Patriots @ Bills open thread
It's not going to be easy up there in the Great White North (well, almost).
I think the Pats need to establish a run, control the clock, and pick their spots throwing.
The also have to stop the run, and prevent Buffalo from a quick start like they had in Miami.
Post your comments as we go along.
Here we go ... GO PATS!
posted by Tom Masse @ 1:01 PM
28 comments
28 Comments:
Three-and-out for both teams. Defensive battle coming? Probably with the weather conditions. Anyone catch who has the wind in this quarter?
This is not a good start at all. The Bills are 31st against the run, and the Patriots O line can't block anyone.
Still don't know for sure which way the wind is blowing, but with that long pass, I'd have to say it's at the Bills back.
Randy Cross, who has been involved in NFL football for a couple dozen years, still doesn't know that when a whistle is blown before the snap, 99.9 percent of the time, it's a false start. "It looks like the Patriots were offside," he says.
That's a great defensive series in the red zone. You see what pressure on the quarterback results in.
That interception isn't just a bad throw, isn't just being in the right place at the right time. It was the Patriots doing their jobs, forcing the opponent into a bad situation and making the play.
That is Patriots defensive football over the last few years, something we haven't seen this year at all.
The O Line figured out how to pass block, at least. Let's see if they try to run again.
Excellent drive off the turnover. Good to get on the board first -- and with a TD, not an FG. I think Brady will be fine, whatever this little injury is. Brady's probably the leading rusher right now.
That said, Buffalo will probably really try to come after him now, so the running backs are going to have to find a way to start doing something.
Defense is playing great against this horrible, horrible team.
How about that first-down pickup by a limping Tom Brady. How great is this guy?
Doug Flutie in relief? Wouldn't it be great for him to put in a tremendous performance against Buffalo?
That is just about the worst call in NFL history. A crackback block on Brady? He was right in front of the guy and his arm partly wrapped around the guy's waist! I REALLY hope someone apologizes for that one. Of course, it nullifies a great play, which would have resulted in a first down, and the Pats end up punting. That's a turnover directly credited to the officiating crew.
Another fantastic drive, sparked on several plays by Brady (3rd down run, then moving in the pocket ad taking the hit to get the ball to Branch), a great catch by Branch, and a nice capper by Dillon. This is how the Patriots offense has to play for the next 4-plus weeks.
Good thing there was a hold on that return. New England hasn't been very special on special teams. THAT will have to be addressed before the playoffs, for sure.
Bill Corollo is having a horrible game, probably worse than Losman. That is the second absolutely atrocious call in this game. I mean, these aren't "bad" calls. They're inexcusable, especially for someone with a record like Corollo. Someone should demonstrate blow to the head on Corollo, so he knows what it means.
Another very good defensive series, despite Bill Corollo.
Shame they ended the half like that. Bad pass by Brady. Bad indecision by Givens to just kinda let it happen. A momentum swinger? Probably not, but that would have likely made Buffalo crack.
Nick pick by Hobbs. Great second half of the season. Nullifies Brady's mistake from the last seriese.
With the exception of the two Brady interceptions, the offense is moving and scoring at will. Another great drive, and another 7 points. It could easily be 28-0. And the defense is playing like a Patriots defense. REMEMBER: This is just the Bills. Don't get overly excited.
One week spot: kickoff coverage. Been terrible.
Corollo's crew with another bad call. First, Poteat looked back at the last second. Second, the ball hit him in the back when he got to the receiver. That's not pass interference.
It wouldn't have been devastating had Lindell made that field goal, but it's nice that the shutout, thus far, is preserved. Buffalo is maintaining their futility in the red zone, 0-2 today, and the Pats defensive red zone numbers continue to get better.
CBS and Kevin Harlan. They're watching the guy clean off the yard lines, and Harlan sounds like he's never seen any such thing before. "He's made his way from the goal line out to the the 30," Harlan says. I'm surprise Randy Cross didn't say, "Yeah, he has quite a drive going."
Another nice, lengthy drive capped by a Brady to Fauria touchdown. Seems like so long since I've said that, eh? 28-0, with 8 minutes left. Game is over. Time to turn it over to the 2nd string and prevent risking any further damage to Brady and keep Dillon healthy too. By the way, Dillon has more than 100 yards today. Very nice. Very nice.
This could be the Patriots first shutout since Sun Dec. 7, 2003, when New England beat the visiting Dolphins, 12-0. The also beat Dallas, 12-0, in Gillette three weeks earlier.
Tedy Bruschi finally makes his breakthrough big play. A nice pass defense, right into the hands of James Sanders, who has nothing in the 36 yards between himself and the goal line.
If not for the several horrible calls by Corollo's crew, this game could be at least 42- or 49-0.
Damn squib kick! T-H-E-Y D-O-N-'T W-O-R-K !
I blame the squib kick. There's no reason for it. I know the win is all that counts, but it's a different feeling - elation deflated.
Nice win. Good show, end-to-end. Tampa Bay next week.
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