Game week thread - Pats at Bills SNF

[Low Positive]

I don't think most of the posters here saying that the Pats are playing well have looked at anything other than the score of last week's game. Here's how that went.

1. Pats win the toss and defer. Carolina drives for a TD on their first possession but misses the XP. 6-0.
2. Pats go 3 and out on the ensuing drive. Punt.
3. Panthers get a first, but get stopped. Punt. RETURNED BY NEW ENGLAND FOR 87 YARDS AND A TD. 7-6
4. Carolina punts agan, but this time our old friend Sam Martin puts it in the EZ.
5. NE has an excellent drive for a TD. This was a good one. 14-6.
6. Carolina drives down to the NE 25. Bryce Young trips and takes a horrible self-inflicted 11-yard sack. They miss the FG.
7. NE uses the short field to get another TD. 21-6.
8. On the next drive, the Panthers punt and Jones pops a 61 YARD PUNT RETURN DOWN TO THE CAR 14. NE TD. 28-6 and Game Over. On this return, three Panthers got their hands on him before Sam Martin tripped him to prevent the TD. Two guys tried to arm tackle him on the sideline instead of shoving him out of bounds. It was a comedy of errors.

If Carolina hadn't missed a chip shop FG and given up 148 yards on punt returns, it would probably have been 14-9 at the half. NE still wins 10 times out of 10, but the lopsided score was a result of Carolina quitting after two special teams blunders. Whatever they do, the Bills need to keep punts away from Jones. In both of NE's wins this year, he's been the difference maker. 

Edited Thursday at 12:33 AM by Low Positive

[gonzo1105]

I wonder what the former teammate love ratio will be for Mack Hollins compared to Stefon Diggs in pregame on Sunday. 

[Low Positive]

3 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I wonder what the former teammate love ratio will be for Mack Hollins compared to Stefon Diggs in pregame on Sunday. 

Mack Hollins is gonna step on Benford's chest, isn't he?

[stevestojan]

7 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

I don't think most of the posters here saying that the Pats are playing well have looked at anything other than the score of last week's game. Here's how that went.

1. Pats win the toss and defer. Carolina drives for a TD on their first possession but misses the XP. 6-0.
2. Pats go 3 and out on the ensuing drive. Punt.
3. Panthers get a first, but get stopped. Punt. RETURNED BY NEW ENGLAND FOR 87 YARDS AND A TD. 7-6
4. Carolina punts agan, but this time our old friend Sam Martin puts it in the EZ.
5. NE has an excellent drive for a TD. This was a good one. 14-6.
6. Carolina drives down to the NE 25. Bryce Young trips and takes a horrible self-inflicted 11-yard sack. They miss the FG.
7. NE uses the short field to get another TD. 21-6.
8. On the next drive, the Panthers punt and Jones pops a 61 YARD PUNT RETURN DOWN TO THE CAR 14. NE TD. 28-6 and Game Over. On this return, three Panthers got their hands on him before Sam Martin tripped him to prevent the TD. Two guys tried to arm tackle him on the sideline instead of shoving him out of bounds. It was a comedy of errors.

If Carolina hadn't missed a chip shop FG and given up 148 yards on punt returns, it would probably have been 14-9 at the half. NE still wins 10 times out of 10, but the lopsided score was a result of Carolina quitting after two special teams blunders. Whatever they do, the Bills need to keep punts away from Jones. In both of NE's wins this year, he's been the difference maker. 

Thanks for the breakdown. Looks like special teams needs to be on their A game. Or just don’t punt. 

[Bills!Win!]

In my honest opinion, I don’t think most of these players are injured as we think they are. I believe that McDermott is just so tired of having injuries in the playoffs that he’s going to play it conservative the whole year.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Anyone advocate just kicking it out of the endzone this week????

I think if we get up a few scores early I would just kick it into the endzone 

Our defense is terrible between the 20's anyways. 15 yards added to their drive starts probably is not going to make much difference.

 

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, boyst said:

Vrabels ceiling is a 10 win team. Maybe 11-12 if the football gods give him a good schedule and he doesn't get his guys injured.

 

11-12 wins are not going to win the division unless somehow they beat the Bills twice.

 

So "ceiling" means the best you're capable of.  Is that how you're using the word?

Factually, Vrabel coached Titans had 11 wins in 2020 and 12 wins in 2021.  So there isn't a "maybe" about it.

Any coach is going to struggle if his guys get injured.

Vrabel's main problem in Tenn was the team hitching their wagon to Tannehill at QB.

