The Game Goat Thread: Wk. 16 vs Buffalo

Mystic Merlin

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I'm officially going on record then, thanks for this breakdown:

Las Vegas ain't running the table, and the Pats are in with a win next week. I could be mistaken, but I think there is a possibility the Pats win next week, it could lock them into the 6 seed no matter what, and week 17 becomes a get healthy/bye week game.

I don’t think they can get locked into the 6 if they win next week because either Indy or BUF (or both) - which are tied with the Pats in record but enjoy tiebreakers - could lose in Week 18.

They could enter Week 18 being guaranteed no worse than the 6 seed, though, if MIA loses either the NO (tomorrow) or TEN game and the Raiders lose to Indy next week. That’s probably the likely scenario, actually.
 

Deathofthebambino

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I'll say this though.

The crowd was pretty awesome. I respect Bills fans way, way more than Jets fans (except @luckiestman ) who generally are huge assholes in the stadium, constantly bringing up deflategate and spygate, and Dolphins fans (except @sodenj5 and a couple others) who generally know nothing about football and couldn't name 3 players. Bills fans are genuine fans, disgusting heathens, but they are fans, and they recognize the Pats dominance, and are just fucking happy to compete again.

The stadium was absolutely fucking rocking after the Pats made it 26-21 and the defense took the field. It was still rocking when it was 3rd and 10 on the Bills 25, then Myles Bryant.

Then on the next play, Myles Bryant happened again.

Then it got rocking again on 3rd and 10 at the Patriots 26, but Myles Bryant.

I turned to the guy next to me and said "Man, I've missed this." It's been 2 years since we had a big game in December in Foxboro. Miles Bryant ruined it.
 

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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For the second week in a row the Pats played like shit.

For the second week in a row the refs fucked them over as well.

In both games they got to within one score of beating the other team.

I don’t know what this says about the team moving forward.

The Pats could have gone into the half at 17-10 or 17-14 but the refs picked up the flag for the hit on Mac out of bounds, then flagged Brown for talking shit at a Bills defender who was obviously saying shit back and I went speechless until the 3rd quarter started.

The Barmore penalty was dumb too due to the head bob from the center that I don’t believe he did at all the rest of the game. That same bullshit play was called against another center a couple weeks ago for trying the same crap.

After watching the whinebag Colts beg for flags last week while our players were getting basically head hunted then watching the bullshit officiating this week I’m getting very turned off from the NFL as a whole. Things have always been kind of shitty but this year is another level of missed calls and obvious uneven balance in the way games have been officiated. It’s legitimately like you can tell who’s going to win or lose by the first couple of flags thrown/ not thrown.

Mac didn’t play very well. Harry didn’t play well. Meyers was off. The o line was spotty. Bolden looked like early year Bolden. The TEs were invisible. The defense as a whole was slow and out of position all day. Yet, they still had a chance to win late in the game.

I have literally nothing to take away from today other than the fucking zebras having their heads up their ass.
 

BaseballJones

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I mean... these guys are human. Bryant obviously knows he got torched and I feel terrible for the guy. It’s not like he wasn’t trying out there.
 

Deathofthebambino

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I don’t think they can get locked into the 6 if they win next week because either Indy or BUF (or both) - which are tied with the Pats in record but enjoy tiebreakers - could lose in Week 18.

They could enter Week 18 being guaranteed no worse than the 6 seed, though, if MIA loses either the NO (tomorrow) or TEN game and the Raiders lose to Indy next week. That’s probably the likely scenario, actually.
Yep, that's correct, but I don't think anything short of a meteor strike will result in the Bills losing to the Jets in Week 18 or Indy losing to the Jags in week 18.

If Miami loses to Tennessee (they ain't losing tomorrow night to the Ian Book led Saints) and the Raiders lose to Indy, and I'm BB, I'm benching and resting everyone I can. Take the 6 seed and run and get healthy.
 

BaseballJones

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And I agree with everyone who has said that as bad as this team played, against a team that looked every bit like the team they were supposed to be, if pro bowl corner and interception machine JC Jackson simply doesn’t drop that pass right to him, the Pats quite likely win this game.

People shouldn’t be too quick to shovel dirt on this team’s grave yet.
 

