Patriots Playoff Scenarios: Who will the Patriots Play?
by Greg Knopping on Jan 1, 2012 7:28 PM EST
in Patriots Game Previews
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PrintIn this post, we'll take a quick look at who the Patriots could face as the #1 seed in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. First, here is the final AFC playoff seeding:
- New England Patriots: 13-3
- Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
- Houston Texans: 10-6
- Denver Broncos: 8-8
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-4
- Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7
The Patriots, as the top seed in the AFC, will play the lowest remaining seed in the AFC following the wild-card round. Obviously, this means that New England cannot play the Texans - but the fourth, fifth, and sixth seed in the AFC are potential opponents for New England.
New England and Baltimore have the byes. The two AFC wildcard match-ups are as follows:
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
The Patriots can play either Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, or Denver in the Divisional Playoffs. The Patriots have played both Pittsburgh and Denver this season, losing to the Steelers 24-16 and beating the Broncos 41-23.
I think that the Patriots would likely want to avoid playing Pittsburgh again to start a potential playoff run. If Pittsburgh were to go on the road and beat the Broncos, the only way the Patriots could avoid the Steelers is by having Cincinnati beat a banged-up Texans team that ended the regular season on a three game losing streak.
All of this being said, which team do you most want to see the Patriots play in two weeks: the Broncos, Steelers, or Bengals?
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I don't think Denver would stand a chance
But they have no chance of beating Pittsburgh so I have to root for a Bengals win which is totally possible considering that Houston may be down to their 4th string QB.
The Broncos are awful
I’d rather play them instead of a Steelers team that already beat the Pats or a Bengals team whose top receiving threat would ravage our depleted secondary.
"You wanna know which ring is my favorite? The next one." --Tom Brady
Love ya Bengals!
It's your thing, do what you wanna do, I can't tell you, who to sock it to. The Isley Brothers
by sweetjesusihatethejets on Jan 1, 2012 7:46 PM EST reply actions
Bengals are a realistic opponent, and I think the Patriots would beat them in a playoff match-up
But the idea of trying to cover AJ Green makes my stomach churn. Andy Dalton isn’t afraid to test any defensive backfield when it comes to Green.
Kid can scoot, too.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 1, 2012 8:24 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with all of that.
The Texans might surprise, but if I was forced to pick I think the Bengals would be the favorite in that matchup.
I see us playing the Bengals and winning then taking on the Ravens. That one, I don’t know.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 1, 2012 8:29 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know, I think the Patriots could exploit that Ravens secondary
And I don’t envision Joe Flacco beating Tom Brady in a shootout.
I think that match-up would come down to the Patriots ability to protect Brady and stop Ray Rice and the Ravens ground attack. If the Patriots get off to a similar start to what they’ve done the past three weeks, they could be in trouble.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, presents a difficult match-up for New England all the way around. Pats could find a way to win, but it would be difficult.
by Greg Knopping on Jan 1, 2012 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
I’d prefer to get the Bengals and then the winner of Ravens-Steelers after they beat the crap out of each other.
This is what will happen I think
6 and 5 seeds win sets up ne vs bengals and a Pitt Balt game where whomever wins is beat to crap. I don’t consider the bengals a good team so if we get them the. Steelers/ ravens we have to beat an average then a good team to get to the SB. There we will see a really good team either gb or no , no if u ask me.
by gnatecolby on Jan 2, 2012 12:27 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Idk... Jeff Garcia is really good for a 5th string QB.
"Red, Blue and White Ignite"
"Orange and Blue, A Gator Too"
Love the Rex Ryan Pepsi commercial ...
…that was the worst half of football I’ve ever seen.
Right before a truck comes crashing through the wall.
by Paydirt on Jan 1, 2012 8:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Then all the terible voice "acting"
Sanchez: Yeah we can win this guys
everyone looks around at each other runs through thier mind how many INT’s he has and has to say:\
Yeah we can win this!!
