First round--Who do you want? Who do you NOT want?

[DJnVa]

Let's see if I did this right---vote for 2 choices. The first is who you want to play in first round, the second is who you want to most avoid in first round.

I used the 3 most likely--Cincy, Buffalo, and KC. I realize there may be scenarios where Pats get bye or face Colts/Raiders/Chargers (maybe? Not 100%), but they don't seem likely.

 

[tims4wins]

Only vote I cast is to avoid KC.

 

[BusRaker]

If I pick Buffalo, do I get to pick which of the two Josh Allen's we get?

 

[Gash Prex]

I truly don't care - this season has already been a success by any reasonable metric. Everything gravy from here and they can beat any time if they play well.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Let's see if I did this right---vote for 2 choices. The first is who you want to play in first round, the second is who you want to most avoid in first round.

I used the 3 most likely--Cincy, Buffalo, and KC. I realize there may be scenarios where Pats get bye or face Colts/Raiders/Chargers (maybe? Not 100%), but they don't seem likely.

Gimme the Bills. Our biggest strength right now is our coaching staff. I have extreme faith in BB pivoting off of the loss to the Bills. And, despite the worst defensive showing of the season, a special teams TD, some bad reffing, and some bad offensive drives, we still were right in that game.

Gimme the Bills. Lets send em home for the season.

 

[cshea]

I voted to play Cincy and avoid KC.

KC is still the best team in the conference. Best to avoid them for as long as possible. Cincy and Buffalo were a toss up. Cincy's offense is pretty terrifying. Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Boyd, Mixon, etc. The deciding factor for me is that they are also super inexperienced and I think they have a weaker defense than Buffalo. Still, it's close.

 

[RedOctober3829]

They can beat any team on this list and also lose to any team on this list. If I have a sliver of a preference, it's Cincinnati because of the lack of playoff experience for their players and head coach. But, I think the AFC teams are so close to even.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I don't want Buffalo, because I think they're the team best situated to exploit our weaknesses on both sides (dealing with a running QB and pass catching backs on D, a good D that can force Mac to throw outside against solid man coverage on O). I think we can score on the other 2.

 

[Rico Guapo]

Avoid KC, play Buffalo.

KC is streaky but I think they're the best team in the conference when they're "on". I think BB corrects the mistakes made in the second Buffalo game and the team puts together a more complete effort from an execution standpoint and the Patriots come out with the victory.

 

[mikeford]

The easiest road is playing Cincy and avoiding KC but I'm not particularly worried about if they drew the Bills instead.

KC is probably gonna win the whole thing again though.

 

[pokey_reese]

I voted play Buffalo, avoid KC. I agree with KFP, I think a third look at the opponent gives Bill an edge, though the Bills are certainly well coached, too. I think that they are likely better than the Bengals, but maybe not by so much that I would trade it for the familiarity. I want to avoid KC mainly because I want to face them later in the playoffs, I think we can run on them, and I want to bet on the weather variance later in the year.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Easy decision for me. Cincy.

They’re very talented but young and unproven. Not sure about their coaching staff. And losing to them wouldn’t be nearly as annoying as losing to the Bills or Chiefs. Less upside but less downside. Also, Burrows vs. Mac could potentially become a “thing” over the next few years.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Not looking to avoid anyone, but voted to choose Cincinnati. After watching yesterday's game ending, it's clear that their coach is a shithead.

 

[Rudy's Curve]

Not looking to avoid anyone, but voted to choose Cincinnati. After watching yesterday's game ending, it's clear that their coach is a shithead

Going for it on fourth and goal from the inch line given the opponent was unequivocally the right decision. What exactly are you referring to?

 

[Old Fart Tree]

I chose cincy but at this point there aren’t any bad teams to play. Any of them could beat the Pats and vice versa (although it would really take something to beat KC on the road with a rookie QB).

 

[Jimbodandy]

Going for it on fourth and goal from the inch line given the opponent was unequivocally the right decision. What exactly are you referring to?

If by "given the opponent", you mean to imply that Taylor knew that KC would make two stupid, undisciplined penalties in a row, then that's fair. If he knew that, then good on him.

If by "given the opponent", you mean the KC team that put up all of 3 points in the second half yesterday, agree to disagree.

 

[Zincman]

I think Buffalo is better than us and I don't relish a third try despite the confidence in BB. I'd probably opt to play Cinci only because I am sure we can score and the coaching matchup is favorable.

