Patriots Pregame Thread Pre Game Thread - Pats @ Bills

[mike_usagisan]

I think a decision on whether or not this game is played would have to be made pretty soon (i.e. probably before there are any significant updates on Hamlin's condition). If the game is cancelled then the only way the Patriots aren't just awaiting results of the Miami and Pittsburgh games is if the league matches the Patriots up with another team. The most obvious choice is Miami. The Jets already are eliminated so they can end the season at 7-9. Miami and Patriots play for the 7th seed. Pittsburgh won't be too happy about this (since it would effectively eliminate them) so perhaps the league could match up Pittsburgh and the Patriots and call the Browns season at 7-9. This way all three teams (MIA, PIT & NWE) would still be alive heading into their games. But for logistical reasons these types of decisions have to be made very soon.

I can't see the NFL going that crazy. I think you're right about the NFL not allowing the Bills to forfeit and take an L. But there will also be negative reaction to the Bills losing their chance for the #1 seed. I think the obvious thing the league probably would consider is canceling the Bills-Pats and bring an 8th AFC team into the playoffs, negating the benefit of the #1 seed. And it adds one more game/gate, meaning more money for the NFL.

 

[Steve102]

This game is getting played.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Also.... let's say this happened to two bad teams.

If one of them would cause playoff implications by not playng next week, do we really think they don't take the L?

 

[crawhammer]

Lay off the pipe dude.

So what's your solution? Or you just want to be douchey?

 

[turkeyneck]

I have absolutely no idea how the Bills play the game this Sunday and the speculation around Buffalo is whether the Bills may forfeit.

The team isn’t practicing. They’re spending practice time having team meetings to work through trauma.

I was expecting a "win one for the Gipper" sort of response. This doesn't sound like it.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Was Ginger running it when your kids played?

No. Ginger must be new? It was a guy - forget his name.

 

[Fuzz]

To get an idea on how the league thinks about forfeitures, you don't have to look too far. Just last season, the covid rules stated that any team with an outbreak that prevents them from fielding enough players forfeits their game. That seemed unfair too, but because there are so many other teams that get indirectly affected by scheduling changes, its the only option when a game cant be played due to one teams circumstances.

 

[RobertWeathers]

No. Ginger must be new? It was a guy - forget his name.

Not sure how long Ginger has been with FC Stars. I'm guess hes in his mid 40s.

 

[RobertWeathers]

why are there so many concussions in girls soccer in the US? I wonder, because i play soccer for 20 years myself now and no single player i can remember had a concussion. Is it related to head balls?

Bumping heads, strongly hit ball to the head.

My oldest had 2 from bumping heads and an elbow and my youngest a knee to the head when she fell. Both were fairly low grade thankfully.

 

[crawhammer]

Nobody with a chance to compete should be eliminated because a team which is already in the playoffs chooses not to play.

The week it happens, you can just say "that never happened before." Everybody's shocked enough to accept that.

The next week? Don't play, take an L. I mean, let's do the reductio ad absurdum. Do we need to give the Bills the ring right now in case they're still shook, as the kids say these days?

There is a difference between allowing the team to take the game off and take the L, and giving other teams an L (or the functional equivalent) because they need more time.

I said before, with regard to the competitive integrity of the league, all games must be completed. But there's a real possibility that's not going to happen. Even if the only game cancelled is the Bills-Bengals game, there are a bunch of consequences (with degrees of "unfairness"). This is an unprecedented situation. If Hamlin's condition gets worse (which all of us are hoping against), then Buffalo is not playing this game against the Patriots this weekend. So what's the solution from a football standpoint? Because Buffalo registering an L for the game is not happening. And the NFL isn't going to just hand a W and a playoff spot to the Patriots while eliminating three other teams (Jaguars also may need the Patriots to lose).

 

[crawhammer]

I can't see the NFL going that crazy. I think you're right about the NFL not allowing the Bills to forfeit and take an L. But there will also be negative reaction to the Bills losing their chance for the #1 seed. I think the obvious thing the league probably would consider is canceling the Bills-Pats and bring an 8th AFC team into the playoffs, negating the benefit of the #1 seed. And it adds one more game/gate, meaning more money for the NFL.

More games? Not now. Not with a player laying in an ICU bed.

 

[sb1]

I said before, with regard to the competitive integrity of the league, all games must be completed. But there's a real possibility that's not going to happen. Even if the only game cancelled is the Bills-Bengals game, there are a bunch of consequences (with degrees of "unfairness"). This is an unprecedented situation. If Hamlin's condition gets worse (which all of us are hoping against), then Buffalo is not playing this game against the Patriots this weekend. So what's the solution from a football standpoint? Because Buffalo registering an L for the game is not happening. And the NFL isn't going to just hand a W and a playoff spot to the Patriots while eliminating three other teams (Jaguars also may need the Patriots to lose).

Pats and Bills will play on Sunday. 100% there will be a game. Some or all (or none) of the Bills starters might choose not to play but there will be a game.

The alternatives won't be fair for reasons you already mentioned.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Bumping heads, strongly hit ball to the head.

My oldest had 2 from bumping heads and an elbow and my youngest a knee to the head when she fell. Both were fairly low grade thankfully.

so these happened from accidents during the game and not on purpose right?
concussions are bad, i feel bad for example tua
i had one but this resulted from an drinking accident

 

[RobertWeathers]

so these happened from accidents during the game and not on purpose right?
concussions are bad, i feel bad for example tua
i had one but this resulted from an drinking accident

They were all in the heat of battle. The elbow one was iffy but the girl was jockeying for position and came high. Not malicious. My kids aren't exactly saints but they've never aimed to injure.

I've had few myself playing hockey, football and baseball. It happens.

 

[yukon cornelius]

interesting

the patriots again canceled the media/open locker room portions of practice today

 

[crawhammer]

Pats and Bills will play on Sunday. 100%. Some or all (or none) of the Bills starters might choose not to play but there will be a game.

The alternatives won't be fair for reasons you already mentioned.

So if Buffalo tells Goodell they're too emotionally distraught to play this weekend, he's going to order them to cobble a team together. No ifs, ands or buts. Seriously??

 

[sb1]

More games? Not now. Not with a player laying in an ICU bed.

That option was also being discussed on the Bills board. Can't see it happening either but it would solve this problem. Then you can cancel Bills-Bengals without worrying about fairness because whoever wins the top seed (probably KC) doesn't actually get a free ride to the perks that come with it.

 

[sb1]

So if Buffalo tells Goodell they're too emotionally distraught to play this weekend, he's going to order them to cobble a team together. No ifs, ands or buts. Seriously??

Ok then make the game later in the week. Either way there will be a Pats-Bills game.

 

[crawhammer]

That option was also being discussed on the Bills board. Can't see it happening either but it would solve this problem. Then you can cancel Bills-Bengals without worrying about fairness because whoever wins the top seed (probably KC) doesn't actually get a free ride to the perks that come with it.

The #1 seed comes with home field advantage throughout.

KAN @ BUF = BUF win
BUF @ KAN = KAN win

 

[sb1]

The #1 seed comes with home field advantage throughout.

KAN @ BUF = BUF win
BUF @ KAN = KAN win

Good point. No bye though and that matters a lot to the top seed IMO.

Also I think Bills are better than the Chiefs and would beat them no matter where it is.