A balance in perspective about this season:

[Joey007]

It was always predictable after our first loss that there would be some that would be way too hard on the team. Putting Brady era expectations on them. And yes, the way we lost absolutely sucked.

Two things can be true at once, here:

1. This team has was very underrated by some before the season. Maye developing was always going to give us a chance to win a lot of games, especially with the schedule we had. We were much closer to competing than we were given credit for.

2. BUT, this team also still has plenty of flaws, and they showed up in the second half yesterday. Particularly most glaring being the lack of defensive depth. It’s clear we can’t afford to lose much depth wise, and that much became obvious on Sunday.

There’s a huge middle ground here: just enjoy the ride this season has been so far, and see just how far we can take it. To be clear, I still think there’s no ceiling for what we can do this year, just have to see how far Maye can take it. But I’m also not going to be shocked if the flaws are going to be to overcome too much come deep into the playoffs.

I was an optimist about this team being able to make the playoffs, and never predicted an 11-3 start. This type of year with a team that’s contending way ahead of schedule, one without major expectations, is very rare. Take it in now, because come next year, we’ll have every expectation imaginable with a roster that will be more filled out.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think this team is a true contender of Drake Maye is playing at an MVP, elite level. But if he's not, I don't think so. It's kind of that simple for me. They did a great job of getting the roster up to par across the board, but still lacks top talent. The pass rush is weak. The non-CB coverage is poor. The skill players really lack separation ability. The OL is just ok. The biggest strength of their supporting cast is that it's all baseline competent enough that they can compete with elite QB play and good situational football/coaching.

Just a purely honest evaluation of Maye, I'd say since the ATL game he's been short of that true MVP level player. I don't want to be dramatic and call it "regression" but it hasn't looked the same. Just some more head scratcher plays and ups and downs. It's totally normal for a 2nd year QB and no reason to think he's not going to be a face of the league type of player, but 2nd year QBs generally don't play at a level that can elevate kind of middle of the road rosters to Super Bowl contenders.

 

[p8ryts]

It was always predictable after our first loss that there would be some that would be way too hard on the team. Putting Brady era expectations on them. And yes, the way we lost absolutely sucked.

Two things can be true at once, here:

1. This team has was very underrated by some before the season. Maye developing was always going to give us a chance to win a lot of games, especially with the schedule we had. We were much closer to competing than we were given credit for.

2. BUT, this team also still has plenty of flaws, and they showed up in the second half yesterday. Particularly most glaring being the lack of defensive depth. It’s clear we can’t afford to lose much depth wise, and that much became obvious on Sunday.

There’s a huge middle ground here: just enjoy the ride this season has been so far, and see just how far we can take it. To be clear, I still think there’s no ceiling for what we can do this year, just have to see how far Maye can take it. But I’m also not going to be shocked if the flaws are going to be to overcome too much come deep into the playoffs.

I was an optimist about this team being able to make the playoffs, and never predicted an 11-3 start. This type of year with a team that’s contending way ahead of schedule, one without major expectations, is very rare. Take it in now, because come next year, we’ll have every expectation imaginable with a roster that will be more filled out.

I just want to get to the playoffs. That's my only concern.

 

[p8ryts]

I think this team is a true contender of Drake Maye is playing at an MVP, elite level. But if he's not, I don't think so. It's kind of that simple for me. They did a great job of getting the roster up to par across the board, but still lacks top talent. The pass rush is weak. The non-CB coverage is poor. The skill players really lack separation ability. The OL is just ok. The biggest strength of their supporting cast is that it's all baseline competent enough that they can compete with elite QB play and good situational football/coaching.

Just a purely honest evaluation of Maye, I'd say since the ATL game he's been short of that true MVP level player. I don't want to be dramatic and call it "regression" but it hasn't looked the same. Just some more head scratcher plays and ups and downs. It's totally normal for a 2nd year QB and no reason to think he's not going to be a face of the league type of player, but 2nd year QBs generally don't play at a level that can elevate kind of middle of the road rosters to Super Bowl contenders.

The league is responding to his game. It's up to Maye and the coaches to evolve.

 

[Uptown]

Yesterday was their first “playoff game” (atmosphere/situation-wise).

-Elite QB
-Desperate team looking to make a statement
-Experienced team
-Fairly high/high stakes

On top of all that, it was a division rival. This experience was invaluable to the team. I believe it’ll pay off long term. Glad it happened before the postseason. Let’s see how they respond..

 

[jal]

I think Drake was frankly a bit out of rhythm ironically because our rush game was so dominant in 1Q-3Q. When they put it all on him in 4Q the passing game rhythm really wasn't there. To me, (1) our coaches really shouldn't have fallen into the trap of making this a Drake Maye vs. Josh Allen game - we could've kept running in 4Q; (2) Drake will have to learn from this bigtime - that was his first real failure in a big moment in his young career and he will either learn and grow balls of steel or he will be early career Peyton Manning for awhile until he eventually develops the callouses to push through. I hope he learns fast but we don't know that. Tom Brady went through years of adversity to become a mentality superhero, but he did it BEFORE starting a single game in the NFL. Drake hasn't had as much adversity in his life so far so he will have to go through it to toughen up.

