Patriots can miss playoffs with 11-5 record

The New England Patriots need just two more wins to finish at an impressive 11-5 without Tom Brady -- and possibly miss the playoffs.

[Andrew]

This is the stupidest article I've ever read. If the author did their research, they would know that Miami and New York play eachother, and someone has to win that game. Since someone also loses, there CAN NOT be a 3 way tie if New England wins out. Do some research, author. In this economy, I think people who flash faulty info should just be fired on the spot. Worthless!

[ahmad]

no way because miami will play the jet in weak 17 so the pat will take the wild card with 11 and 5 recored

[DONT HAVE ONE]

NFL needs to have Play Offs better then now if have a team with over ten wins should be Play Offs

[Cupid D]

Go Patritots!!! You can do it....and if you don't I'm still proud of you guys.You had a long battled season but you never gave up.You guys give your fans a reason to hope.You set good examples for courage and I'm proud to say I cheer for you. Go Patritots! Go Patritots! Go Patritots!

[Tom Brady]

There sure are some mathematical wizards here who couldn't figure their way out of a wet paper bag. The Pats are the 3rd best team of the 3 mentioned and wont even sniff a playoff game.

[Voice of reason]

Andrew wrote:

This is the stupidest article I've ever read. If the author did their research, they would know that Miami and New York play eachother, and someone has to win that game. Since someone also loses, there CAN NOT be a 3 way tie if New England wins out. Do some research, author. In this economy, I think people who flash faulty info should just be fired on the spot. Worthless!

The author was implying that in the instance that either team has the same record, the Patriots would lose out. He wasn't pointing out the possibility of a three-way tie. His information was fine, if you know how to articulate good writing. Keep your anger to yourself and out of the forums, unless you have something sports related to add then please don't waste our time with your nonsense.

[Rob]

Voice of reason wrote:

<quoted text>
The author was implying that in the instance that either team has the same record, the Patriots would lose out. He wasn't pointing out the possibility of a three-way tie. His information was fine, if you know how to articulate good writing. Keep your anger to yourself and out of the forums, unless you have something sports related to add then please don't waste our time with your nonsense.

No, you, the "Voice of Reason", are the one who is wrong and pointlessly defensive. The quote in the article is "the Dolphins and Jets would have the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots if all three finish with the same record." There's no room for ambiguity here- the author is clearly referring to a 3-way tie, and is clearly mistaken.

This is an online article, it's not like it's set in print- can't this be corrected?

[Hey geniuses]

Andrew wrote:

This is the stupidest article I've ever read. If the author did their research, they would know that Miami and New York play eachother, and someone has to win that game. Since someone also loses, there CAN NOT be a 3 way tie if New England wins out. Do some research, author. In this economy, I think people who flash faulty info should just be fired on the spot. Worthless!

Just because the teams cannot finish with 11-5 records, that does not mean they cannot finish in a three-way tie.
Here is the exact quote that 'Rob' and 'Andrew' object to:'The other three teams in the division -- New England, Miami and New York -- are all 9-5, but the Dolphins and Jets would have the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots if all three finish with the same record.'
Care to explain to me - EXACTLY - how it is that they cannot all finish 10-6?
Hmmmmm.... your silence is deafening. Your ignorance is astounding.

[Hey geniuses]

Rob wrote:

<quoted text>
No, you, the "Voice of Reason", are the one who is wrong and pointlessly defensive. The quote in the article is "the Dolphins and Jets would have the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots if all three finish with the same record." There's no room for ambiguity here- the author is clearly referring to a 3-way tie, and is clearly mistaken.
This is an online article, it's not like it's set in print- can't this be corrected?

Just because the teams cannot finish with 11-5 records, that does not mean they cannot finish in a three-way tie.

Here is the exact quote that 'Rob' and 'Andrew' object to:'The other three teams in the division -- New England, Miami and New York -- are all 9-5, but the Dolphins and Jets would have the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots if all three finish with the same record.'

Care to explain to me - EXACTLY - how it is that they cannot all finish 10-6?

Hmmmmm.... your silence is deafening. Your ignorance is astounding.

[Clyde Nocar]

Tom Brady wrote:

There sure are some mathematical wizards here who couldn't figure their way out of a wet paper bag. The Pats are the 3rd best team of the 3 mentioned and wont even sniff a playoff game.

And, they did it without getting caught cheating!

[Clyde Nocar]

My bad, wrong reply

[Clyde Nocar]

Cupid D wrote:

Go Patritots!!! You can do it....and if you don't I'm still proud of you guys.You had a long battled season but you never gave up.You guys give your fans a reason to hope.You set good examples for courage and I'm proud to say I cheer for you. Go Patritots! Go Patritots! Go Patritots!

this one

[Rob]

Technically, you're right that all three could finish 10-6 and the Patriots would lose the tiebreaker. I missed this. I very strongly suspect that the author used faulty logic to come to a correct conclusion, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

The title of the article is "Patriots can miss playoffs with 11-5 record," so it's understandable how a lot of folks would misunderstand this- especially given that the author missed some key points- first, in not even mentioning the Jets/Dolphins game, and second in not stating the specifics of the tiebreaker scenarios that would leave them out at 11-5.

