Pats-Bills 9/14

[xmuscularghandix]

A very ugly 1-0

disagree, these nail biters are the way they played a couple years ago. And the defense played pretty good considering Mayo went down and it was a whole new set of defense. When you need a turnover you get one... this is the way our dynasty works.

[Big_Matt34]

disagree, these nail biters are the way they played a couple years ago. And the defense played pretty good considering Mayo went down and it was a whole new set of defense. When you need a turnover you get one... this is the way our dynasty works.

I agree, and what i most liked about this game is that the defense got a stop when needed to get the win. Have not seen that much the last few years, and it was even more encouraging considering it was without Mayo on the field. Meriweather is becoming a monster safety, it will be fun to watch him this year.
 
TO and Lee Evans is a very, very good WR duo and the Pats secondary did a great job on them. They held the Bills to 4 yards per rush, they were hurt with short passes to the RB's which Mayo would help take care of. However, he better be healthy next week because if Fred Jackson hurt them when getting open space i dont even wanna know what Leon Washington would do.

[Neurotic Guy]

Well, what a start to the Pat's season for me.  Had my daughter's high school open house tonight so I DVR'd the game.  Managed to avoid overhearing the score and got home at about 9:15 so I figured I'd wait till the game was over and then watch.  Of course, I messed up the recording and actually recorded nothing at all.  So...missed it. It sure sounded like fun.  

[jambr380]

A very ugly 1-0

disagree, these nail biters are the way they played a couple years ago. And the defense played pretty good considering Mayo went down and it was a whole new set of defense. When you need a turnover you get one... this is the way our dynasty works.

Two years ago was great and all, but they lost the biggest nailbiter of all in game 19 to ruin the perfect season. I am all about winning nailbiters, because that means we still won, but I would much rather we blow every team out.

Hopefully Mayo will be alright. I know the defense was a little weak tonight, but they only gave up 17 points. If they do that all season, the offense should definitely more than make up for that...I also agree with the poster that praised the DBs- they are still learning the Pats system, but did a solid job tonight, especially on TO.

[crownsy]

Gotta fix our defense somehow.

Can't rely on special teams to force fumbles during crunch time to get us back in the game.

They gave up 17 points, without their best LB, who is also arguably their best defensive player on the field.


17 points in the NFL should be enough to hold teams period, doubly so when you consider our offense.

side note, I Thought merriweather had a hell of a game, and not just on the strip.

[nickagneta]

Hated:

-Mayo getting hurt
-Defensive inefficiency in holding the Bills on third and fourth down during the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
-Running game though I think that has more to do with the next problem and less with the running backs
-The offensive line in either pass protection or opening holes
-Lack of pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush
-Tackling, to much trying to hit up high to make the tackle and not enough good tough wrap ups and immediate stops
-Kevin Faulk on the kickoff returns. he's a half step slower and it showed on his need to have that speed burst on the kickoff return. It didn't exist.

Loved:

-Brady being back
-Getting the big turnover when they had to have it.
-The defensive secondary and the job they did on Terrell Owens
-The defense didn't let a couple of questionable PF calls effect their aggressiveness or the way they played the game.
-Guyton and Thomas stepping into the middle and taking over for the hurting Mayo. They weren't perfect but considering how important Mayo's position and ability is to this defense, I was impressed. Except for 4-6 crucial letdowns on important plays they were solid in the middle.
-The comeback
-The final result

[Big_Matt34]

Hated:

-Mayo getting hurt
-Running game though I think that has more to do with the next problem and less with the running backs
-The offensive line in either pass protection or opening holes
-Lack of pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush

Those are the three things im worried about, Mayo better be ok because he is their best defensive player IMO. The offensive line is a problem, they can't open many holes in the running game and teams with fast DE's are gonna abuse Light when pass blocking.

I think the line putting pressure on the QB is they key to their defense. I do think they get better at rushing the passer once they adjust to Seymour being gone, that deal was done a bit to close to the start of the regular season. One guy who looked real good rushing the passer was Banta Cain, dude must be happy to be back here.

[crownsy]

Hated:

-Mayo getting hurt
-Defensive inefficiency in holding the Bills on third and fourth down during the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
-Running game though I think that has more to do with the next problem and less with the running backs
-The offensive line in either pass protection or opening holes
-Lack of pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush
-Tackling, to much trying to hit up high to make the tackle and not enough good tough wrap ups and immediate stops
-Kevin Faulk on the kickoff returns. he's a half step slower and it showed on his need to have that speed burst on the kickoff return. It didn't exist.

