Keys to Pats v Bills

[PatsFanNH]

Ok from the enemy side trying be rational:

 

Bills:

 

Allen — just needs be the Allen of this year and last year. As long as he doesn’t struggle with accuracy  (which he has a few times this year) the Bills should roll on the Pats D

 

RUN — If he does struggle, just run the football. The Pats literally just gave up almost 200 yards to the 31st rank rushing O.

 

Pats

 

Defense — has to step up big time! No more being gashed on obvious run downs and definitely need play better in the secondary. (I expect Bryant to be picked on again all day)

 

Offense — Run Harris and Stevenson a lot but also do PA Passes on 1st or 2nd and short. They can’t be predictable.

 

 

all and all the Bills should win and it would take a clunker performance by them for the Pats to steal a victory. This is exactly the record I expected for my Pats and I wish they were facing Ann inexperienced Cincy team that could get caught flat footed.

Edited January 10, 2022 by PatsFanNH

[PromoTheRobot]

3 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

Ok from the enemy side trying be rational:

 

Bills:

 

Allen — just needs be the Allen of this year and last year. As long as he doesn’t struggle with accuracy  (which he has a few times this year) the Bills should roll on the Pats D

 

RUN — If he does struggle, just run the football. The Pats literally just gave up almost 200 yards to the 31st rank rushing O.

 

Pats

 

Defense — has to step up big time! No more being gashed on obvious run downs and definitely need play better in the secondary. (I expect Bryant to be picked on again all day)

 

Offense — Run Harris and Stevenson a lot but also do PA Passes on 1st or 2nd and short. They can’t be predictable.

 

 

all and all the Bills should win and it would take a clunker performance by them for the Pats to steal a victory. This is exactly the record I expected for my Pats and I wish they were facing Ann inexperienced Cincy team that could get caught flat footed.

 

I'm not as down on Mac Jones as most. I think he'll be pretty good eventually. But he's not that QB right now. 

[PatsFanNH]

Just now, PromoTheRobot said:

 

I'm not as down on Mac Jones as most. I think he'll be pretty good eventually. But he's not that QB right now. 

He also doesn’t have a true #1 WR. I mean Meyers would be what? A third option in Buffalo? (I love Meyers but he isn’t a true top WR)

[Big Turk]

12 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

Ok from the enemy side trying be rational:

 

Bills:

 

Allen — just needs be the Allen of this year and last year. As long as he doesn’t struggle with accuracy  (which he has a few times this year) the Bills should roll on the Pats D

 

RUN — If he does struggle, just run the football. The Pats literally just gave up almost 200 yards to the 31st rank rushing O.

 

Pats

 

Defense — has to step up big time! No more being gashed on obvious run downs and definitely need play better in the secondary. (I expect Bryant to be picked on again all day)

 

Offense — Run Harris and Stevenson a lot but also do PA Passes on 1st or 2nd and short. They can’t be predictable.

 

 

all and all the Bills should win and it would take a clunker performance by them for the Pats to steal a victory. This is exactly the record I expected for my Pats and I wish they were facing Ann inexperienced Cincy team that could get caught flat footed.

 

Key to the Pats is to try and hide Mac Jones as long as possible.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Big Turk

[PatsFanNH]

Just now, Big Turk said:

 

Key to the Pats it to try and hide Mac Jones as long as possible.

Possibly. I doubt it but I am sure if Harris and Stevenson are getting 4-6 yards a carry you won’t see many passes. 

[Jerome007]

Of course it all depends... on the weather. Supposedly heavy snow expected but it can change till then. I don't mind a repeat of the MNF... with a different outcome!

[FLFan]

11 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

He also doesn’t have a true #1 WR. I mean Meyers would be what? A third option in Buffalo? (I love Meyers but he isn’t a true top WR)

He is not a true number one but I love his game.  He would look great in the slot in Buffalo.  I would love the Bills to take a run at him with a solid RFA offer.  I expect the Pats will fight to keep him.

Edited January 10, 2022 by FLFan

[Blainorama5]

I think it's been pretty well proven at this point ... if you can get an early lead on the Pats, Mac struggles to bring them back.  Think the way the Pats are built right now is to play with a lead - where they can just run, run, run.

 

I think the Bills will have their hands full in this one, but if they get a 2 score lead, I would expect the pass rush / defense to just be too much for Mac.  He should eventually be a decent QB, but he's just not there yet.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

the key to me is tackling for buffalo.  Keep them in tougher downs and distances and keep them on the NE side of the field - don't let them have any big plays in the run game and force them into punts and FGs.  

