They were missing Milano and other guys last week and only allowed 9 points.
You seem really determined to get everyone to agree that Mac played “great” against an “elite” defense.
I thought Mac was great today and the Bills defense is still really good. You guys disagree. That’s ok. We can disagree.
If we're downgrading Mac's performance because of Buffalo's injuries (something done around here every time Mac plays well against any team for whatever reason), let's do this.
Cool cool.
What message are you trying to convey by "discounting" (your word) the Bills D? Just pointing it out for the cheap seats or the goodness of your heart?
That I don’t think Mac should get “bonus points” or whatever for beating a great defense because the Bills aren’t a great defense. I’m assuming that’s why @BaseballJones feels the need to keep repeating it. As I said several times, he played well against a decent defense. I don’t see why that’s a bad thing beyond it not reaching your level pro-Mac bias.
How about the fact that is offensive line has been in shambles due to injury, his alleged #1 receiver has been out with injury, and the only guy on the offense with any playmaking ability was out with injury?
And out of curiosity, how many teams in the NFL right now do you consider having a "great" defense?
What does that have to do with Mac playing well against a decent defense today? You’re beyond insufferable on this topic.
I dunno and it doesn’t really matter. But it’s probably not one that has lost its 3 best players, among others, over the course of 2 weeks. I don’t think that’s controversial.
Thought I was pretty clearly responding to this "That’s also completely irrelevant to the point at hand as nobody is claiming the injury to Matt Judon caused Mac to play like shit this last month."
Nah. Most everyone is throwing roses at him for having a strong game.
Mac Jones playing poorly the last few weeks (I don’t think this is controversial) has nothing to do with the general point I’ve been making about Mac playing well against a decent but not great Bills D. You chose to pick a minor point and run with it. Go for it but I’m done engaging you on this point (because your inability to have a rational discussion) outside of saying I disagree.
Could be argued that Mac and the Patriots are a Boutte foot drag and Parker's "finger tips" away from being tied with the elite Buffalo Bills for 2nd in the AFCE. (ducks)
Me too. I will say though, it's amazing how a win over a division rival that is also a pretty good team (trying not to be controversial here) can brighten the outlook - even if just a tiny bit.
Tied for first You’re forgetting a Bourne and/or Henry drop in the Miami game.
Didn’t want to be greedy… love the rest of your post if only that it reminds us of Mac’s extreme variability as a starter. Not going to wade into the causalities, and to be honest I thought Mac was done. But miraculously he lives, and maybe there is hope.
Hence why I push back so hard on these narratives about Mac being unable to get a win at the end of a game.
Man, I don't know in what planet the Jets and Raiders games were B performances. Are we talking about QBs in general or grades considering who Mac Jones is and what he's capable of? Also didn't think he was a B+ versus the Eagles.
Great post. If Henry drops that ball, we're all talking about how Mac can't get it done. More importantly, if the OL played like it has been all year, the whole week is talk about how not only is Mac terrible, but so is Bill.
I think it means he values organizational stability and continuity fairly high, and has made a conscious decision to not overreact to short term fluctuations in performance. As noted before, this move was made during the offseason. And the contract does not prevent Kraft from moving on from BB if he feels it has become time to do so.
He clearly values stability - awhile back he loved to point out that he only had 2 starting QBs and 1 HC. That's fine and admirable. But the last few years have not been a "short term fluctuation in performance" in my eyes. They have missed the playoffs 2/3 years and the one year they did make it, they were thoroughly outclassed. They are probably going to miss the playoffs again this year. This team doesn't look like it's a couple players away - it looks like it is an entire offensive overhaul away from "competitive". And I actually thought they were good in the Bills game, but that seems more outlier than trend.
You are pretty confident in your assessment that its time to move on from BB. If anything, Kraft's decision to retain him should give you pause that maybe Robert/Jonathan aren't qualified to hire a good replacement.
Yes, yes I do want to jettison BB. "The next guy could be worse!!!!11!1!!!" I mean, he could also be better. Pete Carroll had a winning record in 3 seasons with the Pats. The guy they got after him was pretty good for awhile (even after a crummy first season!).
My point is if the Krafts let you down with the extension, what gives you any confidence that they will get the transition right? They may be an even bigger problem than BB if they can't see what's obvious to many people - BB is washed (or a never was who lucked into Brady).
How do you *really* have a succession plan? Hire a coach 2 years early? They kinda sorta did that with Mayo. If the time comes and BB leaves, they have an internal option they like and the ability to see what's available externally. That's about all you can do.
I think Josh was the first succession plan and then that was discarded when it became clear Bill still had the drive and a willingness to coach into his 70s. Mayo is now the annointed successor, but everything will hinge on how successful the Patriots are in the final years of Bill's tenure, if they remain in the spot they're in now, a clean break will come. Which is why it's kinda stupid to talk about succession plans with head coaches in general, you don't know who will be available and you don't know the circumstances that will precipitate the move. I think Mayo was put in the position of HC in waiting under the assumption that they'd remain competitive until Bill retired and thus have reason to want continuity on that front. Is that still the case?
I was addressing the fact that person I was responding to said "If anything, Kraft's decision to retain him should give you pause that maybe Robert/Jonathan aren't qualified to hire a good replacement." Keeping the current guy because you may not know how to choose the next guy is pretty indicative of not having a succession plan.
Or just maybe it could indicate that they are comfortable with the current head coach.
Maybe! Maybe the owners are comfortable with the guy who missed the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 years (and likely a third) and got embarrassed in the one (wild card) game they did manage to play. All while generating such engaging debates in the fandom as "does the QB suck because the offense is awful, or is the offense awful because the QB sucks?"
I disagree with the bolded. Add 2 very good OL and a true #1 WR to this offense and it would be drastically improved. The problem is finding someone in the organization who can identify OL and WR talent and convincing BB to draft them.
