Success

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.

LOL I still see Pats fans complain about "all of the holding" on the helmet catch play. In 2025. When there was no holding on that play.

He played last season too...right? Had quite a few then. Doesn't seem like he's so hot under pressure. And you didn't answer my question. How do you know he "actually wants to win championships?"

You're really trolling now. How do you know "Drake wants to actually win championships?" Drake Maye hasn't played a single postseason game yet. In fact, when Maye has had even minor pressure, he has turned the ball over. How many game-ending INT's an fumbles has he had in the 4th quarter at this point of his career, anyway?

Vrabes had great OC's in TN. LeFleur & Smith. You're mythologizing.

Bills - 38 Patriots - 17 We're in December.

The Maye hype is absolutely ridiculous. Pats fans should be excited about him. He has shown a lot so far. Also so far, I don't believe he has led a singe 4th quarter comeback. We have no idea what kind of playoff performer he'll be. His success so far has been mainly against bad teams, and mainly w/ the long ball - one of the least sustainable models for great QB play. I've seen MANY Pats fans say at this point that he has already surpassed Josh Allen. That's a level of delusion that I can't really comprehend.

It really isn't THAT bad. Still pretty below league average in terms of targets, but Cooks is obviously an elite talent, and Kincaid is getting there. We probably have one of the best trio of TE's in the league. It's still pretty glaring as far as WR1 & the lack thereof goes, but Josh is good enough to make it work w/ this crew. Bottom line is that we haven't had too many issues scoring points this season, with a few notable exceptions. EDIT: I was referring to James as far as "elite" w/ the comment above, and since he's been catching more passes. Not Brandin, though I like what he brings to the table.

"Gonna be?" I mean, they've been cartoon characters for many years now. Cautionary tale for winning TOO much.

Gotta admit - I love watching that guy play when it's not against the Bills. He can be so surgical w/ his passing. Scary - it's a good thing their line & defense are sub-par.

Oliver & Bosa playing together really changes our D for the playoffs, provided Ed can be back at last 85-90%. If we can stay relatively healthy the rest of the way, I'd feel really optimistic heading into the postseason. There just isn't any team we can't beat this year as long as we don't commit too many mistakes/turnovers.

I was happy to see us blitzing more last week (or at least it seemed like it). It had somewhat mixed results, but that was largely due to how good Burrow is, and how good his receivers are. Maye has a slower release. I'd love to see us blitz as much if not more this Sunday. It will be more effective.

The Pats could definitely lose to Miami. If a player didn't step out of bounds by an inch in the 1st match-up, they would have in that one - and Miami is playing really well right now.

Love seeing Bishop on this list. We all need to appreciate the leap he made this season.

With the Patriots, everyone wants to know - is this real, or have they just been propped up by that schedule? Haters think it's all schedule. Pats fans (the only non-haters) think it's 100% real, and that they're really the best in the AFC. The reality, as always, is probably somewhere in the middle. They're good, but nowhere near as good as their record. And, most importantly, they're still the 2nd best team in the division. That should be apparent on Sunday.

What are you looking for here? I said that they're a very good team and greatly improved. Not enough?

I've seen Pats fans online saying we'll be "easy work" and expecting a comfy win at home. I'm looking forward to this one. It's been circled on my calendar since we lost to them. They turn back into a pumpkin on Sunday. Can't wait.