P Riv

I know we want this to be some sort of statement game that we're that much better than them, but they still played us very tough and even beat us with their crappy 4-13 teams. They have a very young team which we keep talking about, and experienced coaches with a lot of SB rings which we don't mention much. Its going to come down to turnovers and its going to be close. Some interesting stats that serve as markers as the game goes on: 63.2 percent of the time the team that score first wins, 2025 wins when leading at halftime: Bills .692 NE .846. First team to 24 wins 90.8% of the time. Turnover ratio: 0 Turnovers = 50% win rate. If you're +1 in that dept your win rate is 67.5% +2 is 81.1% +3 is 95.7% So we need to score first off a turnover, lead at halftime, then reach 24 first off another turnover. Easy! lol

I'm back in the League! 😁

I don't expect it to be easy, they're scrappy, hungry, and well coached. It's going to be very physical and come down to turnovers again.

They're going to play run first and probably man in coverage. Their top 3 CBs are better than our top 3 WRs: Carlton Davis, Christian Gonzalez, and Marcus Jones are very solid. They're missing their best DT in Milton Williams though, so their pass rush will be less than it was in the first meeting, but their run defense is still strong. Also missing for them is their LT, so maybe some opportunity there along with Stevenson's fumbling. It's going to come down to turnovers again, whoever wins that battle will win the game. I don't foresee a high scoring game, probably low 20's wins it. Allen will have to do Allen things in this one.... running game shut down, receivers covered and slow D lineman chasing him, sounds like good conditions for big plays. We're favored to win, but I'd say it's a 50/50 proposition. What's also at stake; if we win they remain unproven, but if they win they're legit and there's no arguing it.

I agree that NE isn't winning a SB this year, their OL is average and half rookies. As for next year, they have 11 picks in the draft and the most cap space in the league (I think). I don't think they're going any where for a while. Our window is still open, but they're also in it with us now like the Ravens/Steelers rivalry for the past 10 years.

I'm slowly warming up to this.... but who would they bring in that is an improvement? I don't like change for the sake of change, they have to upgrade.

They were thin at WR and had to try and rely on the running game, but this was blatantly obvious to anybody who can read. Brady should have had a better plan to use play action, short passes, RPO's, etc. to at least try and keep them guessing.

Rooting for the Colts... No way I want to see KC in the playoffs again. If they don't make it, I'm sure we'll see them again next year anyway.

I heard a stat that they only have something like 21 players from last years roster, and that all those replacements are upgrades. Bear in mind that last year's coaching has more to do with being 4-13 than the player talent, look at all the one score losses from last year, put that together with new great coaching and scheme, the easy schedule and it all adds up. Looking at us and them by position, by coaching staff, etc. and the only positions we can hang our hat on is QB and OT. It's not like they don't have mismatches in their favor either. I think they're here to stay, kind of like the division was in the mid to late 1990's. Maye is very good, and he's showing improvement, learning from mistakes like a 2nd year player and much like Allen did. That said, I expect the Bills to go into Foxboro and stake their claim to the division. Looking at their 2025 draft class, their number of 2026 picks, their huge cap space, we might be looking up at them next season. Many complain about the Bills this season, but seeing what's on the horizon I'm going to enjoy the rest of 2025.

We're all fans of the same game, just rooting for different teams. Every fan base has its homers, they're really pretty much the same wherever you go (except Philly).

Well, they did hit on this years draft class and FA's, also have 11 draft picks in 2026 and the most cap space. Vrabel is a great coach and McDaniels is a great OC. Vrabel got TN to the Conf Championship with the #1 seed and Derrick Henry, but couldn't seal the deal. They're not Brady/Hoodie 2.0, they haven't won anything yet.... We're not done yet either, a team like this can get in the playoffs as a WC and do some serious damage. If they win the Div then they get the Div winner schedule though, and we hopefully get an easier one.

I think the Div winners are Buffalo, Denver, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis. So NE's immediate competition is KC, LA, Jacksonville. Even if they win 10, it might not be enough, the margin for error is small. The AFC West has 3 playoff teams by itself. They're relevant, so if that means "back" then I guess they are. They have to prove consistency though. If they win 7 out of the next 8 that they should be favored in, then count me as a believer. Not until then though.

Agreed.... That's where they'll land in the power rankings this week probably. What is real is that they are improving and are on the up, they'll likely improve all year. Maye is looking the part of a franchise QB 100%. I think there's some battles with them coming in the next couple years. 4-13 was nice, but we have to move on now. At least Miami is still wallowing in mediocrity and trending favorably down (the toilet) 😁