2015 Patriots Football

[Neurotic Guy]

And Chung injured.

GEEEZ!!!!!!!

[Cman]

Pats W and Broncos L gives Pats a much needed bye.
Injury situation just ridiculous.
But I love how each week there is a different unheralded player. Iosefa this week.

[Redz]

Pats W and Broncos L gives Pats a much needed bye.
Injury situation just ridiculous.
But I love how each week there is a different unheralded player. Iosefa this week.

Iosefa was like Rudy out there.  He was enjoying the moment immensely.  Really cool to see.

[PhoSita]

Iosefa seems like that guy who could get them 2-3 yards in an obvious rushing situation.  Helps to replace Blount.  White and Bolden look capable in the passing down spots.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Pats signed Stephen Jackson to replace Blount. If he's got anything left, that'll be great.

[Donoghus]

Pats signed Stephen Jackson to replace Blount. If he's got anything left, that'll be great.

If he can do anything, great.  If not, I don't think its the end of the world.  The Bolden/White/Iosefa committee certainly seemed serviceable yesterday (granted, against TEN) but I still see the bulk of the offense being pass-oriented come playoff time.  It's really gonna come down to how well that O-line holds up in the end.

[Fan from VT]

Pats signed Stephen Jackson to replace Blount. If he's got anything left, that'll be great.

If he can do anything, great.  If not, I don't think its the end of the world.  The Bolden/White/Iosefa committee certainly seemed serviceable yesterday (granted, against TEN) but I still see the bulk of the offense being pass-oriented come playoff time.  It's really gonna come down to how well that O-line holds up in the end.

Im actually cautiously optimistic. I looked back at his 2014 season; not as bad as i had expected. YPA were 3.7, 4.2 career. Interestingly, devonta freeman and jaquiz rogers averaged 3.8 and 3.7 ypa that year. Started 15 games. Had a couple 100 yd games. 707 rushing yards.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Pats signed Stephen Jackson to replace Blount. If he's got anything left, that'll be great.

If he can do anything, great.  If not, I don't think its the end of the world.  The Bolden/White/Iosefa committee certainly seemed serviceable yesterday (granted, against TEN) but I still see the bulk of the offense being pass-oriented come playoff time.  It's really gonna come down to how well that O-line holds up in the end.

Im actually cautiously optimistic. I looked back at his 2014 season; not as bad as i had expected. YPA were 3.7, 4.2 career. Interestingly, devonta freeman and jaquiz rogers averaged 3.8 and 3.7 ypa that year. Started 15 games. Had a couple 100 yd games. 707 rushing yards.

Agree with both. We may not need him, but he could give a nice lift if he's still got anything left.

More importantly, after last night DEN has helped with our injury situation... can take our foot off the gas a bit here and properly heal guys through the bye week.

[kozlodoev]

Pats W and Broncos L gives Pats a much needed bye.
Injury situation just ridiculous.
But I love how each week there is a different unheralded player. Iosefa this week.

I would have much rather waited another week for the bye in order to keep the Steelers out of the playoffs. But a first round bye IS something this team needs, immensely.

Jackson signing can't be bad. Bolden has been great these last couple of games (the ability to play all 4 downs competently is nothing to sneeze at), but he's so important for special teams that you really need to limit his offensive snaps.

Even if all Jackson can do is eat some first downs with Iosefa (White seems to have grown nicely into the feature 3rd down back), that'd be a win for the Patriots.

[Neurotic Guy]

The glass half-full look at this is that there are 2 more games to continue the growth of James White and Iosefa; allow Bolden to get used to a more involved role; get Jackson a few practice (and maybe game) reps and see if he can add something to the mix.  In addition, the hope is that Edelman, Amendola and Gronk can be at full strength by the divisional game (4 weeks from now) and LaFell and Martin can get more comfortable as in their roles.   

On the defensive side, it's really important that Hightower and Chung can get healthy and be the contributors that they've both been when healthy. 

[Neurotic Guy]

Pats W and Broncos L gives Pats a much needed bye.
Injury situation just ridiculous.
But I love how each week there is a different unheralded player. Iosefa this week.

I would have much rather waited another week for the bye in order to keep the Steelers out of the playoffs. But a first round bye IS something this team needs, immensely.

Jackson signing can't be bad. Bolden has been great these last couple of games (the ability to play all 4 downs competently is nothing to sneeze at), but he's so important for special teams that you really need to limit his offensive snaps.

Even if all Jackson can do is eat some first downs with Iosefa (White seems to have grown nicely into the feature 3rd down back), that'd be a win for the Patriots.

Yeah, I was really torn about who to root for in the Broncos-Steelers game.  Traditionally I despise the Steelers and hated to be in the position of wanting them to win.  In this case I think the Pats may have been better off in the long run if the Steelers lost.  Their offense looks awfully good. 

I'm also confused about something.  I thought going into the weekend, the Steelers were on the oustide looking in for the 2nd wildcard.   Then the Jets, KC and Steelers all win and now it's the Jets who are on the outside.  I must have something wrong.

[kozlodoev]

I'm also confused about something.  I thought going into the weekend, the Steelers were on the oustide looking in for the 2nd wildcard.   Then the Jets, KC and Steelers all win and now it's the Jets who are on the outside.  I must have something wrong.

NFL tiebreakers are weird, especially when 3 teams are involved. Given there are no head to heads between the Jets, the Chiefs, and the Broncos this season, it's anyone's guess what the other moving parts look like (I certainly haven't bothered to check).

Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).

Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in common games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss

[MJohnnyboy]

You know, Steven Jackson having dreads and wearing the number 39 reminds me of that one really disappointing running back the Pats had a little while back. What his name again? Florence Baloney?

[esel1000]

Pro Bowl rosters out. So pumped to see Malcolm Butler make it

[jambr380]

There were seven total Pats in all:

Patriots Pro Bowlers: Brady (11th selection) Butler (1st) Collins (1st) Gostkowski (4th) Gronkowski (4th) Jones (1st) Slater (5th)

Good to see a few defensive players - would have liked to see Edelman, but seven is a solid number.