Statement Game: Patriots with a Gut Check 52-28 win at Buffalo

[mayoclinic]

This was a Statement Game with a capital "S". What a gut check by the team. I can't believe that someone actually posted about this team needing to find it's "identity". This team has a big time "Identity", and it's the kind that wins championships:

- A balanced offense with a brutal, physical running game that amassed 247 yards and which has averaged 144 YPG rushing through 4 games. And that's with Gronk hobbled, Hernandez and Mankins out, and a beat up OL that totally whipped what was supposed to be an elite Buffalo DL.

- A tough, physical defense that produced 5 turnovers, 3 sacks of a QB who had only been sacked once in 3 previous games, and which made key stop and key play after key play until the game was out of reach.

- A team which could be 2 TDs down in the 3rd quarter and which didn't blink, and turned the game into a rout.

This is not the "finesse" Pats of 2007-2011. It's a tough, gritty team that can play as physical as any team in the league. It's still coming together, but I can't imagine any of the AFC East teams being able to seriously compete for the division title. And by playoff time, this team should be on another level entirely.

I was appalled by the "game thread" and the number of trolls and chicken little fans. Fortunately the team is made of sterner stuff.

 

[Patsbacker]

I said in the game thread down 21-7 it was gut check time. Big time players were making mistakes and needed to step up. Gronk and Wes bounced right back and Spikes is a certifiable bada$$. I think having to come way back like this on the road goes alot further for them in the long run. They had to overcome adversity which I think will help them more than if they just blew them out from the start. I think JMD got into a great rhythm in the second half.

How many people are going to complain now that they aren't throwing the ball on every down? I also think the defense played alot better than they are being given credit for...I just hope the injured guys get back soon.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Ridley + Bolden look like a for real combo at RB. That was one of the game's biggest revelations. The Pats are also very physical and nasty when you try to run on them. Spikes big hit and forced turnover. Even Wilfork made a statement hit on a WR. Wilfork in coverage?? BIG footsteps!!

Pats still have a lot to work on, but when was the last time a Pats offense scored SIX consecutive touchdowns?? Probably not since 2007.

 

[coolguy]

is this a joke? The patriots will start to look like bullies if they don't start beating good teams.

 

[ausbacker]

It'll be a statement game if the Patriots back it up with a win against the Broncos.

 

[Ring 6]

This was a Statement Game with a capital "S". What a gut check by the team. I can't believe that someone actually posted about this team needing to find it's "identity". This team has a big time "Identity", and it's the kind that wins championships:

- A balanced offense with a brutal, physical running game that amassed 247 yards and which has averaged 144 YPG rushing through 4 games. And that's with Gronk hobbled, Hernandez and Mankins out, and a beat up OL that totally whipped what was supposed to be an elite Buffalo DL.

- A tough, physical defense that produced 5 turnovers, 3 sacks of a QB who had only been sacked once in 3 previous games, and which made key stop and key play after key play until the game was out of reach.

- A team which could be 2 TDs down in the 3rd quarter and which didn't blink, and turned the game into a rout.

This is not the "finesse" Pats of 2007-2011. It's a tough, gritty team that can play as physical as any team in the league. It's still coming together, but I can't imagine any of the AFC East teams being able to seriously compete for the division title. And by playoff time, this team should be on another level entirely.

I was appalled by the "game thread" and the number of trolls and chicken little fans. Fortunately the team is made of sterner stuff.

I dont think you make a statement by defeating a team that you have beaten 16 of the last 17 times.
But a true 'statement game' is when you physical pound and humiliate your opponent and that did happen today.

 

[mayoclinic]

I dont think you make a statement by defeating a team that you have beaten 16 of the last 17 times.
But a true 'statement game' is when you physical pound and humiliate your opponent and that did happen today.

I can't agree with you. When you go on the road after 2 close losses in a row against a team with a better record than you currently have and are down 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter and then destroy them physically and mentally, it's a Statement Game in my book. It shows mental toughness, the will to overcome adversity, and a physical attitude that have been lacking for a long time.

Division games are always tough. Road division games are tougher. In this Buffalo team appears to be the second best team in the division at this point. Not a "gimme" game by any means.

 

[everlong]

A statement game is beating the Jets 45-3 where you dominate from start to finish playing nearly flawless football. You dominate a team 38-14 who talked a ton of smack when you knocked them out of the playoffs the previous year.

This game was more of a wake up call. You shoot yourself in the foot for better than half a game and fell behind big. Then you finally had to play with purpose and you blew their doors off. At the half I was screaming for Josh to run the ball more as they were averaging 5.5 at the half. That drive where they did changed everything. Buffalo could no longer load up against the pass.

