folz Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 (edited) Poor tackling. You can blame Daboll and Josh and the offense all you want. And yes, Josh missed a few plays that were there to be made and took some bad sacks. But they were going up against the best defense in the NFL. A team that is putting up historical numbers. The Pats have held teams to an average of 12.9 points/game. And we scored 17. Did the offense need to be better, yes, but they weren't the main reason for the loss in my mind. A few notes: Josh is only the 2nd quarterback this season (along with Watson) to throw two TD passes against the Pats D; John Brown's TD in the 3rd quarter is the first and only TD Gilmore has given up this year; Beasley is only the 2nd receiver this year to gain 100 yards against the Pats defense. This just in...the Pats D is really good. And the completely unbalanced time of possession in the first three quarters, didn't give the offense many opportunities or a chance to get into a rhythm. The real reason the Bills lost was unusually poor tackling by the defense. There were so many plays where not just the first guy, but then the second guy missed the tackle. They let Michel and Burkhead look like All-Pro backs. So, if you want to blame something, it should be that. Back to fundamentals this week boys. Still, though I'm not taking a moral victory out of this, for the most part, I'm proud of the team. They went in and played hard for 60 minutes. Had a 4th quarter lead and almost pulled the game into a tie at the end, despite being on the road, against the best in the business, and with the refs, let's say, not being friendly towards them. It's disappointing that the team couldn't get over the hump today, but there is no question that this Bills team can play with the big boys in this league. Take each game as experience. There is a lot to learn from this one, in a playoff-type atmosphere, for their future playoff games. Yes, I said games (plural). And hopefully next week they can gain some confidence and momentum against the Jets, and go into the playoffs confident and battle-tested. Go Bills! Edited December 22, 2019 by folz 8 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 I think the tackleing ABSOLUTELY contributed to this Thought Josh also had a tough game......not enough plays but wouldnt you expect that when your going against the patriots defense? Anyway....not enough plays made to win on both sides of the ball.....moving onto the jets 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Stampede Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Tackling was terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Poor fundamental tackling has been one of two huge problems all season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Jax Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Good points by the OP, but I'm pretty sure that they will be resting as many starters as they can next week, as they are locked in to the #5 seed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Pats better 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Almost there 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbomb Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Oline did them no favors, horrible run blocking all game and just like the ravens game completely choked on the final plays and didn’t even give Allen a chance to tie it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyBills Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Tackling has been terrible last 3 weeks. Huge huge problem today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Sack Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Our fundamentals have been poor but so to has been the play of the DTs who never seemed to clog the holes leaving the FB free at the 2nd level to put their pads on our LBs creating huge gaps for their RBs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigK14094 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Time of possession was almost 2:1 Pats....not winning football stats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 12 minutes ago, folz said: Poor tackling. You can blame Daboll and Josh and the offense all you want. And yes, Josh missed a few plays that were there to be made and took some bad sacks. But they were going up against the best defense in the NFL. A team that is putting up historical numbers. The Pats have held teams to an average of 12.9 points/game. And we scored 17. Did the offense need to be better, yes, but they weren't the main reason for the loss in my mind. A few notes: Josh is only the 2nd quarterback this season (along with Watson) to throw two TD passes against the Pats D; John Brown's TD in the 3rd quarter is the first and only TD Gilmore has given up this year; Beasley is only the 2nd receiver this year to gain 100 yards against the Pats defense. This just in...the Pats D is really good. And the completely unbalanced time of possession in the first three quarters, didn't give the offense many opportunities or a chance to get into a rhythm. The real reason the Bills lost was unusually poor tackling by the defense. There were so many plays where not just the first guy, but then the second guy missed the tackle. They let Michel and Burkhead look like All-Pro backs. So, if you want to blame something, it should be that. Back to fundamentals this week boys. Still, though I'm not taking a moral victory out of this, for the most part, I'm proud of the team. They went in and played hard for 60 minutes. Had a 4th quarter lead and almost pulled the game into a tie at the end, despite being on the road, against the best in the business, and with the refs, let's say, not being friendly towards them. It's disappointing that the team couldn't get over the hump today, but there is no question that this Bills team can play with the big boys in this league. Take each game as experience. There is a lot to learn from this one, in a playoff-type atmosphere, for their future playoff games. Yes, I said games (plural). And hopefully next week they can gain some confidence and momentum against the Jets, and go into the playoffs confident and battle-tested. Go Bills! Where I am is I absolutely feel that this was a team loss. