Looking ahead to the Patriots rematch.

[WhiskyBreath]

Pats have played well and their coaches have done a terrific job -- they deserve credit for that.  However, they have played a pretty soft schedule and have not been plagued by crippling injuries to key players.

 

At present, the Bills have Ed Oliver, Michael Hoecht, Landon Jackson, Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and Curtis Samuel on IR, among others.  They have also lost folks like Matt Milano, Terrell Bernard, and Dalton Kincaid for significant stretches.

 

We certainly have had issues getting the team prepared for games against "weak" opponents, but in a long season every team has a few games where they under-perform.  So, it is not just coaching, injuries have been pretty devastating for the Bills.

 

All that said, it is time to buckle down, beginning with the Bengals, who are suddenly looking rather good.  We better not sleepwalk this one!

[Jrb1979]

38 minutes ago, WhiskyBreath said:

Pats have played well and their coaches have done a terrific job -- they deserve credit for that.  However, they have played a pretty soft schedule and have not been plagued by crippling injuries to key players.

 

At present, the Bills have Ed Oliver, Michael Hoecht, Landon Jackson, Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and Curtis Samuel on IR, among others.  They have also lost folks like Matt Milano, Terrell Bernard, and Dalton Kincaid for significant stretches.

 

We certainly have had issues getting the team prepared for games against "weak" opponents, but in a long season every team has a few games where they under-perform.  So, it is not just coaching, injuries have been pretty devastating for the Bills.

 

All that said, it is time to buckle down, beginning with the Bengals, who are suddenly looking rather good.  We better not sleepwalk this one!

I disagree with the weak schedule nonsense. Outside of 3 games,  they have the same schedule as the Bills. 

[Avisan]

11 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

I disagree with the weak schedule nonsense. Outside of 3 games,  they have the same schedule as the Bills. 

Those are a pretty big 3 games in difference, though, and with anyone other than Hochuli reffing we very probably win that first matchup even with the turnovers

[mjt328]

2 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

I disagree with the weak schedule nonsense. Outside of 3 games,  they have the same schedule as the Bills. 

 

Not nonsense. Those three games are significant.

- Bills get AFC champion Chiefs.  Patriots get Raiders, arguably the worst team in the league.

- Bills get Texans, best defense in NFL.  Patriots get Titans, only team probably worse than above.

- Bills get Super Bowl champion Eagles.  Patriots get 2-win Giants with rookie QB and interim HC.

 

Also:

- Bills got the Ravens at full strength.  Patriots will get version with Lamar Jackson on one-leg.

- Bills get Bengals at full strength.  Patriots got them without Joe Burrow or Jamar Chase.

 

The Patriots best win of the season was against us... probably the most lopsided penalty fest in the NFL this year.  And they barely escaped with a 3-point victory.  We will see about the rematch.  It may be a longshot for us to come back and win the division.  But if we win that game, the margin will be pretty close.

 

Yes, the Bills blew a cake schedule this season.  No excuses.  But the Patriots have a HISTORICALLY weak slate of opponents.  If the AFC East comes down to Week 18 or a tiebreaker, nobody can say these differences didn't play a factor.