Deathofthebambino

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I mean... these guys are human. Bryant obviously knows he got torched and I feel terrible for the guy. It’s not like he wasn’t trying out there.
Yeah, yeah, take it to the "I give a fuck about Myles Bryant's feelings" thread.

This is the thread where we shit on the people responsible for the loss, and those people's names are Myles and Bryant.
 

BaseballJones

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Yeah, yeah, take it to the "I give a fuck about Myles Bryant's feelings" thread.

This is the thread where we shit on the people responsible for the loss, and those people's names are Myles and Bryant.
Well obviously he’s the #1 goat hands down. He was awful today. I’m sure he feels worse about it than any of us. Not that that makes it better of course.
 

Marciano490

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Myles Bryant ugh
Myles Bryant ugh ugh ugh
Ugh Myles Bryant

Mac doesn’t look good for the second week in a row, but I think he’s just overloaded. He looks a little shook in his eyes and body language, but I get that’s mostly voodoo.
 

lexrageorge

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The Pats could have gone into the half at 17-10 or 17-14 but the refs picked up the flag for the hit on Mac out of bounds, then flagged Brown for talking shit at a Bills defender who was obviously saying shit back and I went speechless until the 3rd quarter started.

The Barmore penalty was dumb too due to the head bob from the center that I don’t believe he did at all the rest of the game. That same bullshit play was called against another center a couple weeks ago for trying the same crap.
...
I have literally nothing to take away from today other than the fucking zebras having their heads up their ass.
The offsides was 100% on Barmore; in that situation, you don't go looking for the refs to call the head bob. It was 4th-and-7; if he was late getting off, chances are still that the Bills turn it over on downs.

On the picked up flag, if I was in charge, I would consider making the officiating crew sit out a week without pay. It would be one thing to have missed the shirt grab. Instead, they lied and basically said the grab never happened, even though the official that threw the flag obviously saw it. It was an egregiously incorrect application of the rules. And it directly led to the penalty on Brown, who was clearly sticking up for his QB. And, don't get me started on this "emphasis on taunting" bullshit, as it's just another area for officials to use their misjudgment to screw things up.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Well obviously he’s the #1 goat hands down. He was awful today. I’m sure he feels worse about it than any of us. Not that that makes it better of course.
That motherfucker got a game check worth roughly $100k today.

I probably spent close to a thousand bucks to go there and watch him shit on the field.

I feel worse. He's at home, sleeping in his happy, nice cozy bed, while I'm sitting here on a laptop in the dark, rocking back and forth and saying "Myles Bryant" all night.

FTR, I'm definitely not shoveling dirt on this team. I'm actually way more optimistic than most. The fact they were even in this game with Myles Bryant playing was a miracle. Get rid of Myles Bryant and all will be better.
 

Mystic Merlin

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Yep, that's correct, but I don't think anything short of a meteor strike will result in the Bills losing to the Jets in Week 18 or Indy losing to the Jags in week 18.

If Miami loses to Tennessee (they ain't losing tomorrow night to the Ian Book led Saints) and the Raiders lose to Indy, and I'm BB, I'm benching and resting everyone I can. Take the 6 seed and run and get healthy.
Oh I agree, if IND and BUF win next week - and they likely will - they’re probably heading for a trip to BUF. Less likely, but possible, is a trip to Tennessee.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Myles Bryant ugh
Myles Bryant ugh ugh ugh
Ugh Myles Bryant

Mac doesn’t look good for the second week in a row, but I think he’s just overloaded. He looks a little shook in his eyes and body language, but I get that’s mostly voodoo.
I'm serious about this, I thought he was legitimately concussed on the first roughing call, which is the play that immediately preceded the out of bounds no call on the late hit. Then his next two passes weren't even near a receiver and it didn't look like he was throwing it away. Then he got his bell rung again on the slide, leading to another personal foul (no yards for the Pats though, cuz TAUNTING!!!!). Maybe it's just hope, but I really think the guy was seeing stars. He sucked before that though too. I turned to my buddy in the 2nd quarter, and I was like "Dude, this Sam Darnold with the Jets shit."

If I was better at the internet, i'd find video of that first roughing and the OOB hit on Mac on the next play, but I'm not.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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We should probably stop talking about playoff possibilities until they show they can actually put together a stretch of decent play. Or make a single defensive stop.

