The Game Goat Thread: WCG @ Buffalo

[Garshaparra]

The slogans were the goats: "Next Man Up" and "Do Your Job" both died a quiet death over the last 4 drafts, with so many busts on so many high draft picks that the Pats had to spend a lot to replace key positions, leaving them good enough to beat average teams, but not any truly good teams. The touchdowns (all of them) showed up a patchwork secondary that couldn't cover anyone intermediate or long, and couldn't tackle after the catch. I'm very interested to see how the Bills fare down the road.

Looking ahead, they'll have some money freed up, presumably as McCourty and Hightower ride off into the sunset, but Judon, Agholar, Henry and Jonnu's 2nd year cap hits all much, much higher, eating up much of that cash, and with JC Jackson, Brown, Meyers and Bentley all FAs, it's likely all 4 will be gone. They'll have $27M to play with, but will need to fill CB1, WR1 (again; Agholar is clearly WR2), LT, 2x LB and FS, with no obvious Next Man Up to Do Their Job.

 

[radsoxfan]

Amazing that team was 4th in DVOA on D. Felt like their entire D aged overnight, not like they were missing that many people. Duggar clearly was hurt and Judon was a shell of himself.

I didn't expect a win but that was a historically confusing performance.

I thought Mac played well, excited about his future. Mac, the RBs, Henry, Bourne, Myers, and most of the OL is a good start on O.

Need some explosive players on offense and a LOT on D.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

Amazing that team was 4th in DVOA on D. Felt like their entire D aged overnight, not like they were missing that many people. Duggar clearly was hurt and Judon was a shell of himself.

I didn't expect a win but that was a historically confusing performance.

I thought Mac played well, excited about his future. Mac, the RBs, Henry, Bourne, Myers, and most of the OL is a good start on O.

Need some explosive players on offense and a LOT on D.

At a minimum, they need a 1000+ yd/year WR, another Kendrick Bourne/Jakobi Meyers, and a LT.

 

[Jimbodandy]

1. Belichick the GM for rostering linebackers who have to be timed with a sun dial, instead of a stopwatch.
2. Defensive coaching staff, who came up with nothing that confused Allen in 60 minutes. The guy played like he had our playbook.

 

[radsoxfan]

First time in NFL history for an offense to have no punts, kicks, or turnovers. Good job, good effort defense.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bills-become-the-first-team-in-nfl-history-to-pitch-a-perfect-offensive-game-in-playoff-win-over-patriots/

 

[scottyno]

Amazing that team was 4th in DVOA on D. Felt like their entire D aged overnight, not like they were missing that many people. Duggar clearly was hurt and Judon was a shell of himself.

I didn't expect a win but that was a historically confusing performance.

I thought Mac played well, excited about his future. Mac, the RBs, Henry, Bourne, Myers, and most of the OL is a good start on O.

Need some explosive players on offense and a LOT on D.

They had 1 not terrible cornerback on the entire roster today. Losing Mills, and to a lesser extent Wade to covid was a massive loss. They were literally throwing practice squad guys and Justin Bethel out there at the CB2 spot because Williams was so bad.

And that 1 good corner also had a bad day.

 

[Devizier]

Could there be a single goat? There isn’t one area in the game where the Patriots performed even comparably to the Bills. They looked old and extremely slow. They seemed to get beaten to every spot.

I’d rather award a game ball to Bourne and leave it there.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Could there be a single goat? There isn’t one area in the game where the Patriots performed even comparably to the Bills. They looked old and extremely slow. They seemed to get beaten to every spot.

I’d rather award a game ball to Bourne and leave it there.

Bourne showed up. Mac mostly did. Everyone else was MIA.

If I had to give a single game GOAT, it would be Bolden for setting the tone with that horrendous drop. Clearly didn’t impact the end result because the defense was absolutely pathetic but you simply can’t make those plays after a rough opening drive in a road playoff game. He had a great season and really stepped up beyond what we originally expected but, yikes, that was a disgusting drop.

If that were Harry and not a guy we like, we’d be referencing that play for years on this board.

In any event, the Bills were clearly better but they’re not THAT much better. Just complete night and day from the defense over past month. Sure injuries played a role but everyone has those at the end of the season.

 

[axx]

For me it was when Allen ran by Judon like he was standing still.

