Loss to Pitt knocked Pats from #2 seed to out of playoffs (1 Viewer)

[The_Man]

As a Ravens fan, it was hard to know who to cheer for when the Steelers played at New England a few weeks back. The game was totally loaded with playoff scenarios either way.

Looking back, I now realize that the loss to the Steelers might well have caused the Patriots to fall all the way from the #2 seed to out of the playoffs.

If New England had won, they would now be 11-4 and would clinch the East and a 12-4 mark by beating Buffalo. With that loss to the Pats, the Steelers would be 10-5. Although tied with Baltimore, they would hold the head-to-head tie-breaker and be the North champ at 11-5 with a win over Cleveland this weekend.

That would make the AFC seedings:

1. Titans (14-2 or 13-3)

2. Patriots (12-4)

3. Steelers (11-5)

4. AFC West champ

5. Colts (12-4 or 11-5)

6. Ravens (11-5)

In this scenario, the Ravens would be playing at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round. I'll be much happier if they end up playing the AFC East champ instead.

It would suck to be a fan of a team that goes 11-5 and misses the playoffs. Pretty amazing to realize that one game could take a team all the way from a bye week to missing the playoffs entirely.

 

[greenline]

As a Ravens fan, it was hard to know who to cheer for when the Steelers played at New England a few weeks back. The game was totally loaded with playoff scenarios either way.Looking back, I now realize that the loss to the Steelers might well have caused the Patriots to fall all the way from the #2 seed to out of the playoffs.If New England had won, they would now be 11-4 and would clinch the East and a 12-4 mark by beating Buffalo. With that loss to the Pats, the Steelers would be 10-5. Although tied with Baltimore, they would hold the head-to-head tie-breaker and be the North champ at 11-5 with a win over Cleveland this weekend.That would make the AFC seedings:1. Titans (14-2 or 13-3)2. Patriots (12-4)3. Steelers (11-5)4. AFC West champ5. Colts (12-4 or 11-5)6. Ravens (11-5)In this scenario, the Ravens would be playing at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round. I'll be much happier if they end up playing the AFC East champ instead.It would suck to be a fan of a team that goes 11-5 and misses the playoffs. Pretty amazing to realize that one game could take a team all the way from a bye week to missing the playoffs entirely.

As a Pats fan it's tough knowing the Chargers could sneak in at 8-8.

 

[Workhorse]

As a Pats fan, that loss doesn't upset me as much as the loss to the Colts (which would have been a win if Jabar Gaffney doesn't drop an easy TD catch) or the OT loss to the Jets. Either game goes the other way, and the Pats would have a bye.

Game of inches, as they say.

 

[The_Man]

As a Pats fan, that loss doesn't upset me as much as the loss to the Colts (which would have been a win if Jabar Gaffney doesn't drop an easy TD catch) or the OT loss to the Jets. Either game goes the other way, and the Pats would have a bye. Game of inches, as they say.

If they had won either of those games, they would be in position to win the East, but they would be the #3 seed and host a Wild Card game, not have a bye. They would have the same record as Pitt, but Pitt would get the #2 and the bye because of the head-to-head win over the Pats.

 

[Workhorse]

As a Pats fan, that loss doesn't upset me as much as the loss to the Colts (which would have been a win if Jabar Gaffney doesn't drop an easy TD catch) or the OT loss to the Jets. Either game goes the other way, and the Pats would have a bye. Game of inches, as they say.

If they had won either of those games, they would be in position to win the East, but they would be the #3 seed and host a Wild Card game, not have a bye. They would have the same record as Pitt, but Pitt would get the #2 and the bye because of the head-to-head win over the Pats.

Yeah, I should have said "if BOTH those games go the other way". Which could have easily happened.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

As a Pats fan, that loss doesn't upset me as much as the loss to the Colts (which would have been a win if Jabar Gaffney doesn't drop an easy TD catch) or the OT loss to the Jets. Either game goes the other way, and the Pats would have a bye. Game of inches, as they say.

The Colts game and Jets games were far more disappointing. The Pats were running at will against the Colts and Jabar Gaffney and Dave Thomas screwed it up. And now Indy is a juggernaut. The Steelers kicked the crap out of the Pats, so its less relevant in doing a post-mortem on what MAY keep the Pats out of the playoffs...

 

[The_Man]

As a Pats fan, that loss doesn't upset me as much as the loss to the Colts (which would have been a win if Jabar Gaffney doesn't drop an easy TD catch) or the OT loss to the Jets. Either game goes the other way, and the Pats would have a bye.

Game of inches, as they say.

The Colts game and Jets games were far more disappointing.

The Pats were running at will against the Colts and Jabar Gaffney and Dave Thomas screwed it up.

And now Indy is a juggernaut.

The Steelers kicked the crap out of the Pats, so its less relevant in doing a post-mortem on what MAY keep the Pats out of the playoffs...

