A win is a win, but sometimes it can raise more questions than you’d like.
Sure the New England Patriots are rolling into the playoffs as the number one seeds in the AFC, but after another slow start, and an at times disjointed display, they’re not exactly creating the same widespread fear as they did 12 months ago.
Perhaps that will stand them in good stead, because if they’re going to be ready for the Baltimore and Pittsburgh’s of this world there’s plenty of work to be done. That shouldn't take away from a good come-from-behind victory against a Buffalo Bills team that made progress this year, but is too short on talent or depth to overcome injuries to key players and a collection of mistakes (a seemingly weekly occurrence).
Here’s some of the key performers from Week 17 when Buffalo faced New England.
Buffalo – Three Performances of Note
Tough day for the secondary
It’s never easy facing off against a Patriots passing attack that is persistent in its’ chain moving, but the Bills didn’t make life easy for themselves. Justin Rogers (-3.6) was clearly not up to the task of matching up with Wes Welker in the slot, while rookie Aaron Williams struggled when matched up with both Patriots' tight ends. He was, at times, too keen to pass men off to safeties that were otherwise engaged and it cost the Bills two touchdowns as well as 108 yards on the five balls thrown his way.
Impressive Pass Protection
And that impressive pass protection came from the right side of the line, where Erik Pears (+3.0) and Chad Rinehart (+1.8) combined to give up just one pressure combined on 110 collective pass blocks. They were aided by their QB getting rid of the ball quickly, but given the left side gave up two sacks, a hit, three pressures and two holding penalties, it wasn’t solely down to that. Rinehart has been one of the success stories of the year for Buffalo after being discarded by the Redskins, and while Pears has his limitations, there are plenty worse right sides of an offensive line than what the Bills are likely to head into 2012 with.
Passing game woes
It was a typical Ryan Fitzpatrick (-1.2) performance in some ways. Plenty of yardage (307), some excellent throws (his touchdown with 5:24 to go in the first) and some terrible decisions (both his interceptions to Sterling Moore). When he was in a rhythm at the start of the game the Pats couldn’t stop him, but once out of that you never really knew what you were getting from him, and while his receivers didn’t help him out Buffalo are limited by his carelessness with the ball. Buffalo appear married to him for the foreseeable future, and he will win them games, but is he good enough to provide a year round challenge in a tough AFC East? I, like many, have my doubts.
New England – Three Performances of Note
Pick your poison
If one doesn’t get you, the other one will. That’s presuming you’re able to stop one of either Rob Gronkowski (+1.5) or Aaron Hernandez (+5.5). As much as Gronkowski has had the better year and is the more complete tight end, it is Hernandez who is finishes the year stronger, with his ability to make things happen after the catch coming to the fore. He forced another two missed tackles this week to take his tally to a mind boggling 23 for the year as defenses struggle to contain him once he gets the ball in his hands. The two men combined for 246 yards on the 20 balls thrown their way in this game.
Coverage concerns
It’s hard to know where to start when looking at the problems of the Pats when teams pass on them. Is it a near impotent pass rushing attack, or a secondary that has tried throwing as much mud at the wall, only for none of it to stick. Mark Anderson (+1.2) picked up a sack and three pressures, but nobody else generated consistent pressure, and worse still there doesn’t look a player on the roster capable of doing do. That may be fine against Buffalo where you can rely on their QB making some bad throws and decisions, but against better quarterbacks? It’s likely to put an even greater strain on a secondary that looks ready to break at any second. Week 17 showed just how overmatched Antwaun Molden is, being somewhat flattered by figures that saw him give up 6-of-9 balls thrown his way for 62 yards, while benefiting from a dropped pass and giving up two penalties. It’s hard to imagine him seeing 65 snaps in the playoffs but depth could prove crucial, especially if New England line up against a team like Pittsburgh who could get four dangerous receivers on the field.
Brady in a funk?
He’s led his team to comeback wins the past two weeks and hammered a Broncos team in Week 15. S why does it feel like something just isn’t quite right with Tom Brady (-0.2)? Maybe it’s the shoulder but the Pats QB seems a bit skittish in the pocket, responded to pressure that isn’t there, twice resulting in him running into sacks (one of which led to a fumble). Even throwing the ball he wasn’t at his most accurate despite what the 65.7% completion percentage may say, and at times he looked on a different page to Wes Welker. One of those days? Maybe, but New England will face better defenses than Buffalo, and performances like this might fly under the radar against a defense like the Bills, but will get punished by a higher level of opposition.
Game Notes
– A new role for Devin McCourty? He spent 55 of his snaps in a safety position – perhaps the Patriots were trying to keep him out of harms way so he wouldn’t break the 1,000 receiving yards allowed. Unfortunately it didn’t work as one 19 yard grab took him to the 1,004 mark.
– The Pats pressured Fitzpatrick on just 8-of-52 drop-backs where he took two sacks and threw one pick while completing only one pass.
– The Bills dropped five passes, two of which were by C.J. Spiller.
PFF Game Ball
He had to do more to earn his yardage than the ‘Gronk’, so Aaron Hernandez gets the nod for igniting the Patriots offense.
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