 

[RIrooter09]

The defense looked like a Madden defense you’re facing on the easiest setting. Pretty sure I could have drawn up an offensive game plan to beat them. They were lifeless, slow, and basically invisible out there.

 

[BigSoxFan]

The defense looked like a Madden defense you’re facing on the easiest setting. Pretty sure I could have drawn up an offensive game plan to beat them. They were lifeless, slow, and basically invisible out there.

They looked like a dome team that wanted no part of the weather. It was remarkable how bad they were. Just zero resistance the entire game.

 

[mulluysavage]

The defense was taken apart throughout the year, and especially at the end by injuries, C19, and the GM. The latter didn't keep Gilmore. They missed Jonathan Jones. DB was on the C19 list yesterday, and Judon didn't seem the same after being out.

The late-year D swoon included 3 games against the Bills. A historically bad beat down yesterday in Foxoboro - and I'm sure in Buffalo they are talking about an historically good offensive performance. Maybe no teams will stop them the Bills the rest of the year, leaving more eggs on more defenses' faces.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

There is one inexplicably terrible coaching decision made by, I guess, McDaniels. It wasn't going to be the difference in the game, but it was made a time when the game wasn't yet out of hand in terms of the score.

Down 7-0, Mac's would-be TD pass was intercepted and the Bills scored again to make it 14-0.

Pats get the ball back for their second drive of the game, and what do they do? First down, run Harris for 5. Second and 5, run Harris for 2. Third and 3, run Harris for 2. Punt. In drive 1, Mac was the only guy on the team who made positive plays. In drive 2, McD decides to not even give him an opportunity to make a play. Just awful. The next time Mac sees the ball it is 20-0 and the game is basically over. (And, no, he didn't play well in the half, but after being picked, all Mac did for the next 13 minutes of game time was hand the ball off 3 times.)

 

[sezwho]

Quick positive note: Bourne is and has been their best (f-ing only some days!!) WR and I think he’s got even more to show.

Back to the regularly scheduled program: It felt like they could have had 100 drives and not stop the Bills. When Allen started knifing through the line into space in the first, the writing was on the wall. Stopping the run or pass was going to be hard enough, but that added dimension turned a loss into an epic humiliation.

Three things they need to do, sadly some of which are seemingly impossible in a BB world:
1) Young LB with speed
2) A WR who can catch as well (better than, dare I dream?) as they block or pick up the blitz
3) An edge guy so that QBs have some kind of urgency even when Judon marches off into the horizon.

 

[rodderick]

There is one inexplicably terrible coaching decision made by, I guess, McDaniels. It wasn't going to be the difference in the game, but it was made a time when the game wasn't yet out of hand in terms of the score.

Down 7-0, Mac's would-be TD pass was intercepted and the Bills scored again to make it 14-0.

Pats get the ball back for their second rive of the game, and what do they do? First down, run Harris for 5. Second and 5, run Harris for 2. Third and 3, run Harris for 2. Punt. In drive 1, Mac was the onyl guy on the team who made positive plays. In drive 2, McD decides to not even give him an opportunity to make a play. Just awful. The next time Mac sees the ball it is 20-0 and the game is basically over. (And, no, he didn't play well in the half, but after being picked, all Mac did for the next 13 minutes of game time was hand the ball off 3 times.)

Yeah, I was very disappointed by that approach too. They actually came out throwing the ball, which surprised me, and Mac made several good plays before the pick. It's like they were spooked by the interception and tried to take the ball out of his hands which is baffling to me. I think it wasn't a good throw at all, but still, the kid had nothing but good plays before it, don't get all conservative when it's clear your defense won't stop the Bills. There's something to be said for allowing the kid to fail instead of trying to hide him over one mistake until the game demands you throw the ball.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Yeah, I was very disappointed by that approach too. They actually came out throwing the ball, which surprised me, and Mac made several good plays before the pick. It's like they were spooked by the interception and tried to take the ball out of his hands which is baffling to me. I think it wasn't a good throw at all, but still, the kid had nothing but good plays before it, don't get all conservative when it's clear your defense won't stop the Bills. There's something to be said for allowing the kid to fail instead of trying to hide him over one mistake until the game demands you throw the ball.