 

the key to NE is takeaways.  They need to win the turnover battle in this one so i expect them to try and rip out every ball they can, and to try some different zone looks to try and get an allen mistake or two.  

[PatsFanNH]

2 minutes ago, FLFan said:

He is not a true number one but I love his game.  He would look great in the slot in Buffalo.  I would love the Bills to take a run at him with a solid RFA offer.  I expect the Pats will fight to keep him.

Oh in that role he would be devastating in Buffalo.  Right now he is doing IMO amazing considering he usually gets CB 1 of every team.  I wasn’t knocking him! Just saying he isn’t be used in the right role in NE right now.  IMO also makes it harder to  get an accurate fee on Jones. (For example he threw an out pass and no one was there.. they showed the replay and 2 WR ran the exact same route. Ugh.. Made me wonder how many times does this happen and we don’t see it?

[PromoTheRobot]

18 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

He also doesn’t have a true #1 WR. I mean Meyers would be what? A third option in Buffalo? (I love Meyers but he isn’t a true top WR)

 

But Mac also doesn't have the arm or body strength to make throws. That could change in the future. But he can't do it now. He is the definition of a game manager and needs to be carried by his team.

[PatsFanNH]

4 minutes ago, Blainorama5 said:

I think it's been pretty well proven at this point ... if you can get an early lead on the Pats, Mac struggles to bring them back.  Think the way the Pats are built right now is to play with a lead - where they can just run, run, run.

 

I think the Bills will have their hands full in this one, but if they get a 2 score lead, I would expect the pass rush / defense to just be too much for Mac.  He should eventually be a decent QB, but he's just not there yet.

That has yet to be proven wrong. I will give Mac credit for not crumbling though. Every game, even when he struggled, he brought them back in the fourth. (Indy, Miami yesterday for example) what hasn’t happened this year is the D can’t get that one more stop to give him the chance to win the game in the last 2 minutes.. I am harder on the D because they are SUPPOSE to be the strength of the team and they should be able come up with a stop when momentum is on your side, like it was in Indy.

[BillsPride12]

12 minutes ago, Jerome007 said:

Of course it all depends... on the weather. Supposedly heavy snow expected but it can change till then. I don't mind a repeat of the MNF... with a different outcome!

Where are you seeing heavy snow?  Everything I have seen so far is saying a light snowfall.  Heavy snowfall does give an advantage to NE unfortunately.  But I'm also hoping McDermott learned from his mistakes in the first Pats game

[PatsFanNH]

3 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

But Mac also doesn't have the arm or body strength to make throws. That could change in the future. But he can't do it now. He is the definition of a game manager and needs to be carried by his team.

Isn’t that true for most rookie QBs? Not the arm strength but needing be carried by their team?  That’s why I am harder on the veteran D than the O which has 2 New TE, 2 New WR, 2 Rookies starting on it.  My expectations were low for the O and expecting the D steal games. 

3 minutes ago, BillsPride12 said:

Where are you seeing heavy snow?  Everything I have seen so far is saying a light snowfall.  Heavy snowfall does give an advantage to NE unfortunately.  But I'm also hoping McDermott learned from his mistakes in the first Pats game

I disagree, as Brady said snow makes it harder on corners who are more likely to slip because they don’t know where they are going. (Wind makes the difference in snows whipping snow makes it miserable for everyone)

[NewEra]

21 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

He also doesn’t have a true #1 WR. I mean Meyers would be what? A third option in Buffalo? (I love Meyers but he isn’t a true top WR)

Instead, they decided to sign 2 #1 TEs.  One of which played less than 50% of their snaps.  I fully expected them to run 2TE sets 80%+ of the time, pound the rock and play action every pass play.  
 

does Jonnu just kind of suck?  It was so strange in Tennessee.  He was clearly the most talented TE but the titans would often go to Firkser and Swaim.  Attitude of playbook comprehension issues?  Idk, his usage (of lack there) is strange.  Why pay a TE that much money to play less than half the snaps?

[78thealltimegreat]

If Mac Jones has to pass alot he will throw it to the Bills at least twice

 

All Josh needs is to not be is Superman Josh let his teammates make plays this is big boy time and it’s time they earn their money 

[Matt_In_NH]

Game plan matters...other than that stay disciplined and dont turn the ball over.

[oldmanfan]

The Bills have to stop the run and make Jones have to try and beat them.  

[Ghost_002!]