 

[Jinhocho]

I choose play Buffalo and avoid KC. I would put us the dog in any of those games, but playing a team 3 times is always a chore. Given that, I say Buffalo because they believe 1) we only beat them because of a trick 2) with no tricks they rolled us and 3) they are better than us in all phases of the game. I like giving the hoodie that kind of scenario to work with.

KC is well KC.

 

[wiffleballhero]

a third look at the opponent gives Bill an edge

SSS situation here, for sure. 06 and 10 Jets? That's it right?

But yeah, this is my thinking too. Go to Buffalo, learn from your mistakes, watch out for Myles Bryant.

 

[Rudy's Curve]

If by "given the opponent", you mean to imply that Taylor knew that KC would make two stupid, undisciplined penalties in a row, then that's fair. If he knew that, then good on him.

If by "given the opponent", you mean the KC team that put up all of 3 points in the second half yesterday, agree to disagree.

Well there were two penalties because they couldn't stop the Bengals receivers without holding them.

And yes, KC put up three points in the second half yesterday. They also put up 28 easily in the first half and should've been 31-35 if Hill didn't drop a 60-yard bomb. Even if the Bengals didn't convert, the Chiefs would've had the ball on their own 1 with ~45 seconds left and no timeouts. If you kick a FG, you're giving the ball to the best player on the planet (or thereabouts) at the 25 only needing a FG to tie (and it's still possible he could score a TD). Obviously the absolute best-case scenario happened, but the upside of a TD is way greater than the alternative. I'd be stunned if BB or any other highly respected coach wouldn't go for it there.

 

[RG33]

I want Buffalo. Because, fuck them.

I want to avoid KC in the 1st round, because I want them in the AFCCG. Because, fuck them.

 

[wilked]

I want Buffalo. Because, fuck them.

I want to avoid KC in the 1st round, because I want them in the AFCCG. Because, fuck them.

This

 

[cshea]

I would've kicked the FG, but either way, the bigger blunder was Reid not letting Cincy score on first down to preserve the clock and timouts. I'd rather give the ball to Mahomes down 38-31 with 1:55 left and 2 tinmouts than roll the dice on getting 4 stops from the half yard line. Even if they forced a FG, I think the first scendrio is easier to manage/pull off than down 3 with 45 seconds left and needing to go ~40 yards with no timeouts.

 

[Rudy's Curve]

I would've kicked the FG, but either way, the bigger blunder was Reid not letting Cincy score on first down to preserve the clock and timouts. I'd rather give the ball to Mahomes down 38-31 with 1:55 left and 2 tinmouts than roll the dice on getting 4 stops from the half yard line. Even if they forced a FG, I think the first scendrio is easier to manage/pull off than down 3 with 45 seconds left and needing to go ~40 yards with no timeouts.

Yeah, that's entirely defensible. It also looked like Burrow wasn't completely trying to score on the sneaks, but he would've obviously gotten in if they rolled out the red carpet.

As an aside, Reid clinched the playoff game against the Browns last year by going for it in his own territory with Chad Henne when a punt would've made them have to go the length of the field in a minute with no timeouts. That's way more insane than what Taylor did yesterday and makes it incredibly obvious he would've done the exact same thing there.

 

[jose melendez]

Play Cinci. BB will not be the first team to lose a playoff game to Cinci in 32 years. No way.

 

[Ale Xander]

Avoid KC

Buffalo can’t run with RB’s.
Cindy can’t defend very well.

 

[RIrooter09]

Avoid KC play Cincy. KC is the best team in the conference, Buffalo is better than us I think, we are better than Cincy.

 

[Captaincoop]

I want Buffalo. Because, fuck them.

I want to avoid KC in the 1st round, because I want them in the AFCCG. Because, fuck them.

This is the right answer.

 

[Rudy's Curve]

I would've kicked the FG, but either way, the bigger blunder was Reid not letting Cincy score on first down to preserve the clock and timouts. I'd rather give the ball to Mahomes down 38-31 with 1:55 left and 2 tinmouts than roll the dice on getting 4 stops from the half yard line. Even if they forced a FG, I think the first scendrio is easier to manage/pull off than down 3 with 45 seconds left and needing to go ~40 yards with no timeouts.

Looking at it further, I don't even think the Chiefs try to score if they take over on downs. They'd be on their own 1 with 45 seconds and no timeouts while the Bengals also had no timeouts so they could just run out the clock. The Chiefs can't take shots right away since a safety ends the game so they would probably just run up the middle to get out of the endzone. Then what, they're going to run hurry-up most likely still on their own goal line with 35 seconds left and a running clock?

