Patriots Pregame Thread Pre Game Thread - Pats @ Bills

[ashley]

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

Without an update on his condition, there is no guarantee this game gets played. Remember we're talking about someone's life here. They can't do it, especially if he takes a turn for the worse. (hoping that doesn't happen of course)

 

[RobertWeathers]

The #1 seed comes with home field advantage throughout.

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

BUF is the better team regardless of HFA. Plus HFA is grossly overrated

 

[ashley]

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??

Goodell won't be able to do that. The public outcry would be too much and rightfully so.

 

[Tunescribe]

If you weren't so defensive then we wouldn't still be having this discussion. I made an obvious and uncontroversial observation. You're trolling someone (it doesn't matter that it was venecol) about their dissatisfaction with a player. No coincidence that you're doing it after a win. I just think that's a bit shortsighted when the broader view reveals extremely modest returns on a first round franchise investment. That's it. I'm hardly pushing an agenda. I suppose you feel real stats represent an agenda when they don't support your argument.

What B.S. YOU started this "discussion" after the Veneclown's eternally contrived, over-the-top Mac bashing was called out. You have the temerity to defend him then proceed with a parsed take along the same lines. This isn't about anyone, least of all myself, getting defensive over legit Mac criticism. It goes way, WAY beyond that and attempting to soft-pedal things or shift the goal posts makes it no less an agenda, a la your STILL unexplained "victory laps" quip. Compatriots of the Tampa Bay ghetto who spend more time gleefully belittling a player than looking for positives -- you two are disingenuous peas in a pod.

 

[yukon cornelius]

the longer they wait, the more the NFL screws this up

 

[ashley]

BUF is the better team regardless of HFA. Plus HFA is grossly overrated

One thing RW, is that this year, the number one seed is the only team that gets a bye which is a huge advantage.

 

[sb1]

BUF is the better team regardless of HFA. Plus HFA is grossly overrated

Arrowhead also doesn't feel like the playoff HFA that it's been made out to be. Lost to the Bengals and arguably should have lost to the Bills last January. Patriots beat them in 2018. Arguably should have lost to the Titans in 2019 in the playoffs and the Browns in 2020.

Bills also beat them there this season.

 

[crawhammer]

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

Later? Like when? Monday, a day later. At that point Buffalo would have two unfinished games one week before the postseason is supposed to start. Talk about putting more pressure on a team that's already overwhelmed.

 

[RobertWeathers]

One thing RW, is that this year, the number one seed is the only team that gets a bye which is a huge advantage.

Yep. Still think it doesn't matter where the game is.

HFA at the Div and CCG level is more about who the better team is than where it's played.

 

[ashley]

the longer they wait, the more the NFL screws this up

They can't do anything now, not without and update on his health. They are in a tremendously difficult spot. They already tentatively announced that games will still be played this weekend, but what else can they do? What if his health turns for the worse or all of a sudden gets better. That's the only reason they can't or haven't come out with a plan.

 

[venecol]

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

I think your thought of cancelling games and going with a teams winning % is reasonable since there is precedent for that. Any scenario where teams play other teams not on their schedule is so far fetched it shouldn't even be discussed.

Solution for what? The Bills-Cin game could easily be cancelled and the league could go with winning % (again precedent). The Bills-Pat game has to be played, either this week or next, whatever they decide.

 

[venecol]

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

The Captain?

 

[ashley]

Later? Like when? Monday, a day later. At that point Buffalo would have two unfinished games one week before the postseason is supposed to start. Talk about putting more pressure on a team that's already overwhelmed.

They can't do it on Monday because of the legal rights of the College Football playoffs and I doubt the NFL will want to play a game late afternoon.

 

[crawhammer]

BUF is the better team regardless of HFA. Plus HFA is grossly overrated

I know Brady beat Mahomes @KAN in an AFCCG but his career is uniquely chock-full of improbable wins. I think the two teams are really close and the determining factor regarding the favorite would be location.

 

[sb1]

When the NHL resumed the playoffs after covid hit they created a play-in round for teams in the playoffs and on the playoff bubble and it worked out fine. So that could be precedent if the NFL wants to do something like add an 8th seed this year in the AFC.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

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

It was Jason.

 

[crawhammer]

They can't do it on Monday because of the legal rights of the College Football playoffs and I doubt the NFL will want to play a game late afternoon.

That and Monday is merely one day after Sunday, which obviously isn't going to do anything for a team who's too distraught to play. There's already an unfinished game so I don't see a way for the league to push another one into that week. It's not going to be an easy situation to resolve if Buffalo can't go on Sunday.

 

[ashley]

When the NHL resumed the playoffs after covid hit they created a play-in round for teams in the playoffs and on the playoff bubble and it worked out fine. So that could be precedent if the NFL wants to do something like add an 8th seed this year in the AFC.

Didn't the NHL have a lot of time to think about this and create this? Not sure the NFL could do this in so little time. It's also seeding that's affected...Buffalo, KC and Cincy, all really good teams. Not sure how that would work.

 

[sb1]

Nobody is talking about this but I think the Pats should also be ready for how this game is going to be officiated.

The public sentiment is all with Buffalo for obvious reasons and everyone other than us wants to see the Bills win big in this one. Makes a great story. I'm sure the NFL is aware of that and it will be officiated accordingly.

We won't be getting the benefit of the doubt on any ticky tack or close calls.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Arrowhead also doesn't feel like the playoff HFA that it's been made out to be. Lost to the Bengals and arguably should have lost to the Bills last January. Patriots beat them in 2018. Arguably should have lost to the Texans in 2019 in the playoffs and the Browns in 2020.

Bills also beat them there this season.

I've gotten killed on Chiefs Planet for taking this position and i'm right.

HFA at Arrowhead is the biggest bunch of BS.

Since 1991 Chiefs are 9-8 at home in the playoffs.

Field a better team that doesn't choke or blow leads and they might win more.