47 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

Ok from the enemy side trying be rational:

 

Bills:

 

Allen — just needs be the Allen of this year and last year. As long as he doesn’t struggle with accuracy  (which he has a few times this year) the Bills should roll on the Pats D

 

RUN — If he does struggle, just run the football. The Pats literally just gave up almost 200 yards to the 31st rank rushing O.

 

Pats

 

Defense — has to step up big time! No more being gashed on obvious run downs and definitely need play better in the secondary. (I expect Bryant to be picked on again all day)

 

Offense — Run Harris and Stevenson a lot but also do PA Passes on 1st or 2nd and short. They can’t be predictable.

 

 

all and all the Bills should win and it would take a clunker performance by them for the Pats to steal a victory. This is exactly the record I expected for my Pats and I wish they were facing Ann inexperienced Cincy team that could get caught flat footed.

 

 

My exact thought. Honestly believe the Pats have no business winning this game. This is their ceiling just getting to the playoffs. Didn't expect them to win a playoff game. Maybe would of had a chance against cincy.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Ghost_002!

[PatsFanNH]

Just now, NewEra said:

Instead, they decided to sign 2 #1 TEs.  One of which played less than 50% of their snaps.  I fully expected them to run 2TE sets 80%+ of the time, pound the rock and play action every pass play.  
 

does Jonnu just kind of suck?  It was so strange in Tennessee.  He was clearly the most talented TE but the titans would often go to Firkser and Swaim.  Attitude of playbook comprehension issues?  Idk, his usage (of lack there) is strange.  Why pay a TE that much money to play less than half the snaps?

overall I say the FA on O and D were good. Bourne is a solid 2 WR, Henry is a beast in the red zone and Macs security blanket, Brown when healthy is a top RT. (Add in Meyers and it’s a fun group missing that one dynamic player make the difference. IMO) Judon was worth every penny on D, and Baremore I think will be special that was drafted. 
 

They benched Smith for awhile because he was destroying Jones confidence with BAD drops. He had a couple that went threw his hands for picks, the worst one is when he literally bopped it up in the air and looked like he handed it to the CB. 
 

they been playing him more lately but his hands are still like stone, and add in Harry who can’t get open or run the right route (I have never seen a vet get chewed out by a rookie before.. but Mac chewed out Harry yesterday.)  

 

 

[buffaloboyinATL]

Key #1 - weather?

[Ghost_002!]

7 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

overall I say the FA on O and D were good. Bourne is a solid 2 WR, Henry is a beast in the red zone and Macs security blanket, Brown when healthy is a top RT. (Add in Meyers and it’s a fun group missing that one dynamic player make the difference. IMO) Judon was worth every penny on D, and Baremore I think will be special that was drafted. 
 

They benched Smith for awhile because he was destroying Jones confidence with BAD drops. He had a couple that went threw his hands for picks, the worst one is when he literally bopped it up in the air and looked like he handed it to the CB. 
 

they been playing him more lately but his hands are still like stone, and add in Harry who can’t get open or run the right route (I have never seen a vet get chewed out by a rookie before.. but Mac chewed out Harry yesterday.)  

 

 

 

 

Yea, BB offensive philosophy has always been to have a two TE set. He loved it when he had Gronk n Hernandez and you can see how that created problems. He has always wanted to duplicate that. He has never been big on getting a top wide out at that position. The Moss, ABs, Ochos...were the exception given who was at QB at the time.

 

Sure would like him to change that thought process though...(cool w the 2 TE set, just want a big play out wide as well)

[Big Turk]

The key for the Pats is the Bills not playing to their potential.  If they play to their potential the Pats have 0 chance to win this game.

[PatsFanNH]

3 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

The key for the Pats is the Bills not playing to their potential.  If they play to their potential the Pats have 0 chance to win this game.

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! 

[Lieutenant Aldo Raine]

The first key is the Bill's ability to tackle and force New England into 3rd and Longs.  If New England is able to control time of possession and effectively run the ball, dink and dunk, and keep Allen on the bench, the Bills have an uphill battle. 

 

The second key is to be effective in the Red Zone.  If the Bills can get up on top quickly and neutralize the Pats running game, the Bills should have the advantage.

 

Lastly, the Bills need a balanced attack. 

