Success

The nagging question for me is this: why do the Patriots get 2 decades of futility from the other teams in the division when they have a great team, but as soon as the Bills finally get it together, it looks like the division could be super-competitive top to bottom? More of a whine, actually. And I suppose the Pats had something to do w/ that, since there was so much QB & coaching turnover as the other teams tried to compete w/ a team like that.

Divisional opponent, away - nothing is going to be easy here. Watching some of their game yesterday: they don't really do anything spectacularly well, but they're solid in every area. I thought Tua looked pretty good. Their running game certainly isn't scary, but it gets the job done. They play good, sound defense and don't give up big plays. It's definitely a game the Bills should win, but after yesterday, they need to bring their A game and take advantage of every opportunity.

I'd agree w/ the general premise. I don't think it means he's suddenly a bad coach - but he sure did have an off day. Beyond the lack of run game (and my goodness, do we need Moss), he was too cute too much of the time. He has no problem calling Allen running plays - so why doesn't Allen do a sneak when it's 4th and 1? The Pats did that EVERY time w/ Brady, and there was no stopping it. Just get the 1st down. 4th & 10 was inexplicable - both the decision, and the actual call. It felt like a very discombobulated gameplan, and also like we just weren't taking it seriously.

Great write-up! I'm glad you mentioned both Oliver & Edmunds. They have turned into difference makers on that side of the ball. I mentioned this yesterday, and I may be rationalizing - but the more I've reflected on the game, the more I tend to think that we'll look back on it like the "Hail Murray" game. That game was a low at the time, but it was also the moment that galvanized the team and led to that amazing run to end the season. I think this team, and the coaches, 100% bought into the SB hype this year. You could see it. On at least some level, they thought these games were just going to be dominoes on the way to a high playoff seed and SB contention. I think that was most evident in some of Daboll's calls. They didn't seem to be taking the game seriously - almost like it was a scrimmage or preseason. Yesterday was a bucket of ice cold water. I think everyone is wide awake now, and realizes that it's going to be a slog & not a coronation.

Well, it's early - but I'd agree overall that the Pats have their guy. Particularly while BB is HC, but I'm sure beyond that. He's definitely a good QB. You guys are really pretty lucky to go from Bledsoe to Brady to now Jones. Most teams have years where they struggle to find the right QB.

I watched every pass (because I'm a psycho). It was textbook dink & dunk. I don't think dink & dunk is a bad thing, and it was a very good debut. But right now, I see a lot of coaching & scheme that made a debut like that possible. Jones looked like the guy who most scouts say he is. Ready to come in day 1, but w/ a limited ceiling. The kind of game he plays is great for games where it's close or the Pats have the lead. If they get behind by more than a score, he'll need to do a lot more than he did yesterday.

I 100% did not say that. I said they were fine - but to me, they indicate more about the coaching & scheme than they do about the QB. I saw enough in Mac today to be a bit worried, but not nearly enough to be terrified.

The things I was worried about, I'm still worried about. The O-line, the secondary, and the running game. Lots of positives, though. I'll focus on those. Going forward, the Bills need to follow the Pats blueprint: you get a franchise QB, you PROTECT HIM.

I'm good w/ "not bad." I feel like we had that a few times over the years. As long as he's not the next Brady, or anywhere near it.

Did anyone see the game? Patriots fans are over the moon about Mac. From what I could see just on the internet, it seemed like he was just making 7 yard passes all day. Which is fine, but much more game manager than QB threat to worry about.

With the Pats loss, today is a good day. It's going to be our division, at least this year. Kind of a Murphy's Law day for the Bills. Not worried about Miami. A teensy bit worried about Mac - if you just judge on today, they got the best QB in the draft. But, of course, these things aren't determined for years.

I agree - but right now, he's looking more in the game manager mode. He's not a threat downfield, at least yet. BB, typically, is not putting him in any risky positions.

Wow - the Pats doing "drought Bills" things. Awesome to see.

Man, Pats fans are going to be sickening. "Order has been restored to the universe" and all that. Thanks, Miami. Easy win set up for them & they blow it.

Did anyone see that throw from Tua? What the heck was that?

Man, do I ever not want to be looking up at the Pats in the standings again. I know there are 16 games to go, but too much PTSD w/ that. C'mon, Phins. Put this one away, and be less hungry for a win next week.

I think McD & Daboll are in the top tier of coaches in the NFL. But people have off days. I think if you asked them, they'd say today was an off day. They were terrible today. Almost inexplicable. Like Allen, they'll be back.

2 hours later, I'm really good w/ this. I tend to rationalize everything - but there might be more good that comes out of this than bad. The bad - we lost, and are 0-1. That's pretty much it. The good - a whole team realizes that they're not penciled in for the AFCCG yet. They bought the hype, and IMMEDIATELY realize they have to earn it. The coaches, as well. Daboll was treating that game like preseason. I truly believe we may end up w/ a better record because of what happened today. It was the ultimate in wake-up calls. No one is sleeping anymore.

The Dolphins will not be an easy out. Big test for the Bills next week - an early "must win" (kind of).

Pats fans holding up "We're back!" signs. I wish nothing but loss and humiliation for that entire region, until the Sun turns into a red giant.

It feels like we got a bunch of different learning lessons this game. All good.

I guess the refs haven't gotten the memo that Brady is no longer w/ the Patriots. Pats get a ticky tack call to extend a TD drive, and then the officials blow the whistle when Tua confuses the Pat D on a hard count, denying him a free shot at a long play.

They bought the hype. They thought they'd show up and it would be handed to them. The ultimate wake-up call. Anyone who thought we were automatically in the AFCCG now realizes it's gonna be a grind. And you have to work.

We really let them do that, though. It's true what they say about opportunities early. We had a chance to put that team down by several scores, but we let them hang around. The game probably should have been over at halftime.

In case anyone is wondering - we definitely want Miami. We don't need to have both teams going in 0-1 and hungry for a win next week.