Pre Game Thread - Pats @ Bills

[Dingleberry]

I'm sorry but the phrase "just like Lawrence Taylor" cannot be used when discussing any ST player.

Sure it can.

That punt returner runs with the energy of a coke head....like Lawrence Taylor.

 

[PScottman]

It just may fuel them to their first Super Bowl…

And it's already been said, but there's a massive unconscious bias at play for the referees (and even the Patriots players themselves) here.

Look, I'm not saying this will be the Black Sox or Donaghy (cheating NBA ref) and anyone would intentionally throw the game, but at the same time they're human. The Bills are in the unique position of being an "underdog" even while likely having amongst the most talented rosters.

Any close defensive pass interference against the Bills secondary...probably the flag stays in the pocket. Sizing up a big hit on any of the Bills players...unconscious hesitation could be at play.

This is esoteric analysis obviously. I have no idea how this is going to play out, but the possibilities are endless.

 

[crawhammer]

I want to know how the officiating could potentially be. If NFL wants to look good and gather all the positive vibes out if Damar's situation, then the bills trouncing pats would seem like good (Bills) winning against evil (Bill/patriots ).

Everybody wants us to lose and that too super bad ... Bills will be pumped, referees would be loathe to give iffy penalties to bills and possibly stick more of it to us as some form of poetic justice.

Add to that we have self inflicted wounds in form of Patricia and Judge and Achord.

It would be a miracle if we win and thats what I am hoping for. If Butler interception can happen , then us beating bills can also happen.

Its Superbowl week for us now.

If the Bills play their game then they won't need any help from the referees. I don't think the refs will be calling the game with Hamlin in the back of their minds either. The team who plays better will win.

 

[Ian]

Oh, that's an easy question to answer. There is no need to hear any of my opinions however long when it comes to talking about THIS football team. The site is now polluted with nothing more that ideologues who clear no longer root FOR the team, but exist solely to run it down. There is ZERO interest in anything positive. Saying something positive will only bring on a wrath of negative responses and ringing put downs about being a "fanboy". Sadly it is hardly worth my time to respond

That's the problem with the forum as it currently exists. I expect the changes @Ian has planned will help. Too many internet trolls here who aren't fans of the Patriots, they are fans of winning. Some are just here to be pricks. I hope we get back to some constructive discussions.

The answer to this is yes. I'm not getting into any specifics, but in addition to a new section that's coming, I will also be adding something that will be dealing with - and hopefully improving - the overall user experience here and the forum environment as a whole. Not getting into details at this time because I'm still working on it, but the effect should be pretty significant.

 

[crawhammer]

You underrate the level of emotion when it comes to football.

Patriots have their season on the line. It's probably over with a loss. That should be all the motivation they need to match the intensity of Buffalo who has a lot less to lose.

 

[A.C Vegas]

The answer to this is yes. I'm not getting into any specifics, but in addition to a new section that's coming, I will also be adding something that will be dealing with - and hopefully improving - the overall user experience here and the forum environment as a whole. Not getting into details at this time because I'm still working on it, but the effect should be pretty significant.

I hope so I miss the discussions and not just the hate from "fans"

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Pats should add a little psych, come out with #3 on their jersey’s too.

 

[PScottman]

Only one of those teams is getting the 7 seed.

Steelers.


I just threw up in my mouth a little.

 

[Rob0729]

Smith will be out if he wasn't cleared. Not sure if that is a horrible thing. Having Parker and Marcus Jones is far bigger.

 

[Ian]

I hope so I miss the discussions and not just the hate from "fans"

Yes, I agree. It's been a long year, and I've had some conversations about this with a few people. Hang with me on this.

 

[upstater1]

This is wrong. 1st of all, Jets are already out. 2nd, we need 3 losses by other teams to get in, unless we beat BUF.

I thought there are now 8 playoff spots

 

[sb1]

Pats should add a little psych, come out with #3 on their jersey’s too.

Lol. Mac even said the Pats are also playing for Damar.

 

[PScottman]

I'm sorry but the phrase "just like Lawrence Taylor" cannot be used when discussing any ST player.

