Tag Archives: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Way Too Early 2018 Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft

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As the 2017 NFL regular season is coming to a close in a few weeks, analysts are beginning to look into each team’s future. The 2018 Draft is slowly approaching and now is the time to start to think about how college talent is going to be translated into the league next year. Some teams that were out of luck this season aim for renewal in 2018 as they hope whatever piece they bring in will be a game-changer. For others much like the Patriots the draft is for acquisitions that will be ready to go when their name is called. That could come in midseason of their rookie year, or the beginning of their third in the NFL. With the current state of the Patriots, there is no need for panic.

The Patriots are always silent when it comes to their plans for the future. We have seen two different front office approaches from the Patriots in the past. Back in 2012 they hit a home run by drafting both Dont’a Hightower and former Patriot Chandler Jones. Adversely last season they belted out their early picks as draft night approached for immediate talent like Brandin Cooks. The Patriots are not afraid to pass up on young talent in the draft, and through whatever algorithm they use they do not select many busts. Now five months away until the 2018 Draft, the Patriots currently have the following picks:

1st round pick (NE)

2nd round pick (NE)

2nd round pick (via San Francisco, acquired in the Garoppolo trade)

3rd round pick (NE)*

4th round pick (NE)*

6th round pick (NE)

7th round pick (NE)**

The Patriots will either have to give up their 3rd or 4th round pick to the Eagles due to a deal made for Eric Rowe back in 2016. This will be decided based on his snap percentage since 2016. Due to the playing time he has missed this season from injury, I can only see it feasible that the Patriots will have to give their 4th. The Seahawks own New England’s 5th round pick from a deal for Cassius Marsh in the offseason. Finally, the Pats might also owe their 7th round pick to the Bengals after acquiring Marquis Flowers from them back in August. However, it is unconfirmed if the pick was for 2018 or not.

The following mock draft will change a lot from now to April 26th due to draft order, team needs, free agency grades, etc. Some college prospects listed have not even declared for the 2018 draft yet.

1st Round: Ben Banogu, DE/OLB, TCU

If there’s one element that the Patriots need help with the most, it’s help with their pass rush. Their defensive line has not been the same since Rob Ninkovich retired in the offseason. Watching the likes of Josh McCown be able to dance around in the pocket and avoiding sacks is pretty frustrating for fans, and even more for defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. ESPN’s Todd McShay has Banogu as the Patriots’ first pick in his first mock draft for 2018. Ben Banogu can add depth behind Dont’a Hightower and is capable of moving down to help out Trey Flowers as well. This pick could be up in the air since 2017 pick Derek Rivers has not yet proven himself after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason. Banogu recorded 15.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks in 2017, which fell below the radar a bit. But underrated and versatile prospects are what Bill Belichick loves. He served in a 4-2-5 defense at TCU, which is similar to the Patriots’ scheme. This pick would be great to quickly address the team’s pass rushing problems.

2nd Round: Mason Rudolph, QB, OSU & Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida

Even though we all wish he could, Tom Brady can’t play forever. With a presumably early 2nd round pick from the 49ers, the Patriots will have a whack at getting one of the many promising QBs that this draft class offers. Mason Rudolph is one that could be slept on in the first round, making him irresistible early in the second. In his four years at Oklahoma State Rudolph threw for 13,267 yards and 90 touchdowns with a QBR of 159.3. A strong-arm quarterback that operates under a spread system is something to raise eyebrows at if he were to become a Patriot. A few years under Tom Brady will give Rudolph the intangibles to lead the team in the future.

Mike Hughes is a solid corner that is projected to be taken in the 2nd or 3rd round. In 2017 he posted five interceptions, eleven passes blocked, a forced fumble, and forty four tackles. His return skills add another dimension into his game as well. His leadership at Central Florida helped bring the team to an undefeated season. Malcolm Butler could potentially walk after this season if contract negotiations don’t go well. Adding depth at corner will certainly help Stephon Gilmore, who is finally showing his talent on the Patriots.

3rd Round: Jaylen Samuels, FB, NC State

This is assuming that the Patriots get to keep their third rounder from the Eric Rowe trade.

