The Patriots lead the NFL with 14 first-round byes since the current NFL playoff format was instituted in 1990. The Patriots earned a first-round bye for the ninth consecutive season in 2018, becoming the first team in NFL history to do so. With a win over Miami on Sunday, New England will claim a first-round playoff bye for the 10th straight year. Dallas and San Francisco earned four straight byes from 1992-95 and Denver had four straight from 2012-15.
One of my favorite statements is “The Patriots broke a record previous held by the Patriots”. And this happens time and time again.
What a great time to be a fan.
That’s all I got.
Still on page one.
It’s such an amazing game Joolz. 11 insanely talented men acting in concert at the direction of a coaching staff in 3 different phases of the game.
It’s chess on the field in physical form.
The possibilities are endless and oh so beautiful.
10 straight years is just freakin unbelievable… having watched every game (I think…), it is still unbelievable.
My theory is that the winning structure (staff, coaching, system , planning, logistics,) is in place which takes many years to implement. And other teams are stumbling and bumbling trying to so so. These details add up to a major advantage . Then you have the ability to get guys to play big in the biggest moments…
Another big game this week against former coach. Very important to sustain offensive variety and mixing targets. Get the ball to Sanu. Also dorsett. These guys will be needed at some point. Edelman targets should be limited to avoid the last game disaster injury.
I agree with this, but for a slightly different reason. It’s true we don’t want Edelman (or anybody) hurt, but that would be a positive side effect of relying on him less and other WRs more.
The main effect would be to convince opposing Defenses that they can’t just double Edelman and spy on White of out the backfield, without expecting to get burned by some combination of Harry, Dorsett, Sanu, Meyers, and LaCosse. In last week’s game, Harry proved he can make a clutch reception; Sanu has done the same in a prior game or two as well.
Apart from providing the team an opportunity to clinch a bye, this game also affords that pass-catching corps another chance to build up their confidence in their ability, from top to bottom, to make key drive-sustaining (or TD producing) plays in something resembling an NFL game environment.
The New England Patriots (12-3) and the Miami Dolphins (4-11) announce the following injuries and practice participation.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019
OUT
No Players Listed.
DOUBTFUL
No Players Listed.
QUESTIONABLE
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, Knee (LP)
DB Terrence Brooks, Groin (LP)
LB Shilique Calhoun, Illness (DNP)
OT Marcus Cannon, Ankle (LP)
LB Jamie Collins, Shoulder (LP)
WR Julian Edelman, Knee / Shoulder (LP)
CB Jonathan Jones, Groin (LP)
CB Jason McCourty, Groin (LP)
OUT
CB Jomal Wiltz, Shoulder (DNP)
DOUBTFUL
No Players Listed.
QUESTIONABLE
LB Vince Biegel, Elbow (LP)
DE Taco Charlton, Ankle (LP)
WR Allen Hurns, Ankle/Neck (LP)
DT Zach Sieler, Ankle/Thumb (LP)
DT Christian Wilkins, Ankle (LP)
And it would have been 17 years straight if not for Brady getting hurt and the Patriots subsequently losing the AFC east crown on a tiebreaker to the Dullphins in 2008
I’m kinda fixated on getting Brady to spread the ball around. Last week it finally happened so they proved it was possible . I want to see it continue since it always has been the hallmark of a successful offense. Plus it is a great team aspect to get contributions from more guys who are balling to the max… 
Lol I’m in the wrong thread
You’d think someone would use their clown powers to move these posts where they belong
I haven’t reached that stage of clowniness yet, so we shall have to rely on the Real Deal™.
I think New England could win this lol
So will Damien Harris actually be active for game day?
Mystery player
I’ll take the opposing punter rolling out and throwing deep on every 4th down.