Yes, exactly. My take on drive 1 is that Mac was ON while many of his teammates were not. He bailed the team out of 2 third and longs, both by sensing the pocket (sometimes an issue for him during the season) and moving to extend plays. Once with a 30 yard pass, once with a 16 yard run. In between those, they run a great play with a wide open Bolden downfield and he drops it because he for some reason cannot handle a pass that is right to him, then a receiver fucks up and tips the ball away from another one. Then the pick, which looked like it was right there to be a TD. I cannot speak to what Mac (or Agholor?) could have done better on the pick as opposed to it just being a great defensive play. But he made plays on that drive and McD should have given him at least one chance the next time.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

It also really bugged me that they never went hurry up. Down 21-0, you need points quickly.

 

[rodderick]

It also really bugged me that they never went hurry up. Down 21-0, you need points quickly.

They don't want to play that game on offense and will only play it when absolutely necessary, and then it never works. Or it takes way too long to work and the comeback falls short. It's been a theme all season, they take two quarters to respond after being punched in the mouth and then unless the defense makes stops on every drive they aren't getting the ball in a position to tie or take the lead. Difference was this game the Bills offense was just unstoppable so what the Pats did on that side of the ball never really mattered.

I get it, you have a rookie QB and a really good running game, no need to sling it around, but when the game declares itself as a "score 30+ or go home" matchup early you have to adapt faster.

 

[Old Fart Tree]

Literally everyone? It was a comedic ass kicking of legendary proportions. They literally didn’t make a single stop. This defense needs to be completely redone, and the Smith and Agholor signings have been money pits. That said, they’re a year ahead of where I expected them to be so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[BigSoxFan]

Feels like every single team has one of those shifty 5’10 slot guys except for us. Team speed just looks so woefully behind the upper echelon teams.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

If I had to give a single game GOAT, it would be Bolden for setting the tone with that horrendous drop. Clearly didn’t impact the end result because the defense was absolutely pathetic but you simply can’t make those plays after a rough opening drive in a road playoff game. He had a great season and really stepped up beyond what we originally expected but, yikes, that was a disgusting drop.

Agreed on Bolden. I was shocked that he was the guy making such an inexcusably sloppy play.

The other early boner that struck me as super-deflating was an early hold on Jakob Johnson. Harris had an impressive run to get down inside the 5, and the replay on Johnson’s hold showed it played no meaningful part in Harris’ run. The drive was rolling and could’ve been a tone-setter, but it went backwards thanks to Johnson and never hit paydirt.

Johnson also had a horrible drop of his own… the play wouldn’t have gone for more than 2-3 yards, but it was a bad drop, from a player who’s focus wasn’t there.

 

[BaseballJones]

I said it last night but I'll say it again now. Last 4 losses:

- Fell behind 20-0 to Indy.
- Fell behind 20-7 to Buffalo.
- Fell behind 17-0 to Miami.
- Fell behind 27-0 to Buffalo.

I mean, you cannot win football games that way. Sure maybe once in a blue moon you can come back and win a game when you've been down huge. But that's a recipe not only for a lot of losses, but a lot of embarrassing losses.

First quarter scoring by opposition in those four games: 14-0, 7-0, 14-0, 14-0 for a total of 49-0. Not all of that is on the defense, because those scores included a blocked punt TD and a pick six. But still. You just cannot put yourself in those kinds of holes and expect to be able to play your game. The only game down the stretch where they got to play from ahead was (unsurprisingly) the Jacksonville game. With predictable results. When they got ahead this year they won. When they fell behind, they didn't. Mac made some respectable come back attempts, but it was never enough.

This team got punched in the mouth on Buffalo's opening drive. They tried to fight back on their own first possession, but the pick ended that. And then they got pummeled the rest of the game.

 

[BaseballJones]

I just rewatched the first Pats' drive. Mac made some great plays on that drive. Cannot believe Bolden dropped that 30 yard pass. Nobody within five yards of him. An NFL player won't get an easier ball to catch in his life. Literally right in the bread basket with nobody around. Just right through his hands. Would have given NE a first and ten at about the 20 yard line (maybe the 18-17 if he had picked up a few more yards after the catch). Doesn't change how bad the defense was, but that was a perfect throw that could have led to a tying touchdown.

Alas.

