Pats-Bills Stays at 1:00. Thanks, Peyton!!

[RedOctober3829]

New England Patriots ‏@Patriots [URL="https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/547112228520857600

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/547112228520857600"]1m1

link to tweet minute ago[/url]
#Patriots Schedule update: If Denver wins tonight, Sunday's Pats-Bills game will move to 4:25pm. If Cincinnati wins, game remains at 1pm.
 
This is probably only so if the #1 seed matters there will be no competitive balance issues.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Fine by me.  This potentially hurts Denver if anything, as they won't have the ability to rest players next Sunday if the Pats win earlier.

 

[dynomite]

Correct. I believe this happened last year for the Broncos and Patriots and #1 seed reasons, too. (Except it was the Broncos who were in line for the #1)

Not even edit: I just looked it up, and it was literally the exactly same games, even: DEN/OAK and NE/BUF.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Shocked they don't leave the pats at 1 so manning can rest week 17 if the pats win. #conspiracy

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

Shocked they don't leave the pats at 1 so manning can rest week 17 if the pats win. #conspiracy

 
If the Broncos took two weeks off in a row, they'd be rusty for the divisional round.  #conspiracyStillAlive

 

[j44thor]

This is awesome, I'll be at the inlaws early Sunday and forced to watch 1PM football in the backroom on a non-hi def feed.
Luckily with a 4:25 start we will have an excuse to leave early enough to get home for the important game.

 

[Devizier]

There's another reason to root for Cincinnati, I guess.

 

[loshjott]

This is awesome, I'll be at the inlaws early Sunday and forced to watch 1PM football in the backroom on a non-hi def feed.
Luckily with a 4:25 start we will have an excuse to leave early enough to get home for the important game.

 
Despite your significant hardships, I still would prefer a Cincy win tonight and 1pm kickoff.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Thread title updated.

 

[Koufax]

4 interceptions.  Great win for the Bengals.

 

[dynomite]

Those of us in New England will now be subjected to days of people begging the Patriots to sit everyone, followed by days of Belichick grumpily mentioning that he only has 50 players and can't sit everyone.
 
HAPPY HANUKKAH! MERRY CHRISTMAS!  #1 SEED!  SHOW PONIES!

 

[Pandemonium67]

Let them sit February 2.  I want the Pats to play pedal to the metal against the Bills and tear them apart, so they go into the bye with a win and with less rust.  The exception would be anyone dinged, such as Edelman and maybe Connolly.  Don't want Brady killed, of course, so JG can take over when the Pats are up four scores in the 4th.

 

[Saints Rest]

I have to think that the Patriots Will let all those dinged up sit plus limited (perhaps zero) playing time for Brady, Gronk, Revis, DMC, Wilfork, Collins.

 

[loshjott]

I think all the "healthy" guys play at least a half. That's been BB's practice when they already have a bye week clinched.  On the other hand, Edelman, even if he passes the protocols, will hopefully sit. 

 

[dcmissle]

Reasonable people can disagree on the approach -- unless, of course, you find a recently concussed receiver laid out on the field.  But that's just asking for trouble.
 
I'd sit Brady, Gronk, Revis and anyone injured and play this as a tune up with live bullets (at most), an exhibition game (at least).  Give JG the start and a decent chunk of practice time  But Brady wants no part of this, and I tend to doubt it will go that way.

 

[Leather]

My guess is that, after the O Line's shit sandwich on Sunday, the starters will play at least the first quarter.

 

[dynomite]

My guess is that, after the O Line's shit sandwich on Sunday, the starters will play at least the first quarter.

Right. I mean, Brady and Gronk probably won't leave the game before halftime.

In a similar game in 2010 Brady played into the first series of the 3rd quarter. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101020nwe.htm?mobile=false

People who expect otherwise I think are forgetting Belichick's attitude here.

 

[ShaneTrot]

Reasonable people can disagree on the approach -- unless, of course, you find a recently concussed receiver laid out on the field.  But that's just asking for trouble.
 
