PostGame Thread OFFICIAL POSTGAME THREAD: Patriots Fall 35-31 to the Bills

[captain stone]

aah
another fan that started watching after halftime

Well it was the most recent half they played; so...

 

[captain stone]

To be clear, you don't see why we had trouble stopping the run with
Williams on IR
Spillane with zero reps
Tonga coming back from injury, and
Landry coming back from injury.
=================
Really?

Why mention Landry? He's not a run-stopper.

 

[captain stone]

We can have this discussion after Game 17, but if we have secured the division, I expect us to rest several starters.

Even if we win next week AND Barfalo loses, the best I understand it is, we still won't clinch the division.

 

[slash83]

Lot of people overlooking the fact this was Mayes first game with a lot riding on the line. Yeah he didn’t play a good game in terms of throwing the ball, maybe the high stakes got to him a bit, he’ll need to use this as a learning experience and get better, which he’s shown the ability to learn from and improve.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

He's also only a second year QB who has already shown CONSIDERABLE growth over last year. Much better decision-making.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I couldn't figure out why we weren't kicking into the end zone after it became clear that the coverage team was struggling. The 58-yarder was the beginning of the end of this game.

I agree. I thought it was so odd. Poor coaching.

 

[Real fan 02]

To be clear, you don't see why we had trouble stopping the run with
Williams on IR
Spillane with zero reps
Tonga coming back from injury, and
Landry coming back from injury.
=================
Really?

To be frank Tonga, Barmore, Durden, Ponder were active correct?

Understood about Williams and Spillane.. however even with Spillane, Tonga, Landry playing when Williams went down the run defense had leaks.. now I'm not sitting here saying cook a went bonkers he had over 100 yards still to much.

I don't know maybe I need a new TV my 80 inch probably isn't big enough I don't know.. 5,6 YPC isn't what you want to be doing as a defensive front..

 

[Real fan 02]

I don't think that it is strange if the bettors are right. BAL is currently favored by 2.5,

Agreed, they are still home.. coming off a win. We are coming off a loss.. I like us in the under dog role anyway

 

[Real fan 02]

To be clear, you don't see why we had trouble stopping the run with
Williams on IR
Spillane with zero reps
Tonga coming back from injury, and
Landry coming back from injury.
=================
Really?

Also are you going to have some comments on Barmore? He was supposed to be a force next to Williams? He was supposed to be able to as step up in the absence of Williams.. I'm not sure he's better than Durden right now and I had high expectations for Barmore this season. We can't ignore this. TheRainMaker stated he was benched for a half recently.. your thoughts?

 

[Real fan 02]

Living in a much, Much nicer house than that in which he lived back then...

Is it in Providence?...

 

[Real fan 02]

Even if it ends with 3 losses in the last 4 games and 1-N-Done in the POs?

I have them losing against Baltimore and winning the next 2... until we see the run defense get back to being elite they will struggle don't matter what else they do on defense don't stop the run you likely lose..

 

[festy1986]

No offense man but you literally disappeared from the board the day before NE beat Buffalo the first time, and didn’t show up again until after Buffalo beat NE over 2 months later? No posts between 10/05 and 12/15. That’s some weak stuff.

His argument is weak anyway. The catch was debatable. I've seen that catch upheld under review a thousand times.

Except there was no review because Buffalo is stupid as **** and got caught with their pants down.

It's not on the refs to challenge the play. It's a whole different scenario than bad calls because you can't challenge calls.

 

[Huckleberry1]

We need better talent to beat deep 1 cover and on defensive

Please can we get someone

They overhauled half the toster last offseason, and have dranatically improved, they still have plenty of work to do and will get a lot of the remaining work done this coming offseason. This team is just starting out on its rise back to the top of the league, you can believe that they will keep at it until they get it done, or you can quit on them , as the quitters here and around Bew England have already done.

 

[Real fan 02]

I don't think so. None of those teams have the offense buffalo does. And the defense on all 3 of those teams is not good.

Lamar is not Lamar right now and doesn't have great weapons, Henry might be able to do some thing but they will probably be the focus of the defense

A.C we also can't have the mentally of thinking other teams aren't what they normally are. Vrabel's gonna have them prepare for the Lamar we all know..

Defense needs a bounce back..probably thier worse game all year IMO.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Some of you really ride the roller coaster of emotions game to game, huh? But hey, that's part of what makes this a fun sports market.