Don’t make me break out the Jim Mora gif.
 

Mystic Merlin

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We should probably stop talking about playoff possibilities until they show they can actually put together a stretch of decent play. Or make a single defensive stop.

Don’t make me break out the Jim Mora gif.
Since we aren’t on the team I think it’s ok.

Certainly more constructive than wondering if they could beat the ‘08 Lions or ‘76 Bucs.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Since we aren’t on the team I think it’s ok.

Certainly more constructive than wondering if they could beat the ‘08 Lions or ‘76 Bucs.
I'm going to put on my fake mod hat.

In fairness, we have a thread to talk about the playoff chase.

This is the thread to shit on Myles Bryant.
 

Salem's Lot

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I just don’t understand why they kept running Myles Bryant out there to get torched on every play. Were they short on corners this week?
 

McBride11

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Some of these, the world is ending and a top 3 bad team will smoke them next week, sound like they are copy / paste from opponents message boards the past 20 years. Josh Allen, a top 5 qb that can kill you with his arm and legs, had a stellar game. Maybe the D looked like shit bc they were playing a great qb? Yes they also made some boneheaded moves and plays and Bryant got torched. But he got torched by a top 5 qb. Brady made a career out of embarassing good and poor CBs.

Saying - if the Pats play this poorly next week, they get smoked would only make sense if a top 5 qb was lining up against them. At this time, TL aint that. They may play exactly the same but with a qb making worse reads / throws, they still have a pretty good chance.
I mean, jcj catches that int, pats likely win game and we are giving game balls to the O for stepping up in the 3/4 qtr and the D making plays when they needed to.

Allen seems to be getting minimal credit for playing a great game, often like TB12 would from other fanbases.
 

Mystic Merlin

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I just don’t understand why they kept running Myles Bryant out there to get torched on every play. Were they short on corners this week?
Their other reserve corners - Wade and Williams - play outside, not in the slot where Bryant predominantly plays. Jonathan Jones - who has been gone for a few months due to a shoulder injury - was their original slot corner, and he’s one of the better slot corners in the league.

So absent trying Phillips or Dugger there, he’s who they got right now.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Some of these, the world is ending and a top 3 bad team will smoke them next week, sound like they are copy / paste from opponents message boards the past 20 years. Josh Allen, a top 5 qb that can kill you with his arm and legs, had a stellar game. Maybe the D looked like shit bc they were playing a great qb? Yes they also made some boneheaded moves and plays and Bryant got torched. But he got torched by a top 5 qb. Brady made a career out of embarassing good and poor CBs.
Let's be clear here, Bryant got torched by a receiver who caught like fucking 7 passes coming into tonight. McKenzie was so open, there were dead NFL QB's trying to come out of their graves and suit up and throw one more completion. Josh Allen played great, don't get me wrong, but when Myles Bryant was involved, Josh Allen was picking on him, because Myles Bryant should be picked on, on the field, in the locker room, at home, on the internet, in his car, at the barber shop, the beach, the mountains, the fucking moon, everywhere.

The only reason Isaiah fucking McKenzie is a part of this game plan is because Cole Fucking Beasley isn't vaccinated. FUCK COLE BEASLEY AND MYLES BRYANT.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Their other reserve corners - Wade and Williams - play outside, not in the slot where Bryant predominantly plays. Jonathan Jones - who has been gone for a few months due to a shoulder injury - was their original slot corner, and he’s one of the better slot corners in the league.

So absent trying Phillips or Dugger there, he’s who they got right now.
I would have run down the list until I got to Nick Folk in coverage instead of running Myles Bryant out there.
 

McBride11

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We should probably stop talking about playoff possibilities until they show they can actually put together a stretch of decent play. Or make a single defensive stop.

Don’t make me break out the Jim Mora gif.
Like a 7 game win streak? How much longer a streak do they need?

The Bills were the easy favorites to win the AFCe.