Why not?

How is it any different than "pound for pound" when comparing boxers in different weight classes? He was a dominant ST player for his ENTIRE career, but because he happens to play in the "unsexy" third of the game it doesn't count?

You have an argument because no STer has ever made the Hall of Fame who wasn't a kicker or "did something else" - I get it, but that goes right back to the "sexiness" again. Field position. Returns (including those for TDs). Field Goals. Most fans just totally discount those aspects of football but they are critical to wins.

What do you think Palardy's punt average would be without him this year? Schooler is making the plays because Slater is STILL getting double teamed every ST snap (and yet still also makes plays).

That's why the comparison because he, like Taylor, is game planned for and has been every game. He's the guy out there that the other team singles out - where's Slater - we have to account for him.

 

[Vindicate]

The answer to this is yes. I'm not getting into any specifics, but in addition to a new section that's coming, I will also be adding something that will be dealing with - and hopefully improving - the overall user experience here and the forum environment as a whole. Not getting into details at this time because I'm still working on it, but the effect should be pretty significant.

To be quite frank, while there does tend to be a share of "idealogues" that are perpetually frustrated and complaining, there is also a very fair amount of homers and folks who do a great job balancing both - loving this team and seeing the positives of it, but also willing to be like "but hey, this isn't up to par / this unit sucks" etc.

I find it very refreshing. And I've also found success in simply not getting too worked up, even if someone slams me. Just pick out the points they're trying to make and pull it back to calm debate. Often works for me.

However, I appreciate your efforts in making changes and I'm sure they'll make the experience even better.

 

[Patnation21]

There's no better offense in the NFL when Burrow and his receivers are clicking. They looked like they were well onto having their way with Buffalo's defense. I think home field is huge for Buffalo, especially this time of year, I really don't see anyone beating them at home. The way Buffalo's defense will be constituted heading into the postseason, I can see KAN or CIN at home putting up big numbers on Buffalo's defense.

There really is no way to tell 9mins into a game. Bills had the ball once and looked good getting into the red zone and Bengals had the ball 2x and looked good as well. That game was coming down to late in the 4th quarter IMO.

I think it will come down to Bills and Bengals in the AFC. The loss of Hill will be enough for Buffalo to beat KC. KC is still great as we've seen this year but they're not quite the same, you can't replace a guy like Hill.

I like the Bengals overall as well. I would love to see a Bengals vs Bills AFC Championship.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Stop it. There's no fix. This ain't NASCAR.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Oh, that's an easy question to answer. There is no need to hear any of my opinions however long when it comes to talking about THIS football team. The site is now polluted with nothing more that ideologues who clear no longer root FOR the team, but exist solely to run it down. There is ZERO interest in anything positive. Saying something positive will only bring on a wrath of negative responses and ringing put downs about being a "fanboy". Sadly it is hardly worth my time to respond

THIS is a thread where we SHOULD be discussing whether the best strategy to slow the game down, which seems the likeliest plan, or, If I had may way, would be to alternate our strategy to use our hurry up offense to limit the Bill personnel changes and slow down their rush. We can still run the ball doing this. I believe this is an all or nothing game where the OTHER team has a LOT going for it. Let's do the unexpected, we have nothing less to lose.

Clearly even another win will bring down even MORE of the negativism that pervades this site. We no longer discuss strategy. We only discuss who sucks more, the players or the coaches and I'm tired of it

Still I love the team. I love the game. So I occasionally stop by to check in, usually on a thread that isn't directly talking about the Pats, like the Hamlin thread.

THAT"s why. T. Happy?

Man I would love it if a thread like this was just discussing strategy/x's and o's.

Let's do that now. I do think the best strategy on offense is to slow the game down. I think teams that are heavy underdogs (and I consider the Patriots just that in that match up) should try to decrease the number of possessions. I believe that the more possessions the more the better team is likely to show their advantage, when limiting the amount of possessions that one big mistake by the favorites is likely to swing the game. I'd love to see the Pats dominate time of possession.

