Success

Really, after a month of high-profile games and playing at a high level, they just had a flat day. Probably Allen's worst game of the year, but he still made plays when we needed 'em. The only thing that kind of bums me out is how this likely set the MVP quest back. He needs to rebound and have a great game this week, or it could slip away.

My take is that we're a more flawed team than I'd like us to be heading into the playoffs. But that's just me as a fan wanting more guarantees - I think we have the kind of talent on defense that CAN rise up and play above themselves for key games, but it's impossible to say if they will when they need to. Crazy to think that I was much more concerned about the O heading into the season.

I hate being the spoiled guy who thinks the win was too ugly. But man - I just wish we'd have better games against the Patriots in general. It seems like we have some of our worst games against that team. After the Brady years, I was definitely hoping for more. It was a moral victory for them - which doesn't mean much in the scheme of things, but it's annoying nonetheless.

I didn't see as much as some here saw, or are seeing. But maybe I'm just trying to convince myself. That 1st drive was somethin'. The throw to Boutte made me wonder if we'd even win the game. But then not much happened. I know he doesn't have much to work with - but he just didn't do much after that. Most of the games they've had that I've paid attention to were the same - 1 or 2 really good drives, and not much aside from that.

I like to think that, especially today. As a fan - after KC won yesterday, I was kind of like "what is there to play for?" Team probably feels the same.

I'm not sure what to make of him yet. Pats fans are over the moon w/ him. His throw to Boutte was probably one of the best throws of the season from any QB. But outside of that 1st drive - he was just kind of okay. Threw a bad pick in the EZ, and then shouldn't have thrown that backwards pass to the RB. Still not really seeing it - but curious what the rest of you think.

That's all I was saying on this thread. I knew I'd get some ridicule, but man - too much.

Absolutely no reason for this kind of response.

I hate that KC has this game every week, but when we do, it's "they're pretenders."

Do even the best CB's "look for the ball" on every play? Sometimes, all you can do is cover the guy. What's the standard here?

When a QB makes a perfect throw - there literally isn't anything a CB can do. I saw some on here saying Elam got "burned" on that play. I can't even take that seriously. He was like a blanket on that receiver.

I mean, the calls were kind of silly. He deserved maybe one - but even that one in the endzone was nothing, and the ball was not catchable. If Elam didn't get any flags, we wouldn't have noticed him. He's not getting burned on any play.

I thought the PI's on him were fairly questionable. One thing he didn't do - lose his guy. He was no deer in the headlights out there. Too handsy? You can make the case on that - but I thought the refs called it more than tight.

I feel like they don't understand how important Patriots games are to many in the fanbase. A very annoying game.

Dude, that was just a bad call.

That is one silly call.

Do the coaches not care at all about the MVP chase?

I expect some great halftime adjustments, and that the 2nd half will look like a last place team facing a 1st place SB contender team.

I actually think this is a good MVP game for Josh. The country sees very clearly that unless he plays out of his mind, we lose.

I'm not like a rabid "anti McD" fan. I think he's done a solid job. But sometimes, a team just needs a change. This script gets repeated too often.

Literally the only reason I care about this game is because it's the Patriots. I don't want to get dominated by them for 2 decades, then have this be the "we always win the division but split w/ the Pats" era. I need payback. A lot of it.

Allen doesn't deserve any criticism here. Literally no one seems to be getting open - he's doing what he can.

I'm sure they prepared - but it LOOKS like a game where they took the whole week off & were just hoping to get by on "we're the division winner."

I find this to be disrespectful to the fans. Do they not realize what this team put us through for close to 2 decades? Blow this team out. Don't do the "we're not showing up today" thing.

So, we almost get a fumble, then give up a fake punt 1st down. They had better adjust at the half. They need to win this game by multiple scores.