Edited January 10, 2022 by Lieutenant Aldo Raine

[Hapless Bills Fan]

26 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Instead, they decided to sign 2 #1 TEs.  One of which played less than 50% of their snaps.  I fully expected them to run 2TE sets 80%+ of the time, pound the rock and play action every pass play.  
 

does Jonnu just kind of suck?  It was so strange in Tennessee.  He was clearly the most talented TE but the titans would often go to Firkser and Swaim.  Attitude of playbook comprehension issues?  Idk, his usage (of lack there) is strange.  Why pay a TE that much money to play less than half the snaps?

 

I don’t know what Jonnu’s issues may be but he made an absolute CIRCUS catch for Mac in the first Buffalo game

[RunTheBall]

What’s up with Duggar and Barmore? If those guys are out idk if Pats* have a realistic chance without a Bills offensive meltdown.

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don’t know what Jonnu’s issues may be but he made an absolute CIRCUS catch for Mac in the first Buffalo game

Yeah, his first pass.  That was crazy.  

[PatsFanNH]

5 minutes ago, RunTheBall said:

What’s up with Duggar and Barmore? If those guys are out idk if Pats* have a realistic chance without a Bills offensive meltdown.

Dugger has a hand issue he should play. Baremore I am more worried about he couldn’t put any pressure on that leg when he left the game.  I think Baremore going to be a beast in this league… 

17 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don’t know what Jonnu’s issues may be but he made an absolute CIRCUS catch for Mac in the first Buffalo game

For everyone of those he has 4 drops that hit him in the numbers.. (exaggerating) he just been highly inconsistent this year. 

[CincyBillsFan]

42 minutes ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

All Josh needs is to not be is Superman Josh let his teammates make plays this is big boy time and it’s time they earn their money 

As an aside and it hasn't generated much discussion but Allen pulled off a lateral to Knox for a first down yesterday.  It was a great play reminiscent of that Texan playoff game.

 

The fact is we have to get used to Allen superman plays.  They will always be there and most will work. We just can't freak out when the occasional one backfires.  Life is rarely about having our cake and eating it to.

 

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

Dugger has a hand issue he should play. Baremore I am more worried about he couldn’t put any pressure on that leg when he left the game.  I think Baremore going to be a beast in this league… 

For everyone of those he has 4 drops that hit him in the numbers.. (exaggerating) he just been highly inconsistent this year. 

 

He’s been scored as having 4 drops total on 45 targets, so Yes.

 

It may look like more because in the sampling I’ve seen, Mac Jones does seem to expect (and receive) circus catches from his guys on a pretty regular basis.

[NewEra]

32 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

overall I say the FA on O and D were good. Bourne is a solid 2 WR, Henry is a beast in the red zone and Macs security blanket, Brown when healthy is a top RT. (Add in Meyers and it’s a fun group missing that one dynamic player make the difference. IMO) Judon was worth every penny on D, and Baremore I think will be special that was drafted. 
 

They benched Smith for awhile because he was destroying Jones confidence with BAD drops. He had a couple that went threw his hands for picks, the worst one is when he literally bopped it up in the air and looked like he handed it to the CB. 
 

they been playing him more lately but his hands are still like stone, and add in Harry who can’t get open or run the right route (I have never seen a vet get chewed out by a rookie before.. but Mac chewed out Harry yesterday.)  

 

 

I love Bourne.  He’s a nice target with rac ability.  
 

Just strange that they would pay 2 TEs top dollar and to get the production that they did out of them, which wasn’t much except Henry in the red zone.  
 

jonnu 28-294-1-

9 rushes 40 yards 0 TD. 
12.5M per year with no possible out til after the 3rd year of the deal 

 

henry 50-603-9

[stinky finger]

1 hour ago, PatsFanNH said:

He also doesn’t have a true #1 WR. I mean Meyers would be what? A third option in Buffalo? (I love Meyers but he isn’t a true top WR)

 
PS

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

26 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don’t know what Jonnu’s issues may be but he made an absolute CIRCUS catch for Mac in the first Buffalo game

Spends a lot of time blocking id assume 

[Freddie's Dead]

I predict a long day for Mac Jones.  Frazier gonna dial up some ***** that MacHeath hasn't seen yet.  "That cement is just...it's there for the weight, dear...."

[Solomon Grundy]

If I’m on the Bills coaching staff, I’m putting something on the field Belichick has never seen. My receivers will be Diggs, Sanders, Davis. I’d line McKenzie in the backfield on occasion and use him as a receiving threat out of the backfield. The quick throws to McKenzie/Motor out of the backfield early will have Belichick pulling his hair out. Bills have to dictate matchup problems to the Patriots. No LB can cover McKenzie. Would have to bring in another DB, would help run game. 