LOL followed immediately by a drop by Meyers on the right sideline after Jonnu Smith tipped it. Why did Smith tip it? Who the hell knows. He was in the passing lane when I'm sure the play didn't call for that. A comedy of errors even though Mac was throwing dimes.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I just rewatched the first Pats' drive. Mac made some great plays on that drive. Cannot believe Bolden dropped that 30 yard pass. Nobody within five yards of him. An NFL player won't get an easier ball to catch in his life. Literally right in the bread basket with nobody around. Just right through his hands. Would have given NE a first and ten at about the 20 yard line (maybe the 18-17 if he had picked up a few more yards after the catch). Doesn't change how bad the defense was, but that was a perfect throw that could have led to a tying touchdown.

Alas.

Yup. It will be forgotten because it was Bolden but if that had been Harry or Jonnu, it would be burned in our memories forever.

Just can’t believe Bolden dropped that, as he was so reliable all year.

 

[rodderick]

Mac overcame the Bolden drop, though. It cost them about 15 yards of field position from where that catch would have put them compared to where they were when the pick was thrown (on a first down play, nonetheless). I honestly don't think it was that much of a game changer at the end of the day.

 

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

Mac overcame the Bolden drop, though. It cost them about 15 yards of field position from where that catch would have put them compared to where they were when the pick was thrown (on a first down play, nonetheless). I honestly don't think it was that much of a game changer at the end of the day.

I think this is right. It did seem to set the tone though a bit. At the moment it was foreboding and in retrospect foretelling of the poor execution across the board. Even steady, reliable contributors would provide errors.

I'm not sure if Mac is the answer at QB. I think it's reasonable to have some questions about that. Hell, I think it would be rare to come to the conclusion of a rookie QB season and have no qualms at all. I will say that I was really impressed by his heart and toughness. He got drilled repeatedly and still hung in. Late in the game, despite the score and situation, he got out in front of a play and threw a really nice block. Was it smart, looking back? Maybe not, but on a night where there was very little in the way of grit, Mac showed once again he's chock full of it. One of the few times in the game a play made me smile, even if it was just a hint of one for a brief moment.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Nothing the offense did or didn’t do mattered. Two games against a division rival, one for the division and a playoff game, zero forced punts, a shit-ton of yards and way too many points. I expected a loss but that was an embarrassment.

Everyone involved in any way with the defense gets the Goat. I can’t believe I shut off a playoff game before it was over but I couldn’t watch that garbage.

 

[YTF]

I said it last night but I'll say it again now. Last 4 losses:

- Fell behind 20-0 to Indy.
- Fell behind 20-7 to Buffalo.
- Fell behind 17-0 to Miami.
- Fell behind 27-0 to Buffalo.

I mean, you cannot win football games that way. Sure maybe once in a blue moon you can come back and win a game when you've been down huge. But that's a recipe not only for a lot of losses, but a lot of embarrassing losses.

First quarter scoring by opposition in those four games: 14-0, 7-0, 14-0, 14-0 for a total of 49-0. Not all of that is on the defense, because those scores included a blocked punt TD and a pick six. But still. You just cannot put yourself in those kinds of holes and expect to be able to play your game. The only game down the stretch where they got to play from ahead was (unsurprisingly) the Jacksonville game. With predictable results. When they got ahead this year they won. When they fell behind, they didn't. Mac made some respectable come back attempts, but it was never enough.

This team got punched in the mouth on Buffalo's opening drive. They tried to fight back on their own first possession, but the pick ended that. And then they got pummeled the rest of the game.

And this is why I think that if most of us were to be honest, last night's performance wasn't a complete surprise. Did we expect the Pats to get blown out in this fashion? Perhaps not, but looking at this team's defensive play as the season wound down is it really that big of a shocker?

Goats...Defensive coaching staff and players. Lack of preparation, lack of execution, lack of desire.
Collective dropped passes.
Head Coach. For much of the game this team looked like it was just going through the motions. Lack of motivation and unable to adjust.

 

[sezwho]

Mac overcame the Bolden drop, though. It cost them about 15 yards of field position from where that catch would have put them compared to where they were when the pick was thrown (on a first down play, nonetheless). I honestly don't think it was that much of a game changer at the end of the day.

I agree, Mac overcame the drop but there may have been some down downstream impact. I actually remember the quote from a QB (maybe Cassell?) that you hit a WR in the hands and a RB in the numbers, which Mac did

 

[tims4wins]

And this is why I think that if most of us were to be honest, last night's performance wasn't a complete surprise. Did we expect the Pats to get blown out in this fashion? Perhaps not, but looking at this team's defensive play as the season wound down is it really that big of a shocker?

