@NEP

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I suspect this game is going to be closer than many expect. 

I doubt many of you regularly watch Mike Vrabel's press conferences.

It sounds like he is NOT solely focused on Miami.  But is more focused on improving the team overall.  Team is still practicing and preparing for Sunday, but rather than having a single focus of "Here is what we need to do sack Ewers"  It is more along the lines of "Here is what we need to improve out pass rushing regardless of the opposing QB" 

[Pappy13]

Not surprising really. The #1 seed is nice to have, but it's not really that important. It can work against you not playing a week when everyone else is playing especially if you're not particularly banged up. Wouldn't surprise me at all if New England gets down in the game after half time that they pull out their starters and just rest them the rest of the game. Last thing you want is to lose someone for the playoffs due to some injury in the 2nd half of week 18.

[Downunder Dolphan]

The season is over. I'm beyond caring about anything other than prep for next season right now.

If it doesn't effect their possible bonuses (or if it does, pay them out  because they have earned it) I'd rest Brooks, Chubb, Brewer, and Achane (with a view to re-signing him anyway).

Play some of the more marginal guys and see if they are a chance to cut it for next season. As far as I'm concerned, the pre-season started last week.   

[Spider-Dan]

If it doesn't effect their possible bonuses (or if it does, pay them out  because they have earned it) I'd rest Brooks, Chubb, Brewer, and Achane (with a view to re-signing him anyway).

I do find it funny that many of the same people who are like "Re-signing Tua early was the dumbest thing in the world" are currently saying "Of course we have to pay our running back early!"
After all, if MIA makes Achane play out the last year of his contract, he might get mad and refuse to re-sign with the team!

[Dave Gray]

I think that the Patriots are legitimately good and just firing at the right time, so if they are "trying", they will likely beat us pretty soundly.  It's a tough condition and we are on a backup, rookie QB.  That said, we usually play spoiler and play the Pats tough, but this doesn't feel like the year for that, to me.

[Downunder Dolphan]

I do find it funny that many of the same people who are like "Re-signing Tua early was the dumbest thing in the world" are currently saying "Of course we have to pay our running back early!"
After all, if MIA makes Achane play out the last year of his contract, he might get mad and refuse to re-sign with the team!

I said with a view to re-signing him. I didn't say it had to be this offseason, and I didn't say we had to mortgage the whole fucking farm to do it either.

Slight difference there if you bothered to look. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I said with a view to re-signing him. I didn't say it had to be this offseason, and I didn't say we had to mortgage the whole fucking farm to do it either.

Slight difference there if you bothered to look. 

Exactly. I don't recall anyone saying don't sign Tua under any circumstances.  The criticism was way too much money particularly guaranteed money for the talent level and injury history.

[Sibster]

Not surprising really. The #1 seed is nice to have, but it's not really that important. It can work against you not playing a week when everyone else is playing especially if you're not particularly banged up. Wouldn't surprise me at all if New England gets down in the game after half time that they pull out their starters and just rest them the rest of the game. Last thing you want is to lose someone for the playoffs due to some injury in the 2nd half of week 18.

Which is why they need to go to eight teams for the playoffs.   Just like in the College Football Playoff, the top four teams last year all got knocked out in their first game and so far, one team this year has been knocked out and the other is currently losing.   After taking a month off, you can't expect your team to be at their best.  Same goes for a week off (or two weeks if the top seed rests their starters in week 18)

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Which is why they need to go to eight teams for the playoffs.   Just like in the College Football Playoff, the top four teams last year all got knocked out in their first game and so far, one team this year has been knocked out and the other is currently losing.   After taking a month off, you can't expect your team to be at their best.  Same goes for a week off (or two weeks if the top seed rests their starters in week 18)

Six was better.   Eight would be horrible.  No real benefit to be #1 vs #4 the more teams that make the playoffs the less meaningful the regular season.  9-8 should NOT make the playoffs.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Six was better.   Eight would be horrible.  No real benefit to be #1 vs #4 the more teams that make the playoffs the less meaningful the regular season.  9-8 should NOT make the playoffs.

There's always been the argument about rewarding mediocrity vs money for more playoff games.. we all know the later won.

Unfortunately it always will. It's happening there in the USA and happening here in Australia in the AFL. More playoffs/finals = more money for teams and TV networks. Greed is good.

[masterfins]

Exactly. I don't recall anyone saying don't sign Tua under any circumstances.  The criticism was way too much money particularly guaranteed money for the talent level and injury history.

Spider can't help himself.  20 years from now he'll still be defending Tua.

[masterfins]

Prediction

Miami 20

New England 17

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Spider can't help himself.  20 years from now he'll still be defending Tua.

I had a coworker who was convinced Bledsoe was the next coming of Joe Montana he was convinced the NE  vs Bills games would prove Belichick was a moron for trading the wrong QB

[Downunder Dolphan]

Awful first series by the Defense. They can't tackle in cold weather?

Dodson's one handed attempt on the long run was spectacularly lazy.

[Downunder Dolphan]

That was a pretty good first drive by the offense in reply, up to the last risky play on fourth and goal. It almost came off too, if not for the Wilson drop.

Ewers looks sharp and not over-awed, even without Achane and Waddle. Promising signs.