I'd sit Brady, Gronk, Revis and anyone injured and play this as a tune up with live bullets (at most), an exhibition game (at least).  Give JG the start and a decent chunk of practice time  But Brady wants no part of this, and I tend to doubt it will go that way.

I am torn on this issue. I think the important starters should play a little and the roster is only so big (53 and 47 will be active). You are forced to play almost all of your guys anyway. Brady of all people should realize a season can end on one play. I lean towards resting guys but BB does not. I assume he thinks playing this game against Buffalo is much better prep for his team than any practice. I also think the Manning Colts team always rested too many guys after they had clinched their playoff berths and were stale in the playoffs.
 
I would love to see what Fleming could do at tackle, plus Garoppolo, White, Butler, Ebner, Moore, Tyms, Wilson etc would be fun to see as starters

 

[DJnVa]

He's going to play some--otherwise he goes 3 weeks without gameplay--from December 20th until January 9th or 10th.

 

[Stitch01]

The offense hasn't played well in a month, they're going to get snaps.  Once Brady gets snaps, you are sort of locked into the OL (and to a lesser extent Gronk) getting snaps so I think its going to be all starters go for a half, at least on offense.
 
Defense is a little bit of a different beast, I think there's a pretty good argument to sit Revis and let Dennard get a full game in at the outside or at the very least make Revis the first guy off the field.  Similarly, sitting McCourty and letting Harmon play seems fine to me.
 
Edelman, Connolly, Blount, and Arrington probably get the week off.  Some of the other guys who have been dinged to a lesser extent (LaFell, Gray, Hightower, Chandler Jones, Chung via Reiss speculation) might get the week off or reduced snaps depending on how they feel.  I expect a liberal substitution pattern for the big guys up front.
 
I almost don't want to watch because Im basically just going to be holding my breath for Gronk and Brady and Revis the whole game even though I understand why they are going to play some.  Will be much more fun in the second half when its Jimmy G launching bombs to Tyms like its mid August.

 

[GregHarris]

It's a Festivus miracle!!

 

[Leather]

Fortunately the Bills have nothing to play for and are in Foxboro, so it's doubtful they'll take many cheap shots (I hope).

 

[Ed Hillel]

Fortunately the Bills have nothing to play for and are in Foxboro, so it's doubtful they'll take many cheap shots (I hope).

 
Dareus and Gilmore went down last week, and with nothing to play for and no motivation for Buffalo to keep the Patriots from homefield, I would think they'll be sitting.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

I hope Bill tells everyone that if Browner goes the whole game without getting flagged, they get an extra day off or something.  Speaking of things that we need to practice.

 

[Valek123]

Tell JG that Brady is starting and playing the first half, mid-way through the second possession pull Brady and put JG on the spot to see how he responds.

 

[Toe Nash]

I hope Bill tells everyone that if Browner goes the whole game without getting flagged, they get an extra day off or something.  Speaking of things that we need to practice.

Refs put flags away in the playoffs, particularly during crucial moments. I wouldn't worry too much about this especially to the point of Browner changing his game and maybe becoming less effective.

 

[Marciano490]

Interesting article on Wilfork's incentives that hinge on his playing Sunday:
 
http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/sit-or-play-could-mean-millions-wilfork?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

 

[GregHarris]

Penalties be damned.  I love Browner's game.  He causes the swivel head syndrome in WR and is a disruptive force.  He's caused at least 2 interceptions from his hits.  I want that player I can count on to destroy Emmanuel Sanders coming across the middle in the potential AFC Championship game.

 

[amarshal2]

Have you guys seen the offense in the first half for most of this season? You think it's a fluke? You think Bill is satisfied with that? Offensive starters will be out there working on their shit for at least a half (save, perhaps, for some of the guys who missed NYJ due to injury).