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victory Formation Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Poor tackling and TOP. Got to control the clock better. All in all, I think the Bills have the better team except the Patriots have more polish. Ultimately I see the Bills as a team that’s ascending while the Patriots are a team that’s descending. We have a FO and coaching staff that is built to go another 15 years while Brady and Belichick are circling the drain of retirement. I wanted a win here but maybe next year. We need another good draft and offseason. Ultimately I really like Beane and McDermott a lot. Allen is ultra talented just needs some polish. I think our OL could use a couple upgrades too. Good game though. Not deterred, GO BILLS! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 poor fundamentals contributed to it, but a terrible game plan on offense and defense was as much to blame...if not more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Happy Gilmore said: poor fundamentals contributed to it, but a terrible game plan on offense and defense was as much to blame...if not more. That's where I am. Especially defense. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 (edited) I can’t blame the game plan when they didn’t execute. Tackling, Blocking, throwing ... all were below par. Not good enough to win in Foxboro. They need to be better than they were today. Allen missed a lot of throws again. He took sacks too. Edited December 22, 2019 by Bob in STL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Happy Gilmore said: poor fundamentals contributed to it, but a terrible game plan on offense and defense was as much to blame...if not more. they weren’t winning in Foxborough without a lot of breaks going their way Learning experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvbillsfan Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Pre planned is that two words? Thats not the Buffalo defensive game-plan I’ve seen. Rush four and basically let a junior high qb read your defense. Everything was just soft on defense. The coverage, the scheme, the tackling, it all just didn’t look like our team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JinxedBill Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Unapologetic apathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hampton Josh fan Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 This is the same problem they had against the Ravens and NE the first time. We don't deal with pressure well. I know the Bills are not there yet ,but they should be able to either protect Josh better or just dial up some quick hitting throws to give us a chance. If Mackenzie gets one carry a game, why can't Duke play with his size and hands. Sean is a little stubborn about personnel. Also our run blocking was pretty bad today. It's frustrating to play them close and get out-physicalled at crunch time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnbillsbacker Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 2 words: Who cares Rest some starters next week and begin preparing for the Texans now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, row_33 said: they weren’t winning in Foxborough without a lot of breaks going their way Learning experience I really don't know what McD was doing today. He should know the Pats better than this by now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real McClappy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 19 minutes ago, folz said: Poor tackling. YUP! Anyone get the TOP for the game yet? Felt like we had 1 offensive series the 2nd qtr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Just now, Hampton Josh fan said: This is the same problem they had against the Ravens and NE the first time. We don't deal with pressure well. I know the Bills are not there yet ,but they should be able to either protect Josh better or just dial up some quick hitting throws to give us a chance. If Mackenzie gets one carry a game, why can't Duke play with his size and hands. Sean is a little stubborn about personnel. Also our run blocking was pretty bad today. It's frustrating to play them close and get out-physicalled at crunch time. those are two teams that are better than the Bills and proved it Gotta face top teams at some points and face the facts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Just now, wvbillsfan said: Pre planned is that two words? Thats not the Buffalo defensive game-plan I’ve seen. Rush four and basically let a junior high qb read your defense. Everything was just soft on defense. The coverage, the scheme, the tackling, it all just didn’t look like our team Especially because we have been noticeably better recently by blitzing. Yes, Brady can hurt you if you do it too much. But today his receivers would not get huge separation. They weren't going to hurt us by breaking 30 yard plays. The way to beat him is to pressure him. Especially now. And we were soft. Huge mistake IMO. