PatsPropaganda

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Keeping the Patriots Win in Perspective

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As my Dad often said, and as BB practices, you can’t let your lows get too low, nor let your highs get too high. Clearly this was the tone Tom Brady took at the podium after the win over the Jets, keeping a level head while quickly turning the page to the already-behind preparations for the Chicago Bears.

So let’s take a deep breath and talk about what this win really means in the big picture.

Unfortunately the Patriots clinched neither the AFC East nor homefield advantage last night. Sure, it’s always nice to pound Rex and the Jets, but ultimately the division race is still very much alive. A one game lead with four to play isn’t enough. Especially when two of those four are inside the division.

The Patriots sit in first place, but the Jets are still very much alive folks. As you can see from the tie breaks procedure after head to head, division record the next factor is common games. The Pats loss to Cleveland (Jets beat them) and the Jets loss to the Ravens (Patriots beat them) cancel each other out. The Pats have games in hand having already beaten Pittsburgh, and still having a chance to beat the Packers. Chicago is the wild card as both the Pats and Jets have yet to play them.

So every game remains huge, starting with the divisional matchups, both of which the Jets have at home. The Patriots will have to go to Buffalo, while hosting Miami.

I don’t want to diminish last night’s win, but it was very much a “hold serve” victory. There is no breathing room for the Patriots. If they lose to Chicago and the Jets beat Miami it would go down to the 5th tiebreaker for the Pats to maintain first place.

Here’s how ties are broken:

Two Clubs

  1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
  2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
  3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
  4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
  5. Strength of victory.
  6. Strength of schedule.
  7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
  8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
  9. Best net points in common games.
  10. Best net points in all games.
  11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
  12. Coin toss