Wonder if they had split the endoresment?
Chances the JETS go after Peyton if he is released this off season?
GFY
by TFBismywingman on Jan 1, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
you know our defense is terrible
when people are scared of 2 rookies
"Thirty-seven points on the best defense in the league, suck my d–k" - Bill Belichick
The Ryan Brothers: Two brother's who never played a down as an NFL player, Yet feel the need to trash talk like they are in the Hall Of Fame
I'm leery of the Bengals.
Their defense is pretty good, and I don’t think they advance if Dalton/Green are overawed by being in the Playoffs. Let’s just say I’m rooting for the Bron—… Rooting for the Bron-on-on….
Ugh.
Rooting against the Steelers.
They haven't beaten one playoff team yet
They are a very favorable match-up 4 the pats
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
If we have to play the Steelers, better in the divisional round rather than the AFC game as Ben’s ankle will be more tender
by quadruple option on Jan 1, 2012 9:14 PM EST reply actions
Bens ankle will be much more tender
after a game against the ravens. His entire body will be more tender.
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it
Good point… it’s a balance between amount of punishment he tkes vs. time to heal
by quadruple option on Jan 1, 2012 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
I scratched my head when I got home today
Didn’t get to watch any of the games, but I couldn’t figure out how the Titans got eliminated even though they were the only AFC “bubble” team to win. With everyone else losing.
Oh well. Mendenhall is dinged up for Pitt, they scored 13pts against the Browns? Probably ddidn’t have motivation after Balt. had theirs wrapped up.
I wanted the Titans to beat Texans, and have to come to Foxboro, but that isn’t happening.
The Jets not making the playoffs that did happen. 1
I say the Pats need Pitt at home with a convincing win 45 to mid 20-30’s (junk time) win to build confindence when the Ravens come to Foxboror for a revenge game in the AFCCG!
I know it would be better if they get Cincy/Denver. Cincy being the better of those 2, watched them 5 times this year their not true “contenders” but have the heart and will to win, just need ,ore balls to bounce their way.
GFY
Titans were the only team Bengals won the tiebreaker with, since Cincinnati beat Tennessee in head-to-head.
If Jets had won, head-to-head wouldn’t have applied, and Cinci would lose out on worst conference record (6-6).
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I'm a little scared
We have a really good chance of going to the SB, but I don’t want to get that far and have to face the Saints or the Packers which most of us agree would be a very difficult match-up for the pats.
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
I am more concerned facing San Fran
The Saints and Packers have a weak defense like ours. It would be a shoot-out, and that would be our best chance for the Lombardi.
Would love to face San Fran
Our Defense has a legitimate shot at holding them in the low to mid 20s.Alex Smith is comparable to Matt Moore/Fitzpatrick and our D has contained those QBs. In a passing league you’d rather have a great offense and bad defense face a great defense and a bad offense because the rules give the great O the advantage.
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
I agree with this.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 1, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
The only difference is that this year Alex Smith
is limiting turnovers and mistakes. He still misses some throws that he should make, but overall his best season, and he is not the turnover machine that Fitzpatrick is, and is better overall than Moore. Still, I would love to see a San Fran/Pats matchup, as those 2 are my lifelong teams.
You must choose...
…but choose wisely.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 3, 2012 8:43 AM EST up reply actions
I think I would like to play Cincy
Hey, anything can happen in the playoffs, and based on this season’s body of work, anything can happen with this team, but we also know we will be in every game. Still, i think Cincy is the weakest team here, with Denver a close second, although the Texans are struggling mightily but of course, we can’t play them in any scenario. As Kole pointed out, Cincy has not beaten a playoff team all year, and I believe strongly that would continue if they head to New England.
quick question guys
what position was moore playing today? i couldnt watch it, ive read all comments on like last four posts but they just say he played great. was he at safety or cb with chung n dmac at safety? please let me know. i really do not understand why we dropped this kid in the first place. i like him a lot, n due to our horrible secondary i love him. he def played the best safety in chungs absence, n was great in a huge game against the jets. also when dmac was at safety did we bench ihedigbo? what did the sub look like? thanks guys.
