102]

While I am not opposed to any and all discussions of how this affects the Pats, it all seems to be an exercise in futility. What will happen will happen when it happens, not before. No sense digging in to a position on it, one way or the other. @notex said it correctly, there's no right answer.

 

[Boomer B]

Mike Reiss is on 98.5 right now and is outright stating that from what he’s hearing literally everything is on the table and, in his own speculation, he wouldn’t be totally shocked if the Bills forfeited the next two games and went into the playoffs as whatever seed that is.

I don’t think the NFL would allow them to forfeit the Pats game.

The Steelers, Dolphins, and potentially Jags franchises are not gonna be fine with the Pats getting the final playoff spot by forfeit while they fought all year to get in playoff contention.

 

[farn]

I don’t think the NFL would allow them to forfeit the Pats game.

The Steelers, Dolphins, and potentially Jags franchises are not gonna be fine with the Pats getting the final playoff spot by forfeit while they fought all year to get in playoff contention.

I agree. There would be some pushback.

Having said that : those sorry losers can’t go 9-8 and cry about not making the playoffs. Honestly, none of the ‘contenders’ for #7 deserve the playoffs.

 

[Hyped]

Whatever happens....one thing for sure...the final game of week 17 needs to go in the books first.

I am now thinking the Pats are playing on MNF in Buffalo along with Cincinnati against Baltimore as well...and the Bills/Bengals would then get a late Sunday wildcard game at home or that game is pushed to MNF on wildcard weekend....don't we now have a MNF wild card game?

 

[Boomer B]

I agree. There would be some pushback.

Having said that : those sorry losers can’t go 9-8 and cry about not making the playoffs. Honestly, none of the ‘contenders’ for #7 deserve the playoffs.

If they missed the playoffs due to another team getting in by forfeit they’d have every right to cry.

 

[Hyped]

I agree. There would be some pushback.

Having said that : those sorry losers can’t go 9-8 and cry about not making the playoffs. Honestly, none of the ‘contenders’ for #7 deserve the playoffs.

I would have the Steelers/Fish/Pats play one another...say one half against each team....90 minutes of football...to decide it?

 

[Boomer B]

I would have the Steelers/Fish/Pats play one another...say one half against each team....90 minutes of football...to decide it?

Each team pick their 10 best players and have a Royal Rumble to determine the outcome. Live on PPV of course.

 

[ralmat55]

Who gets the first round bye is the biggest consideration in what to do with rescheduling or canceling the Bills- Bengals game.

I wonder if the NFL would consider adding an 8th playoff team which would eliminate the bye in the Wildcard round and remove it as a consideration?

They could also give the Chiefs, Bills, Bengals and Ravens, who’ve already clinched playoff spots, a bye in week 18 by canceling two games and having the Patriots play the Raiders this week instead of the Bills. The Pats and Raiders played 3 weeks ago, so both should be able adapt to their new opponent relatively smoothly.

 

[venecol]

I agree. There would be some pushback.

Having said that : those sorry losers can’t go 9-8 and cry about not making the playoffs. Honestly, none of the ‘contenders’ for #7 deserve the playoffs.

As I understand it, if Titans beat the Jags on Saturday, Jags end up with #7 seed, making all these other games irrelevant. So, we could know the answer on Saturday.

Edit: forgot this requires other outcomes like Jets, Bills & Cle winning. What a mess.

 

[notex]

I've been thinking about this and I think the fairest way is they end up pushing all playoffs back 1 weeks (using super bowl bye week) to allow the regular season games to be played, and then resume playoffs a week later than planned.

This sunday (Pats/ Bills) and rest of NFL games
Next weekend (Bills/Bengals) as the only game
Following Week (Playoffs start)

Superbowl stays the same. No Bye week after AFC/NFC championship games. Superbowl bye week is unnecessary and annoying anyways.

"Short end of the stick" is to Bills/Bengals who don't get the extra week off to rest, however, they did get some "rest" this week. And to anyone who is going to get in my face saying "its not rest, their teammate almost died", they didn't play in a physically punishing football game. I understand the emotional aspect of what happened and that is unfortunate. But they do still get the same number of "days off" just in a different order....

No ideal solution, but someone is going to be pissed off no matter what. This seems the route where order is maintained and fair to every team... I think.

 

[VectorPrime]

I don’t think the NFL would allow them to forfeit the Pats game.

The Steelers, Dolphins, and potentially Jags franchises are not gonna be fine with the Pats getting the final playoff spot by forfeit while they fought all year to get in playoff contention.

The Bills players can do whatever the hell they want.

 

[patfanken]

Mike Reiss is on 98.5 right now and is outright stating that from what he’s hearing literally everything is on the table and, in his own speculation, he wouldn’t be totally shocked if the Bills forfeited the next two games and went into the playoffs as whatever seed that is.

While I can see that happening from the Bills standpoint, and it would be a HUGE win for the Pats I can never see it happening. Of course that would mean the Pats not only get a free pass into the playoffs.; but if you are a Dolphins fan you'd be more than just pissed to see the Pats GET that free pass. It simply would be unfair to the max. Imagine if that situation were reversed and the Phins got the free pass?

Nice thought, but not going to happen.

 

[DaBruinz]

Not a lot to talk about. I am sure Bill is keeping everyone moving forward and getting ready for 1pm Sunday until the NFL announces a schedule change. At that point, they'll make adjustments and move forward.

This was done ACROSS the league because they don't want the moron reporters to badger other teams with questions about Hamlin and player safety.

 

[TommyD4207]

While I can see that happening from the Bills standpoint, and it would be a HUGE win for the Pats I can never see it happening. Of course that would mean the Pats not only get a free pass into the playoffs.; but if you are a Dolphins fan you'd be more than just pissed to see the Pats GET that free pass. It simply would be unfair to the max. Imagine if that situation were reversed and the Phins got the free pass?

Nice thought, but not going to happen.

I dunno, if I'm a Dolphins fan, maybe I'm more pissed that my team hasn't won since before Thanksgiving, and maybe really shouldn't be a playoff team?