Offbeat Strategy for Patriots? Lose to Miami, Beat Baltimore?

[SkapePhin]

Ordinarily I would say this theory is ridiculous, but we are talking Belichick. Considering that the Ravens have been such a pain to them in the playoffs, if things don't start off well for the Patriots in Miami could be pull off the dogs and take a loss in Miami in hopes of seeing the Dolphins in the playoffs and knocking the Ravens out?

I know they are still in pursuit of homefield, but you can never account for BB's scheming brain. He would definitely prefer to face the Dolphins in tough winter conditions in NE over the battle-tested Ravens come January...

 

[Kdawg954]

You have to remember, if San Diego (or any of the final 3 teams) can upset Denver on Thursday night . . . the Patriots can get the #1 overall seed in the AFC if they win out. Belichek would much rather face Denver in Foxboro in January than having to travel to Denver.

Baltimore may be battle tested but they certainly aren't last year's team. Ray Rice hasn't been good all year, Pitta is just coming back . . . I'd be willing to wager Belichek would rather see Baltimore in the playoffs than a young, hungry Miami team that does a few things that can give him problems.

 

[joenhre]

Let Belichek go right ahead and do that. I will laugh when they lose again the following week against Baltimore. Then they could lose any chance at a first round bye. Even worse for them would be if karma strikes and they lose their final game knocking them out of the playoffs.

Belichek's team isn't good enough to just hand away games in hopes of facing a certain team in the playoffs. I think they lose these next two games anyway. Setting up a huge game for them in week 17 where they must beat the Bills.

 

[Daytona Fin]

That would put them two losses from no playoffs, doubt it.

 

[spiketex]

Yes, I can totally see Belichick coming to Tom Brady and presenting this radical strategy. "Tommy, you're my best soldier. We need you to lose to the Dolphins, so we can eliminate the very scary Joe Flacco". Yeah, sure...

 

[Danny]

lmao

Ozzy rules!!

 

[Hayden Fox]

New England is coming in loaded to prove people wrong. Better be ready.

 

[FinaticalFinfan]

Yeah, while it's a nice thought, I see no chance of that happening. I hope the Fins come out Saturday like they smell blood in the water. And Hayden's right I think, the Pats probably will be pumped to show it doesn't matter who is out, Fins can't come out flat. I really think they will come out inspired and git r dun!!

Somewhat ironically I think, to me , this Dolphins team reminds me of the Trent Dilfer led Ravens that won the SB. Now don't get crazy, our defense isn't theirs, I understand. But it was a team that went through a stretch during the middle of the season where they stumbled, didn't score many points, but stayed in close ball games never really getting blown out. They got hot the last third, and the rest is history. Not saying the Fins are SB bound (although not impossible), just this season really reminds me a lot of theirs.

 

[AL R]

New England is coming in loaded to prove people wrong. Better be ready.

Not sure they have that much to prove. Yes they are not perfect this year but still own our division. In refernce to the OP thought, I can't see a BB or Brady team ever not going all out to win so I see no chance that they will not go 100 percent. Heck how many games have they pulled out in the last few minutes this year?

 

[datruth55]

Ordinarily I would say this theory is ridiculous, but we are talking Belichick. Considering that the Ravens have been such a pain to them in the playoffs, if things don't start off well for the Patriots in Miami could be pull off the dogs and take a loss in Miami in hopes of seeing the Dolphins in the playoffs and knocking the Ravens out?

I know they are still in pursuit of homefield, but you can never account for BB's scheming brain. He would definitely prefer to face the Dolphins in tough winter conditions in NE over the battle-tested Ravens come January...

And it is. If the Pats lose they lose the #2 seed, Cincy owns the tie-breaker. They can't predict who will win the wildcard round so to lose on purpose would be foolish. If the Ravens get the 6th seed they'll be playing the Bengals in Cincy. If the Ravens win I believe they would then play Denver in Denver.