I generally enjoy your anger ridden rants, but cmon. Were there a lot of poor plays on both sides for the Pats. Yupp
Happens when you play a good team sometimes, those guys are also really good and get paid lots of money.
Im not absolving the crappy play in a lot of areas, but other teams being good doesnt mean the end of the world for the team either.
 

ernieshore

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Let's be clear here, Bryant got torched by a receiver who caught like fucking 7 passes coming into tonight. McKenzie was so open, there were dead NFL QB's trying to come out of their graves and suit up and throw one more completion. Josh Allen played great, don't get me wrong, but when Myles Bryant was involved, Josh Allen was picking on him, because Myles Bryant should be picked on, on the field, in the locker room, at home, on the internet, in his car, at the barber shop, the beach, the mountains, the fucking moon, everywhere.

The only reason Isaiah fucking McKenzie is a part of this game plan is because Cole Fucking Beasley isn't vaccinated. FUCK COLE BEASLEY AND MYLES BRYANT.
This made me laugh harder than I have in about a month. Thank you.
 

Super Nomario

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Their other reserve corners - Wade and Williams - play outside, not in the slot where Bryant predominantly plays. Jonathan Jones - who has been gone for a few months due to a shoulder injury - was their original slot corner, and he’s one of the better slot corners in the league.

So absent trying Phillips or Dugger there, he’s who they got right now.
They did elevate D'Angelo Ross from the practice squad; he's another slot-type they could have used. Bryant has mostly been pretty good this year; he had a rough one today though. Wade and Williams were both inactive, FWIW.
 

BaseballJones

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On the bright side, the Pats once again ran the ball very well. 27 carries for 149 yards (5.5 ypc) and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Their three TD drives were all 75 yards apiece, on 13, 14, and 10 plays, respectively.
 

McBride11

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Let's be clear here, Bryant got torched by a receiver who caught like fucking 7 passes coming into tonight. McKenzie was so open, there were dead NFL QB's trying to come out of their graves and suit up and throw one more completion. Josh Allen played great, don't get me wrong, but when Myles Bryant was involved, Josh Allen was picking on him, because Myles Bryant should be picked on, on the field, in the locker room, at home, on the internet, in his car, at the barber shop, the beach, the mountains, the fucking moon, everywhere.

The only reason Isaiah fucking McKenzie is a part of this game plan is because Cole Fucking Beasley isn't vaccinated. FUCK COLE BEASLEY AND MYLES BRYANT.
I agree Mb got abused. Badly. I also kept wondering why he was out there at points. McKenzie is also a pro athlete on an NfL team who was buries bc of better pros. It isnt like he was some guy pulled from Bills mafia 10 min pregame. And Allen is out there making good reads, looking off defenders, etc. You put josh johnson in there, does the D look so hapless. Probably not.

I agree with 95% of your sentiment, but placing all blame on Bryant or any cB without looking at the other teams talent overall seems unfair. (And i agree he had a bad game)
 

Deathofthebambino

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You put josh johnson in there, does the D look so hapless. Probably not.
Definitely not, but Myles Bryant would, and his haplessness rubs off on everyone from Mac Jones to the guy who cleans Mac's cleats. Dorito Dink probably could have played better than Myles Bryant.

FTR, Josh Johnson looked better than Mac today. I think he earned himself a backup contract somewhere in this league today. Even a backup QB can torch Myles Bryant. Myles Bryant can't cover anything. He'd fail at being a third string curtain on a window.
 

BaseballJones

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Key plays involving Bryant:

Buf first drive:
- 3rd and 7 from the NE 36. Allen 7 to McKenzie (Bryant).
- 4th and goal from the NE 2. Allen 2 to McKenzie (Bryant) for a TD.

Score 26-14, Bills:
- 3rd and 2 from the Buf 42. Allen 5 to McKenzie (Bryant).

Score 26-21, Bills:
- 3rd and 10 from the Buf 25. Allen 17 to McKenzie (Bryant).
- 3rd and 10 from the NE 26. Allen 19 to Diggs (Bryant).

I mean, that's five HUGE plays right there. Each one would have constituted a stop. Nope. All five times Bryant got torched for the first down or touchdown.

I do feel for the guy, but man, he was TERRIBLE today. And really, he hasn't actually been that bad this year. Coming into this game he had allowed 20 completions on 30 targets (66.7%), for 233 yds (7.8 yds/target) and 0 td, for a rating of 90.0. Today he basically gave up a completion on nearly every ball thrown his way, covering a fourth-rate NFL wide receiver. Not a good day for him to have a terrible game.
 

