Pre-Game Thread- Bills @ Pats (Thursday Night)

[jdlboot14]

Our D, specifically overall secondary, seems better than last year, so I feel like we can contain the Bills passing game well enough to be competitive. (Jefferson is better than Diggs)
But, what will kill us is Allen scrambling for 1st downs on every 3rd down play. If he does that we lose no question.
We're going to need to control the ball and maintain long drives - that end in TD's! Sucks that Harris is out again. Who will back up Rham?
I'm only hoping last week helped the passing offense gain some much-needed confidence and spark.

 

[Zuma]

 

[Wax Frog]

(glances at @captain stone nervously)

 

[Ross12]

Good signing for Tavai. Low money and at worst he's a core special teams player and depth LB. At best, he keeps improving and is a decent rotational LB. He's made some very good plays the past few weeks and making fewer mistakes. They're a little thin at LB in 2023 and beyond so this is a smart deal. Still need to target LB though.

 

[Zuma]

(glances at @captain stone nervously)

Pronunciation: Jahlani Tavai

Pronunciation: Jahlani Tavai

www.patriots.com

 

[captain stone]

Yeah, I wanted to weigh in, too. I think the people on this site are more invested in that record than Bill is. The people who hate Bill think he's only about winning the record for himself (as though winning a lot of games were a bad thing for the Patriots?). Frankly, I think Bill is just trying to win the next game and will figure out after that after that.

Yet Bill has shown that he is indeed not above putting the I before the T-E-A-M...

 

[captain stone]

mac jones’ CPOE (completion percentage over expected) weeks 1-9: +0.4% (11th/30)

weeks 11-12: +10.4% (1st/28)

It’s a good sign the strength of his game has returned post injury. I think it’s obvious his decision making was affected early by the new offense (throw contested down the field) & his accuracy was affected by the injury. Despite the mess on the offense & OL they have a chance to finish strong with andrews back IMO.

Those gobbledy-gook fantasy numbers mean Less Than Nothing to me.

 

[BB8XSBW]

Why THE **** for? Because he DARED not praise your Dear Leader enough for your liking?

Calling-out the ****ing chuckle-head who CONTINUES to **** up drafts, and who by the way hired The Most ****ing Unqualified OC & QB Coach duo IN THE ENTIRE ****ING LEAGUE is now considered WrongSpeak in your world and is therefore Verboten?

FTFY.

My good friend, just a word of advice. This button is just a few inches away at all times, and we aren't afraid to use it.

 

[Rob0729]

People are too hard on Tavai. The guy isn't going to ever be a stud LB and probably shouldn't be a full time started, but the guy has made some good plays this year and played really well in some games. He is probably best used on a situational basis, but a solid special teamer and a rotational guy is a bargain today at two years and $4.4 million.

 

[captain stone]

The Bills have not won a division game this season - L Miami, L NYJ.

The Pats Vikings loss was so huge since the Pats would have only 1 game back. With a NE victory this Thursday, these 2 teams would have been tied @ 8 - 4 and the Bills would have 3 Division losses and 3 Conference losses. NE would only have 2 Conference losses. The Bills would have been fighting it out with the Jets for the bottom.

NFL Standings - 2023 season - ESPN

Visit ESPN for the complete 2023 NFL season standings. Includes league, conference and division standings for regular season and playoffs.

www.espn.com

Those two losses to the Packers & Vikings are Killers... Neither of them should EVER have happened... Even with the circus clowns running the offense and Bill's children running the defense, 8-3 would be looking pretty good right now...

 

[captain stone]

I actually think we have a really good shot. Their secondary has been a mess that's been picked on at times and they look banged up. Oliver has been on fire but with Miller out a lot falls on him. We should be able to put up some points. I like our chances tbh.

Tre White's return changes all that.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Yet Bill has shown that he is indeed not above putting the I before the T-E-A-M...

When? I think he's made some wrong decisions, but I think he generally thought they were for the good of the team.

 

[Ross12]

My good friend, just a word of advice. This button is just a few inches away at all times, and we aren't afraid to use it.

Who's "we"?

 

[BB8XSBW]

Who's "we"?

The Dream Team.

 

[Triumph]

I suppose they could finally figure it out, but it will be too late to matter. I don't think the coaching will magically improve this late in the season.

This team is what it is

This Pats team is really good and its not the coaching.

The plays are there to be made. The Vikings did a great job stopping the NE run so you have to throw and score points. Like 7 points to put the Vikings away. The Pats never did that and let Minnesota hang around. NE 23 - 16 MiN is too close a shave for an offense like the Vikings.

 

[captain stone]

If the Pats try everything possible to win this game and it doesnt happen, then it was meant to be.

The Pats have a VERY good team. Better than 6 wins. Harris out is a blow, but BB has depth ready at RB.

WHAT ****ING DEPTH?!?

They have Nobody - Literally ****ing NOBODY - behind Rham Tough.

And please don't insult our intelligence by mentioning Pierre Notsomentally Strong, Kevin TheOtherHarrisWhoSucks, or JJ Kid Dino-Mite-Not.

 

[Triumph]

Who's "we"?

Isnt he working for you now?

Holiday rush and all.

 

[jdlboot14]

The Bills last 4 games don't look that good for them. They lost to Jets, then lost that epic game vs Vikings. But their last 2 wins were close @ Browns and Lions - both teams that we beat handily with a rookie 3rd string QB. Does that mean anything? I don't know. But what was presented as an all-time powerhouse SB contender early this year, they've looked suspect in stretches.
IF we put our best versions of both units on the field Thurs night, it's not undoable. Imagine if Pats pull out a win.

 

[captain stone]

I like Mac's message to the team and coaches not to overthink things just because the ball is inside the 20.

Mac Jones suggests Patriots must avoid getting in their own heads in the red zone

Corky's the ultimate over-thinker... That's why (along with the clown-car coaching & offensive OL) our 3rd-down/short-yardage/RZ offense sucks so dam bad.

 

[PatsFan2]

The Bills last 4 games don't look that good for them. They lost to Jets, then lost that epic game vs Vikings. But their last 2 wins were close @ Browns and Lions - both teams that we beat handily with a rookie 3rd string QB. Does that mean anything? I don't know. But what was presented as an all-time powerhouse SB contender early this year, they've looked suspect in stretches.
IF we put our best versions of both units on the field Thurs night, it's not undoable. Imagine if Pats pull out a win.

I don't mind taking the points and kicking a Field goal or two but if we get to the RZ and come away with three two many times we are getting blown out in our own building. Allen goes for Seven most of the times. Did Buffalo punt yet? IF we can't keep up it will be another L.