 

 

[WideNine]

1 hour ago, RunTheBall said:

Vrabel only had success against us because he had Henry. I think he’s a good coach, but he doesn’t have a Gold Jacket running back, he’s got fumbling Stevenson. Vrabel is also a colossal dick head, and he’s going to FEED Diggs big time, so we should be prepared for that. Remember their attempt at the Home Run Throw Forward play with the Titans? I hate all things Pats*, I don’t care that they’ve been an afterthought for years. Biggest bandwagon fans in the NFL, you haven’t heard a PEEP from them in 5 years. Now all of a sudden they’ve got a QB with potential and it’s like Baby Goat all over again. I hope we put up a 50 burger on them and run up the score.

 

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong I like your spirit and hate the Patriots as much as anyone.

 

That being said, I don't think teams need a gold jacket RB like Henry to run on this squad when backup running backs named Miller are breaking 5 weak tackle attempts on their way to the EZ.

 

Pretty weak showing against the run last week and all I can say is this is a very up and down defense we have. Seems like they focus and pour it on a bit more after a rough week of their film review and remedial tackling practice.

 

I do expect a more motivated squad to stick their tackles this week.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 01:12 AM by WideNine

[Rubes]

19 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Anyone advocate just kicking it out of the endzone this week????

I think if we get up a few scores early I would just kick it into the endzone 

Our defense is terrible between the 20's anyways. 15 yards added to their drive starts probably is not going to make much difference.

 

 

I really think that if our defense can hold them to FGs instead of TDs, we win it going away. (Though, honestly, that pretty much applies any week.)

 

[Goin Breakdown]

26 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Anyone advocate just kicking it out of the endzone this week????

I think if we get up a few scores early I would just kick it into the endzone 

Our defense is terrible between the 20's anyways. 15 yards added to their drive starts probably is not going to make much difference.

 

We're not going to go up by a few scores at any point in this game. Maybe a few points but that's it. 

[co_springs_billsfan]

1 hour ago, Low Positive said:

I don't think most of the posters here saying that the Pats are playing well have looked at anything other than the score of last week's game. Here's how that went.

1. Pats win the toss and defer. Carolina drives for a TD on their first possession but misses the XP. 6-0.
2. Pats go 3 and out on the ensuing drive. Punt.
3. Panthers get a first, but get stopped. Punt. RETURNED BY NEW ENGLAND FOR 87 YARDS AND A TD. 7-6
4. Carolina punts agan, but this time our old friend Sam Martin puts it in the EZ.
5. NE has an excellent drive for a TD. This was a good one. 14-6.
6. Carolina drives down to the NE 25. Bryce Young trips and takes a horrible self-inflicted 11-yard sack. They miss the FG.
7. NE uses the short field to get another TD. 21-6.
8. On the next drive, the Panthers punt and Jones pops a 61 YARD PUNT RETURN DOWN TO THE CAR 14. NE TD. 28-6 and Game Over. On this return, three Panthers got their hands on him before Sam Martin tripped him to prevent the TD. Two guys tried to arm tackle him on the sideline instead of shoving him out of bounds. It was a comedy of errors.

If Carolina hadn't missed a chip shop FG and given up 148 yards on punt returns, it would probably have been 14-9 at the half. NE still wins 10 times out of 10, but the lopsided score was a result of Carolina quitting after two special teams blunders. Whatever they do, the Bills need to keep punts away from Jones. In both of NE's wins this year, he's been the difference maker. 

I'll also add the Panthers' first four drives all entered New England territory, and they generated 6 points off it.

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, Boo Radley Boston said:

Mayes 2025 numbers are akin to Allens and the Pats schedule isnt tough - Saints, Browns, Titans, Falcons the next 4 post SNF.

 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayeDr00.htm

 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJo02.htm

Thanks for proving my point. I too can google 4 weeks of stats. I’m just not delusional enough to believe that a pretty good QB, with a 5-11 record, looks like the world’s best player, reigning MVP who also happens to be +100 to be the MVP again. Lol, that’s EXACTLY the craziness that I’m talking about. 

[Beck Water]

5 hours ago, stevewin said:

No tape or brace/stabilizer on the ankle that I can see

 

Looks a little gimpy and ginger about it to me.

38 minutes ago, Goin Breakdown said:

We're not going to go up by a few scores at any point in this game. Maybe a few points but that's it. 

 

Huh.

 

Well, time will tell.

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

I wonder what the former teammate love ratio will be for Mack Hollins compared to Stefon Diggs in pregame on Sunday. 