 

[MainerInExile]

Interesting article on Wilfork's incentives that hinge on his playing Sunday:
 
http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/sit-or-play-could-mean-millions-wilfork?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

 
They had a similar situation with Vollmer earlier in the year and did the right thing by granting the incentive anyway.  I imagine they would do the same for Vince.
 

Have you guys seen the offense in the first half for most of this season? You think it's a fluke? You think Bill is satisfied with that? Offensive starters will be out there working on their shit for at least a half (save, perhaps, for some of the guys who missed NYJ due to injury).

 
Agreed, anyone who is even a bit injured will sit.  I think the offense will play, because of the suck they showed on Sunday.  I think it will range from 2 series to a whole half, depending on how good they look.  I'd be pretty surprised if Brady plays more than a half.

 

[m0ckduck]

Penalties be damned.  I love Browner's game.  He causes the swivel head syndrome in WR and is a disruptive force.  He's caused at least 2 interceptions from his hits.  I want that player I can count on to destroy Emmanuel Sanders coming across the middle in the potential AFC Championship game.

 
Agree 100%. I've come to think of him and Chandler Jones in similar terms-- both their games have frustrating flaws (penalties for Browner, anything-but-pass-rush-and-pursuit for Jones) that cost us incrementally over the course of the game... and yet, half the time we force a turnover, it seems like at least one of these two guys was involved. 

 

[Devizier]

I hope to god the Patriots don't fuck with Browner M1919.

 

[JMDurron]

 
Agree 100%. I've come to think of him and Chandler Jones in similar terms-- both their games have frustrating flaws (penalties for Browner, anything-but-pass-rush-and-pursuit for Jones) that cost us incrementally over the course of the game... and yet, half the time we force a turnover, it seems like at least one of these two guys was involved. 

I don't agree with this criticism of Chandler Jones. He seems to have set the edge well in run defense plays over the last two weeks. He doesn't seem like a one-truck pony to my eye. If anything, he seems to be sacrificing pass rush effectiveness for run contain until he is certain that he is looking at a pass play.

 

[mulluysavage]

Meaningless game? You play. To win. The game.

Also see Giants-Pats 2007 regular-season finale.

Then when you have humiliated the Bills in the first half, whose dreams were crushed by Kenbrell Thompkins, its the Garopollo, White, and Tyms show. Enjoy!

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I don't agree with this criticism of Chandler Jones. He seems to have set the edge well in run defense plays over the last two weeks. He doesn't seem like a one-truck pony to my eye. If anything, he seems to be sacrificing pass rush effectiveness for run contain until he is certain that he is looking at a pass play.

Co-sign. The idea that Chandler is some one or two trick pony who we sacrifice run D to have on the field for his pass rush ability is off-base, IMO.

 

[DJnVa]

Meaningless game? You play. To win. The game.

Also see Giants-Pats 2007 regular-season finale.

Then when you have humiliated the Bills in the first half, whose dreams were crushed by Kenbrell Thompkins, its the Garopollo, White, and Tyms show. Enjoy!

 
 
The 2007 final game is a bad choice--they were playing for 16-0.
 
In other seasons where seeds have been locked up, the Patriots given the starters time off--a half, a quarter, etc.
 

 

 

[TheoShmeo]

 
 
The 2007 final game is a bad choice--they were playing for 16-0.
 
In other seasons where seeds have been locked up, the Patriots given the starters time off--a half, a quarter, etc.
 
 

Yep.  A good summary of the recent history can be found here:
 
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/12/23/bill-belichick-patriots-have-history-using-starters-meaningless-games/lKUxPc0MtYCa8plcL2ldYN/story.html

 

[DJnVa]

I can't wait to see Jimmy G dropkick an XP after throwing a TD pass to Siliga.

 

[Hagios]

Meaningless game? You play. To win. The game.
 

 
Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? We're not talking about playoffs.

 

[mulluysavage]

 
 
The 2007 final game is a bad choice--they were playing for 16-0.
 
In other seasons where seeds have been locked up, the Patriots given the starters time off--a half, a quarter, etc.
 