Goats...Defensive coaching staff and players. Lack of preparation, lack of execution, lack of desire.
Collective dropped passes.
Head Coach. For much of the game this team looked like it was just going through the motions. Lack of motivation and unable to adjust.

One of the phrases that's used a lot over in V&N is that they were trying to tell us who they were, we just weren't paying attention.

They fell behind by 3 scores in 3 of their last 4, and that became 4 of their last 5 last night.

This is pure Pats colored glasses talking, but in a way I am hoping that the blowout opens their eyes. The late season losses to Indy, Buffalo, and Miami were met with "we just need to start better, clean up some mistakes, and we'll be fine" (not saying BB or any player specifically said this, but it was at least the prevailing attitude among the fans). The second half rallies in those games might have blinded us to more fundamental problems. The final scores looked better than they were (maybe). Last night wasn't one of those "you aren't as great as you look when you win by 30 and you don't suck as bad as you look when you lose by 30" type of games. It wasn't just one thing that led to a snowball effect that they could point to and say "the game might have gone differently if...". They got their asses handed to them across the board and hopefully it sparks a realization that they need to re-evaluate a lot of different areas. I trust that this is how BB is thinking, and I am excited to see how he addresses it.

 

[BaseballJones]

Nothing the offense did or didn’t do mattered. Two games against a division rival, one for the division and a playoff game, zero forced punts, a shit-ton of yards and way too many points. I expected a loss but that was an embarrassment.

Everyone involved in any way with the defense gets the Goat. I can’t believe I shut off a playoff game before it was over but I couldn’t watch that garbage.

Here were Buffalo's drives the past two games against NE (not counting kneel-downs):

13 plays, 61 yards, TD
10 plays, 68 yards, FG (after Sanders dropped a wide open TD right in his hands)
7 plays, 32 yards, turnover on downs at the NE 1
7 plays, 42 yards, TD
14 plays, 64 yards, FG
9 plays, 66 yards, TD
13 plays, 75 yards, TD
9 plays, 70 yards, TD
10 plays, 80 yards, TD
10 plays, 81 yards, TD
4 plays, 89 yards, TD
6 plays, 58 yards, TD
9 plays, 77 yards, TD
3 plays, 39 yards, TD

I mean, those are IMPOSSIBLE numbers. 14 drives, 11 TD, 2 FG, and 1 "stop", where the Bills were left at New England's doorstep.

The last 9 drives: 73 plays, 635 yards (8.7 yds per play, 70.6 yds per drive), 9 TD, 0 FG, 0 punts, 0 turnovers, 0 stops of any kind

I still can't get over that last night, Buffalo had 7 third down plays all game long. The only one they failed to convert was the kneel down on the last play of the game (so technically it counts as a failed third down attempt). They were 6-6 in competition. Otherwise, the Bills amassed 29 first downs needing just 6 third down conversions to do it. What's crazy is that NE was 11-18 on 3rd/4th down, which is REALLY good. But Buffalo didn't even need to break a sweat last night. It was truly men amongst boys.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

LOL followed immediately by a drop by Meyers on the right sideline after Jonnu Smith tipped it. Why did Smith tip it? Who the hell knows. He was in the passing lane when I'm sure the play didn't call for that. A comedy of errors even though Mac was throwing dimes.

Ah, Jonnu. I don't think Meyers can be blamed for that drop. To me it was all on Jonnu, who I assume was supposed to be somewhere else and not tipping a ball intended for Meyers. (I guess the alternative explanation is that Mac was throing to Jonnu and missed high. Anyone?)

Mac overcame the Bolden drop, though. It cost them about 15 yards of field position from where that catch would have put them compared to where they were when the pick was thrown (on a first down play, nonetheless). I honestly don't think it was that much of a game changer at the end of the day.

Hard to call anything a game changer in this game, but maybe if Bolden hangs on they punch that one in.

I'm not sure if Mac is the answer at QB. I think it's reasonable to have some questions about that. Hell, I think it would be rare to come to the conclusion of a rookie QB season and have no qualms at all. I will say that I was really impressed by his heart and toughness. He got drilled repeatedly and still hung in. Late in the game, despite the score and situation, he got out in front of a play and threw a really nice block. Was it smart, looking back? Maybe not, but on a night where there was very little in the way of grit, Mac showed once again he's chock full of it. One of the few times in the game a play made me smile, even if it was just a hint of one for a brief moment.