It's a great win and I hope they keep that sense of urgency but they make that many mistakes vs a true contender and you're not coming back.

 

[Ring 6]

I can't agree with you. When you go on the road after 2 close losses in a row against a team with a better record than you currently have and are down 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter and then destroy them physically and mentally, it's a Statement Game in my book. It shows mental toughness, the will to overcome adversity, and a physical attitude that have been lacking for a long time.

Division games are always tough. Road division games are tougher. In this Buffalo team appears to be the second best team in the division at this point. Not a "gimme" game by any means.

Well there is certainly no requirement that we agree on the definition of Statement Game since it is a made up term anyway.

I just don't see what the statement is. "See we don't suck"? I don't think the players felt the need to make that statement nor did the league stand up and recognize it.
The beating they dished out though, is a statement, IMO, that this is a physical team that will come right at you, and fly to the ball. That statement has legs.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Well, for what's it worth, many Bills fans (on their forum) are blaming the refs. Loose logic: NFL wants Pats to win, that's why real ref's kept the holding calls under check, this wasn't the case in the last two games when the Pats lost because the replacement refs (My!) were brave enough to call the holding, ergo...Bills were destined to lose.

and oh, they sorely wish the replacement refs were there instead of the real ones. Really.

 

[Ring 6]

A statement game is beating the Jets 45-3 where you dominate from start to finish playing nearly flawless football. You dominate a team 38-14 who talked a ton of smack when you knocked them out of the playoffs the previous year.

This game was more of a wake up call. You shoot yourself in the foot for better than half a game and fell behind big. Then you finally had to play with purpose and you blew their doors off. At the half I was screaming for Josh to run the ball more as they were averaging 5.5 at the half. That drive where they did changed everything. Buffalo could no longer load up against the pass.

It's a great win and I hope they keep that sense of urgency but they make that many mistakes vs a true contender and you're not coming back.

I don't buy into that thinking of 'finally play with purpose' or that the level of want or effort ebbs and flows.

The difference is that our offense is simply too good for their defense, but in the first half we came up 1 or 2 yards short on 3rd down, we have receivers fumble twice which is close to a years worth of lost fumbles on pass receptions, and just had stuff go wrong. It wasn't a lack of effort or focus that caused plays to come up a yard or 2 short, or that Welker or Gronk fumbled.
The first half was a series of just misses, and the second half was not.

 

[Ring 6]

Well, for what's it worth, many Bills fans (on their forum) are blaming the refs. Loose logic: NFL wants Pats to win, that's why real ref's kept the holding calls under check, this wasn't the case in the last two games when the Pats lost because the replacement refs (My!) were brave enough to call the holding, ergo...Bills were destined to lose.

and oh, they sorely wish the replacement refs were there instead of the real ones. Really.

Hey, gotta throw some credit at whoever was creative enough to come up with that one.

 

[Patriots Nation NY]

statement? lmao ... Seriously? The defense gave up what? 5 bills today? Statement.. my booty

 

[mayoclinic]

A statement game is beating the Jets 45-3 where you dominate from start to finish playing nearly flawless football. You dominate a team 38-14 who talked a ton of smack when you knocked them out of the playoffs the previous year.

This game was more of a wake up call. You shoot yourself in the foot for better than half a game and fell behind big. Then you finally had to play with purpose and you blew their doors off. At the half I was screaming for Josh to run the ball more as they were averaging 5.5 at the half. That drive where they did changed everything. Buffalo could no longer load up against the pass.

It's a great win and I hope they keep that sense of urgency but they make that many mistakes vs a true contender and you're not coming back.

Well there is certainly no requirement that we agree on the definition of Statement Game since it is a made up term anyway.

I just don't see what the statement is. "See we don't suck"? I don't think the players felt the need to make that statement nor did the league stand up and recognize it.
The beating they dished out though, is a statement, IMO, that this is a physical team that will come right at you, and fly to the ball. That statement has legs.

I don't want to get mired in semantics. But personally, whooping another team thoroughly when you're on fire isn't as impressive to me as pulling yourself together when things are down.

The Pats had lost their previous 2 games by a total of 3 points, and had a losing record after week 1 for the first time since 2002. They were on the road against a pretty decent divisional opponent, which is always tough. And they were down 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter after squandering numerous chances in the 1st half. A lot of people were writing the team off. And they are a young team with a lot of new parts, missing several key players. To pull things together and not just come back but dominate in a physical fashion is to me a very strong statement about the mental and physical nature of this team. I will personally be very surprised if this team isn't "elite" by the end of the season, and doesn't show more guys, character and physical toughness than any Pats teams since the SB years.