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerome007 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said: poor fundamentals contributed to it, but a terrible game plan on offense and defense was as much to blame...if not more. Terrible? Really? I feel they were outcoached, yes, but the margin wasn't that bad, and they were not "terrible". Josh had brutal inaccuracy until the Knox almost TD catch, and was damn good after. Yeah he did hold the ball too long but besides that he was good after he finally hit the right spots. Even in his long inaccurate phase, at least he read the defense well. He didn't connect but at least made the right decisions. But when guys are open on offense and the D misses tackles, you're going to blame the coaches? Typically Brady is good against blitzes but still, the Bills front four could not generate enough pressure, blitzes had been working the last weeks, I don't understand they did almost zero. I always foam at the mouth when Brady is barely hit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Just now, Happy Gilmore said: I really don't know what McD was doing today. He should know the Pats better than this by now. agreed, whats he going to do, outthink Belichick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Jax Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 5 minutes ago, auburnbillsbacker said: 2 words: Who cares Rest some starters next week and begin preparing for the Texans now. It could be the Chiefs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatloaf63 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 8 minutes ago, Bob in STL said: I can’t blame the game plan when they didn’t execute. Tackling, Blocking, throwing ... all were below par. Not good enough to win in Foxboro. They need to be better than they were today. Allen missed a lot of throws again. He took sacks too. But he didn’t throw INt’s and had us in position to tie at the end... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real McClappy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Just now, H2o said: I'm tired of crying Ref like most. We did get pretty hosed once again. I've accepted the fact we just have to play through them at this point. It's so hard to do with 2 evenly matched teams though. a couple bad spots, weak calls and no calls will always do it. The Bills D just couldn't get off the field today. These non called Brady intentional groundings are so bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Jax Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 5 minutes ago, row_33 said: those are two teams that are better than the Bills and proved it Gotta face top teams at some points and face the facts Mainly because their QBs are better. That is also a fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Real McNasty said: I'm tired of crying Ref like most. We did get pretty hosed once again. I've accepted the fact we just have to play through them at this point. It's so hard to do with 2 evenly matched teams though. a couple bad spots, weak calls and no calls will always do it. The Bills D just couldn't get off the field today. These non called Brady intentional groundings are so bad. Yeah, we did it against Pitt and Dallas, couldn't quite get over the hump against the new darling Ravens or NE. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Jerome007 said: Terrible? Really? I feel they were outcoached, yes, but the margin wasn't that bad, and they were not "terrible". Josh had brutal inaccuracy until the Knox almost TD catch, and was damn good after. Yeah he did hold the ball too long but besides that he was good after he finally hit the right spots. Even in his long inaccurate phase, at least he read the defense well. He didn't connect but at least made the right decisions. But when guys are open on offense and the D misses tackles, you're going to blame the coaches? Typically Brady is good against blitzes but still, the Bills front four could not generate enough pressure, blitzes had been working the last weeks, I don't understand they did almost zero. I always foam at the mouth when Brady is barely hit. Like I mentioned, fundamentals (poor tackling, errant passes, etc) were part of the problem, but so was coaching, especially on defense. We brought no pressure against Brady, who is vulnerable to it up the middle. No stunting. I didn't even see the defensive line putting their hands in the air to bat down Brady's passes on a consistent basis. Our run game sucked, the Pats have been vulnerable against the run and we did not take advantage of it. It was a team loss, coaching included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real McClappy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Meatloaf63 said: But he didn’t throw INt’s and had us in position to tie at the end... The QB sneak on 1st and goal from the 8 before the 2min warning was so damn lame. Allen - 250yds, 2TDs and 0 turnovers today has won us alot of games this year. Our stellar D was only middle of the pack today. Edited December 22, 2019 by Real McNasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatloaf63 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Just now, Real McNasty said: The QB sneak on 1st and goal from the 8 before the 2min warning was so damn lame. Allen - 250yds, 2TDs and 0 turnovers today has won us alot of games this year. Our stellar D was only middle of the pack today. God I hated that call!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 7 minutes ago, row_33 said: agreed, whats he going to do, outthink Belichick? McD is a long way from outthinking BB. I do hope he gets there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zow2 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Yeah tackling was horrible. Not to quibble, but the offense scored 14. Poyer, Hyde and Hauschka combined for the other 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Just now, Real McNasty said: The QB sneak on 1st and goal from the 8 before the 2min warning was so damn lame. Allen - 250yds, 2TDs and 0 turnovers today has won us alot of games this year. Our stellar D was only middle of the pack today. So lame. Inside the three? Sure. But not at the 8. That's been a lousy call all year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnbillsbacker Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, John in Jax said: It could be the Chiefs... It could be, but the Texans are more likely to be the Bills opponent and we might as well start preparing for someone. Game planning for the Jets accomplished nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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