Fair enough. To be honest, I wasn't really interested in doing a post-mortem on whether or not a team makes the playoffs. Everyone, from the Redskins losing to the Rams and/or Bengals, to the Eagles tying the Bengals, to the Dolphins losing by a point to the Texans, etc. has a "woulda, coulda, shoulda." Lots of teams miss a playoff spot by one game every year. But I thought this was a particularly interesting case of one game making the difference between being as high as #2 to all the way out of the playoffs. I don't think that happens very often.

 

[Boston]

The two games that sting are the Jet and Colt losses. In the Steeler, Charger and Dolphin losses the Pats got their clocks cleaned. The Jet and Colt losses really hurt because their own errors played such a big part in those defeats. Whether it was stupid penalty by Dave Thomas, a drop by Gaffney, a fumble by Watson or just plain bad defense on third and long in OT the Pats had an opportunity to win those games and couldn't get it done. Win one of those two games and they'd be in a much different situation today.

All that being said I can easily say I'm proud of what this team has done this year (although going 11-5 and not making the playoffs is almost unthinkable). Playing all year without the reigning MVP and team leader as well as losing players like Rodney, Adalius, Bruschi, Neal, Warren, Sanders, Maroney, Wheatley, Woods and Morris for all or part of the season was a huge obstacle to overcome but this team still has had a very productive year.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

The two games that sting are the Jet and Colt losses. In the Steeler, Charger and Dolphin losses the Pats got their clocks cleaned. The Jet and Colt losses really hurt because their own errors played such a big part in those defeats. Whether it was stupid penalty by Dave Thomas, a drop by Gaffney, a fumble by Watson or just plain bad defense on third and long in OT the Pats had an opportunity to win those games and couldn't get it done. Win one of those two games and they'd be in a much different situation today.All that being said I can easily say I'm proud of what this team has done this year (although going 11-5 and not making the playoffs is almost unthinkable). Playing all year without the reigning MVP and team leader as well as losing players like Rodney, Adalius, Bruschi, Neal, Warren, Sanders, Maroney, Wheatley, Woods and Morris for all or part of the season was a huge obstacle to overcome but this team still has had a very productive year.

Cross-referencing this discussion to the "How many games will the Pats win without Brady" thread, I suppose we're saying we would have beaten the Colts and Jets with Brady, and possibly 1 or 2 of the blowouts. I don't think we would have beaten Pittsburg or Miami; those games were both near total dominations. Never know, I guess...

 

[Die]

In this scenario, the Ravens would be playing at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round. I'll be much happier if they end up playing the AFC East champ instead.

Really? Even if that AFC East champ turns out to be the Patriots? Forget what happened in that Patriots-Steelers game, the Patriots are the hottest team in the league right now. They look super.

 

[craxie]

As a Pats fan it's tough knowing the Chargers could sneak in at 8-8.

well the Chargers crushed the Pats so you don't really have anything to complain about

 

[The_Man]

In this scenario, the Ravens would be playing at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round. I'll be much happier if they end up playing the AFC East champ instead.

Really? Even if that AFC East champ turns out to be the Patriots? Forget what happened in that Patriots-Steelers game, the Patriots are the hottest team in the league right now. They look super.

As a Ravens fan, I would much rather face the Patriots than the Steelers. Sure, the Pats have looked good of late - vs. soft West Coast teams. I think a Ravens-Pats game would much more closely resemble the Steelers-Pats game than any of the Pats' walkover wins vs. the very mediocre defenses they've been feasting on of late.

 

[Phlash]

The two games that sting are the Jet and Colt losses. In the Steeler, Charger and Dolphin losses the Pats got their clocks cleaned. The Jet and Colt losses really hurt because their own errors played such a big part in those defeats. Whether it was stupid penalty by Dave Thomas, a drop by Gaffney, a fumble by Watson or just plain bad defense on third and long in OT the Pats had an opportunity to win those games and couldn't get it done. Win one of those two games and they'd be in a much different situation today.All that being said I can easily say I'm proud of what this team has done this year (although going 11-5 and not making the playoffs is almost unthinkable). Playing all year without the reigning MVP and team leader as well as losing players like Rodney, Adalius, Bruschi, Neal, Warren, Sanders, Maroney, Wheatley, Woods and Morris for all or part of the season was a huge obstacle to overcome but this team still has had a very productive year.

Cross-referencing this discussion to the "How many games will the Pats win without Brady" thread, I suppose we're saying we would have beaten the Colts and Jets with Brady, and possibly 1 or 2 of the blowouts. I don't think we would have beaten Pittsburg or Miami; those games were both near total dominations. Never know, I guess...

Remember, the Steelers game was lost in the second half because of the momentum loss in the first half. The Patriots missed a FG before halftime and that took the wind out of their sails.

 

[Rovers]

At least if the Pats miss the playoffs, it's because they lost to a very good football team. It's not like they lost to Seattle or something....