Don’t be deterred by the fullback listing; Jaylen Samuels is probably one of the most versatile players in this draft class. Samuels plays tight end for NC State, but also lines up to take carries out of the backfield and gets splits outside. In 2017 he has 69 receptions for 551 yards and four touchdowns through the air. On the ground averages 5.4 yards per carry for 383 yards and 11 touchdowns. He can be a great back to have on third down for the Patriots because of his unpredictability. Coach Belichick has a history of taking versatile players in the draft, Julian Edelman being a prime example.

Follow Mike Clement on Twitter: @MClementMedia

Dwayne Allen Can Make up for Disappointing Season Against Dolphins

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Dwayne Allen hasn’t had the most successful season with the Patriots to say the least.

The Patriots acquired Allen and a 2017 sixth round pick this past offseason from the Colts for 2017 fourth rounder. The 6th year tight end came to New England with 1451 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns under his belt. His highlight performance thus far came almost a year ago, where he recorded three touchdown catches in the first half against the Jets. That was the Dwayne Allen Coach Belichick wanted on his squad coming into this season. The Dwayne Allen that decimated the Jets’ defense in 2016 would be dangerous when lined up with Rob Gronkowski. Bill Belichick envisioned Allen as being a perfect backup to Gronk after Martellus Bennett left the team for Green Bay. With his catching and blocking abilities Allen was theoretically one of the more exciting additions to the team last offseason. Or at least fans thought.

Unexpected Disappointment

The average NFL season possesses a certain level of entropy. A team that is successful one season might not be the next. A prime example is just about every team from the AFC West this season. The same principle goes for individual players as well. Dwayne Allen was one of the centerpieces of the Colts’ offense last season. Dubbed “Pylon Allen” by BSE’s Jeff Jardine, he has been the opposite of that so far in New England. He expected a decline in numbers when he took a secondary role on the Patriots. However, this season has been disappointing, even in backup standards. Allen has caught a mere five passes on thirteen targets. An easy drop in the home opener against the Chiefs set the tone of his season. The 406 receiving yards he put up in 2016 are ten times the amount of what he has this season.

It has been tough skating for Dwayne Allen in New England, but he doesn’t seem the slightest bit defeated. With Gronk serving a one game suspension, he will likely get the start for the first time as Patriot Monday night. Allen hopes to have similar results as Gronk when he tore up the Dolphins’ defense in Foxborough two weeks ago.

A Story of Redemption

Dolphins’ defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh told reporters that it is his job on Monday night to get in Tom Brady’s head.

“My job is to piss him off and have him yelling at his offensive linemen for not blocking me, his coach and everybody on the sideline.”

With the Patriots’ offensive line riddled with injuries as of late, the Dolphins’ defensive game plan will be focused on pressure. The only way to slow down the Patriots is to send Brady to the ground early and often. They expect that with Gronkowski out this week the Patriots will focus on their run game and passing short. Dolphins’ scouts have seen Dwayne Allen’s stats this year and have ruled out him being a factor on offense.

But Coach Belichick likes to keep defenses thinking, and I can see him using Dwayne Allen without hesitation early into the game. Quick slants and cross routes down the middle of the field will be a reliable outlet for Brady to get the ball out of his hands. Dwayne Allen won’t let this opportunity to be a focal point of the offense go to waste when his name gets called.

 

Josh McDaniels Controls His Own Future

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Another head coaching opportunity might be available for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels this offseason. The New York Giants have reportedly reached out to McDaniels as a potential candidate for their vacant head coach position after firing Ben McAdoo earlier this week. NBC Sports’s Mike Giardi reports that when asked about his interest in the position in a conference call on Tuesday, McDaniels gave a reserved response:

“I’m just interested in the Dolphins right now. That’s where my focus is at and that’s where it’s going to stay.”

Josh McDaniels has not served as a head coach since 2010 with the Denver Broncos. However, he has been in the running for head coaching positions that have popped up in the past two offseasons. He fielded interest from the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers for their head coach vacancies in the past two years. He shut down each offer, and expressed that he is more than content in New England.

McDaniels has built up a tremendous résumé with the New England Patriots. After his promotion to offensive coordinator in 2005 his work has been instrumental for the team. In 2007, his offense set records after scoring 67 touchdowns on offense. Though he left the Patriots from 2009-2011, he has been present for all five of the team’s Super Bowl wins. Though he is satisfied with his current position on the Patriots, he still longs to be a head coach again. In come the Giants.