I think you have to keep a big picture focus. They still control their own destiny. They win the division and host a home playoff game if they can beat the Jets and the Dolphins. It's a great position to be in. It would have been nice to slam the door shut on BUF, but them's the breaks. Other guys get paid too for a reason. And despite some people here who want to speak into existence that BUF stinks like a skunk around Josh Allen all of a sudden, they absolutely do not. Sure they have flaws but it's still a pretty strong roster and Allen is a transcendent enough talent that he can make up for a lot of deficiencies himself.

1st seed seems kind of like a pipe dream now, but oh well. It's not life or death. Always great to have a bye but it doesn't disqualify you from going on a deep run because you didn't get it. By definition there has to be at least one team in each championship game who didn't get the bye. It's not the end of the world.

We've had some specific issues defending the run lately. But those issues really started when Williams and Tonga were out. hen Tonga came back but Spillane went out to offset. Injuries are a part of the game so you can't excuse extreme drop off like that when guys go out BUT all indications are Spillane and Williams will be back and when they had everyone the run defense was phenomenal. So is this a big picture issue for them? I don't think so, as of right now. There are tangible solutions to the issue with guys coming back.

The big picture issues I see for them are:

1) The LB/S coverage is weak. Prevents them from unlocking their man coverage ability at CB.

2) The pass rush is weak. This exasperates issues #1 because other team's backs and TEs are going to uncover themselves against our LBs/Ss like clockwork if they have time to get into their routes.

3) Very little separation ability from the receiving options which puts a lot of pressure on Maye to be amazing and/or McDaniels to scheme everything up in the passing game. Also prevents this from being the type of passing offense that can be productive AND open things up underneath for the running game.

4) Inconsistent/weak run blocking. This is exasperated by issue #3 because as productive as the passing game has been, it's not having an open things up effect on the running game.

5) Maye's natural progression. Guy might be the MVP but being a super bowl winning QB is tough. Lots of pressure to always make the right decisions. When to tuck and run vs. hang in the pocket. When to throw it away. When to take the checkdown vs. throw to the downfield option. If the first option is a more aggressive playcall still need to know what situations call for you to come off that a tick quicker than in other situations where you should stick with it longer. It's very tough and there's a reason why second year QBs don't win a ton of playoff games and super bowls and the ones that do usually have rosters way more stacked than ours which is still more average/good than great throughout.

Lot of other teams have flaws/big picture issues too though. So while I'd probably predict that the above eventually do us in against someone in the playoffs, they can still overcome it to make a run and they're in still pretty great positioning down the stretch to win the division even if the bye is probably out of reach.

 

[Real fan 02]

Some of you really ride the roller coaster of emotions game to game, huh? But hey, that's part of what makes this a fun sports market.

I think you have to keep a big picture focus. They still control their own destiny. They win the division and host a home playoff game if they can beat the Jets and the Dolphins. It's a great position to be in. It would have been nice to slam the door shut on BUF, but them's the breaks. Other guys get paid too for a reason. And despite some people here who want to speak into existence that BUF stinks like a skunk around Josh Allen all of a sudden, they absolutely do not. Sure they have flaws but it's still a pretty strong roster and Allen is a transcendent enough talent that he can make up for a lot of deficiencies himself.

1st seed seems kind of like a pipe dream now, but oh well. It's not life or death. Always great to have a bye but it doesn't disqualify you from going on a deep run because you didn't get it. By definition there has to be at least one team in each championship game who didn't get the bye. It's not the end of the world.

We've had some specific issues defending the run lately. But those issues really started when Williams and Tonga were out. hen Tonga came back but Spillane went out to offset. Injuries are a part of the game so you can't excuse extreme drop off like that when guys go out BUT all indications are Spillane and Williams will be back and when they had everyone the run defense was phenomenal. So is this a big picture issue for them? I don't think so, as of right now. There are tangible solutions to the issue with guys coming back.

The big picture issues I see for them are:

1) The LB/S coverage is weak. Prevents them from unlocking their man coverage ability at CB.

2) The pass rush is weak. This exasperates issues #1 because other team's backs and TEs are going to uncover themselves against our LBs/Ss like clockwork if they have time to get into their routes.

3) Very little separation ability from the receiving options which puts a lot of pressure on Maye to be amazing and/or McDaniels to scheme everything up in the passing game. Also prevents this from being the type of passing offense that can be productive AND open things up underneath for the running game.

4) Inconsistent/weak run blocking. This is exasperated by issue #3 because as productive as the passing game has been, it's not having an open things up effect on the running game.

5) Maye's natural progression. Guy might be the MVP but being a super bowl winning QB is tough. Lots of pressure to always make the right decisions. When to tuck and run vs. hang in the pocket. When to throw it away. When to take the checkdown vs. throw to the downfield option. If the first option is a more aggressive playcall still need to know what situations call for you to come off that a tick quicker than in other situations where you should stick with it longer. It's very tough and there's a reason why second year QBs don't win a ton of playoff games and super bowls and the ones that do usually have rosters way more stacked than ours which is still more average/good than great throughout.