 

[Die]

In this scenario, the Ravens would be playing at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round. I'll be much happier if they end up playing the AFC East champ instead.

Really? Even if that AFC East champ turns out to be the Patriots? Forget what happened in that Patriots-Steelers game, the Patriots are the hottest team in the league right now. They look super.

As a Ravens fan, I would much rather face the Patriots than the Steelers. Sure, the Pats have looked good of late - vs. soft West Coast teams. I think a Ravens-Pats game would much more closely resemble the Steelers-Pats game than any of the Pats' walkover wins vs. the very mediocre defenses they've been feasting on of late.

The Pats haven't just looked good they've looked cartoonish. When you score nearly 50 points in back-to-back weeks, you are dominant. Opponent doesn't matter. If everyone was hanging 50 on the Cardinals and Raiders I could understand. They scored 47 points on Arizona and then turned off the guns in the 4th quarter. If they wanted to keep trying they could've probably hung 65 on them. Right now you have to have tremendous respect with what they can do on offense.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

In this scenario, the Ravens would be playing at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round. I'll be much happier if they end up playing the AFC East champ instead.

Really? Even if that AFC East champ turns out to be the Patriots? Forget what happened in that Patriots-Steelers game, the Patriots are the hottest team in the league right now. They look super.

As a Ravens fan, I would much rather face the Patriots than the Steelers. Sure, the Pats have looked good of late - vs. soft West Coast teams. I think a Ravens-Pats game would much more closely resemble the Steelers-Pats game than any of the Pats' walkover wins vs. the very mediocre defenses they've been feasting on of late.

The Pats haven't just looked good they've looked cartoonish. When you score nearly 50 points in back-to-back weeks, you are dominant. Opponent doesn't matter. If everyone was hanging 50 on the Cardinals and Raiders I could understand. They scored 47 points on Arizona and then turned off the guns in the 4th quarter. If they wanted to keep trying they could've probably hung 65 on them. Right now you have to have tremendous respect with what they can do on offense.

Every playoff team in the AFC will be rooting for Buffalo this Sunday.No one wants to have to face the Patriots right now.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Some Pats fans puffing their chests and neutral parties infatuated with the Pats just because they can hang 50 points on bad teams need to be sobered by what happened to them in the Pittsburg game. I'll be rooting for them, but this team is weaker in many areas than last year; it's not just the loss of Brady.

I may sing a different toon if and when the Pats are actually in the playoffs.

ETA: I may also sing a different tune.

 

[The_Man]

Some Pats fans puffing their chests and neutral parties infatuated with the Pats just because they can hang 50 points on bad teams need to be sobered by what happened to them in the Pittsburg game. I'll be rooting for them, but this team is weaker in many areas than last year; it's not just the loss of Brady.I may sing a different toon if and when the Pats are actually in the playoffs.ETA: I may also sing a different tune.

My perception of the Patriots is that they can't saddle up and run the ball when they need to vs. tough, physical opponents. That means teams like the Steelers (and maybe the Ravens) can basically worry about playing the run on the way to the QB and generate immense pass rush pressure. Sure, the Pats hit a few draws for good gains on the Steelers since Pittsburgh was so bent on hitting Cassel, but in the long run that wasn't enough to slow down the pass rush, and eventually the pressure turned into sacks and turnovers that decided the game.Also, predicating anything on Arizona's performance in the snow last week is a stretch. That was a shameful performance. Even by Cards standards, and they've given up 47, 35, 48 and 37 points in 4 of their last 5 games.

 

[Phlash]

Some Pats fans puffing their chests and neutral parties infatuated with the Pats just because they can hang 50 points on bad teams need to be sobered by what happened to them in the Pittsburg game. I'll be rooting for them, but this team is weaker in many areas than last year; it's not just the loss of Brady.I may sing a different toon if and when the Pats are actually in the playoffs.ETA: I may also sing a different tune.

My perception of the Patriots is that they can't saddle up and run the ball when they need to vs. tough, physical opponents. That means teams like the Steelers (and maybe the Ravens) can basically worry about playing the run on the way to the QB and generate immense pass rush pressure. Sure, the Pats hit a few draws for good gains on the Steelers since Pittsburgh was so bent on hitting Cassel, but in the long run that wasn't enough to slow down the pass rush, and eventually the pressure turned into sacks and turnovers that decided the game.Also, predicating anything on Arizona's performance in the snow last week is a stretch. That was a shameful performance. Even by Cards standards, and they've given up 47, 35, 48 and 37 points in 4 of their last 5 games.

The Patriots are the 7th best rushing team in the NFL, compared to being the 10th best passing team in the NFL. They can run against anyone - their offensive line has been as good of a run blocking unit this year as anyone's in the league. The issue all year for this team has been defense. They played well in the first half against the Steelers but laid down in the second half when it mattered most.The Patriots had to pass at the end of that game if they wanted to win. The running game was not at fault then.