An Offer of a Lifetime

The Giants are much different from teams that haven given McDaniels offers in the past. They are at a very interesting point currently after clearing out Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese. This has been a fluke season for the Giants. Injuries to Odell Beckham Jr., upon many others, crippled the team. No one going into this season saw the Giants having a losing record with the intangibles that they have. Injuries and poor coaching from McAdoo destroyed all passion that players had this season. Eli Manning briefly sitting on the bench caused him to realize his mortality in the league. If he decides to leave New York this offseason this could be a very interesting change in the team. The Giants can bounce right back by taking one of the premier quarterbacks this class has to offer.

Josh McDaniels is perfect for this role. He has the potential to do amazing things for the Giants franchise. This is a perfect opportunity to get to head coach one of the marquee franchises in the league. That said, he also could have a head coach role in the future where he is right now.

An Heir to the Dynasty

Though it could be a few years the road from now, Josh McDaniels could potentially receive a promotion. McDaniels has a very good shot at being the successor to the head coaching job in New England once Bill Belichick calls it quits. In a recent take on McDaniels’s future from NESN’s Doug Kyed, he suggests that Josh and director of player personnel Nick Caserio could work together to fill the head coach vacancy. The Patriots are known to promote from within once a position becomes available, so it is very possible that he could take over after Belichick retires.

The current question about that, however, is if he would rather stay in New England or take a current vacancy in New York. The reason why Josh McDaniels has turned down job offers in the past two years may allude to him potentially wanting the head coach job in New England in the post-Belichick era. Only in his 40’s, he could possibly stay with the Patriots for a number of years until Belichick retires. Josh McDaniels’s history in New England could keep him with the team for the long-run, and Patriots fans would love to see him take the reins in years to come.

The Patriots Travel to Miami to Take on the Dolphins

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Monday Night Football

FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 26: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Patriots travel to Miami to play the Dolphins on Monday night without Rob Gronkowski. He lost his appeal and will serve his one game suspension on Monday night. The Patriots however should beat the Dolphins without Gronk anyway. Far from elite quarterback Jay Cutler, who will be playing on Monday night, has never beaten the Patriots in his career. In the three times Cutler has played the Patriots his team was outscored by 34, 29, and 28 points. In two of the three times Cutler didn’t even finish the game.

Bill Belichick on Playing Without Gronk

ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball during NFL game action as Robert Blanton #26 of the Buffalo Bills and Zach Brown #53 and Jonathan Meeks #36 and Stephon Gilmore #24 gang tackle him at New Era Field on October 30, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

With Gronk not playing Bill Belichick was asked if the offensive game plan will change during his weekly Wednesday press conference:

“Well, we’ll just do what we always do. Take the players that we have available and match them up against the great team that Miami has, their defense and how difficult they are to play against and block and move the ball. Try to come up with the best plan that we can to be competitive with them Monday night.”

Another good question from today was how Brady was playing at such a high level at the age of 40.

“Yeah, well, Tom works hard. I think Tom’s talked a lot about that and discussed his personal training methods and so forth. So, I mean, he’s probably a better person to comment on that than I am, but Tom works hard.  He’s here every day and puts an awful lot into his preparation, both physically and mentally for the game. So, I think that has a lot to do with it.”

The Patriots Should Win Monday Night

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Patriots should be clear winners on Monday night. They are 10 point favorites and were 12 before Gronk lost his appeal. The defense is playing better and should be all over Cutler, who doesn’t want to play for the Dolphins anyway. The Patriots should walk away with a 34-17 win. Then it’s on to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers a week from Sunday.

Another Ladies’ Night in Buffalo

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“Well it ain’t much all right I know
But it’s the only song I know
2 a.m. and the traffic’s slow
Another ladies’s night in Buffalo”

-David Lee Roth

Per usual, DLR gets it right. Buffalo, for lack of a better adjective, sucks. As I type these first few sentences, I have just witnessed Rob Gronkowski get screwed again. Why? Because he is the greatest tight end in history and no one can cover him without foul. Sure, he tried to drive a defender in to the ground so hard he would reach the 7th Circle of Hell. So what? Gronk is a victim. He is like every intern at the Today show. Just trying to do some good and then the “magic button” gets pressed and he is trapped; to no fault of his own.

