Game Day Thread Official Post Game Thread- Pats beat the Falcons

[SBLIII]

They weren't able to run the ball at all against NO or TB, which are the two best run defense teams in the league. Buffalo is third. We had a grand total of -1 yards vs TB and 21 yards (not including Mac's rushing) vs NO.

we didn't have the mountain of a man at RT.

 

[yukon cornelius]

They weren't able to run the ball at all against NO or TB, which are the two best run defense teams in the league. Buffalo is third. We had a grand total of -1 yards vs TB and 21 yards (not including Mac's rushing) vs NO.

this is a much better run team at this stage of the season, though.......OL is playing much better, exceptional blocking out of WRs and FB, and stevenson is now part of the attack

 

[reflexblue]

Are we still doing this?

He plays through injuries, can't remember when he practiced fully, missed much of preseason.
Give these guys some time & love. He'll be there when the time comes.

Someone asked a question and gave an answer as to what might be going on with smith. we all have seen players who once they hit a big pay day suddenly don't play as hard or as well. Personally i think Most of the time when a players play drops off its not that all of a sudden they suck, its because they're injured. Take Uche for example, his rookie year he played really well, he was quick, fast and in the backfield often, he started out that way this season but hurt his ankle. Ive been reading posts in the last few weeks that Uche needs to sit, hes no good. IMO its his ankle thats slowing him down. Smith not living up to his contract, or not playing as well as expected could be, most likely do to injury, but he could also be one of those players that relax after getting paid.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Buffalo has quite a few losable games on the schedule. Not too many of great difficulty, but they did lose to Jax not long ago so I could see a few of these teams knocking them off. We could still split with them and finish higher in the standings at 12-5 or maybe even 11-6(this one unlikely- theyd have to lose 3 more in addition to us beating them). Lets just play it safe and sweep them! The stakes are as high as itll get fir regular season so these are the type of games you gotta win.

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

They weren't able to run the ball at all against NO or TB, which are the two best run defense teams in the league. Buffalo is third. We had a grand total of -1 yards vs TB and 21 yards (not including Mac's rushing) vs NO.

We also didn't gel until recently.

Also, I dont know if we are even playing our best football yet.

 

[BritPat]

their pass defense is filthy. We can have success rushing though.

Absolutely, that secondary is no joke. We're going to have to get funky in some ways. Break lots of tendencies.

 

[yukon cornelius]

We also didn't gel until recently.

Also, I dont know if we are even playing our best football yet.

offense is still rounding out.......but this offense is constructed for late season/playoff success......OL gelling, two headed monster in the backfield....lots of I formation, adding Onwenu coming in as a 3rd TE.....play action with an accurate QB who spreads the ball around......this is a late season offense that grinds out the games while the D wins them

 

[BritPat]

They weren't able to run the ball at all against NO or TB, which are the two best run defense teams in the league. Buffalo is third. We had a grand total of -1 yards vs TB and 21 yards (not including Mac's rushing) vs NO.

Plenty of reasons for those, some of those now not relevant (such as Oline starters missing).

Let's see how we go.

 

[SBLIII]

Someone asked a question and gave an answer as to what might be going on with smith. we all have seen players who once they hit a big pay day suddenly don't play as hard or as well. Personally i think Most of the time when a players play drops off its not that all of a sudden they suck, its because they're injured. Take Uche for example, his rookie year he played really well, he was quick, fast and in the backfield often, he started out that way this season but hurt his ankle. Ive been reading posts in the last few weeks that Uche needs to sit, hes no good. IMO its his ankle thats slowing him down. Smith not living up to his contract, or not playing as well as expected could be, most likely do to injury, but he could also be one of those players that relax after getting paid.

Uche is hurt and has been for most of the year. The Patriots are letting him recover now.

 

[n6249c]

Our strength on offense right now is running the ball, which unfortunately, Buffalo is very good at stopping. And unlike Tampa and Dallas, Buffalo's pass D is stingy as well. If the offense were more in sync, I'd like our chances of a sweep better.

Before last week Cleveland’s run defense ranked better than Buffalo’s. Just saying, Buffalo’s current opponent’s rushing yards per game average allowed is a tenth of a yard higher than Cleveland’s was when they played the Patriots last week. Patriots are the reason Cleveland slipped. No reason to expect different when we play Buffalo is there?

 

[SHOWTIME15]

we didn't have the mountain of a man at RT.

We also didn't gel until recently.

Also, I dont know if we are even playing our best football yet.

Plenty of reasons for those, some of those now not relevant (such as Oline starters missing).

Let's see how we go.

Before last week Cleveland’s run defense ranked better than Buffalo’s. Just saying, Buffalo’s current opponent’s rushing yards per game average allowed is a tenth of a yard higher than Cleveland’s was when they played the Patriots last week. Patriots are the reason Cleveland slipped. No reason to expect different when we play Buffalo is there?

True, we didn't have Trent back until last week. I'm not saying we can't run the ball on Buffalo. I'm just saying it will be tough and we may have to rely on Mac's arm to win against them. Hopefully, the addition of Trent and the line gelling will help a lot. Plus an injury or two to Buffalo's D wouldn't hurt.

 

[Sicilian]

They weren't able to run the ball at all against NO or TB, which are the two best run defense teams in the league. Buffalo is third. We had a grand total of -1 yards vs TB and 21 yards (not including Mac's rushing) vs NO.

They also ran very well against the 4th best run defense in Cleveland. The big X factor is Trent Brown.

 

[captain stone]

Sooooo much joy post game, this video clip captures a lot of it.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

They also ran very well against the 4th best run defense in Cleveland. The big X factor is Trent Brown.

Hope so. Right now, Cleveland is ranked 9th overall in rush yards allowed. There is a bit of a drop off IMO between TB/NO/Buff and Cleveland as far as run defense. Of course, Trent Brown and Onwenu are only going to help.

 

[patsinthesnow]

 

[Sicilian]

Hope so. Right now, Cleveland is ranked 9th overall in rush yards allowed. There is a bit of a drop off IMO between TB/NO/Buff and Cleveland as far as run defense. Of course, Trent Brown and Onwenu are only going to help.

I think they were 4th coming into the game against the Patriots.

 

[n6249c]

Hope so. Right now, Cleveland is ranked 9th overall in rush yards allowed. There is a bit of a drop off IMO between TB/NO/Buff and Cleveland as far as run defense. Of course, Trent Brown and Onwenu are only going to help.

Where do you see Cleveland ranked ninth? This site has them now ranked fifth, down from third a week ago (before they played the Patriots). Note that you can set the date for the rankings, convenient to review history.

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Rushing Yards per Game | TeamRankings.com

 

[n6249c]

“LB Ja'Whaun Bentley is a terrific football player.”

Across PatsFans many heads explode.

 

[long distance]

Bentley showed from get go that he can be a solid BB LB anchor for a long time here wearing green dot as a rookie - had significant setback and needed quite a bit of time to come back to the promise. But to me it was never in doubt. Maybe September football will never be his thing but will be growing into January monster.

He still has some instinct issues but is maturing nicely overall.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Where do you see Cleveland ranked ninth? This site has them now ranked fifth, down from third a week ago (before they played the Patriots). Note that you can set the date for the rankings, convenient to review history.

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Rushing Yards per Game | TeamRankings.com

I'm talking yards allowed