Success

Pats fans really are pretty annoying, for the most part. For the better part of a couple of decades, we heard "this was their Super Bowl" if a team beat them, and "ho, hum - the season doesn't start until January." Meanwhile, they went bananas after their OCTOBER win against us. And I don't believe at all it will happen - but if they beat us tomorrow, watch the reaction.

That changed the game. It was a nice throw by Jones, and would have tied it up. I was thinking while it was in the air that it would be back & forth all day. Then Hyde made a great play, & we were off & running. That game was pure catharsis for me after all of those years of the Pats dominating. If that's all I get in this sports fandom life - well, that'll just be okay.

I'd go but I have to wash my hair.

That seems like an extreme conclusion. It hurts for sure - but we can absolutely win without him, and have. The secondary is one unit that has pretty decent depth. I trust Hairston at this point, Tre has been really solid the last few games. Dane used to start in our more dominating days, if he has to play. And Savage can fill in for the slot position, if he's up to speed.

I'm actually pretty excited about the running game. Milton Williams being out is huge, and you have 2 starting LB's that are iffy. The Bills O-line is also back to health. I think the only way NE scores in the 30's is if they get a ST TD - which of course is a possibility. But I'll be surprised if they go over 20. The WR room really isn't all that, and the running game isn't great. They have feasted on some pretty poor teams for the most part. The only edge I give the Pats this week is the bye. Vrabel has been good out of the bye.

They have a better defense. They can pressure the passer better, and cover WR's better. Though, they're not great against the run. We have a better QB, RB, O-line and tight ends. Their WR's are better. Their roster is solid. The most glaring difference (to me) is at QB. Allen regularly wins games almost solely on his own. Maye has obviously played well, but he isn't close to that level.

It just seems like that position unit was a total blind spot for him, especially considering the comments in that interview last summer. I think he felt like Allen was so good that he could make anyone a star or something. The neglect of that position is kind of mind boggling.

I remember when Pats games used to feel like a dentist's appointment. Something you couldn't avoid & just had to get through. I have none of that for Sunday. They're pretenders, we're the real thing. Unless we give the game away - which I acknowledge is always a small possibility - this won't be that close. They're not a primetime team yet.

I do agree w/ this. I think we get a small benefit from losing, in terms of sorry New England, but you ain't beating us in January TOO. But I - and I'm sure all - want both. Sunday, and January. And send the message that you're not as good as you think, and Maye ain't Allen.

I can't with this. I just can't.

How cool is it to once again have the marquee game for Sunday? If nothing else, we're one of the most entertaining teams for the country to watch - consistently. Even last week - while not "marquee" - ended up being the game of the weekend. Gives us a slight leg up this weekend, too. This Bills team has played in so many of these high-profile games.

They called everything except for an obvious PI on Shakir at the end, where the defender tackled him before the ball got there. Would have given us a 1st down in the redzone instead of having to settle for a FG & only tying the game.

"Questionable" is sort of promising.

Yeah - the Pats might be without 2 starting LB's, Williams and Campbell. No excuses for us, even if Benford can't play.

I wish we had just a little more info. Did he just stub his toe, and maybe it's a little sore today? What's the difference between a stubbed toe & turf toe?

If Bosa can play, it offsets losing Benford a bit (if Benford can't play). It's kind of a pleasant surprise that he's practicing in full today. Still hoping they're just being cautious w/ Benford and he can still go, but we do have decent enough depth at the CB position. If it's Tre, Hairston & Johnson, with Lewis subbing in, that really isn't too bad.

Right now, Drake Maye is a guy who has had some spectacular throws and seems to have a good long ball. That lumps him in with dozens of QB's from the past decade or 2. He has not yet led even one 4th quarter comeback, and has led only one game-winning drive. So many QB's have the skills. The guys w/ the mental toughness really shorten the list. He hasn't proven anything yet in that area.

Aren't Spillane and Landry their starting LB's? Could be a good day for Cook if they don't play, along w/ Williams already being out. Hard to complain about our injuries looking at their report.

This idea has been crossing my mind. I mean, of COURSE I want to win this game. I want to win it badly. But if we do lose - what are the chances that this fairly overrated Pats team can beat us a 3rd time this season? Pretty low. If we lose this one, I'd have enormous confidence we beat them them in January.

Benford is probably our most impactful player on D. That would obviously be tough if he can't play, or isn't close to 100%. But it's not like we're lacking depth there. Lewis has been playing a lot, and Tre has given us some solid play. Hoping for the best, and that this is just a stubbed toe & all very precautionary. What a weird year in terms of injuries. Maybe it balances out & we're healthy in the playoffs.

I've had some bad bosses. But my current boss is absolutely amazing. Just a great guy, who recognizes good effort and isn't looking to scapegoat anyone. Genuinely supportive & encouraging. It makes a big difference to have a boss like that. He's a Pats fan, but he's even cool about that.

He ain't wrong. But there is still a winning formula for teams like ours. We don't have JAGs - just average talent and no real "playmakers" outside of Allen, Cook and maybe Kincaid if we're being generous. But it's just about playing sound, complementary football. Our offense still in the league's top 3. The team is basically the same talent-wise that came within a dropped pass or proper 4th & 1 spot of making it to the Super Bowl last year.

This might be a good game for Groot to finally start earning that contract. He's been so quiet this year. I know he's been decent against the run & setting the edge - but we need that guy to get to the QB.

I saw that take that they're better, but we're somehow "the same." Maybe I'm just as much of a homer for the Bills, but I see the opposite, particularly with Williams and Campbell out. We've just been playing better on both sides of the ball - and we have a consistent history with Allen of playing our best ball in December. They got most of the breaks in the last game - 3 turnovers, some terrible officiating (including an egregious no-call on that pass to Shakir at the end), better health. They squeaked out a 3 point win, and now most are saying that they're by far the better team & expect a comfy win on Sunday. Not to mention the general oft-repeated sentiment that they have their new dynasty for the next 15 years. It's a crazy sense of entitlement. I guess 6 titles will do that to a fanbase.

I always appreciate your positivity and optimism. And you're really correct here. No Mahomes or Burrow, and maybe no Jackson? It's kind of hard to believe. I still lament that we didn't get a true WR1 in the offseason or trade deadline - that would almost guarantee a SB appearance this year. But we're still the best & most experienced team on the AFC side. Just one. I know I'll want more when we do win it all, but just having one will change my outlook on the game considerably, and take the oversized chip off my shoulder.