But, the mainstream media with spend the lion’s share of tonight/tomorrow/this week analyzing this aggression by RG, I am here to advise to another undercurrent that I want the fans of both sides of this game to recognize; Buffalo sucks.

You’re Not Good… You Stink

The legendary Ty Webb said it best. Yes, they suck at football. But the place just sucks in general. What do they have to offer this grand nation of ours? Bad weather? The world’s largest water slide? Shitty mustaches. You are New Yorkers, but not real New Yorkers. You are a 5-iron from being Canadian. That said, you ARE a great football town. I love this #BillsMafia phenomenon. You are embracing your sheer suckiness like you part Clevelander. Golf clap to that. The videos that dominate #Barstool on Sundays make us all laugh. But my condolences. Lighting yourselves on fire or slamming your buddy through a tailgate table is basically your only hope of getting media coverage. Desperate times, desperate measures. I get it and admire your grit.

Excuses Are like A$$holes…

And so, the Bills have lost to the New England Patriots… AGAIN. What do you do as you depart (I’m glad I am dead) Ralph Wilson Stadium? Here is my best guess.

– Pick a fight with the guy you have shared season tickets with for 11 years on way to car

– Talk about the Sabres in hopes of making yourself feel better

– Review the big day you have tomorrow working your plumbing apprentice job ‘near the Falls’ just to give your life some meaning

– Tell your buddy you and your 3rd wife are actually going to see the “real” New York at Christmas

– Make a Jim Kelly reference

– Distract your sad sack Bills’ fan kids about when you met Bruce Smith in a Men’s Room at an Arby’s in 1993

– At least we have the wings, right?

Look, I am sorry. I really am.

But, like Dr. Sean Maguire said in Good Will Hunting (P.S. another case of Boston winning!), “It’s not your fault.”

You suck Buffalo. Go eat some wings and some crow while you are at it.

BSE Week in Review

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Hey Boston Sports Extra Fans! The writing crew came through this week and worked off the post-Thanksgiving pounds, so you didn’t have to. There are many new original articles by our fantastic writers. Support and spread this Week in Review around and comment on the articles.

@PatriotExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/12/five-forgotten-classics-bills-patriots-rivalry

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/brady-better-eli-period

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/will-garoppolo-return-new-england-patriots

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/patriots-fans-nothing-worry-last-month-season

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/jardines-means-will-beat-bills

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/inactive-mike-gillislee

@CelticsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/12/will-celtics-go-streaking

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/kyrie-irving-boston-may-win

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/boston-celtics-ups-downs-week-6

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/celtics-offense-catches-fire-blowout-win-orlando

@BruinsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/12/charlie-mcavoy-gone-beyond

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/rasks-rough-start-costing-bruins

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/jake-debrusk-future-nhl-superstar

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/short-term-solution-bruins-season

@RedSox News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/12/five-forgotten-classics-bills-patriots-rivalry

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/12/trade-jackie-bradley-jr

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/12/greatest-left-fielders-red-sox-history

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/hof-case-moose-schill

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/11/greatest-shortstops-red-sox-history

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/roger-clemens-make-hall-fame

News from around the Sports World

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/rising-ashes-josh-gordons-return-gridiron

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/roger-goodell-fickle-father-nfl-football

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/barry-bonds-needs-hall-fame

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/unlikely-best-afc-west-emerging

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/analyzing-cfb-contenders-chances

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/eli-mannings-career

Patriots’ Keys to Victory Against the Bills

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This weekend the Patriots aim to continue their siege upon the AFC East as they head north to Buffalo.

Weirdly enough this will be only the Patriots’ third division game this season and first against the Bills. Ranking second in the division, the Bills are just above 0.500 at 6-5. They have had a few huge wins coming against the Falcons, Broncos, and Chiefs due to their stingy defense. However, in recent weeks the Bills have looked absolutely lost in some games. They went from beating the Raiders by a 20 point margin to getting manhandled by the Jets, Saints, and Chargers consecutively.

