Success

It's wild how the sentiment has evolved this whole week. I think most analysts are still picking us, but there has been a huge amount of momentum of "maybe this Bills team isn't as good as their record" along with "maybe this Pats team is the real deal." Enough of this. If a dude doesn't step an inch out of bounds, the Pats have losses to Pitt, the Raiders & Miami, and they used special teams to get a big win over what could end up being the league's worst team, at home. The only way they win this game is turnovers. If we protect the ball, this is going to be a statement game that we still run the east, and it's not that close.

I pay some attention to the Pats. Maye's nickname should be "clean pocket." When he has time, he looks elite; any pressure, and he seems to panic a bit, and that's when he makes the mistakes. I guess not THAT unusual for a young QB, but it seems like a bigger gap w/ him. 2 very different QB's depending on if defenses can rattle him.

I kind of prefer Strong over Tre - but I believe Tre has been getting most of the snaps regardless. Strong isn't a huge loss this week. If Oliver, Milano and Brown all end up playing, we're in as good a shape as you can be at this point of the season.

Good logic there. Didn't consider that!

I think it's TBD if Vrabel is really a good coach. He had some of the best coordinators in the league during the Titans' best runs, and Tannehill was playing well above his usual. His last few seasons w/ TN were downright bad, and TN fans lamented his conservative ground & pound strategy. Even though the Pats had a huge win against probably the worst team in the league, their season so far has been characterized by some pretty undisciplined play, including untimely turnovers and penalties. I think he's good for culture - for games, it remains to be seen w/ NE, and if can turn that team into a contender.

Why is the Bills website wishing good luck to Toronto? Color me disappointed.

Pats nation is secretly dreaming that "this" is the moment - Maye's big coming out party, and taking the 1st big step toward taking the division back. I've heard some hope that this is a trap game for the Bills. But it can't be a trap game, because we're not looking forward to a tougher game for weeks. I don't want to just win this one. I think the team will be just as fired up as the Pats, and show that we're here to stay for awhile and that they can crane their necks looking up at 1st place for at least a few more years.

Agreed. I'm seeing a 40 burger on Sunday.

I'll always appreciate this. I remember during the drought when we were on the other side of it almost every week.

Good to see you again, @PatsFanNH! Seems like it's been awhile since you posted here....

Hopefully he just slept on it wrong.

Just saw a Pats fan say that there is no way they would trade Maye for Allen. That's....well, that's somethin'.

Has Maye "torched" anyone yet this year? He's had some decent games, but that seems hyperbolic. He's nowhere near Lamar or Mahomes or some of the other QB's we have to face.

One thing I noticed watching highlights of the Panthers/Pats game was how clean Maye's pocket was on the big throws he made. Really, no pressure. Getting pressure on him is key. He has all of the skills, but he makes mistakes and his accuracy goes way down when he has less time. I'm sure we'll do better than Carolina w/ that. The Pats have a pretty middlin' run game, so if we can pressure Maye and limit their big special teams plays, this could be a more comfortable win than most of us seem to think.

I have really looked forward to seeing that from Bills fans about Patriots fans.

Fans are usually like that, but they're at the next level. And the recurring theme is that once they "complete the rebuild," they're re-take their rightful place atop the division moving forward. As though while the Bills have Josh Allen, they'll be no challenge. Too much success can delude a fanbase at a concerning level.

It's easier than Schlittler for any Yankees fans here.

I kind of like the uni's. After seeing some of the hideous throwback colors on some other teams, they look like they're from the future or something. I always wonder if certain colors are easier to see for the QB when he's looking downfield for a receiver. Seems like if there anything to that, these would stand out a bit.

Remember when we had Schwarz? THAT was a defense.

No - they'll be there. The AFC is not strong. They're still a great team.

I get that it's a division game, but I'm starting to think the Pats hype is a bit out of hand - both here & nationally. It just seems like a lot of that is based on scoring 42 last week. And some thought the Panthers had turned a corner because of their previous week. But that's a bad team. I watched the highlights - it almost looked like they hadn't practiced this year. The special teams play was abysmal, and Young didn't look like a pro QB. The Pats lost to Pittsburgh & the Raiders. If a guy doesn't step out of bounds by an inch or so, they would have lost to Miami. We're a mile better than them, we're at home, we usually play great in primetime, and we're coming off of a somewhat lackluster effort which should be motivating. I still think the jury is out on Maye. He plays great when the line protects him. Any team that can get pressure on him can cause turnovers, and I think our line will keep great pressure on him all day. Their O-line is weak in a few spots.

You know what? I still hate the New England Patriots.

All I'd say is this: During the drought, I felt like we always ended up on the wrong end of the officiating. PARTICULARLY against top teams like the Pats. Those games were often comical w/ the PI's & roughing calls against us. Now? I kind of figuratively blush at some of the calls we get, especially Allen & PF's.

I was worried when I saw how much the Pats scored on Sunday. But I just checked the game stats, and it wasn't like they were running all over the field. Pretty modest offensive #'s for 42 points. Looks like they really benefitted from some huge special teams plays and great field position, and an inept Carolina team. They lost to the Raiders and Steelers, and pulled it out against Miami in the final minutes. My take is that this is still an average team. It's also a much-improved division rival playing in the biggest game they've had in quite awhile, so I'm not taking them lightly. But we should win this one at home if we take care of the ball.

Cincy is really poorly constructed. No O-line, no defense, and 2 superstar receivers.