Cowherd - Belichick Would Throw Dolphins Game If It Eliminated Broncos Or Ravens

[nyashfan]

Just listening to Colin Cowherd. He opined that Belichick would strongly consider throwing the game against the Dolphins in Week 17 if it prevented either the Ravens or Broncos from making the playoffs. Clearly the Broncos and Ravens are the AFC teams with the most recent postseason success against the Patriots and Belichick would rather face an inexperienced, warm-weather team playing with their backup QB.

While not mentioned specifically, Cowherd implied that throwing that game to avoid the Broncos or Ravens in the playoffs made sense even at the expense of securing the #1 seed. I disagree with this opinion as the Patriots lost at the Broncos last year due to the Week 17 loss to the Dolphins and there is no way that the Patriots want to play the Chiefs on the road in the AFC Championship game.

 

[Fintastic2124]

I'll take it!

 

[artdnj]

I would say Beli would do anything to gain a perceived advantage but if our game hinges on home field then he will have his team ready to compete.

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

I think this would be a first if it actually happened. Seems unlikely but if your ultimate goal is to win the superbowl, it makes sense strategy-wise. That would be quite the story.

Anyone recall if a team has ever actually intentionally lost to set the playoff seeding?

 

[datruth55]

Not if throwing the game means the Pats lose homefield throughout the playoffs. Belichick would know the best chance for him to get to another super bowl would be him playing at home and not in Kansas City.

 

[artdnj]

I have to add one thing. If Brady plays there is NO WAY he throws a game. I also think the word throw may mean rest starters because no coach worth his pay his going to tell his team to squat as that's when injuries occur not to mention they are professionals and only know one way to play at the whistle.

 

[tommyp]

if they've clinched home field throughout, he'd be crazy to play any starter

 

[Xbrett82us]

First we have to win in Buffalo in freezing weather with a backup qb against a team with absolutely nothing to lose. Don't see it happening, unfortunately, but I'll be there.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I believe Belichick would rest starters, but I do not believe he would ever throw the game.

I'm just being honest here, but what that team has accomplished, what it continues to accomplish, it does so because the coach and the entire team are focused all of the time on a very specific way of doing things, with specific goals, within a specific set of boundaries.

They aren't going to throw that out the window for a week going into the playoffs.

 

[67Stang]

Meh, the Dolphins always play the Pats tough too.

 

[One Love]

Hell yeah baby! These next two weeks are very exciting for us dolphin fans. Lets just get in any way we an and then we'll surprise the world!

 

[FearTheBeard]

Colin's a know nothing bozo.

 

[russianbear]

I actually think Cowherd is a smart guy, but I disagree with this one. Sounds like a "hot take".

No way the Patriots willingly sacrifice their greatest advantage playoffs or regular season.....home field. Not gonna happen.

 

[TheWalrus]

I believe Belichick would rest starters, but I do not believe he would ever throw the game.

I'm just being honest here, but what that team has accomplished, what it continues to accomplish, it does so because the coach and the entire team are focused all of the time on a very specific way of doing things, with specific goals, within a specific set of boundaries.

They aren't going to throw that out the window for a week going into the playoffs.

Agreed. He might rest the starters and draw up a preseason style gameplan but it's not like the Pats would be punting on first down.

 

[CalDolFan10x14]

Colon Cowpie