The entire season up until week nine the Bills’ defense only allowed their opponent to score over twenty points twice against the Bengals and Bucs. From week nine to now that stat flip-flopped, and the defense allowed more than twenty points in every game but one. Going into the midpoint of their season (week 9), the Bills had allowed 115 points. From that week to now alone they have allowed 145 points in four games.

The Nathan Peterman experiment dissipated after his unruly NFL debut against the Chargers. Tyrod Taylor is the team’s current answer as signal-caller if the team has playoff aspirations. The Bills are the captain of their own ship, and only head coach Sean McDermott can make it sink. In their first home game since they were annihilated by the Saints’ running game, the Bills are determined to get a statement win against their big brother in the AFC East. The Patriots rolling into town is always a huge game for the Bills, and if they can demonstrate any form of dominance they are very much alive in the wildcard race. Here are three keys to this game for the Patriots in order to rain on the Bills’ parade:

Dion Lewis Needs to Run Rampant

For the first time in his career last weekend Dion Lewis rushed for over 100 yards. With a slippery back like Lewis coming off a hot week the Patriots would be remiss to script their start of this game around him. The Patriots began their game against the Raiders running it down their throats until they tired it out and then took to the air. It worked then and it will work now, especially with the Bills’ rushing defense woes as of late. The Saints were able to post 298 rushing yards with 6.2 yards per run on the Bills with their running back committee of Ingram and Kamara. Dion Lewis could set the tempo of this game if he is able to return to a performance similar to last week against Miami.

It All Rests on Elandon Roberts’s Shoulders

Linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Marquis Flowers, and Trevor Reilly all questionable this week. With these integral parts of the defense potentially gone, Elandon Roberts has tough sledding ahead. All three linebackers were limited in practice this week. Worst case scenario David Harris and Nicholas Grigsby will assume the workload. Regardless, Elandon is tasked with stopping Bills’ workhorse LeSean McCoy. Bills’ offensive starters Kelvin Benjamin out and Jordan Matthews and Charles Clay are questionable this week as well. The Bills’ playbook this week will potentially be run-heavy in their absence. Roberts will be tasked with keeping the one-cut back at bay this weekend.

Watch out for Will, Mike, and Sam

The Patriots’ offensive line needs to protect Tom Brady. Period. The amount of hits Brady took last week against the Dolphins slowly got to him during the game. He began trying to force passes and ended up throwing a rare interception. Marcus Cannon is out and LeAdrian Waddle and David Andrews are questionable, which is not a good sign.

The Bills are aware of the Patriots’ o-line ailments, and will likely go for Brady as much as possible. Lorenzo Alexander will come for Brady’s head on a Sam (strong side) blitz. Ramon Humber will come on a Will (weak side) blitz. The duo will likely aim for the edges of the line if Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming are alone in their positions pending Marcus Cannon’s status. If Ted Karras gets another start this week in David Andrews’s potential absence he will have to look out for a Mike (down the middle) blitz. Buffalo is a difficult place to play in if the Bills’ defense is getting their way.

Five Forgotten Classics of Bills-Patriots Rivalry

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The Bills and Patriots have been playing each other since 1960. There have been some very memorable match ups between the two ball clubs. The Patriots’ epic Monday Night comeback in the 2009 season-opener, Roland Hooks’ “Hail Mary” reception in 1981 and the teams’ respective 31-0 wins in 2003 are among those. However, these teams have played so many times, it is easy to forget some of the other great moments of this rivalry. Let’s look at five such games.

1963

The very first time that the Bills and the Patriots made it to the playoffs… they played each other. The teams finished the season tied atop the AFL East division with identical 7-6-1 records.

The playoff game was held in ancient War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo under a constant snowfall. Right off the bat, it was obvious which team showed up to play on this day. Bills’ star Elbert Dubenion fumbled on the opening kickoff, which led to a quick field goal by legend Gino Cappalletti. Moments later, Babe Parilli hit underrated Larry Garron for a long strike and it was 10-0 right off the bat.

Buffalo’s lone score came on a gorgeous pass play from Daryle Lamonica to Dubenion. “Golden Wheels” took the throw in stride and raced the rest of an AFL playoff record 93 yards for the score. The Bills faked the PAT and went for two as Lamonica rolled out and hit linebacker John Tracey to cut Boston’s lead to 16-8. 