BaseballJones

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And can we talk about the lack of pressure on Allen today? No sacks, virtually no pressures (I can think of one), and just 4 QB hits. They let Allen have all day - and that was going up against a beat up offensive line too. And when they did get some penetration, it just opened up running lanes for Allen (12 rushes, 64 yards, 5.3 ypc). Any secondary will struggle when the opposing QB is getting all day to throw.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Key plays involving Bryant:

Buf first drive:
- 3rd and 7 from the NE 36. Allen 7 to McKenzie (Bryant).
- 4th and goal from the NE 2. Allen 2 to McKenzie (Bryant) for a TD.

Score 26-14, Bills:
- 3rd and 2 from the Buf 42. Allen 5 to McKenzie (Bryant).

Score 26-21, Bills:
- 3rd and 10 from the Buf 25. Allen 17 to McKenzie (Bryant).
- 3rd and 10 from the NE 26. Allen 19 to Diggs (Bryant).

I mean, that's five HUGE plays right there. Each one would have constituted a stop. Nope. All five times Bryant got torched for the first down or touchdown.

I do feel for the guy, but man, he was TERRIBLE today. And really, he hasn't actually been that bad this year. Coming into this game he had allowed 20 completions on 30 targets (66.7%), for 233 yds (7.8 yds/target) and 0 td, for a rating of 90.0. Today he basically gave up a completion on nearly every ball thrown his way, covering a fourth-rate NFL wide receiver. Not a good day for him to have a terrible game.
On that game clinching drive when we needed a stop at 26-21, you missed another one, it was on first down, but 15 yards is 15 yards:

(6:35 - 4th) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short left to I.McKenzie ran ob at NE 43 for 15 yards (M.Bryant). BUF-I.McKenzie was injured during the play.

Miles Bryant gave up 51 of the Bills 75 yards on the "must make a stop" drive at the end of the game, AFTER he already had played the worst of all possible games. "Bad" and "rough" do not come close to describing how bad he was. He was non-competitive.
 

GB5

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Overreaction is beautiful. It’s Jacksonville next week. Absent a 15-20 player COVID breakout the Pats can name their score in that one. Jaxy ain’t breaking 10 points no matter what you saw from the Pats D. This game has 34-10 written all over it,

As for the game goat, one play disgusted me more than any other and that was Judon’s absolutely bush league attempted trip on Allen from behind on the sidelines early in the game. Absolutely Classless. I hated it. No room for that fromAll Pro caliber player.

NKeal’s drop was awful but it was 1st and 10. The follow up play was 10x worse.

Our Allen looked like he had dead leg on his first two punts. Gunner is giving us nothing out of the return game.Essentially two more fumbles from Harris, one on the pitch(Mac’s fault?), and the second as he barely crossed the goal line. Can’t have this. Ball protection needs to be tightened up dramatically.
 

SMU_Sox

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On a handful of those plays Allen had all day to throw. An opposing QB looks good and the secondary will look bad when you get no pressure or sacks (HT @Super Nomario). Bryant isn’t solely to blame for his bad day. Surprising that more haven’t focused in on Judon. His awful day allowed Allen the ability to scramble and extend plays including making plays to the slot. Coverage and pass rush work hand in hand. The pass rush was abysmal today. They couldn’t get pressure when they needed it. So as bad as Bryant was he is the worst possible result of a nothingburger pass rush.
 

BaseballJones

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So maybe the bye wasn’t so good for the Pats? Two tough losses with both games featuring very slow starts by NE. Not what any of us were expecting or hoping for following that week off.
 

BigSoxFan

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So maybe the bye wasn’t so good for the Pats? Two tough losses with both games featuring very slow starts by NE. Not what any of us were expecting or hoping for following that week off.
As we all know, the hallmark of the BB era has been peaking in December. And they’ve gone the other way. Tough opponents, yes, but they faced even tougher opponents earlier in the season in Dallas and Tampa and looked much, much better.

The passing game is just so anemic and the defense all of a sudden can’t stop a nosebleed. They should be ok because of the Jacksonville gift but it’s hard to see them even be competitive in a playoff game, let alone win.

A few weeks ago, we were thinking much bigger. Now? I just hope they don’t lose by 20 in Buffalo in a few weeks.
 

