Mike Dussault

I know it’s fun to crap on Rex Ryan but once again he showed why he’s the only coach who has consistently given Tom Brady
a tough time. He always seems to fall just short in the end, but he knows how to slow down New England’s offense. It also helps when Julian Edelman’s not there.

I’d just like to go one week with an important piece limping to the sideline or getting checked out on the bench. 

Now we’re at double digit wins without a loss. In 2007, I was so intrigued by 16-0 because it really looked like no one could stop the Pats until early December, and the only siginificant injury loss was Rosevelt Colvin
.

Imagine that team without Welker, Faulk, Light and Bruschi. 

So this time around at 10-0 I’m just hoping we can lock up the top seed asap and get healthy in the right spots at the right time. But make no mistake, these final six games will be a total grind, every single one of them.

Let us dive into a very Thanksgiving-y Posits…

Defense Wins Championships

This was the most comfortable seven-point final-drive lead I’ve experienced since the mid-2000′s. If this was 2010-2013 Patriots defense we were going to overtime. 

Say what you will about the injuries this year, but what we’ve still got is Tom Brady and a pass-rushing, run-stopping defense. Those are the two biggest ingredients for a Super Bowl winning team. 

The defense held the Bills to 3-of-15 on third down. Five three-and-outs. Seven punts. Under 100 yards rushing for the fifth-straight weeks. Don’t look now people but we have a defense.

Brady Toughing It Out

The protection was terrible at times, with the line (and Brady) were confused about who was coming or going. As Jon Gruden pointed out in his only correct statement of the night, the Bills played a lot of zone and were spinning the dial as hard as Rex could spin it. Edelman out. Amendola down. Brady just hung in there and willed the team to win. 

LaFell Down the Depth Chart?

Strange to see LaFell not starting and only getting significant reps once Dobson and Amendola both went down. Something strange there and I’d bet there’s some digging by the beat crew. I don’t want to speculate but either his foot (or something else) isn’t right or it’s disciplinary. Can’t imagine any world where Dobson (who was suddenly on the injury report Monday morning with a back injury before leaving the game not being able to walk on his ankle) is suddenly ahead of LaFell on the game day depth chart. We’ll see, but obviously we need him more than ever if Amendola’s out for any length of time.

Wilson at Linebacker

Curious to see in film review how the Pats used Tavon Wilson, who suddenly appeared after being MIA through nine games. My guess is that Chung took over the slot spot over Melvin (smart), so the trickle down was who played the box safety spot (which has been essentially a linebacker role). He flashed in a couple different instances, reminding me that if Chung was just a better fit in this spot, maybe Wilson might be too. Something to monitor because he’s got a little more size and thump than Chung. The Cardinals have been using safety Deon Bucanon at a linebacker spot with great success. This is where the game is headed.

Mayo at OLB

I’ve been critical of Mayo but I thought this was his best game of the season. Not that he played a ton, but he finally made an impact on the game with some big stops. They shifted him to outside linebacker it appeared at times. Something to take a closer look at. But Mayo made plays and that bodes well coming down the stretch with Collins poised to come back.

Blount can’t get going

I always liked Blount with someone like Ridley in front of him. Even Dion Lewis seemed to soften up defenses just enough for him. But this just playing him as the lead back style has not looked good. Unfortunately there’s not another option really. Hopefully he shows he can get going in Denver, but remember in 2013 when Blount ran roughshod over the Colts and then did zippo in the AFC Championship in Denver? I hope this doesn’t make us one dimensional because teams can go with light (pass-stopping) boxes.

Free James White

The feel good takeaway from this one (besides the defense) has to be James White’s two touchdowns. Again, White wasn’t a huge part of the gameplan, but he came through in a couple spots. He’s not electric like Dion Lewis, but he can make defenders miss. That’s more than I can say for Bolden. Hopefully White continues to see more touches as he and the coaching staff gain confidence. 

Hello Chris Harper

It’s a shame Harper’s first catch had to be negated by a Marcus Cannon penalty. It was a spectacular play, while Harper also did job fighting (though losing) for the ball on the gross Brady interception.  Now if Amendola is out he’s going to have a monumental opportunity to step into a role that many seem to think is “plug-and-play”.

Little Things

What’s the difference between the Patriots and the other 31 teams? It was on display last night, as it usually is against Rex Ryan. They are simply all on then same page. They are sound in all facets and they will not beat themselves. The faces have changed over the years but that’s the Belichick aspect that has not. Everybody knows the situation and exactly what to do. The line is thin between winning and losing, but the Patriots are consistently so solid and clean with their football it almost always puts them on top. That’s really what it comes down to.

DL

Have to give a tip of the cap to the defensive line and linebackers. Easley, Brown, Branch, Hightower, Nink and Chandler right down the line played fast and aggressive. It was fun to watch and something I feel like I’ve been waiting a decade for again.

Malcolm Butler

Butler took Sammy Watkins out of the game, just like he took Odell Beckham out of the last game. It’s clear that Bill Belichick was keeping the best cornerback on the roster last year, and at 1/32nd the cost of Darrelle Revis. 

OL

We didn’t even know how good of a left tackle Marcus Cannon was while we were all waiting for him to get over his supposedly minor toe injury. Well he didn’t look too good there last night, with multiple penalties and blown blocks. Honestly Cameron Fleming looked better there than Canon did. Maybe he was just “rusty”, or maybe it’s time to look at Fleming (or Vollmer) at LT. 

Brady- Manning Osweiler

Now that next Sunday’s game isn’t a Brady – Manning one, it’s taken a different gleam. I like our defense over their offense, but this will be Brady’s hardest test of whatever meaningful regular season games are left. If we roll into Denver with Harper and LaFell starting we could struggle to move the ball. Badly. But we know what kind of fight this team has so it should be a battle.