New England dominated the 4th quarter with Parilli, Garron and Cappelletti hitting on two more big plays. Cappalletti added four field goals in the harsh conditions to give Boston the 26-8 win.

The Patriots went on to get crushed in the AFL championship game one week later. Sid Gillman’s San Diego Chargers carved them up to the tune of 610 total yards.

Buffalo won the next two AFL titles, defeating San Diego both times. The Bills’ defense stifled the high-powered Chargers attack in those games.

The Bills and Patriots have been in the same division since those AFL days, yet have not faced off in the playoffs since!

1973

A new era of Patriots’ football dawned in 1973 as Chuck Fairbanks coached his first game on the sidelines of Schaefer Stadium. This game became classic because of the individual greatness of one OJ Simpson. Simpson was not even supposed to be integral to Lou Saban’s game plan on this day. He wanted to use Simpson as a decoy while his new back Larry Watkins would shock the Patriots handling the ball frequently.

Well, the game plan worked, and Simpson still ran wild. In the first quarter, Simpson swept right and exploded down the sidelines for an 80-yard score. This type of dash became second nature for Simpson over the next four seasons.

OJ added another score in the fourth against a gassed Patriots’ defense. He ended up with a then-record 250 yards. Watkins added 105 of his own. Buffalo won 31-13 as a side note.

Later in the season, when New England traveled to snowy Buffalo, Simpson rushed for another 219 yards in a 37-13 Bills’ win.

OJ Simpson’s 1973 season is among the greatest individual efforts in NFL history. He annihilated Jim Browns’ single-season rushing record. His mark stood for eleven seasons with the Rams’ Eric Dickerson eclipsing his mark in 1984.

1991

The Bills and Patriots were in completely different worlds by week 12 of the 1991 season. The Patriots were coming off their worst season ever in 1990. They finished at 1-15, were involved in the Victor Kiam fiasco, and hired Dick MacPherson as head coach.

The Bills, on the other hand, had an offense which was firing on all cylinders led by all-world and eventual NFL MVP, Thurman Thomas. Buffalo came into this game at 10-1 and looked like they would roll early. Thomas made an incredible catch across the middle and darted to the goal putting Buffalo up 10-0.

Late in the half, though, Jim Kelly started to have issues in the passing game. He got picked off four times by the strength of this Patriots’ team, their defensive backfield. Maurice Hurst jumped two in-routes and New England just kept hanging around.

Right before halftime, Hugh Millen connected with Irving Fryar for a 50-yarder cutting the lead to 10-9.

The Pats finally went ahead late in the fourth when Millen ran it in himself. The TD put the Patriots up 16-13. Kelly uncharacteristically struggled in the two-minute offense which culminated in an errant fourth-and-9 throw and a New England victory.

This would be the high point of the two-year MacPherson-Millen project. The good news for the Patriots was this nightmarish era paved the way to the hiring of Bill Parcells and the drafting of Drew Bledsoe. Better days were ahead!

For Buffalo, they did not lose a meaningful game again until Super Bowl XXVI, when they were beat up by Washington. This was their second of four straight Super Bowl seasons.

This was indeed the “Golden Era” of Bills football.

1994

The 1994 Patriots were a thrilling team to watch. Bledsoe was as advertised and Parcells was doing what he did with the Giants; building a tough, defensive-minded team that won more than it lost. In its way was the AFC’s Goliath of the previous four season, the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills came into their week 15 game against New England at just 7-7, but still would make the playoffs by winning out. They were short-handed, however, as Jim Kelly suffered a brutal knee injury one week earlier in their game vs. the Vikings.

Surprisingly, Buffalo jumped all over New England in the first half. Frank Reich hit little-used fullback Nate Turner on a beautifully designed wheel route and tough Carwell Gardner scored from the three, giving Buffalo a 17-3 lead. Then, the roof caved in.

In a game eerily reminiscent of their Super Bowl XXVII loss to the Cowboys, once the Bills got unnerved, they self-destructed. Reich threw two interceptions and Andre Reed added two fumbles. To their credit, New England jumped on the Bills’ throat scoring an incredible thirty-eight straight points. Bledsoe was on point all second half and Ricky Reynolds added a pick six.

