Success

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.

Mac Jones w/ his 1st completion! A 4-yard gain on 3rd and 23. Auspicious start.

That one was just silly. I know it was windy, but Bass has a strong leg. You kick the FG there every single time. Daboll has to get it together. He was coaching like today was a scrimmage.

Gotta start a real run now. The 1st half schedule is easier. I'm okay losing this one if we can beat the Chiefs in a few weeks.

This game was our Hail Murray for 2021. There is no way this team wasn't affected by all of the SB hype. This was a cold slap to the face. They actually have to play these games.

We could probably call this the "overreaction" thread. I'm not even going to pay attention nationally. Whatever. A learning game. This is still one of the best teams in the league.

Better to suck in September than January.

Bummer of a 1st game - but hopefully a lot of learning lessons. Looking your way, OC.

I think Daboll has been amazing for us - but this game is mostly on him. Too cute, too much of the time. Just play to win.

4th & 10, getting cute on 4th & 1. If Daboll wants a head-coaching job, he needs to start coaching. This isn't a video game.

That should have been QB sneak all the way.

Could be a top 5 D this year. Not the game we expected - but we're still leading. One more TD probably puts it away w/ the way the D is playing.

That was a head-scratcher. Bass has a strong leg, and that gets us back to a 2 score lead.

They get pressure on Ben almost every play. It's like the opposite of last year.

I'm kind of mystified by the "Tre got beat" comments. The only way he could have covered that guy better is if he was the jersey.

Really? He was all over that guy.

That tackle by Taron was huge.

So great to see Oliver play like that. He looked like the guy we expected when we drafted him.