OnTheBlack

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Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the other team. Pats didn’t play well, but Allen made a myriad of wow plays. The other guys get paid too. 9-6 seems about right for this team no? We have a rookie QB and lack any game changing talent outside of flashes from Judon and JCJ on D, and, as we saw today, they flash, but they don’t always dominate. Still think the Pats are not a team anyone else wants to see because they are a tough team that never stops fighting, that makes them a tough out. Lower the expectations and enjoy the ride.
 

MuppetAsteriskTalk

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Can anybody explain what Judon was doing the 2-3 times (at least that I noticed, could have been more) he dropped back on the snap into completely empty space and stood there like a statue with nobody anywhere near him? Just a zone responsibility? When you have this responsibility and the play develops on the other side of the field, are you supposed to still just stand there doing nothing? I had the weird feeling that this was some kind of FU to being told he was over-pursuing and not holding the edge/maintaining his responsibilities. Just a weird feeling with nothing to base it on other than the fact that it looked so weird to see him standing there doing nothing on at least a few plays.
 

Harry Hooper

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The GM gets a pair of horns for the painfully slow LB corps assembled alone.
 

BigJimEd

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On the Jackson missed interception, yes he should have had that but I'm not as confident as others on here that it would have changed the outcome. There was still plenty of time on the clock so even assuming the Pats score a TD there, Bills would have had time to mount their own drive. Based on every other drive that game, the Bills likely tie it up or take the lead.

Game goat goes to the complete defense. Obviously, Bryant but really everyone. Start with Singletary carrying Dugger for 7 yards while bowling over Hightower at the same time. Barmore penalty. We could go on and on. Run defense was solid, I guess, but that's about it. Buffalo was playing with a banged up line but still very little pressure on Allen. LBs seemed to be flat footed all day.

Mac gets the horns on offense. Throws were off all game. Offense seems to have razor thin margins these days. With Bourne limited and Agholor out they just couldn't get anything consistent despite a good run game. I thought McDaniels had a solid game plan and had some good play calls but execution needs to be better.
 

54thMA

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Hopefully they take care of business the next two weeks and finish 11-6 and get into the tournament; once you're in, anything can happen.

If that happens, they still would have won the division and ended up as the #2 seed if they hadn't lost to a shit Miami team in week one at home.

I just knew somehow, someway that loss would come back to bite them.

They should rename them the Miami Ants at a Picnic.
 

Jungleland

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I've been pretty down on Agholor all year, but it felt like they really missed him yesterday. I'm sure this was amplified by how off the mark Mac was, but it seemed a lot more like the first month of the season in terms of receiver openness or lack thereof.
 

BigJimEd

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I think the first throw might have been an incomplete pass if it is the one I remember. The receiver is breaking free of his man when the ball is thrown. He has a safety over the top but looks like McCourty is still backing up when Allen throws it. Mills is trailing his guy and while in the vicinity when ball is thrown really is not a consideration. Mills and the other Bill's receiver actually help provide more separation for the target. Good play design and call.

Despite the pressure, Allen does put it in a spot where only the receiver has a shot. No chance for McCourty to break on that ball and Bryant is clearly beaten.
 

BaseballJones

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This made me feel a little better. The first throw, especially, seems impossible out of his hand. Allen threw some absolute dimes.

View: https://twitter.com/PFF_Anthony/status/1475442450978291717?s=20
I want to show a couple of still shots from that tweet.

47734

Allen is moving to his left with a pass rusher bearing down on him. Look where the intended receiver is - McKenzie, at the Pats' logo. It looks like there's absolutely nothing there. But Allen, with all his momentum going to his left, whips it around deep to his right, releasing it as McKenzie is starting his move outside, with Bryant trailing.

Now look where that ball is caught compared to where Allen releases it:

47735

Outside the numbers. So Allen, moving to his left, a pass rusher in his face, flings it off his back foot across the field 35 yards downfield to hit a diving receiver.

THOSE are the raw physical tools that Mac - and almost everyone else in the NFL - doesn't possess.

47732

Look where that football is. Just in front of a leaping Collins. The Pats' D played that really well. Collins covering up the throwing lane, and a small window for Allen to put it through. That EASILY could have been a tipped pass or one that was straight batted down. It's actually amazing that Collins didn't get his hand on it.

