divisional round discussion

[ericanadian]

I can do that too.
The Saints should not have advanced, bottom line. They didn't hold a lead in the game once until 25 seconds were left on the clock, barely making it into field goal range on somewhat of a prayer of a 4th down throw. They blew their chance to get a simple first down that would have assured it was zero seconds left while their field goal sailed through. They then blew their defensive coverage, twice. They BLEW IT IN MULTIPLE WAYS.

We get it, not even the word homer applies to your fandom but the Vikings blew that game and should have lost. Let's just go ahead and discredit the Saints along with one of the best comebacks in playoff history. Yeah, the Saints didn't pick up a 1st down before their FG but who says that Diggs even gets out of bounds with the ~4 seconds that were left on the clock as he caught the ball followed by a semi-competent tackle from Williams or the fact that MIN would have had a what? 52 minimum yard FG attempt if he did get out?

MIN advanced on one of the worst defensive plays in recent memory, and some may say it's up there as one of the worst ever. Call it "playing through the whistle" or "never giving up" or "we practice it every week"....blah blah blah, it was luck.

The Sendejo injury played a big part in the Saints comeback. He went down just before Thomas' first touchdown. Not sure how that is any less lucky than being the beneficiary of a bad tackle.

[Friction]

Iggles are only +135 right now on the money line. My hedge is not looking as strong. On the flip side, my friend Mush went all in on the Queens for $2500. We have been waiting 22 years and counting for him to show us a winning gambling slip of any kind....

[Shoreline Steamers]

And Brady hurt his hand at practice.
Oh boy.

And didn't do much at practice today either. I can't imagine he's not out there on Sunday, but will this affect his play, and if so how much?

Good thing they've got a solid backup in Garoppo.......Uhm, nevermind.

[dynastyninja]

And Brady hurt his hand at practice.
Oh boy.

And didn't do much at practice today either. I can't imagine he's not out there on Sunday, but will this affect his play, and if so how much?

Good thing they've got a solid backup in Garoppo.......Uhm, nevermind.

Even if they still had Jimmy G it wouldn't matter. No way they'd even consider benching Brady

[Shoreline Steamers]

Even if they still had Jimmy G it wouldn't matter. No way they'd even consider benching Brady

As I say, I fully expect Brady to be out there. But if he can't effectively grip and throw the ball and find themselves in a hole? It sure would have been nice to be able to turn to someone with years of experience in the system.

I imagine Stafford's hand injury was worse and he didn't miss any time. Just figured I'd stir the pot. Don't you imagine this thought at least passed through BB's mind?

[Bot101]

Anyone else think this is just smoke by the Pats? This reeks of smoke.

[Blackout]

Yes it's just smoke. SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR SMOKIN' JAY ! Oh hurt my thumb, i'm done, i give up

[clarion contrarion]

if he is hurt too bad for the pats my steelers lost as they gave up hitting qbs in playoffs he would still be safe ! - It won't matter ,his hand could be in a cast and pats would just line up and run the ball 60 times and beat the jags 17 -7 . Some practice squad fb from south alaska state or dubuque college will have 160 yards rushing and 2 tds .

[Valhalla]

...Some practice squad fb from south alaska state or dubuque college will have 160 yards rushing and 2 tds .

Sounds about right...
I think it's a ruse. They're just trying to get the Jaguars to gameplan against the run more. The Pats will avoid the elite DBs and go after the LBs with quick passes, which is where Brady thrives anyways.

[Jfever]

We've all learned that NE cannot be trusted. They play the media game more than any other franchise in history. This is all much to do about nothing most likely. In reality, Thing is, Jacksonville has a very strong Lb corp. VERY good defensive backs, and very strong front 4. And, I'm assuming that If we know that D.Lewis and short passing game needs to be accounted for - so does Jacksonville. I'm certain they aren't that worried about the deep game, nor are they overly concerned with N.E's power run game between the tackles. By all accounts, even a Healthy Brady will have to play a close to flawless game. Interject a lucky turnover or two and ..... well, Jacksonville may just advance. I know that blows everyone's mind but if you just look back at the NE victories - they are all very very close.

[Jfever]

This means that in order for NE to put up a high scoring game, they'll likely have to have longer sustained drives throughout the game. That is tough to do vs a strong defense that excels in pressure and take aways. If I'm a NE fan, I'm quite nervous. To ignore the current matchup vs Jacksonville's young and talented Defense - and rely heavily on NE's historical performance is an elementary and over simplified way of weighing this matchup.

[Ghosted]

I agree that Jacksonville is formidable on defense, but that seems to be where the conversation is being dominated. The fact is, Bortles still has to make enough plays to actually win an AFC championship game, on the road against BB. I'm no more "nervous" as a NE fan than I have been in past AFC championship games, and was definitely more nervous for every time they tilted off against Peyton. Probably more similar to the Pats - Ravens playoff matchups, but the Ravens were much more experienced so they probably worried me more. Sure, Jacksonville can win, but if I was a fan of each 4 remaining teams, NE would be who I had the least amount concern over.

[Jfever]

I agree that Jacksonville is formidable on defense, but that seems to be where the conversation is being dominated. The fact is, Bortles still has to make enough plays to actually win an AFC championship game, on the road against BB. I'm no more "nervous" as a NE fan than I have been in past AFC championship games, and was definitely more nervous for every time they tilted off against Peyton. Probably more similar to the Pats - Ravens playoff matchups, but the Ravens were much more experienced so they probably worried me more. Sure, Jacksonville can win, but if I was a fan of each 4 remaining teams, NE would be who I had the least amount concern over.

Do you think perhaps that your call here has something to do with past N.E. teams? I'm quite sure that due to the recent dominance of the Patriot organization has a ton to do with how some are looking at this matchup. Now, I don't disagree with anyone thinking that N.E. has the best chance to win out of the 4 remaining playoff teams. I myself lean toward the defensively oriented teams when it comes to championship chances this year. Heck, that Patriot organization is on a historic / never seen before in any professional sport - streak of success. BB is without a doubt the most successful head coach of all time as it pertains to super bowl championships. He is brilliant. But..... on the other side of the field is a coach / consultant by the name of Tom Coughlin. For the record.... Coughlin is responsible for 2 Bill Belichick super bowl losses. I'm not dismissing that.

Now, all past performances aside. Only looking at rosters, strengths, weaknesses, coaches, OC, DC, assistants, etc. I see this as much more of a question than if we looked at just the N.E. Patriots organization and their recent playoff record vs the Jacksonville Jaguars organization and their recent history.

I agree with your point that Bortles will still have to lead his offense, pick up first downs, protect the ball, kill time, etc. No doubt there. It does seem to me though that the Patriot defense is susceptible to the run. Bortles can run. LF can run. As long as Bortles doesn't turn the ball over and give up good field position to Brady, I see it as likely that Jacksonville bucks the odds, and wins this game.

[jman3134]

I like Sacksonville. Don't care if I am in the minority. I think JAC will adjust on defense and break through the Pats o line. Blake will get great field position and this will drive the L.

[WhatWouldDitkaDo]

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