One Fan(n)’s Opinion By @RDotDeuce: Review of Bills Loss to Pats and Twitter Mailbag

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Well that stung a bit. After a week of trash talk, national media pieces and fan excitement, the Bills end up on the losing end of a 40-32 game vs the Pats. While the loss was disappointing, it isn’t fatal unless the Bills make it so. Here are a few of my thoughts, followed by questions from Twitter during the game:

1. Rex as Captain Ahab – Much like the aforementioned character in Moby Dick, Rex has been fixated (well before Buffalo) on beating the Patriots. While that is commendable, that all-encompassing goal coupled with his ability to get players to buy in spreads to his teams. Be it the Ravens, Jets or now the Bills, such fixation leads to penalties of aggression, as well as an over-emotional build up to one game (as a Raven) or now two games AFC-East wise.  Too often the Jets would have games where they’d be up for the Pats or a top opponent, then let the next one slip because they were too high/too low following the “big one”. If Rex has learned anything from his first go around as head coach, that’s a huge one he needs to balance out.
2. Penalty Weirdness – Not only was this a game that was way over the line in terms of personal fouls and altogether bad blood, but the conspiracy theorist in me found it curious that when the game seemed out of hand, the offensive PI penalties for the Pats showed up, the holding, etc., but when it got close late we’re getting face-guard PI calls (which doesn’t exist in NFL). That being said, the sheer number of holds and special teams penalties were entirely too many to have and expect to win. Crossman needs to get his house in order, STAT.
3. Punting over the 50 getting old – For all of the differences in personalty between the coaches the Bills have had since last they saw the playoffs, the unifying factor is “field position bingo” after punting on 4th and short on the opponent’s side of the field. It was really annoying/maddening/grey-hair inducing to see all week the Bills talk about how much they were ready to rock New England and then when you have chances to push back, to punch back and move out of the traditional coaching paradigm, you turtle and punt? Ugh. That’s gotta stop. Or else just tell take all those neat memes and website stuff outta here and stop pretending to be what they aren’t.
4. Sammy’s dilemma – Looking  at the final play the Bills had on offense, it’s easy to say the ball was overthrown, or that it’s okay to tip it or whatever you’d like to say but the bottom line is Watkins has to catch it – no ifs ands or buts about it. Is it fair? Maybe not, but that’s what happens when you’re inundated with “crazy Watkins catch 85” from practices. Much like my last observation, this is because the weight of expectations were made that much higher for Watkins due to:
   1. The picks it took to acquire him;
   2. The media blitz by Bills proclaiming that Watkins’ ability that separated him from the others in said class was his superior routes and catch radius;
   3. And the general expectation that a top 5 pick entails.
5. Tyrod has to be okay in his own skin – This could be an article unto itself. Throughout the game, after that first drive it seemed like Taylor couldn’t or wouldn’t make a decisive decision to leave the pocket. He was always 50/50, trying to look downfield, but also kinda getting off his landmark passing. That resulted in 7 sacks and a lot of uneasiness throughout the game. As a result, an already shaky line turned downright bad. I hope from this point on both Tyrod and the coaching staff are a little more focused on using every weapon he has, or what’s the point in starting him over (shudder) Cassel?
6. BONUS: I LOVE ME SOME PERCY – As we look toward 2016 and all the fun things that have to happen cap-wise, with each game I’m seeing that Percy is becoming 2 and Robert Woods is going from 2a to 2c (behind McCoy). Between his ability to take the top off the defense, his return ability and his complete buy-in to Rex and his WR coach Sanjay Lal I’m slowly falling for the dude I used to watch wreck teams at Florida again. Because of that, and barring any crazy breakdowns the Bills would be wise to try and retain him. Just thinking out loud.

Now it’s time for some questions I received from the Twitter-sphere during the game:

@RDotDeuce ok first question how dare you

— Ryan Nagelhout (@goosesroost) September 20, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWell Ryan, you kinda have a point. I did ask for questions during a sensitive time in the game and HEY WHAT’S THAT OVER THERE? *runs away* Phew…that was uncomfortable. NEXT!

@BuffaloWins @RDotDeuce Rich….how does one not cry during times like these?

— Sean Corleone (@SeanCorleone) September 20, 2015

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Well Sean, it stinks, I can’t say it doesn’t. But I learned actually during the Leodis fumble game vs. the Pats that you have to see them as another team or you’ll drive yourself nuts. Being 24/26 or whatever they are under Brady vs the Bills is what it is. You can’t change it so you can only move forward and look to find the bright side of the loss. In this case, Taylor at the end looked good. And McCoy making it to the end of the game w/his hammy assures he moves firmly ahead of Alonso in the “who made out on the trade w/the Eagles” debate.

And finally I think my reaction to the question should seal it:

@TeachMeToWhaley @BuffaloWins pic.twitter.com/e926JqlX3j

— Rich Fann II (@RDotDeuce) September 20, 2015

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Ugh. We’re on to Miami.