The Patriots were on their way to the playoffs for the first time since 1986, while Buffalo would fail to qualify for the first time since 1987.

The Parcells’ era reach its crescendo after the 1996 season with an appearance in the Super Bowl. Buffalo made the playoffs four of the next 5 seasons but would never reach the success of their teams from the early-1990’s.

2000 

In 2000, the Patriots were in their first season under Bill Belichick and the Bills were in their last season under Wade Phillips. New England came into the game with a 2-6 record, while Buffalo was 4-4.

Buffalo starter Rob Johnson was injured so the popular Doug Flutie got the start and since he was beloved in the Boston area, nobody seemed to mind. As he did much of the 2000 season, Flutie struggled, however, going only 18 of 37 in the passing game.

The 2000 Bills were very strong defensively. They knocked out Drew Bledsoe and tormented back up John Friesz the rest of the afternoon. New England finally tied the game with nine minutes left on a fourth down run by JR Redmond. The score was 10-10 at that point.

New England Patriots

With two minutes left, Adam Vinatieri nailed a clutch 43-yarder. Steve Christie answered with a 49-yarder for the Bills at the buzzer. And, in overtime, after a long Shawn Bryson run, Christie nailed the winner giving the Bills a 16-13 victory.

While this game was not beautiful by any measure, it does serve as a significant historical barometer. Nobody was throwing around “genius” when talking about Bill Belichick as a head coach. And nobody could have watched this 2000 Patriots’ team and guessed this would be a World Championship team just one season later.

At the same time, nobody could have guessed that the proud Bills’ franchise would be in their first of now 17 consecutive non-playoff seasons. For those who covered the Bills and Patriots in 2000, it seems like forever ago that these two teams have stood on equal ground.

Buffalo hopes a win this week helps them get back to the playoffs. New England, of course, would prefer its dominance continue.

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

Why Brady Is Better Than Eli — Period

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I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of all the talk about Eli Manning this week. His team is playing like a bunch of pylons and Coach McAdoo decides to bench Eli Manning. Personally, that’s like firing the engine room guy when it’s the coach steering the ship. Also, with this benching there has been a lot of talk from Giants’ fans how Eli is better than Tom Brady. Well, other than the two Super Bowl victories over the Patriots, there is not really anything for a comparison.

Bitter Giants’ fans are trying to use the two Super Bowl victories over Brady to make this ridiculous statement. I think there is no way you can even attempt to make a statement like that. You first need to compare their careers overall and not just two games. That is why I will show you once and for all that Brady is the GOAT and Eli is just a sad sheep.

 

IT’S LIKE COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES

The best analogy I can think of when comparing Eli Manning to Tom Brady is that it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Yes, both of these players are quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls and have had long careers. Manning is entering his 14th NFL season and has had a very solid career. Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls (both over the Brady-led Patriots), and has put up some impressive career stats. He has passed for more than 50,000 yards in his career and also for 334 touchdowns, which are both impressive milestones. Manning has also been the reigning NFL iron man for quarterbacks, with 212 straight starts since his career began. All in all, I would give Eli a career grade of B+, or maybe even an A-.

Now Giants’ fans are trying to say that Eli is better than Tom. This is why it’s not true. Brady has won five Super Bowls, more than the entire Manning family, including their father Archie.  That should be enough to win all comparisons all by itself but I have much more. Tom is playing in his 18th season in the NFL and plays better now then he likely ever has. Eli can’t say the same thing in that regard.

Before all of you Giants’ fans and Brady haters go even more nuts, think of this. Tom has dealt with as many injured players and issues if not more than Eli ever did. Tom and the Patriots played most of last season without Gronk and won the Super Bowl. Brady played most of last week’s game with a third-string player on his offensive line and threw for four touchdowns. Eli is without Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall this season, and that is tough for sure. Brady is without Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, and the list goes on. That excuse is just that; a sad reason to explain why Eli is declining or at least slowing down.

