These are the kind of games we . . .

[Uptown]

Hopefully we get a few key guys back on D & contain PIT. Huge game. I have one of those “calm before the storm feeling” that the Pats’ are known for after a tough loss. I heard somewhere that Tom Brady will not be active for the PIT game & that Psycho Tom will stepping in for him due to the magnitude of the game. Looking forward to seeing how he performs

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

It's still crazy to think this team could lose of those BYEs after cruising to 8 straight wins by losing two games in a row. Again the Miami slipup really made this week a must win.

Whats really scary/frustrating is we could beat Pittsburgh and still not get a bye if we slip up in one of the last 2 games.

Doubt it actually happens cuz i see jax losing 1 more but still... ive seen us miss the playoffs at 11-5 so you never know

 

[dannydyn]

When was the last time the Pats won a "gotta have it" road game against a good team? I'm not talking beating the NYJ in December....nit saying they haven't done it, but they've usually been in cruise control for #1 seed at this point or haven't had any tough road games left...

2 years ago in Miami, was a must-win game to secure the #1 seed. Lost it... as a result had to go to Denver, and lost the AFCCG.

 

[FCB02062]

2 years ago in Miami, was a must-win game to secure the #1 seed. Lost it... as a result had to go to Denver, and lost the AFCCG.

Yes, the Stephen Jackson 15 straight times game...

 

[dannydyn]

It's still crazy to think this team could lose of those BYEs after cruising to 8 straight wins by losing two games in a row. Again the Miami slipup really made this week a must win.

That's why I said that Gronk's stupid move, may prove fatal in the long run.

 

[FourierSeries]

This will be the second easiest victory of the season, right behind the Denver game. The players won't break a sweat.

 

[Froob]

I have $50 riding on Pats -3....feeling great.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I took some heat out here a couple of weeks ago when I said that I didn't think the Pats were going to sweep the Division this year and that, as a result, I had them losing one of the three Division games in December. I basically said that even SB winning, Pats teams often lost at least one Division Game and that I didn't see anything about this year's team that suggested otherwise.

With the rise of Jacksonville as a competitor for a Bye should the Pats lose to Pittsburgh, I am reluctantly characterizing this Sunday's game as a "must win" for the Pats' SB aspirations. I usually think that kind of characterization is overly dramatic before the Playoffs or the last week of the season, but I think it's appropriate here.

The good news is that this is the kind of game, as the OP suggests, that the Belichick/Brady Patriots usually win, especially on the heels of a yugly loss.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

In all seriousness - what the heck happened with Gillislee? He was supposed to be our #1 back. I know that Burkhead, Lewis and White have been great and that there is no room at the inn, but why not just cut the guy (or trade him when we could, for anything), particularly where we are scrambling for roster spots? Inactive week after week. Weird. Not to mention a waste of $$.

I think his time will come once the Pats have Hogan and Gronk back together.

 

[SVN]

On the road for the 5th time in 6 weeks with injuries vs a tough Pitt team.. I see us a big underdogs to win not withstanding the past history.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

This will be the second easiest victory of the season, right behind the Denver game. The players won't break a sweat.

Dude you have been really pushing it when it comes to this game. If they lose i hope you're here and admit that you overlooked the squealers. You still have to go out there and execute a good game plan.

 

[supafly]

RBs are usually going to be prone to injury just due to the nature of the position, yet (other than a Burkhead hiatus) we have not been short-handed there. Remember 2015 and relying on the corpse of Steven Jackson at the end of the year? Uggghhh....

I think the reasonable expectation of RB injuries is what has kept Gill on the roster yet inactive. It might be about time to cut bait, though.

I think you’re spot on with your analysis, although I think a good argument can be made for simply keeping him for the rest of this year as opposed to cutting bait, now. May as well have a capable backup should injury arise. Like you said, none of us want to see a repeat of the Steven Jackson situation.

 

[mgteich]

I think you’re spot on with your analysis, although I think a good argument can be made for simply keeping him for the rest of this year as opposed to cutting bait, now. May as well have a capable backup should injury arise. Like you said, none of us want to see a repeat of the Steven Jackson situation.

NOW
There is absolutely ZERO reason to cut Gillislie now. We need the backup in case of an injury, or even two.

I don't see the problem. We brought in 2 backs: Burkhead and Gillislie. Lewis game back strong. One of the two additions is inactive.

THE PHILOSOPHY
I don't understand. We have four capable RB's. There may be game plans where they are all active, but I would expect that one would usually be inactive.

Early in the year, Lewis was playing relatively few downs, as his body was being tested. Eventually, he became our #1 back, beating out Burkhead and Gillislie. White is a fine 3rd down back. Burkhead (who we pay lots to) was seen to be a better to be active than Gillislie.

What SHOULD we have done? Should we have counted on Lewis, some new guy and White, and hoped for no injuries?

There is NO problem with one of our backs being inactive. It is a GOOD think to have a solid backup, especially at RB.

2018
Will Gillislie be worth $2M for 2018? IMHO, it would be silly to decide this before being very deep into camp.

I should note that Lewis is not signed for 2018. Also, Burkhead isn't signed for 2018.

IMHO, it would be great to re-sign Lewis and Burkhead and have the same RB's in 2018 as we have this year.

 

[FourierSeries]

You still have to go out there and execute a good game plan.

I do?

 

[PatriotsReign]

Before I answer I need to know the rules. I'm guessing Raiders, Broncos, Seahawks , Falcons, Show Ponies etc... don't count.

Don’t forget unicorn!

Where the f*** is the beef?

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Win. Back against the wall. On the road. High stakes.

Brady on fire. Gronk on mission.
Surprise contributor on offense: Mike Gillislee.
Surprise contributor on defense: Jonathan Jones.

Will be at the Ketchup bottle to see it myself.

or catsup if youre D. Lewis

 

[PatriotReign]

Yes, the Stephen Jackson 15 straight times game...

Brady wasn't going to survive behind the decimated offensive line and did end up suffering an ankle injury during that game on a hit by Suh.

 

[Tunescribe]

Win. Back against the wall. On the road. High stakes.

Brady on fire. Gronk on mission.
Surprise contributor on offense: Mike Gillislee.
Surprise contributor on defense: Jonathan Jones.

Will be at the Ketchup bottle to see it myself.

Cliffhanger thread titles suck. Why didn't you just say: These are the kinds of games we win.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Good list but they forgot 2007 pats at colts, believe it was 7-0 vs 6-0 or close

I can’t believe they could miss that game. Statistically speaking, it may have been the greatest regular season matchup of all-time. Also, 2005 @ Pittsburgh. 2007 @ Dallas.

 

[DarrylS]

Always seems that the Pats play their best football against the best teams, they rise to the level of competition.. and vice versa.

If I remember correctly Gillislee is a one trick pony, no ST's and no pass catching ability..