Pre-game Situation:

Miami lost. So, the division is wrapped up. We don't have to fear a nightmare scenario of actually missing the playoffs.

However, Cincinnati and Indianapolis won. Both teams are at 10-5. The Patriots (10-4) obviously lose the tie-breaker to the Bengals. I believe we also lose it to the Colts based on conference record (8-3 Colts vs. 7-4 Patriots with a loss today).

The game in Baltimore is the difference between the #2 seed and a bye and probably the #4 seed heading into Week 17.

Week 17
Buffalo @ New England
Baltimore @ Cincinnati
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis



With the Patriots injury problems, I don't think we're a big playoff threat without the bye and a guaranteed home game in the division round.

Vereen looks done for the game. ****

Unreal how bad they run with injuries this year.

Vereen getting hurt sucks, but I can't say I'm too broken up about Steve Gregory...

I don't fault the team right now, a lot of **** has happened. I just fault the implication that Edelman will be gone because BB thinks Brady is so amazing that continuity with WRs in this system is overrated. Bottom line, Pats would feel fine to let Edelman go especially because he doesn't command a huge contract. I used to dislike him, but he's integral to this offense right now.

BLOUNT

Just coming in to brag. Really nice win today.

Gotta love that back door cover. 2 defensive TD under 2 mins. Ship it

You definitely have bragging rights, I did not see this at all. Although you have to admit the Ravens laid a giant egg today, played just terrible but maybe it was the patriots that made them play that way.

It used to be Pitt/Indy/Baltimore had a bad day when they met us in the playoffs. sigh.

What has to happen for a bye?

Simple, just beat Buffalo.

Hopefully Vereen's injury isn't serious as the offense couldn't do much after he went down.

It looked like the LB's had a much improved game today. After getting blasted lately Hightower made a couple of plays today and Collins was good too. Its nice to have a big athletic LB like Collins that can cover.

Hopefully the McCourty concussion isnt too bad and he comes back quick.

For the Patriots to be the #1 seed:
Patriots must win.
Broncos must lose.

If Broncos win, for the Patriots to be the #2 seed:
1. Patriots win. (everything else irrelevant)

2. Or, Patriots lose, Bengals lose, and Colts lose.

Other scenarios:

Patriots lose, Bengals win, Colts win
2. Bengals (11-5), 3. Collts (11-5), 4. Patriots (11-5)

Patriots lose, Bengals win, Colts lose
2. Bengals (11-5), 3. Patriots (11-5), 4. Colts (10-6)

Patriots lose, Bengals lose, Colts win
2. Colts (11-5), 3. Patriots (11-5), 4. Bengals (10-6)

Why do we get the tiebreaker over KC? We never played heads up, and we have the same conference record.

Similarly, why does Indy finish ahead of us in tiebreaking...again, didnt play each other and have the same conference record.

I dont think I understand how tiebreaking works past the first two tiebreaking steps. When they talk about 'best W/L among common opponents (min 4 games)', how do they factor in division opponents that one team plays twice and the other team only played once? Do both games count for 1 team?

Im so happy for Edelman. Ive been on his wagon since jump street and for him to finally have this huge year is nice, I'm happy for him because he works very hard and has big heart.

96 catches for 990 yards with 1 game to go! 4 catches and 10 yards sounds very possible! My man is about to get paid! (Please be by us)

There's no scenario in which the Patriots and Chiefs need a tie-breaker. The Broncos have clinched the AFC West. The Chiefs have clinched a wild card spot and and the #5 seed.

Division champions will always be higher seeded (and get home field advantage) against a wild card team.


The Patriots and Colts will finish the season tied at 11-5 if the Patriots lose and the Colts win next week. That would drop the Patriots' conference record to 8-4 while the Colts would improve to 9-3.

Ah ok, you are right. I should have known those things but thanks for clearing it up.

I don't care how they did it or what the penalties were. Don't even care how Brady played. Eff the Ravens, laying the wood to them in their own house, that was frickin sweet.

I know it gets talked about alot but its amazing how much better Arrington is playing the slot. Its encouraging to see Logan Ryan progressing as it allows them to keep Arrington inside.

Arrington had a pretty good tag of Flacco on a corner (safety?) blitz sometime during the game. I feel like they dialed up some more exotic blitzes than usual this game. Maybe they don't respect Flacks anymore, lol. Someone review the tape and confirm?

But yet, some people think we'll probably let him walk, and don't flinch at the notion. Catch 100 passes in the Pats system? Let him go. PAY THE MAN.

I don't fault BB because he handed out two gigantic contracts to two TEs who were looking awesome on the field, one is in jail the other can't stay healthy. We can discuss whether BB should have foreseen such issues or done better research, but it doesn't matter. These contracts ****ed us severely during Brady's few final years. And I mean in a results-oriented way. There's like 7 mil in dead money from Hernandez hitting our cap, and we can do nothing about it.

You made a homer comment and then quoted yourself when it came true. That's an internet sin. LOVE this win (I know you think I hate this team), but give it a rest, Goodie.

Stephen Hill has a similar skill set to Megatron. They are different, however. Combine numbers are meaningless when the actual games begin and you can see who is a player and who is not. Edelman is a player. I have no comment on Amendola here, just talkin' EdelGOAT.