Loved:

-Brady being back
-Getting the big turnover when they had to have it.
-The defensive secondary and the job they did on Terrell Owens
-The defense didn't let a couple of questionable PF calls effect their aggressiveness or the way they played the game.
-Guyton and Thomas stepping into the middle and taking over for the hurting Mayo. They weren't perfect but considering how important Mayo's position and ability is to this defense, I was impressed. Except for 4-6 crucial letdowns on important plays they were solid in the middle.
-The comeback
-The final result

What did you think of merriweather overall tonight nick?

Also, anyone watching the night cap?

I'm no raiders fan, but if that isn't a touchdown, the rule book is wrong. The kid had it, got both feet down, got his HIP down, and then his shoulder slamming into the ground caused the ball to move all of an inch, if anything.

I understand the nose of the ball touched, but his arm was clearly under it, and nothing but the ground rushing up at a high rate of speed made that ball move a millimeter.

I;m with ESPN's announcing crew for once, that's an atrocious call on review. They overruled themselves and got it wrong. Happens, but still sucks for that rookie kid who made an amazing catch.

[Big_Matt34]

side note, I Thought merriweather had a hell of a game, and not just on the strip.

I may be physically incapable of passing up chances to praise and hype up Meriweather. But i think he was awesome tonight and will become one of the elite safeties in the league this season. He is all over the field, makes plays in the running game while having the speed and instincts to be a ballhawk in the passing game.

[jdpapa3]

Being a Bills fan is so tough...at least when the Celtics were bad, fans had a history to fall back on. Just knee the ball in the end zone, hold the ball with two hands, or fall down when a guy gets near you. I don't know who to blame here: head coach, st coach, or McKelvin, but I'm leaning towards all 3. On a play where you are yelling at your screen to "hold the ball" you would hope the coaches would have said something before the play or the player would have common sense. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Seymour still looks elite and your ends didn't look hot tonight...just sayin'.

[KJ33]

Hated:

-Mayo getting hurt
-Defensive inefficiency in holding the Bills on third and fourth down during the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
-Running game though I think that has more to do with the next problem and less with the running backs
-The offensive line in either pass protection or opening holes
-Lack of pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush
-Tackling, to much trying to hit up high to make the tackle and not enough good tough wrap ups and immediate stops
-Kevin Faulk on the kickoff returns. he's a half step slower and it showed on his need to have that speed burst on the kickoff return. It didn't exist.

Loved:

-Brady being back
-Getting the big turnover when they had to have it.
-The defensive secondary and the job they did on Terrell Owens
-The defense didn't let a couple of questionable PF calls effect their aggressiveness or the way they played the game.
-Guyton and Thomas stepping into the middle and taking over for the hurting Mayo. They weren't perfect but considering how important Mayo's position and ability is to this defense, I was impressed. Except for 4-6 crucial letdowns on important plays they were solid in the middle.
-The comeback
-The final result

What did you think of merriweather overall tonight nick?

Also, anyone watching the night cap?

I'm no raiders fan, but if that isn't a touchdown, the rule book is wrong. The kid had it, got both feet down, got his HIP down, and then his shoulder slamming into the ground caused the ball to move all of an inch, if anything.

I understand the nose of the ball touched, but his arm was clearly under it, and nothing but the ground rushing up at a high rate of speed made that ball move a millimeter.

I;m with ESPN's announcing crew for once, that's an atrocious call on review. They overruled themselves and got it wrong. Happens, but still sucks for that rookie kid who made an amazing catch.

You must have missed the reverse angle replay (which admittedly they only showed once, which was baffling) which showed the ball coming out all the way, the other angles did not show that, and/or you don't entirely understand the rule, like Steve Young.  The receiver must control the ball all the way to the ground, which did not happen here, easy call. 

You think the ref would overturn a call, which has the burden of having to be conclusive, if there wasn't clear evidence to do so?  What would be his reasoning otherwise?  Again, ESPN only showed the reverse angle once, not sure why, and the ball came out all the way, only to be scooped back up again quickly by the receiver to sell it.  Clearly this is the angle the ref used to determine the reversal.

[crownsy]

Hated:

-Mayo getting hurt
-Defensive inefficiency in holding the Bills on third and fourth down during the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
-Running game though I think that has more to do with the next problem and less with the running backs
-The offensive line in either pass protection or opening holes
-Lack of pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush
-Tackling, to much trying to hit up high to make the tackle and not enough good tough wrap ups and immediate stops
-Kevin Faulk on the kickoff returns. he's a half step slower and it showed on his need to have that speed burst on the kickoff return. It didn't exist.

Loved:

-Brady being back
-Getting the big turnover when they had to have it.
-The defensive secondary and the job they did on Terrell Owens
-The defense didn't let a couple of questionable PF calls effect their aggressiveness or the way they played the game.
-Guyton and Thomas stepping into the middle and taking over for the hurting Mayo. They weren't perfect but considering how important Mayo's position and ability is to this defense, I was impressed. Except for 4-6 crucial letdowns on important plays they were solid in the middle.
-The comeback
-The final result

What did you think of merriweather overall tonight nick?