 

[mgteich]

We are who we are: and 11-3 team, very likely to win the division with a shot to go all the way (similar to several other teams).
==============
AT THE HALF
It was time for Allen to pass the torch to Maye and the patriots, the new leaders and new franchise in the AFCE.

AFTER THE GAME
It was time for Allen to be considered as a candidate for league MVP (he won't get it).

 

[Steve102]

My perspective is really unchanged. They are a good team, but they aren't elite by any stretch. They are a playoff team, but not a super bowl team.

 

[Patriot Missile]

If you would of told me we’d be 11-3 and would of split the series with the Bills prior to the season I would of smiled and rolled my eyes. We lost in a bad way yesterday, but lets not pretend it wasn’t by only 4 points. Without Will Cambell and Milton btw. Guarantee with the coaching, cap space and youth on this team that the stars a lot brighter growing forward vs their’s.

 

[PatsFan2]

We are still in the driver's seat in the Division: we just need to clean a lot of things up especially on Defense and ST's. Maye showed us he's human after all: we got use to his consistency. Remember Brady rarely lost two games in row: time to start another streak.

 

[Joey007]

I just want to get to the playoffs. That's my only concern.

Good news there is it would take astronomical scenarios to miss at this point. You’re talking either we lose out, or the Colts win out. Even then, there would be a couple more back door scenarios.

 

[Joey007]

My perspective is really unchanged. They are a good team, but they aren't elite by any stretch. They are a playoff team, but not a super bowl team.

I’d say the same, with the only caveat that this year is wide open.

I don’t think they’ll go on a run. But with Maye, I can’t rule it out.

 

[Joey007]

We are who we are: and 11-3 team, very likely to win the division with a shot to go all the way (similar to several other teams).
==============
AT THE HALF
It was time for Allen to pass the torch to Maye and the patriots, the new leaders and new franchise in the AFCE.

AFTER THE GAME
It was time for Allen to be considered as a candidate for league MVP (he won't get it).

I still, and always thought it should be Stafford.

 

[FCB02062]

We'll have our answers next Sunday night around 11:15. Pats win, they're legit. They lose, the the 2025 Pats are just an ok team that can't beat good teams that will get absolutely pantsed in the playoffs. They're a team that will handle bad teams but will lose when up against good NFL teams. They're nothing more than the 2021 Mac Jones Pats or the 2019 "Boogeyman" frauds if they take an L Sunday night. Take the L and this is really a 7 win, 8 win team, tops, regardless of their record

 

[SVN]

I think Drake was frankly a bit out of rhythm ironically because our rush game was so dominant in 1Q-3Q. When they put it all on him in 4Q the passing game rhythm really wasn't there. To me, (1) our coaches really shouldn't have fallen into the trap of making this a Drake Maye vs. Josh Allen game - we could've kept running in 4Q; (2) Drake will have to learn from this bigtime - that was his first real failure in a big moment in his young career and he will either learn and grow balls of steel or he will be early career Peyton Manning for awhile until he eventually develops the callouses to push through. I hope he learns fast but we don't know that. Tom Brady went through years of adversity to become a mentality superhero, but he did it BEFORE starting a single game in the NFL. Drake hasn't had as much adversity in his life so far so he will have to go through it to toughen up.

3Q we had the ball for 4 mins or so and 2 mins in the 4th Q. We got -1 yard on the first run in the 3Q and after that it was nothing except the henderson run which was also initially going nowhere -credit henderson for making something out of it.
They just buckled under pressure once buffalo scored in the 3Q and went away from what was working.

 

[jal]

We'll have our answers next Sunday night around 11:15. Pats win, they're legit. They lose, the the 2025 Pats are just an ok team that can't beat good teams that will get absolutely pantsed in the playoffs. They're a team that will handle bad teams but will lose when up against good NFL teams. They're nothing more than the 2021 Mac Jones Pats or the 2019 "Boogeyman" frauds if they take an L Sunday night. Take the L and this is really a 7 win, 8 win team, tops, regardless of their record

That's certainly how we will feel but ultimately the only test that MATTERS is in the playoffs. They could lose badly to the Ravens, put it together as Williams and Campbell come back in the last two games and go on a run in the playoffs. Or, they could crush the Ravens and look great for the rest of the regular season and flame out in the first playoff game. All we can do is try to put ourselves in the best position possible for the playoffs and then hope we play our best when it matters the most.

The 2010 Patriots looked like world beaters with the GOAT and unanimous MVP at the height of his powers....and lost their first playoff game to a Mark Sanchez Jets team. We just have to hope in the playoffs that (1) we fix our glaring holes in run defense / redzone through players coming back and/or scheme changes, (2) Drake Maye catches fire in the playoffs, (3) we get the luck of the bounce & refs.

Same position as anyone else! Broncos have to hope for Good Nix, Texans have to hope for Good O-Line/Stroud, Bills hope for Superhuman Josh / not too awful run D, Seahawks for Good Darnold, Eagles for Good Hurts/Run Game, etc. Rams probably have the most consistency but even Stafford is prone to some brain fart games and minus Davante their pass game is likely to be extremely reliant on Puka Nacua being healthy. We are all in a similar boat this year and the playoffs are going to be wild.