Stats on Pats Weekly Article by Joshua Bonneau, southcoast247.com correspondent
28-6 rout in Buffalo makes for seventh straight against the franchise
For the seventh straight time, the New England Patriot’s have beaten their AFC east rival Bills, taking the ledger to 12 wins in the last 13 times they have faced off. When the smoke cleared on this one, there was nothing left of the pre-game speculation that had many saying Buffalo would respond willfully to the 19-17, tight-edged loss at Gillette on opening day. Well it was true that Buffalo had brought the will, but they must have forgotten to bring the basics.
For instance, when Buffalo defensive end Chris Kelsay threw a flagrant late hit on Tom Brady in the red zone, he drew a critical penalty that moved the chains, and ultimately led to a Patriot touchdown. Or on other counts, the many missed opportunities and the turnovers that Buffalo allowed throughout the day. When a team beats themselves with penalties, miscues, and general flatline stupidity, there is nobody to blame other than the coaching staff. So what is the point of all of this?
Simply enough it illustrates the importance of discipline in football. In the game on Sunday, the difference between each respective team’s level of discipline was obvious. Where the Buffalo Bills allowed three turnovers, the Patriot’s allowed zero. Where the Bills collected 9 penalties for a total of 67 yards, the Pats had just 3 for 25 yards. “It was a long day,” Said Buffalo coach Dick Jauron. We continue to make foolish errors that don’t really give us much of a chance to win the game.”
Indeed, Dick. They don’t.
But then again, if the Pats were undisciplined, the Bill’s mistakes wouldn’t loom so large. So in the end, it all harkens back to one man, Belichick.
“There were some things that we did well, and other things we can stand to improve on.” In his characteristically dull, unwavering monotone Belichick outlined both the positives and the negatives of Sunday’s performance in his post game press conference. Some of his more optimistic remarks focused on the Patriot’s ability to force turnovers, to capitalize on Buffalo’s mistakes, and to create for themselves a short field through big plays on both sides of the ball, and special teams.
One thing I’ve noticed is how some of Belichick’s mannerisms and coaching values have become manifest in the personalities of his players.
“Ya know it’s like I said a thousand times before, there are some areas that you feel are working and some that could be better…you can always be better,” understated Tom Brady after the game. He had a modest day at the helm, completing 67 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
LB Rosevelt Colvin echoed Brady by saying “We feel pretty good right now, but we can always be better.”
Well said, young Belichick disciples, but a 28-6 handling to a divisional opponent on the road is grounds for giving some credit where it’s due. Maybe it will take a big win to do so. And with the upcoming schedule ushering in Chicago and Indie, it remains to be seen whether or not the Pats will be showing any of that emotion.
For the seventh straight time, the New England Patriot’s have beaten their AFC east rival Bills, taking the ledger to 12 wins in the last 13 times they have faced off. When the smoke cleared on this one, there was nothing left of the pre-game speculation that had many saying Buffalo would respond willfully to the 19-17, tight-edged loss at Gillette on opening day. Well it was true that Buffalo had brought the will, but they must have forgotten to bring the basics.
For instance, when Buffalo defensive end Chris Kelsay threw a flagrant late hit on Tom Brady in the red zone, he drew a critical penalty that moved the chains, and ultimately led to a Patriot touchdown. Or on other counts, the many missed opportunities and the turnovers that Buffalo allowed throughout the day. When a team beats themselves with penalties, miscues, and general flatline stupidity, there is nobody to blame other than the coaching staff. So what is the point of all of this?
But then again, if the Pats were undisciplined, the Bill’s mistakes wouldn’t loom so large. So in the end, it all harkens back to one man, Belichick.
“Ya know it’s like I said a thousand times before, there are some areas that you feel are working and some that could be better…you can always be better,” understated Tom Brady after the game. He had a modest day at the helm, completing 67 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
