Colvin On Toucher & Rich: Bye Week Really That Important?
The Patriots lost to the San Francisco 49ers 41-34, all but killing the hopes of the Pats securing a first round bye in the playoffs since the Denver Broncos beat the Baltimore Ravens to move into second place in the AFC.
Former Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich to discuss the loss, the running back situation, injuries and the possibility of heading to Denver in the post season.
Now that Denver is in the number two spot in the AFC and looking at the rest of their schedule it's hard to think that the Patriots will be able to move back up.
How important is it to this team to secure a bye for the first round of the playoffs?
"I don't know if it's going to be that important, I think if Gronkowski is definitely going to be out another three weeks then it's important. I think they can win the games without him it just really depends on the match-up and being the three seed they'll get a home game regardless. I think what it boils down to is how healthy overall the team is, that's what that bye does for you."
Danny Woodhead led Patriots running backs with 12 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Stevan Ridely put the ball on the ground once again this week making it four fumbles this season. Ridely has now coughed up the ball in consecutive games. Shane Vereen also lost the ball Sunday night as well.
What will the running back situation be like the next few weeks?
"Bill's not one to forget situations that cause strife or discomfort in games. Those fumbles that those guys had were huge because it allowed the 49ers to get an early lead, to get early momentum. Even though they didn't capitalize on them a lot it still sets just a bad aura about the whole situation."
The Patriots came back in the second half of the game to tie the game 31 and then couldn't continue their run of success. Was it a case of the Pats getting tired having to battle back for being down so much?
The guys also talked about what it might be like if the Pats had to face the Broncos in Denver in the post season.