He played a little safety and a little cb
DMC did also played a little safety and a little cb.
thanks
what did they paly while on the field on the same time? what did moore n dmc look better at? was what they played def set specific? also once spikes came in where did we put fletcher? thanks for ur responses in advance
Our defence today was more multiple than it’s been (from my view)
Lots of sub-defence, lots of odd fronts. Fletcher put his hand in the dirt a couple times.
Several times Vince Wilfork played out of 2 point (in my view trying to crash down the tackle to stop the outside run)
by quadruple option on Jan 1, 2012 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
I would have to rewatch the game to answer most of this accurately
but I recall seeing DMC as the single deep safety a few times with Chung up by the line. Typically when he was back deep with another safety it was also Chung. I believe Spikes and Fletcher alternated time on the field. I don’t recall seeing them on the field at the same time.
with rothy not mobile and mendenhall injured, pittsburgh is done
patriots would have excellent chance to beat them.
i think houston and cincinnati just aren’t strong enough to go to superbowl yet.
unless BAL fecks up, it will be NE-BAL that will decide conference
How did Ben look yesterday?
I was driving all day and didn’t see much in the way of replays of that game. I was surprised he played, to be honest. No way Denver beats Pittsburgh, but Denver’s pass rush could really aggravate that sprain.
Mendenhall may be out, but Isaac Redman’s no pushover. Doesn’t have Mendy’s speed, but he’s a hard runner.
Can I Scream?
Lets do the calculations here...
Texans are lucky to be in the playoffs this season, so Cincinnati will upset Houston in round 1. Pittsburgh have a half-injured QB, and Denver got a disappearing one as well…Bengals are pretty dangerous of the three?
Get an easy division round win against Denver and host the Ravens in AFC title game? I LOVE the Pats, and that the Ravens are my second favorite team in the league…I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT MATCHUP!
Saints-Pats Superbowl, Drew Brees Pats win superbowl!
Done.
Patriots in Playoffs
All I can say is they better be ready to play against the BEST and hope they get the Weakest Opponent. You’re still gonna have to beat the Best if you want a Championship…all there is to it. The more you win, the harder (and smarter) you have to work to get ready for the next Game.
I think it's too early to give us the upperhand in any game just yet
We all have seen it and we know we have to play better on defense (throughout the geames) and offense (early in games) to advance deep into these years playoffs.
I’m still hoping we can do it and I like the fact that we have two weeks of rest. That is despite, the recent history that has shown us that you need to be mentally ready early on after a playoff bye because the WC-teams are for sure in game mode.
It all comes down to execution and we will face much better football teams than we have faced lately. All teams in the AFC has major flaws but I think the Pats have the most potential since the defense can’t be much worse and we now the offense is the hands-down best in the AFC.
I very much appreciated the change in philosophy on defense that I saw against Buffalo with less extreme soft zone coverage and more of a man coverage, somewhat physical defense. Maybe, just maybe we may surprise some teams with a different philosophy come the playoffs?
patriots vs. steelers since 2001
2-0 in the super bowl when playing the steelers in the afc championship. we want the bengals and steelers to win to set up that scenario
New England Patriots: 11-3 against the Dolphins, Chargers, Bills, Raiders, Jets (x2), Cowboys, Steelers, Giants, Chiefs, Eagles, Colts, Redskins, and Broncos.
Steelers.
That would mean that the Texans took out the Bengals, and the Steelers took out the Broncos.
Not afraid of the Steelers.
Personally, I think the Bengals might beat the Texans. Then we’d play them.
I think the Steelers take out the Broncos, and then the Ravens (I don’t think they’d lose to them three times).
Finally, we beat the Steelers.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 3, 2012 12:10 PM EST reply actions
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