 

I am most interested in the way the Giants approached that game, which was 'meaningless' for them. There's great documentation of it on an "NFL's Greatest Games" episode, with Harrison, Bruschi interviews- available on NFL NOW.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

I am most interested in the way the Giants approached that game, which was 'meaningless' for them. There's great documentation of it on an "NFL's Greatest Games" episode, with Harrison, Bruschi interviews- available on NFL NOW.

You still miss the point. The Pats were 15-0. Of course, the Giants were going to go all out to beat the Pats. Coming into that game, there were still questions about the Giants and whether or not they were a "true " playoff team. Week 17 of the 2007 season proved to alot of the doubters that the Giants did belong in the playoffs as they stood up to the Pats and lost by a touchdown. The Bills will have no such motivation on Sunday obviously as they are not headed to the playoffs and the Pats are not 15-0. Circumstances are completely different in other words. Apples and oranges as the saying goes. 

 

[lexrageorge]

Starters will play the first half.  If a blowout in either direction, starters will get pulled early in the 3rd.  If not, then they may play until the 4th, especially if Bill doesn't like what he sees.  Brady could get pulled early if the Bills are able to tee off on him at will.  
 
The nicked up players will sit.  That could include Jonas Gray, Edelman, Connolly, etc.  If anyone healthy sits, my bet would be on Gronk.  There may be some situational plays here and there as well (bringing Garappolo cold one series, attempts to convert 4th-and-short that would normally be punts, etc.).  
 
I hate these games, to be honest.  Nothing good can come out of it, but certainly lots of bad things can.  

 

[mulluysavage]

You still miss the point. The Pats were 15-0. Of course, the Giants were going to go all out to beat the Pats. Coming into that game, there were still questions about the Giants and whether or not they were a "true " playoff team. Week 17 of the 2007 season proved to alot of the doubters that the Giants did belong in the playoffs as theystood up to the Pats. The Bills will have no such motivation on Sunday obviously as they are not headed to the playoffs and the Pats are not 15-0. Circumstances are completely different in other words. Apples and oranges as the saying goes. 

Exactly, so there are motivations beyond playoff/seeding implications in both that game and this game.

 

[mulluysavage]

Herms quote was about pride and competitiveness, which is at play both within the Giants proving themselves for the playoffs, and also because these guys are competitive. Brady and others want to prove the offense is worthy of a true playoff team. I'll concede that the stakes are different, but my point is there is meaning in this game.

 

[Toe Nash]

The stakes are incredibly different which negates your entire point. Yeah being undefeated doesn't "matter" but no one in their right mind would turn down the chance to be immortal, and the Giants were incredibly motivated to be the team that prevented that. 
 
You show pride and competitiveness for every game, otherwise you wouldn't be in the NFL, but Sunday's game is exponentially different than the Giants-Patriots game.

 

[kenneycb]

Unless you're Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and that Colts team that laid down to the Jets.

 

[Old Fart Tree]

A lot of those guys are playing for contracts for next year. They don't give two tenths of a shit about the playoff implications, they're trying to stay employed. 

 

[DJnVa]

Exactly, so there are motivations beyond playoff/seeding implications in both that game and this game.

 
What are they for this game that were not there in other week 17 games the Pats played where they gave certain guys an early rest?

 

[Cousin Walter]

Unless you're Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and that Colts team that laid down to the Jets.

Jim Caldwell, not Tony Dungy, was the coach then.

 

[dynomite]

Jim Caldwell, not Tony Dungy, was the coach then.

 
That was a patented Colts move, though.  
 
The 2005 Colts (with Dungy at the helm) started 13-0, then lost 2 games in a row.  In Week 17 they pulled Manning after the first series for Jim Sorgi (with Aaron Morehead and Troy Walters at WR).  They had also pulled Manning after the 1st quarter of Week 16.  In other words, the 2005 Colts starting offense went almost a full month between their last full regular season game (Dec. 18, Week 15 vs. SD) and blowing that playoff game against the Steelers (Jan. 15).