The Pats' defense was pretty awful yesterday. But Josh Allen was also ridiculously good yesterday. That combination made it awfully hard for the Pats to win.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,671
While we're at it, how about this fourth and one play at the end...

47736

Allen fakes the handoff and bootlegs to his left. At the moment he begins his turn, Collins is on the end, in a bear hug from the left tackle. Hightower is in the middle, staring down the play. Jackson is covering Diggs, but he sees the run and is about to react.

47737

Collins starts pursuing while being grabbed. Hightower heads down the line to gain, hoping to close off the running lane. Jackson is starting forward and will beat Diggs' block attempt. If you look at it right here, it's hard to see how Allen gets the first down.

47738

Collins was released by the LT. Hightower in pursuit. Jackson has beaten Diggs and is closing in. There's no way looking at this, that Allen has a chance to get five yards. It's also hard to imagine Diggs NOT blocking Jackson in the back, given that he's, you know, actually trying to either hold him or push him in the back at this point in the play.

47740

Allen has gotten around Collins, who is still closing. Hightower is still trying to cut off any cutback, but he's just too slow. Jackson has the play sized up nicely after Diggs has given up trying to block him. Allen still has four yards to go with two, maybe three Patriots closing in on him.

47741

Allen slips inside. Collins is just unable to grab him. Jackson tries to hit Allen instead of wrap him up. He clearly got deked here. Hightower just is taking forever to get there, but still has a chance of hitting Allen short of the line to gain.

47742

Nope. Allen slips past Collins and Jackson (who takes out Collins). Hightower still isn't there. Allen is just too fast for him. Everyone else is useless. Despite holding the football like a loaf of bread, nobody is able to dislodge it. First down. Bills win.

Great run by Allen. Just looking at the images from the start of the play, it's really hard to see how he ended up getting the first down. But he did. He's really good. And the Pats' defense was pretty slow, with some shoddy tackling thrown in for good measure.
 

Silverdude2167

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 9, 2006
4,715
Amstredam
While we're at it, how about this fourth and one play at the end...

View attachment 47736

Allen fakes the handoff and bootlegs to his left. At the moment he begins his turn, Collins is on the end, in a bear hug from the left tackle. Hightower is in the middle, staring down the play. Jackson is covering Diggs, but he sees the run and is about to react.

View attachment 47737

Collins starts pursuing while being grabbed. Hightower heads down the line to gain, hoping to close off the running lane. Jackson is starting forward and will beat Diggs' block attempt. If you look at it right here, it's hard to see how Allen gets the first down.

View attachment 47738

Collins was released by the LT. Hightower in pursuit. Jackson has beaten Diggs and is closing in. There's no way looking at this, that Allen has a chance to get five yards. It's also hard to imagine Diggs NOT blocking Jackson in the back, given that he's, you know, actually trying to either hold him or push him in the back at this point in the play.

View attachment 47740

Allen has gotten around Collins, who is still closing. Hightower is still trying to cut off any cutback, but he's just too slow. Jackson has the play sized up nicely after Diggs has given up trying to block him. Allen still has four yards to go with two, maybe three Patriots closing in on him.

View attachment 47741

Allen slips inside. Collins is just unable to grab him. Jackson tries to hit Allen instead of wrap him up. He clearly got deked here. Hightower just is taking forever to get there, but still has a chance of hitting Allen short of the line to gain.

View attachment 47742

Nope. Allen slips past Collins and Jackson (who takes out Collins). Hightower still isn't there. Allen is just too fast for him. Everyone else is useless. Despite holding the football like a loaf of bread, nobody is able to dislodge it. First down. Bills win.

Great run by Allen. Just looking at the images from the start of the play, it's really hard to see how he ended up getting the first down. But he did. He's really good. And the Pats' defense was pretty slow, with some shoddy tackling thrown in for good measure.
Great play by Allen, but sure seems like a hold by the LT.

The Refs were shit in this game and for a game, the Pats did not deserve to win, they seem to still have had a major thumb on the scale...
 

Bowhemian

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 10, 2015
5,773
Bow, NH
Great play by Allen, but sure seems like a hold by the LT.

The Refs were shit in this game and for a game, the Pats did not deserve to win, they seem to still have had a major thumb on the scale...
Collins was absolutely being held by the LT. Take away that hold, and Collins likely tackles Allen for a loss.