Also, anyone watching the night cap?

I'm no raiders fan, but if that isn't a touchdown, the rule book is wrong. The kid had it, got both feet down, got his HIP down, and then his shoulder slamming into the ground caused the ball to move all of an inch, if anything.

I understand the nose of the ball touched, but his arm was clearly under it, and nothing but the ground rushing up at a high rate of speed made that ball move a millimeter.

I;m with ESPN's announcing crew for once, that's an atrocious call on review. They overruled themselves and got it wrong. Happens, but still sucks for that rookie kid who made an amazing catch.

You must have missed the reverse angle replay (which admittedly they only showed once, which was baffling) which showed the ball coming out all the way, the other angles did not show that, and/or you don't entirely understand the rule, like Steve Young.  The receiver must control the ball all the way to the ground, which did not happen here, easy call. 

You think the ref would overturn a call, which has the burden of having to be conclusive, if there wasn't clear evidence to do so?  What would be his reasoning otherwise?  Again, ESPN only showed the reverse angle once, not sure why, and the ball came out all the way, only to be scooped back up again quickly by the receiver to sell it.  Clearly this is the angle the ref used to determine the reversal.

because no ref ever blows a call, even after a reply.

And yes, i saw that angle. the ball did not come out. it moved, as  a result of his shoulder, which was the last part of him coming down, slamming the turf, but he still clearly had his arm under it.

To me, thats crap. The kid caught the football, and had more than enough control of it throughout the duration of getting both feet down, slaming into the ground with his hip, and then hitting the ground with his upper body as the defender finished his hit.

Again, i understand the ball moved and the tip technically touched the ground. but if the ground can't cause a fumble, why can it cause a incomplete pass when its contact with the FOURTH part of a player causes slight jarring and he clearly maintains control?

Your entitled to your opinion that me and steve young are wrong, but to me, that's a catch.

[crownsy]

Karma Proves me and steve right

EDIT: But in the end, the raiders are still the raiders hehe.

[jdpapa3]

The ball came loose upon hitting the ground. From my memory of the rules, the ref made the right call.

[Rondo2287]

Hated:

-Mayo getting hurt
-Defensive inefficiency in holding the Bills on third and fourth down during the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
-Running game though I think that has more to do with the next problem and less with the running backs
-The offensive line in either pass protection or opening holes
-Lack of pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush
-Tackling, to much trying to hit up high to make the tackle and not enough good tough wrap ups and immediate stops
-Kevin Faulk on the kickoff returns. he's a half step slower and it showed on his need to have that speed burst on the kickoff return. It didn't exist.

Loved:

-Brady being back
-Getting the big turnover when they had to have it.
-The defensive secondary and the job they did on Terrell Owens
-The defense didn't let a couple of questionable PF calls effect their aggressiveness or the way they played the game.
-Guyton and Thomas stepping into the middle and taking over for the hurting Mayo. They weren't perfect but considering how important Mayo's position and ability is to this defense, I was impressed. Except for 4-6 crucial letdowns on important plays they were solid in the middle.
-The comeback
-The final result

Looking back at this game I really think it shouldent have been as close as it was.  Aside from the fact that the Pats dominated the Stats sheet, just watching the game nobody would have guessed the pats were losing.  The factors in making the game as close as it was 

Gostkowski- Misses 41 yarder  -3 for pat
Brady- Interception for touchdown  +7 for Bills
Thomas- Penalty for throwing down QB  +4 points for Bills(Assuming they get field goal)

So your looking at a 2 touchdown swing off of pats mistakes alone. 

I think the pats D played very well, especially considering Mayo went out.  Its my understanding that the pats didnt have the signal caller on the field after mayo went out, Thomas said, "We didn’t really know what was going on. Me and Gary went in there and just had to communicate with guys. Guys moving around everywhere. It was definitely an adjustment on the fly."

I was very impressed with the secondary for the most part.  No big plays out of TO and Lee Evans was clearly their game plan which made them suceptable to screens but they kept the play in front of them and you have to figure with Mayo in there the screens are cut down maybe 1-3 yards earlier.  And it was awesome seeing Butler jump in and almost pick that pass in the 4th quarter. 

Story of this game was the Pats inability to finish drives on the offensive end. Whether it be the missed field goal or the first and goal inside the ten they couldnt convert.  I would have loved to see some more Chris Baker on that goal line series, but I am going to put my faith in Brady and Bill that they can get that figured out.  Also I was happy to see some bursts out of Maroney and Taylor when the holes were there, they just need to be opened up more as was already discussed by many on here.