Success

He had too many penalties - but I thought he blocked really well. He's kind of a mauler when he gets going.

This only started coming up fairly recently in NFL history, and basically took off once Mahomes signed his contract: you have to win when your QB is on his rookie deal, or it's OVER. I can only smile. It's such a poor, lazy & meaningless hot take. We'll be in contention as long as Josh Allen is behind center.

Sorry - I'm lost on the players we have out. I didn't realize Star is out again...what's the scoop? Didn't he play last week?

Interesting story about the ex-Patriot. When I see those kinds of "we live in your head" sentiments from Patriots fans, I'm always like, of course! 20 years is an awfully long time. And if they're also Red Sox fans, they should be able to relate. They STILL chant "Yankees suck" at games. Like you said - at games where the Yankees aren't even involved, and even at games for other sports like hockey.

10-7 is just so iffy. It will feel too much like our "better" drought years - watching the last couple of weeks and doing all kinds of crazy scenarios of who needs to win & who needs to lose. It might come to that, but a win Sunday changes everything. Then, the biggest question is, "can they beat teams that they're supposed to beat, when they need to beat them?" I'd rather spend the next few weeks talking about that.

No Allen is a head-shaker. I'm not sure if this stuff bothers him or fuels him - but I hope it does.

Well, every other fan hates them too. I think we might possibly hate them more. But it's close - the vitriol about the Pats, at least online, is unlike anything I've seen for any other team. It's better to be hated than pitied. But they're hated way too much. I'm sure the Bills will get some hate if we start winning SB's, but I hope it's never that bad. I used to loathe the Fish. But I've pulled for them to beat the Pats too many times. It's dissipated almost completely.

When we play the Pats, I always check out their boards. It can be an eye-opener. It's all very "ho hum" in their world. Hate the Jets, hate/respect the Dolphins. The Bills? I don't think about them. It's cute how their fans get so into the game. They are not a rival. I suppose a natural reaction after 2 decades. But we owned the division in the '90's, and I always thought of the division foes as rivals, no matter how bad they were (and the Pats were pretty bad for a long time). In other sports, some of my teams have had stretches of decades where they owned other teams in their division - but I always considered division teams to be rivals. You play them more, there are more tight games, and the games just mean more. Those are the games you want to win. A rivalry is a 2-way street. I don't think we can consider them a rival if their fans don't consider us a rival. They'd be more of a nemesis. What say you? I reject that they aren't a rival. I see that as more of a younger Pats fan/entitled take. To me, the Patriots will always be our rival - even if we beat them 30x in a row. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they're just a nemesis.

This was the 1st year in AGES that the Bills were a big game for other teams. You could argue we were last year, but until we made a legit playoff run, I don't think teams really viewed us that way. Once you're a SB fave, you're going to get everyone's best. I think they had to learn how to adjust to that. I don't expect a Jags kind of game next year.

McD is from the Crash Davis school of media communication...

Sanders was at practice today, but limited. Still a good sign. If he's back, it's a wash w/ Beasley out (imo).

"The inches we need are all around us...."

Thoughtful analysis, OP. I don't think the Bills have to play close to perfectly, though. For either team, an early lead is key to try to make the game favorable for their style of play. If the Pats get an early lead, they can do what they did last time - pound the ball, try to keep the Bills O off the field, and play sound D. If the Bills get an early lead, it forces the Pats to rely more on the overrated rookie game manager with the weak arm. Bills 34 Patriots 15

I didn't realize that Sanders might miss. That would be big w/ Cole out.

I keep seeing that sentiment, but they're pretty banged up. Aghelor might not be at 100%, and we don't know about Bourne. That's a big loss to that unit if neither can play. Who are we definitely missing besides Beasley and Feliciano right now? Not saying they aren't big losses, but we're fairly deep at WR at least....

That was thoroughly revolting to read & watch. The level of arrogance in New England is at some sort of new, unprecedented level. It's the kind of attitude I'd imagine the out-of-touch royalty had about the peasants just before the French Revolution - along those lines. It's cartoonish. And I'm so tired of the argument that teams HAVE to win a SB on the QB's rookie contract, or the window is closed. It's lazy.

There were times in that game when it looked bad, particularly early. But there were significant stretches where the line played great - they were opening holes for the RB's, and pass protection was excellent.

There was some discussion yesterday on one of the shows about how all of the leagues will eventually have to make it a mandate. It's hard to imagine that. The way some players seem to feel, they'd retire before they'd agree to that.

Patriots fans certainly cover all of the bases. When Mac was getting hyped, he was the best QB from that class, and already a top 10 QB in the league. When he doesn't play well - hey, he's just a rookie.

It's a good point. In general, my personal philosophy is more to err on the side of caution, which is what they're doing. But there is another side to it that I don't think quite as many people consider. The more we let COVID rule our lives, the more it hurts many - economically & with regard to mental health. It's a really complicated issue. I don't envy those who have to make these calls.

Someone else made this point - it's not that it's a bad point, but losing Bourne is HUGE for the Pats passing game. Clearly, they do not rely on the pass as much. But if they have to, it hurts them tremendously. Especially w/ Aghelor & Harry both nursing injuries. It's not just plug & play there. Losing Bourne is big for them if they wanted to try a more pass-oriented strategy this time (or, if they have to because they get behind).

I get that, but it's time to start looking at the risk. Can he spread it? Of course. So can someone who is vaccinated. And what are they spreading now? Something which appears to be quite a bit more mild. They have to confirm that. But COVID is just always going to be around. The way we're responding to it today is not the way we'll respond to it next year, or in 5 years.

Do we have any intel on Sanders? He was listed as doubtful last week. Obviously, "out" would have been worse. What are the chances he can play?

Honestly, I'd support that. If a guy feels healthy, why can't he play?

I think when all of the Beasley anti-vax stuff was happening in the offseason, everyone thought as I did: "it'll be the Pats game."