[Big Turk]

35 minutes ago, Lieutenant Aldo Raine said:

The first key is the Bill's ability to tackle and force New England into 3rd and Longs.  If New England is able to control time of possession and effectively run the ball, dink and dunk, and keep Allen on the bench, the Bills have an uphill battle. 

 

The second key is to be effective in the Red Zone.  If the Bills can get up on top quickly and neutralize the Pats running game, the Bills should have the advantage.

 

Lastly, the Bills need a balanced attack. 

 

They didn't even control possession really in the first game. They ran all those times and still only had the ball for 2 minutes more than the Bills.

18 minutes ago, PatsFanNH said:

Dugger has a hand issue he should play. Baremore I am more worried about he couldn’t put any pressure on that leg when he left the game.  I think Baremore going to be a beast in this league… 

For everyone of those he has 4 drops that hit him in the numbers.. (exaggerating) he just been highly inconsistent this year. 

 

Jonnu is super athletic but his football instincts aren't there...he burned us with Tennessee for a 70+ yard TD on a TE screen a few years ago, and you watch that and think he should be one of the best TEs in the NFL with his athletic ability but he just isn't.

[Logic]

One thing I'm curious about:

Where the hell did the Pats pass rush go?

It was pretty non-existent against the Bills in the most recent meeting, but I wrote it off to Belichick asking the d-line to play contain against Allen instead of getting up field. But then the pass rush continued to be non-existent against the Phins, and now I don't know what to think. Add to this the fact that Barmore likely will not play, and this becomes the matchup of the game to me. If Belichick can manufacture a good pass rush and make Allen uncomfortable, the Pats win. If he can't, and it's more of what we've seen the past few weeks, Bills win handily.

[Dont Stop Billeiving]

My Keys to the Game:

 

Bills on Offense- Be ruthless in going after Myles Bryant again as he's the clear weak link in their pass defense. Use Mckenzie and Beasley especially on crossers where they can gain separation and YAC. Keep feeding Singletary as the lead back and use the pin-and-pull runs that have been so effective over the last quarter of the season. 

 

Bills on Defense- Maintain gap integrity and don't overrun the play versus the run. Also, the Bills did a great job limiting Hunter Henry in the last match up (Matt Milano!), but I think he's the key to NE's passing attack. Has been great on third downs and in the red zone, Jones loves hitting the TEs over the middle off of play-action. 

 

Good OP @PatsFanNH, should be an interesting rubber match!

13 minutes ago, Logic said:

One thing I'm curious about:

Where the hell did the Pats pass rush go?

It was pretty non-existent against the Bills in the most recent meeting, but I wrote it off to Belichick asking the d-line to play contain against Allen instead of getting up field. But then the pass rush continued to be non-existent against the Phins, and now I don't know what to think. Add to this the fact that Barmore likely will not play, and this becomes the matchup of the game to me. If Belichick can manufacture a good pass rush and make Allen uncomfortable, the Pats win. If he can't, and it's more of what we've seen the past few weeks, Bills win handily.

Good point...Judon was an absolute monster earlier in the year, but I was surprised by his lack of production and even effort at times in our last meeting and in subsequent games against other opponents. 

 

Always thought Uche was going to be a good one for them as well, but I think he's been hurt a lot. 

[PatsFanNH]

8 minutes ago, Dont Stop Billeiving said:

My Keys to the Game:

 

Bills on Offense- Be ruthless in going after Myles Bryant again as he's the clear weak link in their pass defense. Use Mckenzie and Beasley especially on crossers where they can gain separation and YAC. Keep feeding Singletary as the lead back and use the pin-and-pull runs that have been so effective over the last quarter of the season. 

 

Bills on Defense- Maintain gap integrity and don't overrun the play versus the run. Also, the Bills did a great job limiting Hunter Henry in the last match up (Matt Milano!), but I think he's the key to NE's passing attack. Has been great on third downs and in the red zone, Jones loves hitting the TEs over the middle off of play-action. 

 

Good OP @PatsFanNH, should be an interesting rubber match!

Good point...Judon was an absolute monster earlier in the year, but I was surprised by his lack of production and even effort at times in our last meeting and in subsequent games against other opponents. 

 

Always thought Uche was going to be a good one for them as well, but I think he's been hurt a lot. 

Uche missed most of the year with injury. (He had a few pressures the last couple weeks) Judon got sat for a lot of the game yesterday after getting a stupid roughing the passer penalty that extended a Miami drive. No idea what happened to Judon wouldn’t be shocked if he is somewhat nicked up.