The Bengals were likely freerolling regulation by going for it. Kicking means they have to stop Mahomes from going 40 yards or so (maybe less with how good Butker is too) and maybe they get beat over their heads since they're trying to prevent the underneath stuff.

 

[bsj]

I voted to avoid KC.

I kind of dont want Buffalo either but I feel like Cinci is no great shakes either so just left that alone

 

[SMU_Sox]

I think Buffalo is better than us and I don't relish a third try despite the confidence in BB. I'd probably opt to play Cinci only because I am sure we can score and the coaching matchup is favorable.

I agree with the caveat that the Bills are the highest variance team in the NFL. When you get the Dr. Jekyll Bills you’re toast. Allen will beat you no matter how well you are playing on defense because he can win no matter what like by throwing a bullet across his body between… fuck it. Too depressing to think about. Lol. But the Mr. Hyde Bills are beatable. That’s when their OL gives up too much pressure and Allen makes poor decisions.

As for me I think I’d take the team with the least consistent defense and worst offensive line of the trio, so bring on Cincinnati. Sure they have 3 legitimate weapons in Chase, Higgins, and Boyd but Burrow has taken the most sacks in the NFL at 51. That’s 3 sacks a game. And while sacks are on the QB many times I know the last pod I listened to had some stat that said the vast majority of Burrow’s were on the OL. (If I find that source I’ll post it). PFF has Cincinnati’s pass blocking graded 25th overall and Football Outsiders has them with the 3rd worst adjusted sack rate. I think it’s fair to say they have pass protection issues because the conventional and advanced stats all agree. I also, like you, like the coaching matchup.

The only reason I don’t want to play Cincinnati is because they are a fun team and I like them. If the Pats don’t win the AFC then I’ll be rooting for them. It’s hard to dislike Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and Boyd.

I also voted to avoid Buffalo because if the good Bills show up it’s likely game over.

 

[Rudy's Curve]

As for me I think I’d take the team with the least consistent defense and worst offensive line of the trio, so bring on Cincinnati. Sure they have 3 legitimate weapons in Chase, Higgins, and Boyd but Burrow has taken the most sacks in the NFL at 51. That’s 3 sacks a game. And while sacks are on the QB many times I know the last pod I listened to had some stat that said the vast majority of Burrow’s were on the OL. (If I find that source I’ll post it). PFF has Cincinnati’s pass blocking graded 25th overall and Football Outsiders has them with the 3rd worst adjusted sack rate. I think it’s fair to say they have pass protection issues because the conventional and advanced stats all agree. I also, like you, like the coaching matchup

This is what greatly worries me as a Bengals fan and why I don’t want to see the Pats. LT Jonah Williams has played up to his first-round pedigree and LG Quinton Spain has had a good year (although he just sprained his ankle and is out at least this week), but that’s where it ends. The right side of the line is terrible now that RT Riley Reiff is out for the year and they’ve had issues at C and RG all year. That…seems like something that can be exploited by Bill Belichick.

 

[patinorange]

I want Buffalo. Because, fuck them.

I want to avoid KC in the 1st round, because I want them in the AFCCG. Because, fuck them.

Ditto

 

[SMU_Sox]

This is what greatly worries me as a Bengals fan and why I don’t want to see the Pats. LT Jonah Williams has played up to his first-round pedigree and LG Quinton Spain has had a good year (although he just sprained his ankle and is out at least this week), but that’s where it ends. The right side of the line is terrible now that RT Riley Reiff is out for the year and they’ve had issues at C and RG all year. That…seems like something that can be exploited by Bill Belichick.

I hope next year you make a Bengals thread. They are an easy team to like. Aside from the Patriots I wish you all the best in the playoffs.

 

[54thMA]

I want Buffalo. Because, fuck them.

I want to avoid KC in the 1st round, because I want them in the AFCCG. Because, fuck them.

This AFC field top to bottom is the weakest in a long time; the 5 loss Titans currently are the #1 seed.

With Ryan Tannehill as the QB.

I really don't care who they play.

But I'll sign up for this all day long.

And I know it's petty, but that fucking billboard on route 1 goes up my ass sideways.

 

[Mooch]

I want the Bills again. I think they are ripe for play-action given their propensity to load the box to somewhat mitigate their inability to stop the run. If I'm McD, I run heavy formations and hit them up the seam over and over again until they are forced to drop safeties back and then cram the ball down their throat ala the game in Buffalo. On the flip side, run back the game plan against the Rams in the Super Bowl a few years ago: Line up in that "no down lineman" formation and hammer the Bills with stunts and twists mixed in with heavy blitzes. I think Allen will fold.