Game 7: Patriots 21, Buffalo 16
That game had to be the poster child for ugly wins. Nevertheless, it’s a conference and a divisional win, so ugly or not, it was very important.
The first half was excruciating, as Buffalo owned the clock for 22 minutes. Amazingly, they were held to only 3 points, courtesy of a missed field goal and an amazing play by Vrabel to knock away a sure touchdown. It also had one of the more bizarre plays one will see, with Patrick Pass just dropping the ball to grab at his hamstring. Then we had the half concluding with a supremely un-Patriotic play — the field goal taking a totally unnecessary delay-of-game penalty that ended up taking 3 points off the board.
At this point, losing Pass looked pretty bad. He had given early indications of having a career game and it was clear the Pats did not want to play Dillon (post-game comments indicated that Dillon’s ankle is still quite sore and that he hasn’t practiced in weeks). And of course there are the downstream effects of losing yet another running back.
The offense finally got it together to start the second half, with Dillon running surprisingly well given his injury (I figure that at halftime they shot the ankle full of cortisone and/or novacaine, taped it really tight, and told him to go out there and play). It was hard to tell he was even injured, with the quick bursts and running over people.
Unfortunately, the defense gave it right back, with Starks being burned yet again for a 55yd TD. From our seats, we could see it unfold as Starks went in motion and then hesitatingly pulled up. The man he was shadowing (before he pulled up) stayed in motion and after the snap cut in behind Starks and hauled it in. Everyone in the building could see where Holcomb was going to go with the pass.
The offense reverted back to ineffectuality, while the defense was unable to stop McGahee on off-tackle run after off-tackle run (please, please, please give us Seymour back!). Still, the Pats were for once able to hold in the red zone and kept Buffalo to field goals.
After Brady fumbled and the Bills extended the lead to 16-7, the exodus from the seats began. Thankfully, I have a rule of staying to the bitter end, and we all know how it ended.
I remain very displeased by the game and feel that if they play anything like that, Indianpolis is going to blow them off the field. I know people like to say “oh, people always say that and the Pats find a way to win.” But in all those past times it was clear that the Pats had the talent to do it and people where over-buying into Indy hype. Here we’re talking about a team that beated up and down the field for most of the game by bad Bills team. Not good.
I also noticed the brainlocks are continuing. I’ve already mentioned the field goal fiasco at the end of the first half. There was also Vrabel disgustedly calling a time out late in the 4th quarter when the defense was clearly confused over who was supposed to be on the field (come people — this is basic stuff) and yet another timeout beyond that having to be called due to the defense not being ready.
The defense also had problems covering screens and the tackling is still not good (though it did improve).
I should note that the forced-turnover-less streak finally ended at something like 16 quarters and that Asante Samuel finally held on to an interception (it was a great catch, actually).
While Brady did have some nice throws (especially to Branch), the offense (aside from Dillon) did not impress and the playcalling leaves something to be desired. I find myself beginning to buy into the theory that it was a mistake for Belichick to not hire an OC.
The final big story of the night (of course) was the return of Bruschi. He was in for an amazing 65 or so snaps and had some nice plays (like blowing up that reverse in the first quarter). He’s not a panacea (as the horrible defensive performance showed), but he’s a lot better than Biesel and Brown (who didn’t even dress). Had to love the crowd reaction to him, as well.