To me this team showed guts, toughness, game-changing plays and physical domination under duress that I haven't seen since 2004. I consider that a "Statement Game". JMHO.

 

[everlong]

I don't buy into that thinking of 'finally play with purpose' or that the level of want or effort ebbs and flows.

The difference is that our offense is simply too good for their defense, but in the first half we came up 1 or 2 yards short on 3rd down, we have receivers fumble twice which is close to a years worth of lost fumbles on pass receptions, and just had stuff go wrong. It wasn't a lack of effort or focus that caused plays to come up a yard or 2 short, or that Welker or Gronk fumbled.
The first half was a series of just misses, and the second half was not.

The first half was sloppy with drops, fumbles and missed FGs. Bill should have gone for it on that 4th down as well. I was shocked when they didn't. When they came out 21-7 down they took it up a notch.

If I was going to give it a statement game it would be for one unit. The O-Line without it's best player put up from start to finish it's best game. That was dominant against what was thought to be a good DL.

 

[mayoclinic]

Most 2nd half points by a team trailing at halftime since 1950, according to ESPN.

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills - Recap - September 30, 2012 - ESPN

 

[The Gr8est]

I don't want to get mired in semantics. But personally, whooping another team thoroughly when you're on fire isn't as impressive to me as pulling yourself together when things are down.

The Pats had lost their previous 2 games by a total of 3 points, and had a losing record after week 1 for the first time since 2002. They were on the road against a pretty decent divisional opponent, which is always tough. And they were down 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter after squandering numerous chances in the 1st half. A lot of people were writing the team off. And they are a young team with a lot of new parts, missing several key players. To pull things together and not just come back but dominate in a physical fashion is to me a very strong statement about the mental and physical nature of this team. I will personally be very surprised if this team isn't "elite" by the end of the season, and doesn't show more guys, character and physical toughness than any Pats teams since the SB years.

To me this team showed guts, toughness, game-changing plays and physical domination under duress that I haven't seen since 2004. I consider that a "Statement Game". JMHO.

This team was down 14 points at the half, and ended up winning going away by 24 points.

This was a game where a loss would have left the Pats tied for last, at best with a 1-3 record and 0-1 in the division, with a three game losing streak.

It sure as hell WAS a statement game in MY book.

 

[mgteich]

BALT has a better record than we do because they beat us.

We are in an awful division. I agree that BUFF is the second best team in the division.

This was not a gimme game; no division games are.

I can't agree with you. When you go on the road after 2 close losses in a row against a team with a better record than you currently have and are down 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter and then destroy them physically and mentally, it's a Statement Game in my book. It shows mental toughness, the will to overcome adversity, and a physical attitude that have been lacking for a long time.

Division games are always tough. Road division games are tougher. In this Buffalo team appears to be the second best team in the division at this point. Not a "gimme" game by any means.

 

[mayoclinic]

BALT has a better record than we do because they beat us.

We are in an awful division. I agree that BUFF is the second best team in the division.

This was not a gimme game; no division games are.

You misunderstand what I was saying. I wasn't referring to Baltimore at all. We went on the road today with a 1-2 record against a Buffalo team with a 2-1 record. A pretty decent Buffalo team. I wouldn't be shocked if they were in the hunt for a playoff spot at the end of the season.

 

[mgteich]

Exactly what statement was made by our defensive backfield? If they play the "statement" game that they played, how many points do you think they will give up next week, when the opponent has a bit better quarterback and is not likely to make as many bad passes? We might win 48-41. The secondary needs to improve, but this is only the 1/4 point of the season.
======================================

This was a Statement Game with a capital "S". What a gut check by the team. I can't believe that someone actually posted about this team needing to find it's "identity". This team has a big time "Identity", and it's the kind that wins championships:

- A balanced offense with a brutal, physical running game that amassed 247 yards and which has averaged 144 YPG rushing through 4 games. And that's with Gronk hobbled, Hernandez and Mankins out, and a beat up OL that totally whipped what was supposed to be an elite Buffalo DL.

- A tough, physical defense that produced 5 turnovers, 3 sacks of a QB who had only been sacked once in 3 previous games, and which made key stop and key play after key play until the game was out of reach.

- A team which could be 2 TDs down in the 3rd quarter and which didn't blink, and turned the game into a rout.

This is not the "finesse" Pats of 2007-2011. It's a tough, gritty team that can play as physical as any team in the league. It's still coming together, but I can't imagine any of the AFC East teams being able to seriously compete for the division title. And by playoff time, this team should be on another level entirely.

I was appalled by the "game thread" and the number of trolls and chicken little fans. Fortunately the team is made of sterner stuff.