There are a couple of other stats that make this whole foolish comparison a moot point as well. The biggest stat that leaves no doubt that Brady is so much better than Eli is the number of respective wins. Brady has the most wins in NFL history by any quarterback, including the post season. Brady’s 217 regular-season wins and 25 post-season wins are just marks that may not ever be matched. How can you even think that Eli is in that class, let alone ahead of Brady? Manning has 118 wins, so just digest that stat for a minute. Brady is ahead of him by almost 100 wins, the equivalent of winning out including playoffs for five straight years.

Another stat that Eli is far behind Brady in would be their career TD/INT ratios. Eli has thrown an impressive 334 TD passes over his career but has amassed 222 INTs also. Tom Brady has thrown a jaw dropping 482 career TD passes and only 155 INTs over his playing time. Brady has significantly more TD passes, and not just because he has played longer. The fact that Brady has played quite a bit longer with only  he only 155 INTs, almost 70 less than Manning, is amazing.

(Mexico City 11/19/17) New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady congratulates wide receiver Brandin Cooks’s touchdown during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Azteca Stadium on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

NOT A FAIR FIGHT

Besides the number of Super Bowl appearances and wins versus Manning, there is another reason why Brady is just plain better. You will never see Tom Brady complain to the media or anyone that he does not have the tools to do his job. I honestly think that Brady could have a great season with only using other teams’ players that they released from their rosters. There is no way you could ever say the same thing about Eli Manning.

Tom Brady also realised that he must stay in fantastic shape to be able to play at age 40.  And Brady is not just playing at age 40, he’s excelling. He remains one of the front-runners for the league MVP this season. He has adapted his playing style to bounce around in the pocket to allow his receivers to get open. Eli Manning has the agility of a refrigerator and is just a sitting duck in the pocket.

Before all of you Giants’ fans and haters go off on a tangent of saying that Brady plays in the weak AFC East, just hang on a minute. Brady also plays in the AFC, which has been the stronger conference in the NFL for some time. The AFC contains teams like the Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs, Raiders, Bengals, who have been consistently solid for many years during Brady’s career. The NFC usually has the Packers, Seahawks, Saints and maybe one team for the NFC East be solid every season. It is just not a fair fight to say that where you play makes that much difference.

The NFL schedule is also weighted, where the better you finish the previous season gives you a harder time next year. The Patriots won the Super Bowl last year and are at a record of 9-2 at this point of their schedule. It has not been a cake walk and the team and the Patriots are dealing with a boat load of injuries and not missing a beat. Can Eli Manning and the Giants say anything like that? I didn’t think so, but thanks for trying.

Before Giants’ fans or Brady haters start spreading fertilizer all over social media, they should check their facts. The only thing that matters is the W and Tom continues to put those up regardless. You do not see him whining about things other players or his coaches are doing. You certainly wouldn’t see him crying in the locker room about it to the media. Get used to it people, you hate us cuz you ain’t us and that’s about it.

 

 

Patriots Fans Have Nothing to Worry About During the Last Month of the Season

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December Is Right Around the Corner

The Patriots begin the final stretch of the regular season next week in Buffalo. They took care of business in Denver, then in Mexico against the Raiders. Yesterday they played the Dolphins for the first time this season, and going in everyone figured it was going to be a blowout. Let’s face it: the AFC blows. Nobody is catching the Patriots. They have the easiest division in football. They have the greatest quarterback of all time on their team and a coaching staff that can make any opponent look bad.

Patriots Always Find Ways to Win

(Mexico City 11/19/17) New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady congratulates wide receiver Brandin Cooks’s touchdown during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Azteca Stadium on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

The Patriots always find ways to win games. The final stretch of the season includes Buffalo, Miami, Pittsburgh Buffalo and the Jets. According to the odds at freebets.org, in January we’ll be looking at a 14-2 team yet again. This is the 17th consecutive season the Patriots have a winning record. It’s unheard of, and it has to do with how smart the Patriots are, causing the rest of the AFC to look just plain dumb.

The Patriots and Everybody Else

The Steelers have no shot at beating the Patriots. None of the players want to play for the team anyway, and Big Ben is done after this year. Patriots fans can buy their plane ticket now for the Super Bowl cause that’s where they are headed. The state of the AFC will be like this until Brady retires. It has been a great run and of course we don’t want it to end. But I do wish the games were sometimes more competitive. At the end of the day it’s the Patriots versus everybody else.