Patriots Nation : Part 2 (Reality Check)
What a game right? It started off so bleak... getting down 21-7 is never ever a good thing on the gridiron. Then the Patriots head into the locker room, regroup, recompose, and then magically erupt! They scored 45 points in the second half and waltz out of Ralph Wilson Stadium with their heads held oh so high...
...And yet, we all know what the media will say and what the response has already been. New England is back to being the Patriots of the last decade. "Back? Really?" Did they ever leave? Sure it was great to see not only one, but two running backs rush for over 100 yards (Ridley and Bolden), especially against a so-called "bulked up" front seven for the Bills. Sure it was fantastic to see two receivers (Gronkowski and Welker) both catch for over 100 yards. Tom Brady too was on point with 340 yards and 3 touchdowns. The defence created takeaways, all systems were a go (at least in the 2nd half), and "all bets were off!" And yet, there is a subtle message that Bill Belichick constantly stresses with his team, and reminds the media of. "We did some things well, there is room for improvement, and we need to now focus on the Denver Broncos." Belichick is always focused on the next team, the next challenge, the next game.
Due to their ineffective 1st half of football, the Patriots only out-possessed the Bills by 1 minute and 34 seconds. New England had 580 total net yards to Buffalo's 438. Ryan Fitzpatrick actually threw for more yards than Brady (350 to 340), the difference being that he also threw 4 picks. I think the saying goes, "you gotta learn how to finish," and that encompasses the downfall of Fitz's day. "Protect the ball!" This is an adage that is as important in football as it is in basketball. Controlling the ball dictates the flow of the game. The Patriots did just this (dictating the flow) in the 2nd half. But don't forget that 1st half, and remember Belichick's constant and sometimes annoying emphasis on steady improvement throughout the season.
It is true that the best teams do not always win the championships, but instead it is the teams who improve over the season and peak at the right time who walk away with their heads held high as champions.
So before we ordain the New England Patriots as top contenders with the 49ers, Falcons, Ravens and others, let's maintain a bit of perspective. New England are good and have been good for a long time. They now have a running threat that has proved scarce in the last few seasons. But, let's hope that they can peak at the proper moment in New Orleans.
...And yet, we all know what the media will say and what the response has already been. New England is back to being the Patriots of the last decade. "Back? Really?" Did they ever leave? Sure it was great to see not only one, but two running backs rush for over 100 yards (Ridley and Bolden), especially against a so-called "bulked up" front seven for the Bills. Sure it was fantastic to see two receivers (Gronkowski and Welker) both catch for over 100 yards. Tom Brady too was on point with 340 yards and 3 touchdowns. The defence created takeaways, all systems were a go (at least in the 2nd half), and "all bets were off!" And yet, there is a subtle message that Bill Belichick constantly stresses with his team, and reminds the media of. "We did some things well, there is room for improvement, and we need to now focus on the Denver Broncos." Belichick is always focused on the next team, the next challenge, the next game.
Due to their ineffective 1st half of football, the Patriots only out-possessed the Bills by 1 minute and 34 seconds. New England had 580 total net yards to Buffalo's 438. Ryan Fitzpatrick actually threw for more yards than Brady (350 to 340), the difference being that he also threw 4 picks. I think the saying goes, "you gotta learn how to finish," and that encompasses the downfall of Fitz's day. "Protect the ball!" This is an adage that is as important in football as it is in basketball. Controlling the ball dictates the flow of the game. The Patriots did just this (dictating the flow) in the 2nd half. But don't forget that 1st half, and remember Belichick's constant and sometimes annoying emphasis on steady improvement throughout the season.
It is true that the best teams do not always win the championships, but instead it is the teams who improve over the season and peak at the right time who walk away with their heads held high as champions.
So before we ordain the New England Patriots as top contenders with the 49ers, Falcons, Ravens and others, let's maintain a bit of perspective. New England are good and have been good for a long time. They now have a running threat that has proved scarce in the last few seasons. But, let's hope that they can peak at the proper moment in New Orleans.
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