Boatdrinks

It’s entirely expected by any who follow the game at this point. It’s considered an entitlement by Pats* fans.

What a boring way to watch the game

No Sunday night game in week 17

Tom Landry dressed very conservatively.

I think Daboll can draw up some plays, but has little feel for when to call them. I’m not a huge fan of criticizing playcalling in general, but Daboll seems to just throw things out there. Far too many first down runs, no emphasis on screens to slow the pass rush and too many low percentage passes in the red zone. However, if he departs they should consider bumping up Ken Dorsey and keeping the basis of the offense. No need to start over, and Josh doesn’t seem to have any rapport with Daboll. He apparently speaks highly of Ken Dorsey, and that may be what the offense needs. Hated that sweep call, and hoped he had scrapped it weeks ago. In that goal to go situation it was a wasted down.

Their records going in were not the same. If the Bills had won in Cleveland ( as they should have) today’s game would have essentially been for the division title. As it stood, a Bills win today would not have given them the division title. It more than likely would have just delayed NE clinching until next week. Pretty simple stuff, really.

I agree, and mentioned it in a few threads. It was quite clear they weren’t going to put any new stuff on film for the upcoming playoff game. They also likely think they could see NE again at some point. They still gave themselves a chance to win with a basic gameplan, but fundamentals were lacking on defense today. They made life miserable for Brady in the first meeting, but not even an attempt to do so this afternoon. A microscopic shot at the division title wasn’t worth sacrificing a possible win in the playoffs, where your first game could be your last. I think if we went into today with tied records, the gameplan would have reflected it. He showed improvement from the first meeting , and we had a legitimate chance to send it to OT with a bit better job by Daboll imo. Back of the end zone fades are too low percentage for my liking in that game situation. The Bills have no receivers that can make a play on the ball there. It has to be perfect, as there isn’t a George Kittle or Kyle Rudolph to snare it on this roster. Anyway, Allen’s game today leaves me more confident than not that this team can get a WC round win in 2 weeks.

The division was lost when the Bills didn’t beat Cleveland. A win today wouldn’t have given the Bills the division title, no matter how much we’d like to believe Miami could win in NE next week. I’ll concur that no player in the locker room felt this game was meaningless. I also would venture their confidence wasn’t shaken one iota by the result.

I think they considered it a reasonable risk vs the chance to get a block vs a suspect STs unit. The Bills need to shore up their performance in that area.

Dill holes

They’re not yet great. Today’s result shouldn’t be that surprising. Doesn’t mean they can’t win a game or two in the playoffs , even if they see NE again.

No, not specifically. There were some poor fundamentals out there today. A lot of poor angles, and it seemed like the D line was getting too far up the files but not making the stops. A few blitzes might actually have helped the run D. That was definitely discouraging, as it made things way too cozy for Brady. Constant 2nd , 3rd and shorts. The Bills offense, by contrast was almost always in 3rd and long. That affected a lot of Josh’s throws, as they teed off and were in his face. Daboll needs to throw more on 1st down, because the Bills run game isn’t that great on its own.

I went into the game thinking if they play vanilla up front and don’t throw pressures at Brady, they’re thinking of the playoffs exclusively. I didn’t see anything to make the think otherwise. It was a contrast to hat they’ve been doing. On offense, Daboll was definitely out coached. Very little creativity and nothing to slow the rush. We will see in the playoffs, but I’d be stunned to see anything but well timed pressures and well disguised coverages.

They called a simple D that wouldn’t put anything they’ve probably been working on for the playoffs on film. Calculated decision. They know how to beat Brady, look at the first game. Today’s game from Allen in that game and they in. They might see NE again if they win in the WC game, so I get it. Would have been very surprised today to see them throw all kinds of stunts and pressures at NE .

He’s not good vs pressure this year. They didn’t go all out to pressure him and win, and it showed.

They’re still better, just not by nearly as much as they have been.

Most great coaches have had great rosters, and don’t need to coach as conservatively as McD to win. This roster isn’t complete yet. McD is a very good coach, especially on defense. He needs better players on O, and probably a better OC to have a shot to win it all.

This isn’t the worst Patriots team in 20 years.

I think the effort was there by the players ( not necessarily the execution) but the coaches went 99% simple and vanilla. They knew a win wasn’t going to improve their spot and they need their best defensive work to win in the playoffs. The passive gameplan vs a hobbled and slow Brady said it all. They we’re far from embarrassed , and players got valuable experience vs a top defensive unit. However, they weren’t going to waste their best stuff ( or put new things on film) in this game. If the game was for the AFCE and a bye week, they would have went after Brady relentlessly. His numbers this year when pressured vs not pressured are a stark contrast to previous years.

I agree as far as the gameplan goes. This game was much more important for the Pats* than the Bills. A Bills win wouldn’t have improved their seeding on its own, and a long shot win by MIA Vs NE next week was required to win the division. Everyone knows at this point the best way to beat this version of the Patriots is to pressure Brady, as he will throw the ball away and take sacks. I surmised that the Bills might not show too many of their best pressures today, and they did not. With next week a virtual bye week, teams will be looking at today’s film. It seemed that the Bills played very conservatively on defense, and that allowed Brady to stand back there. The lack of aggression also helped their running game. The Bills coaches have moved into playoff mode and went with a simple gameplan today.They need their best defensive work for the playoffs, especially if they see this team again. It was enough to keep the game close, but also just enough to lose. If they made Brady play today like he did at BUF, they’d probably have walked out with a win.

NE will be knocked out in their first playoff game. I’m confident of that after watching them today.

It was their worst since the PHL game. Had to keep NE under 20 today and they didn’t do it. They were hyped up for the game, but their fundamentals went out the window at times. That was the difference. Bills needed more creativity in the red zone on offense. They got it one out of three times.

So a team that loses in Foxboro ( with the usual assistance from the officials btw) by 7 points with a chance to tie in the final minute is not ready for prime time ? Lol The Bills have flaws, but they looked ready to compete in prime time. They’re a young team that needs a couple more pieces. Ahead of schedule right now

Not a great Pats* team to be sure, but better at the fundamentals and much better offensive coaching than the Bills. That got them a 7 point win, that was in jeopardy of being tied with a minute to go. The Bills are not a small time team, but a team being rebuilt from scratch that is working its way into the big time. They are a few players short, and it showed today. It may not be the best Pats team we’ve ever seen, but they have 12 wins this year with a mediocre offense. The biggest difference today though might have been McDaniels vs Daboll. McDaniels had answers in the red zone and Daboll failed twice in that area.

Defense had the Pats* in 3rd and short all game. That’s on them. Not a recipe for success. They bit on run fakes and took poor angles , arm tackles.