MNF pregame thread: Pats @ Buffalo

[Mack Herron]

 

[jah]

I think Phillips does step in for his role, the problem is you'd rather have 2 of them than 1. We'll probably see more Bryant and Williams rather than going 3 safeties like we often do.

 

[Ross12]

Last two minutes-ish...

I am caught up to where I tuned in last week now, really don't understand it still. Yeah, they gave up a couple big runs but that's about it. One ended in a TD and the other ended in a fumble that the Pats recovered. Otherwise it was clear the Pats were ceding some ground yards in exchange for time. Tennessee was gaining yards but not really getting anywhere... I realize I'm watching with the benefit of knowing the outcome already, but still, I was expecting a mistake-filled comedy of errors based on how anxious some folks were and I didn't see much. I actually thought the Pats looked excellent besides the couple big runs and Mac's near-pick six. They were playing the AFC 1 seed...

 

[Ring 6]

I think Phillips does step in for his role, the problem is you'd rather have 2 of them than 1. We'll probably see more Bryant and Williams rather than going 3 safeties like we often do.

Phillips has his own role.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Hopefully our pass rush forces Knox to have to block more than run routes.

 

[Tunescribe]

We're gonna sweep them and it isn't even gonna be close lol. When the season wraps up and we're talking about the Pats playoff opponent media talk will be "Who have the Pats beaten?" Because we're gonna stomp Buffalo so bad they won't even be considered a good team anymore

 

[captain stone]

Probably some people anxious with the run yards they gave up but were always in control of the game.

Yep, they always played with the lead and never looked like they couldn't move the ball, though I really would've liked those extra 4 points left on the field at the end of the first half...

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

JoeJuan has not been bad, and he has all week to practice. He can handle a TE.

 

[jah]

Phillips has his own role.

I've seen him cover tight ends before, and he's done a good job at it, so I wouldn't say that's exclusively Dugger's thing. Not that you're saying that, but that's mainly what I had in mind when I said Phillips could step in.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

We know now that the 2021 Pats are a playoff worthy team. Now this is the game where we'll start to learn how much potential this team really has in January.

Since we were founded in 1959, beating the Bills has been a requirement for getting to the post season and doing anything.

 

[Ring 6]

I've seen him cover tight ends before, and he's done a good job at it, so I wouldn't say that's exclusively Dugger's thing. Not that you're saying that, but that's mainly what I had in mind when I said Phillips could step in.

They both play 80+% of the snaps. If Phillips takes Duggers role, who takes Phillips?
Against Buffalo Jaime Collins may have a larger role if he is ready to go. JoeJuan probably gets more snaps too.

 

[Sect140]

Heard a stat today. The division with the most wins the last five weeks is the AFC East.

 

[PScottman]

I've seen him cover tight ends before, and he's done a good job at it, so I wouldn't say that's exclusively Dugger's thing. Not that you're saying that, but that's mainly what I had in mind when I said Phillips could step in.

The concern should be versus the run as much as the pass. While an asset vs the TEs in coverage, Duggar has been part of the reason for the overall (not game specific) improvement of the run defense from last year. Add in that disguises (who is covering the TE...Phillips or Duggar) are less available (unless they're able to get someone else familiar with that role quickly - Williams has been more a McCourty sub than Duggar sub at the safety spot when not playing CB) and this is a loss of some import.

All that said - put up or shut up right? Lots of Pats wins lately with opponents down due to injury/COVID/etc - could be time to see how the Patriots handle some similar adversity.

What doesnt kill you...

 

[catent]

Hurley and Perry both seem extremely boring/bland and offering nothing interesting or stimulating IMO. Curran, probably the most interesting of the bunch, but just sat there and gave the other two the floor rather than speaking much himself.

 

[RobertWeathers]

JoeJuan has not been bad, and he has all week to practice. He can handle a TE.

... And Knox is not Gronk.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Hurley and Perry both seem extremely boring/bland and offering nothing interesting or stimulating IMO. Curran, probably the most interesting of the bunch, but just sat there and gave the other two the floor rather than speaking much himself.

Agree. Perry is dry but does the grunt work and has good info. Curran adds color. Those two together on the podcasts are entertaining and have good analysis and takes.

 

[masterbouncer]

Dugger came in big last few games, big he won't be able to play, but I hope they do not have more Covid cases now when the tide is rolling

 

[Nunchucks]

JoeJuan has not been bad, and he has all week to practice. He can handle a TE.

I agree, Knox is not some athletic freak, Williams should be able to take him out. JJ can also tackle well.

 

[Triumph]

... And Knox is not Gronk.

I have him on my fantasy team.

His best overall game all season was vs KC who is terrible at covering TEs. He scored 2 TDs last Sunday vs NO via 3 targets for 32 yards. Thus far, Diggs has 7 TDs and Knox has 7 TDs.

Sanders drops a lot of balls @ a 59% catch rate. 20 more targets than Knox and only 5 more receptions to show for it.

Sanders 61 targets - 36 receptions.
Knox 41 targets - 31 receptions.

Its safe to anticipate that 77% catch rate Diggs will be erased. 75% catch rate Knox should be getting lots of looks from Allen.

 

[catent]

Less concerned about losing Dugger's coverage abilities than his instincts, athleticism, and ability to play in space.

Joejuan should be able to handle Knox and if we are without Dugger, it's fortunate this is the week Collins returns since he checks all the boxes for "instincts, athleticism, and ability to play in space".