I think it is reasonable to have some questions about whether Mac is the answer, but, as you suggest, not based on this game.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

Could there be a single goat? There isn’t one area in the game where the Patriots performed even comparably to the Bills. They looked old and extremely slow. They seemed to get beaten to every spot.

I’d rather award a game ball to Bourne and leave it there.

I thought Folk outperformed the Bills kicker but other than that you're right.

 

[jose melendez]

It also really bugged me that they never went hurry up. Down 21-0, you need points quickly.

This. I’m trying to remember… did they go no huddle at all this year in non two minute drills?

 

[PayrodsFirstClutchHit]

Winning the coin toss and deferring has been Bill's thing for seems like a decade. Last night was the time to get your offense going early and avoid going down 7-0. Keep your offense from sitting on the sidelines getting cold and having to play catchup in a game where offense will be how you stay in the game.

And WTF with all of the punting? Every single punting decision was wrong. The Bills were right back to the point of the punt within a few plays. Take the risk and allow your rookie QB and offense to gain some confidence. Punting on every 4th down sends the message you do not trust them to gain a couple of yards when needed.

 

[YTF]

Here were Buffalo's drives the past two games against NE (not counting kneel-downs):

13 plays, 61 yards, TD
10 plays, 68 yards, FG (after Sanders dropped a wide open TD right in his hands)
7 plays, 32 yards, turnover on downs at the NE 1
7 plays, 42 yards, TD
14 plays, 64 yards, FG
9 plays, 66 yards, TD
13 plays, 75 yards, TD
9 plays, 70 yards, TD
10 plays, 80 yards, TD
10 plays, 81 yards, TD
4 plays, 89 yards, TD
6 plays, 58 yards, TD
9 plays, 77 yards, TD
3 plays, 39 yards, TD

I mean, those are IMPOSSIBLE numbers. 14 drives, 11 TD, 2 FG, and 1 "stop", where the Bills were left at New England's doorstep.

The last 9 drives: 73 plays, 635 yards (8.7 yds per play, 70.6 yds per drive), 9 TD, 0 FG, 0 punts, 0 turnovers, 0 stops of any kind

I still can't get over that last night, Buffalo had 7 third down plays all game long. The only one they failed to convert was the kneel down on the last play of the game (so technically it counts as a failed third down attempt). They were 6-6 in competition. Otherwise, the Bills amassed 29 first downs needing just 6 third down conversions to do it. What's crazy is that NE was 11-18 on 3rd/4th down, which is REALLY good. But Buffalo didn't even need to break a sweat last night. It was truly men amongst boys.

Great things happen when you can average 9 yards per play. If one were only looking at the score, they would be shocked at the time of possession in this game (31.25 Bills to 28.35 Pats).

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Bedard's game review is a little weird:

https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2022/01/15/bsj-wild-card-game-report-bills-new-england-season-ends-in-embarrassing-fashion

Early on he says this, which I agree with:

Mac Jones shows well - besides the two interceptions: If you just looked at the bottom line and stats, you'd say Mac Jones was not up to the task in his first postseason start as he was 24 of 38 for 232 yards, 2 TDs, 3 sacks and 2 INTs for a 75.8 rating. But I think Jones showed well, and might have answered the cold weather question for good. After the Bills drove the field for a TD to open the game, the Patriots came right back with two huge conversions in third and long, but the drive went from possible TD answer to interception when Micah Hyde make a terrific play to take a TD away from Nelson Agholor.

But then on the ups and downs, he says this:

ONE UP

Kendrick Bourne: Looked to be the only person on both sides of the ball that was a real difference-maker. He had eight touches for 91 yards and two touchdowns on fourth-down receptions.

I'd have Mac up, too.

For the life of me I don't understand the Judon implosion. Going into the bye it seemed like we had found a defensive captain and playmaker. Over the last 5 games, he was missing in action. Today, he was reduced to the role of ineffectual sub rusher.

 

[rodderick]

I don't know about Mac, I think his stats were worse than his play to start the game and probably better than his play to end it. Two TD drives in garbage time pump the final numbers up a lot too.

 

[StupendousMan]

For the life of me I don't understand the Judon implosion. Going into the bye it seemed like we had found a defensive captain and playmaker. Over the last 5 games, he was missing in action. Today, he was reduced to the role of ineffectual sub rusher.

