The OFFICIAL Patriots vs Bills PostGame Thread

[blackglass3]

I have an honest question...after seeing that today, Talib should be plugged in as a starter on D, no question. But where does he go? I know Dennard had a mediocre (at best) game, but I think I'd rather leave him out there to learn. Arrington will never improve from what he is, I think he should be the one going to 3rd CB.

Why do we run a no huddle offense when we're trying to kill the clock? Josh McDaniels seems to have WTF moments every game.

When I coach my 8 to 9 year old flag football team, I emphasize QB pressure leads to bad throws and turnovers. Should I let Mike Patricia know this little nugget of information, because he doesn't seem to. And when we accidentally had our DL get near Fitzpatrick today he looked terrible. You'd think he'd have gotten the message by now.

At the end of the day, this win most likely won us the division so I'll take it. But our D still has a LONG way to go to get past whatever the first team we play in the playoffs is. I shudder to think of AJ Green against our secondary if we don't get a first round bye.

[IcyPatriot]

I think we should all send an Xmas card to today's referee crew ...

[Sciz]

Originally Posted by RodThePat

They got a clutch play against the Jets and the Bills, and they let the other team march right down the field and score against the Ravens and Seahawks. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that a team that has been moving the ball on you defense all game long will score when down 6 with 2 minutes to go.

I'd include the Broncos in there too (Ninkovich's FF), because even though it was a 10 point lead, a lot of people had it as an inevitable loss.

And it's not just expectation. People post like it's guaranteed. I could probably find at least 10 posts in the game thread of people stating that the Pats lost like it's a fact.

[ausbacker]

I have major reservations regarding this defense and its ability to become a Superbowl champion. Divisional game aside, nearly 500 yards and over 30 points at home to the Bills (THE BILLS) is pathetic.

[RodThePat]

Originally Posted by Sciz

I'd include the Broncos in there too (Ninkovich's FF), because even though it was a 10 point lead, a lot of people had it as an inevitable loss.

And it's not just expectation. People post like it's guaranteed. I could probably find at least 10 posts in the game thread of people stating that the Pats lost like it's a fact.

They effortlessly drove right down the field, and didn't win because Fitzpatrick made a boneheaded play. I don't think there was anything about that last drive to prove the people who thought we'd lose the game wrong.

Let me put it this way, Buffalo had the ball with 2:06 left to play on their own 20. If I gave you two options: 1 - try to stop them on defense, or 2 - have them score on the first play from scrimmage, giving your offense the ball with about 1:35 left, needing a FG to win it. Which would you pick?

[juny]

what an ugly win, but a win nonetheless.

just when you think the defense is progressing, they turn in this turd of a performance today. it's sad when 37 doesn't guarantee a win.

seems more often than not, when the offense can put the game out of reach, they fail in getting that score or that extra first down.

lots of room for improvement, and hopefully the team does progress or it's a short postseason

[CityOfChampions]

Not getting my hopes up for much so I don't get disappointed. It's frustrating that our defense seems to have gotten worse, not sure how Belichick let that happen. Bad tackling today and bad penalties taken. We put up points but it still feels like a struggle with our offense. Some questionable playcalling (another trick play when we need an important score?) once again A LOT of drops. Welker dropped 2 huge passes. Our best options were Lloyd who catches every pass from his knees and Branch who is old as dirt. We need to use Gronk more. We forced Vereen a little too much today. Woodhead once again surprised and did really well when they called on him. Edelman should never see a snap on offense again. Baffled as to how we could be +3 in turnover differential, a huge difference in penalties, and the offense was scoring yet the Bills still could've won if Fitzpatrick threw his last pass a little bit harder. Thank God for Tom Brady.

[JoeShmoe]

You can try and blame the players but this rush 4, soft zone for 75% of plays is just terrible

There is no pressure up the middle (Wilfork and Love have been awful) so to keep rushing the same four with no blitz, big linebackers who are dreadful in coverage and what is a poor secondary bar McCourty is just really poor coaching

[coolguy]

I don't understand how easy qbs are making it look against the defense.

The patriots have drafted good talent in all positions, but they can't play good together.

[newenglandsports11]

Three Up:
1. Danny Woodhead (explosive, big 3rd down conversions)
2. Jermaine Cunningham (Some big sacks, fumble recovery, good pressure)
3. Stevan Ridley (good change of pace, some big plays, took load off of Tommy)
3B. Stephen Gostkowski (3 big field goals, bunch of touchbacks)

Three Down:
1. Alfonzo Dennard (beaten constantly)
2. Linebacking Corp. (Poor, Poor, tackling)
3. Wes Welker (2 big drops, one on opening drive that would have been touchdown, and in our own end zone)