Patriots Pregame Thread Week 5: Pats @ Buffalo

[TheRainMaker]

I like PFF sometimes and then it tries to tell me that Mack Hollins creates more separation than Diggs

Yep, that's how PFF works.

 

[Zuma]

Maybe that’s on a vertical plane?

Have no idea if that is calculated but that's exactly what I thought as well. He could have less separation then maybe a quicker WR but makes up for it in height.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I don't think the Pats will win this game. But, if they do win this game and stay healthy the rest of the year, they are 100% in the playoffs are they not? I mean considering their schedule if they can steal one of the Buffalo games, i don't see how they stay out as long as they don't lose any key guys.

Lets borrow Joe Milton for this game

 

[BadMoFo]

If the bills are wearing those Rivalries jerseys, are we wearing home colors?

 

[patfanken]

As a fan I like when all these esoteric stats that have little or no meaning for me favor MY team's you QB. I like the attention both Maye and the team are getting. But I also acknowledge that given where this team is at this point of the season they are both capable of winning any game they play, just as they are capable of losing any game they play.

Regardless of the result Sunday night this game will go a long way to help the Pats long term progression into a consistent playoff contender.

They will see how they can compete against a team considered among the top 5 in the league. They will play in a VERY hostile environment and all they can learn with that experience. They will have 7 more games on the road after Sunday, so best start the learning process.

We saw the offensive playbook open up and become more creative last Sunday. It will be interesting to see if expands again. Will those speed motion plays continue. 2 things I personally hope to see are: better more convincing play-action pass fakes. This is a team whose offense is going to rely on the run, clearly passes off those runs are a key element. Thos fakes have to be more than casual. So, I want that better.

The other thing is to see a series or 2 of up tempo football, and not just because there is only a minute left on the clock. I want to see it used to tire the rush, to keep personnel on the field, and keep the defense off balance in general. This isn't easy to do on the road so I might be premature in wanting to see it.

But I got what I wanted last week, so it doesn't hurt to ask, right?

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

As a fan I like when all these esoteric stats that have little or no meaning for me favor MY team's you QB. I like the attention both Maye and the team are getting. But I also acknowledge that given where this team is at this point of the season they are both capable of winning any game they play, just as they are capable of losing any game they play.

Regardless of the result Sunday night this game will go a long way to help the Pats long term progression into a consistent playoff contender.

They will see how they can compete against a team considered among the top 5 in the league. They will play in a VERY hostile environment and all they can learn with that experience. They will have 7 more games on the road after Sunday, so best start the learning process.

We saw the offensive playbook open up and become more creative last Sunday. It will be interesting to see if expands again. Will those speed motion plays continue. 2 things I personally hope to see are: better more convincing play-action pass fakes. This is a team whose offense is going to rely on the run, clearly passes off those runs are a key element. Thos fakes have to be more than casual. So, I want that better.

The other thing is to see a series or 2 of up tempo football, and not just because there is only a minute left on the clock. I want to see it used to tire the rush, to keep personnel on the field, and keep the defense off balance in general. This isn't easy to do on the road so I might be premature in wanting to see it.

But I got what I wanted last week, so it doesn't hurt to ask, right?

To your point, I would like to see a little more productivity from the run game to truly open the play action.
We were expected to lean on the run. Right now we're 25th in league rushing, just over 100 yds/game.
That need's to improve.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I sure hope Chaisson and Hawkins can go, but it doesn’t sound too hopeful

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I sure hope Chaisson and Hawkins can go, but it doesn’t sound too hopeful

Fwiw chiasson didn’t practice last Wednesday either with the same knee injury. Was limited Thursday and Friday before playing Sunday. Could follow the same schedule, we’ll see tomorrow

 

[TheRainMaker]

Just looked at the team stats. Rham is on pace for 531 rushing yards this season and 27 yards more than Drake Maye. That's pathetic. They've to find a way to get him, Henderson and Gibson going.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Just looked at the team stats. Rham is on pace for 531 rushing yards this season and 27 yards more than Drake Maye. That's pathetic. They've to find a way to get him, Henderson and Gibson going.

The running game hasn’t looked great so far, but the offense as a whole looks good.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Real fan 02]

I predicted a Buffalo win, but I absolutely think we can win this game.
Need to see them do it against a top tier team before I can fully buy-in.
Maye certainly appears to be a budding star, but Allen is a superstar now, arguably the best player in the league. We saw with Brady, Mahomes and others before them, a QB can can put a team on his shoulders and will them to a win, that is the stratosphere Josh is in right now. Maye is on a path, but not there yet.
Man I hope I'm wrong!!!

Young Drake comparable to where Allen was in his second season is more efficient. It really took Allen to when he got diggs to elevate him as a QB. Now Josh is a seasoned veteran and as yoi said is basically the sole reason why Buffalo has been a contender. Drake has thst in him.. but the offense right now allows for Drake to play efficient and effectively. Drake can check in or out of something, set protections, read the defense pre snap.. all those things he is doing at a high level.

I felt that we could test Buffalo and i needed to see as a fan a convincing win and we saw that last week.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Given how few snaps they do in training camp and preseason these days, this is about where I start expecting the team to find their level like they used to in the 'old days' (you know... 10 years ago). We've played two awful teams, one mediocre team, and one slightly above average team. I would say this is the first 'good' team they've faced.

Win, loss, I just don't want boneheaded mistakes to make us lose the game. Get beat physically, fine, we're probably not as talented. Get beat mentally by making bad decisions? That's what would bother me.

 

[PatsFan2]

Hmmmmm: Buffalo starts and finishes very well.

 

[Real fan 02]

Bills are allowing over 6 ypc through 4 games. I think our run game will be more effective than most posters think. What I would like to see is us going heavy on the counter/power, especially counter bashes on handoffs. Bills have shown they have trouble handling this because they've been overtly aggressive with their one gap schemes to the point of losing gap discipline, vacating lanes, etc. etc. We don't really need the throw to open up the run. If our run game centers on counters to suck in the one-gappers, then the run game will open itself up.

If we win the run, we win the game.

Agreed. Running the ball Will be key to victory. The strength of the OL is run blocking specifically to the pest side with Campbell and Wilson. Push those small LBs back and create lanes for the backs.

Stay in short yardage distances. It's going to be a game of trenches.

Running it, and stopping it.

 

[Real fan 02]

Hmmmmm: Buffalo starts and finishes very well.

If not for fraud Ravens they should be 4-1

 

[Triumph]

According to the wisdom of the Markets, Pats solidly middle-of-the-pack (disfavored by 0.4 points against a League average opponent).

Pats have 8 more games vs the "BAD" teams.

 

[Triumph]

Huge game for Maye.

This is the first one in his year 2 ascension into Franchise NFL QB status. Its Brady vs Manning. Maye still does not have a 4th quarter comeback or game winning drive.

 

[Real fan 02]

Pats have 8 more games vs the "BAD" teams.

"If" the Patriots don't beat the Patriots they will have a chance every game.

 

[Gumby]

If the bills are wearing those Rivalries jerseys, are we wearing home colors?

I think if home team selects rivalries pattern, the visitors have to match.

That would put us in the North Carolina ( uh, I mean Nor‘Easter) Powderpuff blues.