I will not be surprised to hear over the next couple of weeks that Judon has been playing through some sort of illness or injury for the last month.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I don't know about Mac, I think his stats were worse than his play to start the game and probably better than his play to end it. Two TD drives in garbage time pump the final numbers up a lot too.

Which has kind of been the story of Mac in most of the losses. He certainly shows promise and had a good rookie season but he wasn’t asked to or able to win games for the Pats. 7 INT in the last four losses of the season, games in which Jones combined for 0 first half passing TD and which the Pats were down a cumulative 78-17 at halftime. Good experience for him and certainly think and hope he’s able to build on it, but he really wasn’t a plus down the stretch (and surely the supporting cast was a big factor).

 

[Dogman]

I will not be surprised to hear over the next couple of weeks that Judon has been playing through some sort of illness or injury for the last month.

This is my guess as well. I think he cracked a rib or two just before the bye week and played through it.

 

[CapeCodYaz]

They looked like a dome team that wanted no part of the weather. It was remarkable how bad they were. Just zero resistance the entire game.

they actually looked like they weren't trying and hustling which is very un-patriot like

 

[Cabin Mirror]

Feels silly to point out since it is inconsequential in the over all game, but this play on the 2nd Bills drive pissed me off. This looks like a blatant hold to me, and would have actually put them in 3rd and long (only opportunity all game it turns out), possibly out of FG range.

In a game where nothing was going right, a stop here may have made some kind of difference. Probably not, but at the time I still had some glimmer of hope.

 

[shawnrbu]

they actually looked like they weren't trying and hustling which is very un-patriot like

After the Miami game, Bedard said they looked like a team that can’t wait for the season to end. Last night’s performance proved Bedard correct. Hopefully, someone in the media will get the full story about what happened to this team during the bye week.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Feels silly to point out since it is inconsequential in the over all game, but this play on the 2nd Bills drive pissed me off. This looks like a blatant hold to me, and would have actually put them in 3rd and long (only opportunity all game it turns out), possibly out of FG range.

In a game where nothing was going right, a stop here may have made some kind of difference. Probably not, but at the time I still had some glimmer of hope.

View attachment 48392

Yup. Saw that one live and it was clear as day. Wise was tackled.

 

[Captaincoop]

The coaching staff owns that loss. You can't have a 10-win team come out and play that poorly across the board if it's remotely prepared for the game.

The whole team just spent a month looking like the players collectively don't care. That's horrifying from a rebuilding standpoint.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

If being beaten by a superior opponent is something to get upset about, the entire team are goats.

Its hard for me to be upset with this season though - I was able to dream on this team doing something in the playoffs for a few weeks in the middle which a lot of other NFL fans don't get. In addition Jones was a revelation for all his flaws, there FAs were pretty good until they hit a wall/injuries etc and this loss didn't sting that bad given that they were essentially dead after the first quarter.

 

[ShaneTrot]

Howe said in the last 5 games, the defense had 10 tackles for loss. 3 against Jacksonville. The front seven collapsed after the bye. They let that shitty Miami offense line run over them, then this shitty Singletary ran all over them. I love Guy, Hightower, and Van Noy but man these guys are slow. I cannot get too upset about the secondary, they were at least short-handed for this game.

 

[Captaincoop]

If being beaten by a superior opponent is something to get upset about, the entire team are goats.

Its hard for me to be upset with this season though - I was able to dream on this team doing something in the playoffs for a few weeks in the middle which a lot of other NFL fans don't get. In addition Jones was a revelation for all his flaws, there FAs were pretty good until they hit a wall/injuries etc and this loss didn't sting that bad given that they were essentially dead after the first quarter.

Agree with the whole second paragraph, but let's not pretend the Pats just lost to the '85 Bears or some historic juggernaut. They got absolutely embarrassed by a pretty good, 6-loss, playoff team. It is certainly fair cause for fan angst.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Agree with the whole second paragraph, but let's not pretend the Pats just lost to the '85 Bears or some historic juggernaut. They got absolutely embarrassed by a pretty good, 6-loss, playoff team. It is certainly fair cause for fan angst.

Yeah, and being disappointed about last night and the season are two completely different topics that shouldn’t be conflated. Most reasonable people will view this season as a success but last night was an absolute joke. They looked like JV against the Varsity. It was just ugly.