Lot of other teams have flaws/big picture issues too though. So while I'd probably predict that the above eventually do us in against someone in the playoffs, they can still overcome it to make a run and they're in still pretty great positioning down the stretch to win the division even if the bye is probably out of reach.

You're spot on! I'll add that even with those issues that we have, we have won 11 games. Coming off dismal 4-13 seasons this team has taken the coaching and Vrabel's teachings and have thirved all season..

We could say they would drop a game down the stretch here and I felt it would be to Buffalo although not in this fashion..

The roster is evolving.. the roster depth especially on defense is what's hurting them.

The defense as a unit is still top 10.. even with thier flaws as you perfectly mentioned they typically hold teams to under 20 PPG.

I tend to believe this team more like the 11 win team we've seen all season than the bad half of football against the Bills.

Drake and his development is one of biggest reasons we are here in playoff position.

I saw some posters make mention of losing Williams is the reason we can't suddenly stop the run..

I made mention that Barmore isn't the same player.. his effectiveness doesn't look the same he can't seem to shed blocks.. at his best he's one of the best DL in the game.

LB Ellis has turned into a excellent player and is getting better each game.. I believe the soft zone in the red area is the reason they give up TDs.. likely playing more man will help the front 7 because the edge rush is lacking..

They play well as a team and that will always keep them in games for the most part.

 

[BobDigital]

I think it is always good to let a lose breath so you can come back with a clear head. So my big thoughts 48 hrs or so after the fact.

#1 I feel in a weird way MORE encouraged by this loss than by the week 5 win. Why? Lots of reasons. During week 5 the Bills entered the game the more injured team. This time we did. During week 5 the Bills lost the turnover battle 0-3 and we won by a 3 points. This time we pretty much went even (I don't really want to count that Maye Int). And lost by 4. This in week 5 the refs seemed more or less equal in what they gave or take. Last week the calls clearly went the Bills way. I am not one to blame refs, but they are a factor. And that was a huge advantage.

I don't think HFA matters much in these games. It is a short trip and the field conditions are more or less equal. Bills/Pats is a very small HFA. I know it averages out to 3... but some matter much more. Cross country, Mile High, drastically different climates. Also neither stadium is really built to amplify sound. So instead of the usual -3/-2.5 i'd call this a -1. Not the mention the biggest difference of all.. In week 5 we faced bad Josh Allen.. This week we faced good Josh Allen. He will probably be somewhere in between next time.

So overall week 5 he had A LOT of things break our way and won by only 3. This time we had A LOT MORE go against us and lost by only 4. I feel like if that week 5 game played out 10 times (with even health) we win only 3 times or so. This time i feel if a healthy Pats play a healthy Bills we win maybe 6 of 10. So yes. Even after the loss I think it is fair to say we have close this gap. Last time in week 5 the better team lost. This time i believe the better team also lost. It goes to show how much the Pats have improved.

#2 Special Teams was a disaster. And the Bills are not that good and we are not that bad. That will not happen again.

#3 Vrabel keeps playing too conservative at the end of games. Again we had to settle for a FG attempt cause he was too concerned with leaving time for the other team. Eventually he needs to trust Maye and the offense to make it happen. This overly conservative way to finish a half has come back to bite them multiple times.

#4 We saw what Maye can do on the ground when given the green light. They have been saving his running to keep him healthy. I think we will see more of this duel threat Maye in the playoffs.

#5 Even with Tonga we were not able to contain Cook well enough. Williams and Spillane are needed for a back of his quality. I believe they can bottle him up more like they did in week 5 with all hands on deck.

#6 Henderson was beastly, but that is also the Bills run D. Unlike us... they have no one who will fix it. Henderson will eat again next time too.. maybe not 2 50+ yard runs... but he will breaks some big ones.

#7 Allen just had too much time. Williams makes their pass rush work. This will be the top thing to address next off season either with a trade or the draft.

#8 I will say right now, based on what i've seen the past 2 games... IF the Pats are healthy and all things being equal, I think they are the best team in the AFC by a hair. But having to win 3 games in a row will be tough, and IDK if i feel any AFC team is up to that. Take care of business the next 2 weeks. I think the bye is out of reach, but they can win themselves a chance at rest for their starters.

#9 While i don't feel good about their chances this year without the first round bye, I feel good about them next year. What they are building here seems ready to transition smoothly in coming years.

 

[Ring 6]

Actually, yes it did.

