Patriots Come Back to Dominate Bills, Win 52-28


Quarter 1

>> The Patriots defense looked shaky on the first drive. And by shaky I mean awful. It took them too long to get going, and were it not for an awesome play in the backfield by rookie defensive end Chandler Jones, Buffalo could've gotten off to an early lead. These guys need to work on coming out of the locker room with some fire.

>> Did anyone else see that ball? Quarterback Tom Brady connected with third year tight end Rob Gronkowski deep down the right side of the field for a 41 yard pickup. This set up a New England touchdown, the first time the Pats have scored on their opening drive this season.

>> Dont'a Hightower's sack on Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was a thing of beauty as he shed the block by the running back (some say "shed", I'd go with "completely ignored") This play was followed by a Vince Wilfork tipped pass, that was intercepted by former first team All-Pro linebacker Jerod Mayo.

>> The Patriots didn't see a screen coming that even I read out, giving up a gain of about 30. Bad move. Also after throwing 5 straight completions, Brady has thrown 4 incompletions.

Quarter 2

>> Stephon Gilmore went out with what seems to be a minor injury. This could effect the game tremendously if Buffalo has to replace him.

>> Brady keeps gunning to Brandon Lloyd when he's under pressure, and while B. Lloyd is a great receiver, you've got some other options Tom. Sure, Lloyd dropped that ball, but jeez buddy, throw another dog the bone!

>> The Patriots defense is stepping up big time. I'm playing against them in fantasy this week, and boy are they annoying as shit right now. Great sign for our boys.

>> Gronk's fumble is inexcusable. I understand trying to fight for extra yards, and a lot of times he can turn big plays. But at some point you have to go down, ball security is top priority for any team.

>> Chung didn't see the ball at any point on that touchdown. Come on buddy. Also I'm not too fond of the Pats' dry spells of pressure. Either thy're on fire, or they are M.I.A.

>> I'm liking offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' utilization of the run game. Brady hasn't had to play his usual style of hero ball. He has a running game to rely on for the first time in years.

>> IF STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI MISSES ANOTHER FIELD GOAL I WILL PERSONALLY CUT HIM FROM THE TEAM. Seriously. You're blowing games for us at this point, and there are plenty of people who can kick a brown oval shaped thing.

>> Can we please stop making Ryan Fitzpatrick look so good? What are we doing guys?! After a bad spot on what should have been a New England first down, and a bad kick, the Bills march down the field on us. We've got to be much better than that.

>> And yet another fumble. The Patriots should just hand Buffalo the ball. One of the best teams over the past decade in hanging onto the ball is playing like absolute garbage in that respect right now. The Bills are getting great opportunities from New England; one's that are quite costly.

>> And somehow the defense bails us out of a bad situation again. At the half, Buffalo: 14 New England: 7

Quarter 3

>> Well, Gronk with another drop. He's killing me right now. But great running by Brandon Bolden and Stevan Ridley led to a New England touchdown on a great effort by running back Danny Woodhead to get open. Also, via ESPN Stats and Info. Brady's touchdown pass was his first completion outside the pocket this season. Previously he was 0 for 8.

>> Brandon Bolden, an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss, is really impressing me. He had two big runs on the Buffalo defense, and is really really making me happy that he made the roster.

>> TOM BRADY WITH A RUSHING TOUCHDOWN. How often does anyone hear that? The greatest scrambling quarterback of his generation (I'm completely kidding of course) takes it in himself for 6. Afterwards you see him laughing about it with another out of screen player. New England is back in this game.

>> We're getting pressure now, and it's effecting Fitzy. Also Cordy Glenn was injured on the play after Chandler Jones threw him to the ground. Ouch. I'll take this opportunity to remind fans never to cheer for an injury. If the guy is seriously hurt, remember this is just a game. It's hard, but they're real people just like us.

>>The Pats close out the 3rd quarter with a few first downs in a row. Brady to Welker seems unstoppable, as he's over the 100 yard mark for the game.

Quarter 4

>> On the first play of the fourth quarter, Brady hit a wide open Rob Gronkowski for a 28 yard touchdown strike.

>> Brandon Spikes is an absolute THUMPER. The way he hit Freddy Jackson was incredible, forcing a fumble and giving possession of the ball to the Patriots.

>> Ridley and Bolden are just making me smile from ear to ear. I haven't seen this type of production since Corey Dillon. And with another Ridley touchdown, we've got 2 rushers over 100 yards for the first time in 200 years.... at least it feels like that. (Just saw on tv, the last time it happened was 1982.

>> Vince Wilfork just came up with one of the hardest hits I've ever seen in my life. Wow. Poor Donald Jones. Also Chandler Jones has been all over these dropped balls, even though they aren't fumbles. His awareness vastly excedes his age.

>> Big plays are happening faster than I can type them. Devin McCourty with his second pick of the day on an underthrown pass by Ryan Fitzpatrick. McCourty had an amazing rookie season, and after last year's disappointing campaign, he has shown up today, hopefully a sign of what will be his performance for the rest of the season. An awesome return gives New England great field position.

>> Bolden with a rushing TD! New England has scored 35 unanswered points on the Bills defense with a dominant rushing attack. This game seems all but wrapped up, but never speak too soon. The Bills have shown flashes of greatness on offense.

>> New England has 2 100 yard rushers, and 2 100 yard receivers in the same game. This is only the second time in NFL history that this has been achieved. (Green Bay, 2008)

>> Chandler Jones needs a sack. He generates tremendous pressure on almost every play, and just can't get in there. This isn't meant to be a knock on Jones, it's me saying that based on the pass rushing effort by Jones, he deserves to come up with a sack.

>> If you take away the interceptions, Ryan Fitzpatrick has had his way with the Patriots defense. But the Pats specialize in takeaways, so this isn't a huge cause for concern.

>> The Pats blown coverage on the out of bounds catch by Stevie Johnson is troublesome. Our secondary really needs to get it together.

>> Forget about Welker being phased out of this offense, it's not happening any time soon.

>> Brandon Lloyd with a touchdown to absolutely ice this game, a fantastic throw by Tom, and just a terrific catch by Lloyd.

>> And a pick by Tavon Wilson. The rookie has 2 picks so far this season. Wilson was widely regarded as a head scratcher pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and his performace thus far has been great for a rookie.

>> A great offensive showing by the Pats, not so much on defense as far as yardage. Lots of room for improvement.