Listen. It's a holiday week. I'm on vacation for most of it. There was absolutely no way that I was going to waste my time re-watching the Buffalo Bills' 17-10 loss to the New England Patriots. It's enough that I'm a Bills fan, and therefore subjected myself to that type of performance once. It wasn't going to happen again. I'd like to spend my holidays sane.
Rather than talk about what I saw on the re-watch, therefore, I'm just going to dump the notes I took during the game as it happened live, krytime mind dump style. These notes won't appear in our usual verbose manner; rather, they're copied verbatim, in bullet point form. If you're confused by any of the references or the meaning behind some of the statements, feel free to ask.
- Good game planning from Perry Fewell/Alex Van Pelt. Hit 'em where they're missing players. (Guess that only applies to the first drives.)
- Richie Incognito is one of the strangest-shaped dudes I've ever seen.
- Like what I'm seeing from Geoff Hangartner and Andy Levitre. Both solid players.
- Terrible idea to sub in an extra OT on that goal line play. Just asking for a penalty. Bye, TD.
- Pretty sad that BUF is so bad on misdirection that Welker can pick up a first down on an end around, 3rd & 2. They've got to know it's coming sometime. Nice play call.
- Terrific read by Paul Posluszny on the interception.
- Pats are going to have a field day rushing the passer. Belichick always knows how to get pressure.
- Holy Lord, Donte Whitner looked awful in deep coverage. Ugly, ugly PI penalty on Moss.
- Brady knows how to attack Jairus Byrd - go high. Byrd might never be a good red zone defender.
- Man, I like watching Mike Wright play football. Tough dude.
- Absolutely no way the Bills will be able to attack NE deep.
- Why can't Terrell Owens be used the same way NE uses Moss? That middle route was too easy, and too quick.
- Yet another penalty on the DBs. Getting abused.
- Aaron Schobel isn't great, but he makes at least one heady play every game.
- A quarter and a half in, we have a Lee Evans sighting.
- Two holding penalties now on Incognito. Not surprising, but killer nonetheless.
- Have to figure out a new way to praise Fred Jackson.
- Drive killed by a terrible Ryan Fitzpatrick throw. Good idea, horrid execution - Josh Reed wasn't even open. Throw it away!
- Another end around, this time to Matt Slater. So annoying to watch them repeatedly abused by this play.
- Laurence Maroney looks fantastic. (Easy to do against BUF.)
- PI on Reggie Corner. DBs are complaining, but the calls are legit. TD coming...
- ... and there it is. Maroney from a yard out.
- Didn't like Fewell's decision to kick the long FG. Rather have seen a hail mary; down 14-3 at the half.
- Screen pass execution not working - gee, I wonder why? Do you think Belichick might have expected it?
- Terrence McGee's shoulder injury looks pretty serious. Might see Ashton Youboty next week, with Corner starting.
- Six straight NE run plays. Should have been running more all day.
- Shawn Nelson seems to be a focal point of the game plan. Nothing wrong with that.
- Come on, T.O. He's losing focus. False start, probably a drive-killer.
- Nice heads up play by Jackson, catching the tipped pass from Jonathan Stupar.
- Nelson wide open - Fitzpatrick misses him by a good yard and a half. I want a QB. :(
- NE three and out. Defense is doing its job; NE looks pretty out of sync, though.
- Trent Edwards?!
- Hate this move by Fewell. 5 is not your QB. Don't ask him to save the game.
- Trent's down. Hobbles off the field. Horrible, horrible decision, Perry.
- Surprised there aren't more boo birds - Fitzpatrick back in, Brian Brohm on the sidelines.
- Another sack. Absolutely brutal pass blocking.
- Josh Reed drops a touchdown. Holy crap. Zero focus from the receivers today.
- Another NE three-and-out. Can't blame the D for this loss.
- Roscoe Parrish with a 20-yard punt return. Bills ball, deep in NE territory. Might we be on to something?
- Beautiful catch by Lee for the TD. First career TD against the Pats. It's about time.
- Of course it's Aaron Maybin on the false start. Of course it is. Who else would it be? The blogging gods hate me.
- Pats' first third-down conversion of the quarter is a stupid little throw to Welker. Ballgame.