In summary:
1) you're right
2) article could've been better written
3) you value your superior "intellect" over your social skills

what silence?

Hey geniuses wrote:

<quoted text>
Just because the teams cannot finish with 11-5 records, that does not mean they cannot finish in a three-way tie.
Here is the exact quote that 'Rob' and 'Andrew' object to:'The other three teams in the division -- New England, Miami and New York -- are all 9-5, but the Dolphins and Jets would have the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots if all three finish with the same record.'
Care to explain to me - EXACTLY - how it is that they cannot all finish 10-6?
Hmmmmm.... your silence is deafening. Your ignorance is astounding.

[Rob]

I know i'm the smarter one, though. Your mom told me so.

[Hey geniuses]

Rob wrote:

Technically, you're right that all three could finish 10-6 and the Patriots would lose the tiebreaker. I missed this. I very strongly suspect that the author used faulty logic to come to a correct conclusion, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
The title of the article is "Patriots can miss playoffs with 11-5 record," so it's understandable how a lot of folks would misunderstand this- especially given that the author missed some key points- first, in not even mentioning the Jets/Dolphins game, and second in not stating the specifics of the tiebreaker scenarios that would leave them out at 11-5.
In summary:
1) you're right
2) article could've been better written
3) you value your superior "intellect" over your social skills
what silence?
<quoted text>

Just don't hold your breath looking for the AP to run that correction you called for. It seemed pretty obvious to me that the writer was making two distinct points: A) the Pats could finish 11-5 and miss the playoffs, and B) the Pats, Fish and Favres could all finish in a tie (10-6, 9-5-2, 10-5-1, take your pick). He (the writer) IS allowed to make more than one point per article, don't you think?

Next time try reading the whole story. I know your lips get tired, but if it helps, maybe someone can read it to you next time ... maybe they can just draw you a synopsis in crayon.

[Football Historian]

Rob wrote:

I know i'm the smarter one, though. Your mom told me so.

10-6 or 11-5. What would it really matter if the Pats miss the playoffs in either scenario?

It would simply prove they couldn't make the playoffs. It would simply prove they don't have what it takes to go all the way.

[Rob]

Yeah, I agree, I always thought that the hallmark of a great writer is the ability to blame the reader when he can't get his logic across in clear and unambiguous terms that most people understand. In fact, it should be up to us to guess what he's thinking without him having to write it, given that the English language is far too limited. He should also blame “Voice of Reason,” who thought the author “wasn't pointing out the possibility of a three-way tie” when describing the scenarios between the Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins.

By the way, now that I've been proven wrong, my self-esteem depends entirely on the AP correction. Or at least getting the last word.

[Rob]

Hey geniuses wrote:

<quoted text>
Just don't hold your breath looking for the AP to run that correction you called for. It seemed pretty obvious to me that the writer was making two distinct points: A) the Pats could finish 11-5 and miss the playoffs, and B) the Pats, Fish and Favres could all finish in a tie (10-6, 9-5-2, 10-5-1, take your pick). He (the writer) IS allowed to make more than one point per article, don't you think?
Next time try reading the whole story. I know your lips get tired, but if it helps, maybe someone can read it to you next time ... maybe they can just draw you a synopsis in crayon.

Yeah, I agree, I always thought that the hallmark of a great writer is the ability to blame the reader when he can't get his logic across in clear and unambiguous terms that most people understand. In fact, it should be up to us to guess what he's thinking without him having to write it, given that the English language is far too limited. He should also blame “Voice of Reason,” who thought the author “wasn't pointing out the possibility of a three-way tie” when describing the scenarios between the Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins.

By the way, now that I've been proven wrong, my self-esteem depends entirely on the AP correction. Or at least getting the last word.

[amandavives]

Rob wrote:

Yeah, I agree, I always thought that the hallmark of a great writer is the ability to blame the reader when he can't get his logic across in clear and unambiguous terms that most people understand. In fact, it should be up to us to guess what he's thinking without him having to write it, given that the English language is far too limited. He should also blame “Voice of Reason,” who thought the author “wasn't pointing out the possibility of a three-way tie” when describing the scenarios between the Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins.
By the way, now that I've been proven wrong, my self-esteem depends entirely on the AP correction. Or at least getting the last word.

Hate to say it, but the pats are better than the JETS OR MIAMI.

[Football Historian]

amandavives wrote:

<quoted text>Hate to say it, but the pats are better than the JETS OR MIAMI.

Hate to say it but none of the above three teams are a serious contender.....