On the other hand, the best part of the Patriots team is their pass rush. Usually the pass rush has the most success when they can pin their ears back in passing situations. If the Pats could some how get up early and force the Bills to try to score quickly against cover 2 or 3 then the Pats pass rush could really be a factor. It is amazing how great the Pats pass rush has been this year without the benefit of really being up big in almost any game. Since getting a big lead is unlikely, I think the Pats will need to play a lot of coverage heavy looks and hope their pass rushers win one and one battles. Force the Bills to score in long 10 play drives rather than with explosive plays.

In theory an aggressive offense would make a lot of sense here. The Bills are on their third sting safety and I'm not that impressed with their corners (White hasn't been as good coming back from injury as he has been in the past). If I was at all confident in the Pats ability to go deep it would make 100% sense for the Pats to try to get over the top of the Bills defense. I think the Bills defensive strength is at their linebackers with Edmunds an Milano, in the past these guys have stifled the Patriots run game and given the short passing game fits too.

So based on the Bills strengths I think a spread offense with deep passing concepts is the best way to attack them, on defense creating pressure with 4 and waiting for Allen to make mistakes throwing into coverage heavy sets would probably be ideal. I just have no faith in the Pats offensive line to hold up long enough or the receivers to create enough separation to take advantage of the Bills secondary. With the way the Pats have struggled to consistently execute, getting explosive plays on offense would help because it would minimize the times they needed to run a play perfectly. The answer might be to try to manufacture big plays using trick plays and formations to fool the Bills.

 

[Ian]

To be quite frank, while there does tend to be a share of "idealogues" that are perpetually frustrated and complaining, there is also a very fair amount of homers and folks who do a great job balancing both - loving this team and seeing the positives of it, but also willing to be like "but hey, this isn't up to par / this unit sucks" etc.

I find it very refreshing. And I've also found success in simply not getting too worked up, even if someone slams me. Just pick out the points they're trying to make and pull it back to calm debate. Often works for me.

However, I appreciate your efforts in making changes and I'm sure they'll make the experience even better.

There are plenty of people who fall in the middle and are willing to discuss both sides without going all or nothing and repeating the same talking points. The former is what we want. The latter really isn't.

That's the biggest emphasis I've made with a few people privately. It's O.K. to disagree. But provide enough context and thought in order to be able to have a real dialogue. You've got some people where one poster will take the time to provide insightful and interesting information to rebut an opinion, only for it to be responded to with a quick: "I disagree with you, he sucks." kind of answer.

That's a waste of time, and it badly detracts from the spirit of what this place is supposed to be.

Not going to lie, I'm tired of it. There are a lot of people who care and have been here a long time, and it's been getting progressively worse over the last year or two. Now that I've gotten a little more up to speed technically, I'm working on addressing it and have a pretty good solution coming.

I spent time looking through dozens of forums and other mediums to try and get a good sense of how to approach it. Given the discussions I've had with the mods, who also provided some good input, I feel like this should get us in a much better place. I know this is probably going to upset a few people when it goes live, but the overall community is what matters, and that's the real and true impetus behind all of this.

 

[BadMoFo]

 

[moosekill]

There are plenty of people who fall in the middle and are willing to discuss both sides without going all or nothing and repeating the same talking points. The former is what we want. The latter really isn't.

That's the biggest emphasis I've made with a few people privately. It's O.K. to disagree. But provide enough context and thought in order to be able to have a real dialogue. You've got some people where one poster will take the time to provide insightful and interesting information to rebut an opinion, only for it to be responded to with a quick: "I disagree with you, he sucks." kind of answer.

That's a waste of time, and it badly detracts from the spirit of what this place is supposed to be.

Not going to lie, I'm tired of it. There are a lot of people who care and have been here a long time, and it's been getting progressively worse over the last year or two. Now that I've gotten a little more up to speed technically, I'm working on addressing it and have a pretty good solution coming.

I spent time looking through dozens of forums and other mediums to try and get a good sense of how to approach it. Given the discussions I've had with the mods, who also provided some good input, I feel like this should get us in a much better place. I know this is probably going to upset a few people when it goes live, but the overall community is what matters, and that's the real and true impetus behind all of this.

Just please leave the Jets thread up.