We learned a lot about the New England Patriots offense against the Bills. Are they perfectly unstoppable yet? Nope. But they have a resiliency about them that was shown multiple times in this game.
The protection continues to improve, as does Rob Gronkowski. Along with Edelman and Brandon LaFell the Pats’ attack is looking more and more diverse with each game and that’s a great thing.
While the questions swirl around how they’ll replace Stevan Ridley, there are plenty of other things to feel good about with this offense.
Here’s what stood out on the All 22 film re-watch, offense edition.
Communication on the offensive line stood out on the first third down of the day. Adjusting and passing guys off in perfect sync. This is what takes time to build and the better results are obvious.
Just overall the pocket is much cleaner now as well. No longer is it total chaos with guys flailing all over the place.
Josh Kline whiffs on Dareus on the second drive but Brady already got the ball out. Still, Kline fights pretty hard. Not sure how he wasn’t in the mix early in the year, perhaps injury?
Not sure why we’re running into this front…
Kinda strange to throw a WR screen to Brandon LaFell with Amendola and Edelman blocking for him, but I guess that’s the unexpected.
Ah, the fullback dive… I have a bad feeling we’ll be seeing Develin with more of these. And I like Develin, but the OL just doesn’t seem to be explosive enough off the ball to open those quick seams up front.
It’s really amazing how the Pats neutralized Brandon Spikes in this one. Spikes is a devastating run blocker but the Pats’ game plan completely took him out of the equation.
Not sure what Nate Solder was doing on the sack he gave up in the second quarter. He looked down on the snap and opened the door for Hughes. If he just squares up there’s no sack. Might’ve been a communication thing.
Give Buffalo’s D some credit they swarmed the ball in the running game. Their secondary just couldn’t disrupt Brady’s timing in the pass game.
The next pressure Solder gave up on the next possession was all him though, Hughes just got under him and flew around the corner to flush Brady out. That was the one that got him a seat on the bench the next possession.
If Brady wasn’t pulling it down after looking at Gronk (in middle) he might’ve had Amendola on the out up top.
Ridley’s best run of the day came off a quick snap that the Bills weren’t ready for. Guess you have to get them any way you can.
Spikes gets stuck covering LaFell on a third quarter third down and totally misses the jam allowing a free release. LaFell finds the open zone in the middle of the field and takes it for a first down.
Still just so impressed with Tyms’ touchdown catch. I really hope this is just the beginning with him, he has real deep ball talent. Still, if I’m an opposing defense and I see him come on the field there’s one route I’m bailing and covering downfield.
Gronk did a lot of damage on the outside matched up against cornerbacks. Such a tough assignment for a guy six feet or under.
Total whiff by Josh Kline pulling for Ridley in the third quarter, okay maybe that’s why he was stuck on the bench. BTW – how have I not noticed Jordan Devey yet?
For a guy known for his blocking, LaFell didn’t get anything of his man on the play Ridley got injured. Tough to see again…
Still wondering where the hard-charging-downhill Brandon Spikes was this game. Not that I’m complaining.
Pretty impressive how in sync Edelman and Brady are. He just continues to make it look like Wes Welker never left.
There wasn’t much there for him, but Brandon Bolden sure ain’t generating anything on his own. Is he really about to be the lead early-down back?
This is what it has to look like for Bolden to pick up a chunk of yardage:
Wow, just saw Devey make an open field block to spring Gronk late in the fourth. I don’t know, maybe he isn’t a total loss?
Such a perfect play on LaFell’s touchdown for so many reasons. Offense showing “finish”. Brady showing faith in a new receiver. Love it.
Bolden is not turning this into anything but a loss:
The third-and-long conversion to Gronkowski was one of the best plays of the day. Protection was strong and Brady stood tall and waited for Gronk to get open.
The second LaFell touchdown to close it out was just the icing on the cake.