It’s really kind of sad Captain. You are an old guy like me, who has seen a lot of football and should understand one loss after 10 straight wins is not a death knell but time and again you act like a scared 7 year old girl throwing running to her room stomping her feet and crying that everything sucks, nothing will ever be good and I’m never coming out of my room.
Hopefully you find it therapeutic because it seems like a miserable way to go through life.

Football is about facing adversity and overcoming it, not giving up at the first sign of trouble. Every champion in the history of the league would have failed with your outlook.

 

[Ollie]

2nd half scoring offense has been bad for a while and it was going to catch up with us against a good team which it did. Our run D is also pretty rough at the mo. I never thought we were quite at the level our record suggests and injuries are exposing that. I'm still happy, we are getting the most out of what we have but we need to add more talent to make the next step.

I'm going to get killed for this but as the refs made a lot of calls that are being questioned but I think Jones was PI even though he ended up with the ball i don't think he played the ball and was impeding their WR, the hold on Davis is light but it is a hold

 

[Real fan 02]

I think it is always good to let a lose breath so you can come back with a clear head. So my big thoughts 48 hrs or so after the fact.

#1 I feel in a weird way MORE encouraged by this loss than by the week 5 win. Why? Lots of reasons. During week 5 the Bills entered the game the more injured team. This time we did. During week 5 the Bills lost the turnover battle 0-3 and we won by a 3 points. This time we pretty much went even (I don't really want to count that Maye Int). And lost by 4. This in week 5 the refs seemed more or less equal in what they gave or take. Last week the calls clearly went the Bills way. I am not one to blame refs, but they are a factor. And that was a huge advantage.

I don't think HFA matters much in these games. It is a short trip and the field conditions are more or less equal. Bills/Pats is a very small HFA. I know it averages out to 3... but some matter much more. Cross country, Mile High, drastically different climates. Also neither stadium is really built to amplify sound. So instead of the usual -3/-2.5 i'd call this a -1. Not the mention the biggest difference of all.. In week 5 we faced bad Josh Allen.. This week we faced good Josh Allen. He will probably be somewhere in between next time.

So overall week 5 he had A LOT of things break our way and won by only 3. This time we had A LOT MORE go against us and lost by only 4. I feel like if that week 5 game played out 10 times (with even health) we win only 3 times or so. This time i feel if a healthy Pats play a healthy Bills we win maybe 6 of 10. So yes. Even after the loss I think it is fair to say we have close this gap. Last time in week 5 the better team lost. This time i believe the better team also lost. It goes to show how much the Pats have improved.

#2 Special Teams was a disaster. And the Bills are not that good and we are not that bad. That will not happen again.

#3 Vrabel keeps playing too conservative at the end of games. Again we had to settle for a FG attempt cause he was too concerned with leaving time for the other team. Eventually he needs to trust Maye and the offense to make it happen. This overly conservative way to finish a half has come back to bite them multiple times.

#4 We saw what Maye can do on the ground when given the green light. They have been saving his running to keep him healthy. I think we will see more of this duel threat Maye in the playoffs.

#5 Even with Tonga we were not able to contain Cook well enough. Williams and Spillane are needed for a back of his quality. I believe they can bottle him up more like they did in week 5 with all hands on deck.

#6 Henderson was beastly, but that is also the Bills run D. Unlike us... they have no one who will fix it. Henderson will eat again next time too.. maybe not 2 50+ yard runs... but he will breaks some big ones.

#7 Allen just had too much time. Williams makes their pass rush work. This will be the top thing to address next off season either with a trade or the draft.

#8 I will say right now, based on what i've seen the past 2 games... IF the Pats are healthy and all things being equal, I think they are the best team in the AFC by a hair. But having to win 3 games in a row will be tough, and IDK if i feel any AFC team is up to that. Take care of business the next 2 weeks. I think the bye is out of reach, but they can win themselves a chance at rest for their starters.

#9 While i don't feel good about their chances this year without the first round bye, I feel good about them next year. What they are building here seems ready to transition smoothly in coming years.

Good stuff Bob. Hit on everything perfectly. Adding that the team is the best road team all season I don't think they lost on the road this season...

No team in the league can say that. The first round bye sure you always want that.. however I for some odd reason enjoy watching this team play on the road more than I do at home.. weird..

Maybe it's the stank of 4-13 but I just haven't felt Gillette is the " home field advantage " like it once was... JMO

So as a fan I embrace them having to go on the road should they need to..

What i think is going to happen:

We win the division and host a home playoff game. We draw the 7 seed.. Texans..

We beat them and get the bills in a rematch this time we have Williams back and Spillane...

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