 

Now that is an interesting question.

Diggs has been "meh" until last week.  57, 32, 23 ypg.  Against Carolina, went off for 6 receptions and 101 yds.  

 

It wasn't just one fluky mistake, either, had 3 receptions of 33,22,30 yds along with some short throws.

Edited Thursday at 02:04 AM by Beck Water

[PoundingDog]

4 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

wonder what the former teammate love ratio will be for Mack Hollins compared to Stefon Diggs in pregame on Sunday. 

Hollins might be the most dangerous man from the entire NE team. He knows Bills offense very well. Probably spilled all the beans to help their defense. He also knows the Bills ST very well, and very likely help them IDing the kickoff and punt coverage schemes and personnel.

[Richard Noggin]

17 minutes ago, PoundingDog said:

Hollins might be the most dangerous man from the entire NE team. He knows Bills offense very well. Probably spilled all the beans to help their defense. He also knows the Bills ST very well, and very likely help them IDing the kickoff and punt coverage schemes and personnel.

 

New STs coach for Buff 86s most of what Hollins can offer for intel. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, Low Positive said:

I don't think most of the posters here saying that the Pats are playing well have looked at anything other than the score of last week's game. Here's how that went.

1. Pats win the toss and defer. Carolina drives for a TD on their first possession but misses the XP. 6-0.
2. Pats go 3 and out on the ensuing drive. Punt.
3. Panthers get a first, but get stopped. Punt. RETURNED BY NEW ENGLAND FOR 87 YARDS AND A TD. 7-6
4. Carolina punts agan, but this time our old friend Sam Martin puts it in the EZ.
5. NE has an excellent drive for a TD. This was a good one. 14-6.
6. Carolina drives down to the NE 25. Bryce Young trips and takes a horrible self-inflicted 11-yard sack. They miss the FG.
7. NE uses the short field to get another TD. 21-6.
8. On the next drive, the Panthers punt and Jones pops a 61 YARD PUNT RETURN DOWN TO THE CAR 14. NE TD. 28-6 and Game Over. On this return, three Panthers got their hands on him before Sam Martin tripped him to prevent the TD. Two guys tried to arm tackle him on the sideline instead of shoving him out of bounds. It was a comedy of errors.

If Carolina hadn't missed a chip shop FG and given up 148 yards on punt returns, it would probably have been 14-9 at the half. NE still wins 10 times out of 10, but the lopsided score was a result of Carolina quitting after two special teams blunders. Whatever they do, the Bills need to keep punts away from Jones. In both of NE's wins this year, he's been the difference maker. 

oh, don’t worry. The Bills are known for their excellent special teams play. 
 

[Scott7975]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Is it just me or have Pats fans replaced the Dolphins fans for the most delusional in the division? They are swearing that they have a shot at the division. They believe Maye is in the conversation with Allen. 
 

They have taken steps for sure. They’re still an 8.5 underdog. @HappyDays provided an interesting way to look at spreads last week. The Pats are +350 to win the game. The Bills are only +336 to win by 20.5!! There are levels to this. 

 

I mean, if I were a pats fan I would feel pretty good. They haven't beaten anybody significant and they have a very soft schedule, but there are things to like. I think Maye is going to be good and has been playing well. Probably not Josh Allen elite but I think he will be good. Vrabel is a good coach and we know he is going to build a physical team. They have explosive special teams. Solid D. There is a lot to like about that team. Taking the division? I don't think so this year at least.

 

They did the same thing when they thought Macaroni and Cheese was the next Brady. That was delusional.

 

I'm not worried about them but I expect a tough game out of them.

Edited Thursday at 04:22 AM by Scott7975

[Scott7975]

3 hours ago, Low Positive said:

Mack Hollins is gonna step on Benford's chest, isn't he?

 

Will he be barefoot though?

[MarkMiller]

9 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

 

I mean, if I were a pats fan I would feel pretty good. They haven't beaten anybody significant and they have a very soft schedule, but there are things to like. I think Maye is going to be good and has been playing well. Probably not Josh Allen elite but I think he will be good. Vrabel is a good coach and we know he is going to build a physical team. They have explosive special teams. Solid D. There is a lot to like about that team. Taking the division? I don't think so this year at least.

 

They did the same thing when they thought Macaroni and Cheese was the next Brady. That was delusional.

 

I'm not worried about them but I expect a tough game out of them.

“probably not Josh Allen elite” you guys are hilarious. Bills by 14+ on this one.