Week 3: Patriots 38, Bills 7

Zen653 · 09-24-2007, 10:12 AM

For the third consecutive week, the 3-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots demolished their opponent with a 38-point output. Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes for 311 yards, improving his career-best quarterback rating to over 150. An indefatigable Randy Moss scored two touchdowns on 5 catches for 115 yards, the last of which was a 45-yard connection from Tom Brady. The offense ran so efficiently that the Patriots made it look effortless. What the undrafted Wes Welker lacks in size he makes up for in acumen. His lateral shuffle pass, as he succumbed to a Buffalo tackle, hearkened back to the days of Jim Thorpe, when every half-decent player would gain extra yardage that way.

On the defensive side of the ball, the ageless Junior Seau and spry free agent acquisition Adalius Thomas bulldozed their way through Buffalo's offensive line, preventing the Bills from securing many first downs. The quick first step and long arms of special teamer Ellis Hobbs made life difficult for both of Buffalo's quarterbacks. Starter J.P Losman was removed from the game after sustaining a particularly vicious (perhaps illegal) hit to the knees.

While New England's 38 points cemented the blowout, the Patriots easily could have scored 50+ on an afternoon where they got the short end of the stick on a pair of close calls (a borderline fumble by Tom Brady at the 1 yard line being one of them.) New England also had an opportunity to pad its lead during the final 8 minutes of the fourth quarter when the Patriots went to backup Matt Cassel at quarterback and opted to turn the ball over on downs rather than kick a 25-yard field goal with four minutes to play.

I've watched the Patriots win three Super Bowls and come within a minute of making it to a fourth. This team looks better than all of them.

DiamondDave · 09-24-2007, 10:32 AM

Well.. the only test has been SD, who has not shown, even against poorer competition, that they deserve being considered a strong team at this point...

I think that many more tests for NE are coming up... I think they have one of the best shots at being a SB champion yet again, but I am not ready to crown them yet

Zen653 · 09-24-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

I think that many more tests for NE are coming up... I think they have one of the best shots at being a SB champion yet again, but I am not ready to crown them yet

You can only play what the schedule gives you. The Patriots have looked very strong in every game they've played thus far. The one team that worries me a bit is the Indianapolis Colts. If New England can exact revenge against them, they should be home free. The San Diego Chargers look like a shell of their former selves, and they're supposedly the second or third best team in the NFL.

DiamondDave · 09-24-2007, 01:34 PM

I don't think we can call the Chargers that any longer, with how they have played.

I think that even though we have only seen 3 weeks, the Steelers should be cause for some concern as well, for the Pats in the AFC... and we all know the Colts can beat anyone on any given day.

Drury77 · 09-25-2007, 11:22 PM

Well the Pats should've beaten the Bills, and they did. These games are the most dangerous in my opinion.

Next up the Bengals. Can our D continue on the way they've been playing? Will Brady and Moss show Johnson and Palmer how it's done??

NEsince92 · 09-26-2007, 11:43 PM

I agree with Zen that this is the best Patriots team of the decade. These guys have the best potential to win the super bowl, and it would take a great deal of effort for any other team in this league stop them from achieving that.

DiamondDave · 09-27-2007, 06:30 AM

That can only be determined when they start playing other good teams and have actual tough games on the road.... I would reserve my judgment on the 'greatness' of this team, until then

09-24-2007, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,325	Week 3: Patriots 38, Bills 7 For the third consecutive week, the 3-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots demolished their opponent with a 38-point output. Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes for 311 yards, improving his career-best quarterback rating to over 150. An indefatigable Randy Moss scored two touchdowns on 5 catches for 115 yards, the last of which was a 45-yard connection from Tom Brady. The offense ran so efficiently that the Patriots made it look effortless. What the undrafted Wes Welker lacks in size he makes up for in acumen. His lateral shuffle pass, as he succumbed to a Buffalo tackle, hearkened back to the days of Jim Thorpe, when every half-decent player would gain extra yardage that way. On the defensive side of the ball, the ageless Junior Seau and spry free agent acquisition Adalius Thomas bulldozed their way through Buffalo's offensive line, preventing the Bills from securing many first downs. The quick first step and long arms of special teamer Ellis Hobbs made life difficult for both of Buffalo's quarterbacks. Starter J.P Losman was removed from the game after sustaining a particularly vicious (perhaps illegal) hit to the knees. While New England's 38 points cemented the blowout, the Patriots easily could have scored 50+ on an afternoon where they got the short end of the stick on a pair of close calls (a borderline fumble by Tom Brady at the 1 yard line being one of them.) New England also had an opportunity to pad its lead during the final 8 minutes of the fourth quarter when the Patriots went to backup Matt Cassel at quarterback and opted to turn the ball over on downs rather than kick a 25-yard field goal with four minutes to play. I've watched the Patriots win three Super Bowls and come within a minute of making it to a fourth. This team looks better than all of them.

09-24-2007, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
DiamondDave Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD, on the Potomac River Posts: 5,390	Well.. the only test has been SD, who has not shown, even against poorer competition, that they deserve being considered a strong team at this point... I think that many more tests for NE are coming up... I think they have one of the best shots at being a SB champion yet again, but I am not ready to crown them yet __________________ Reagan in 08... Even though he's dead, he's the better choice! Superdelegates - Because even the Democratic party knows it's base is too stupid to make really important decisions.

09-24-2007, 01:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
DiamondDave Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD, on the Potomac River Posts: 5,390	I don't think we can call the Chargers that any longer, with how they have played. I think that even though we have only seen 3 weeks, the Steelers should be cause for some concern as well, for the Pats in the AFC... and we all know the Colts can beat anyone on any given day. __________________ Reagan in 08... Even though he's dead, he's the better choice! Superdelegates - Because even the Democratic party knows it's base is too stupid to make really important decisions.

09-25-2007, 11:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Drury77 Hockey Community Mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 864	Well the Pats should've beaten the Bills, and they did. These games are the most dangerous in my opinion. Next up the Bengals. Can our D continue on the way they've been playing? Will Brady and Moss show Johnson and Palmer how it's done?? __________________ Visit Traci's Card Place \| Stop by the Bruins Forum \| Stop by the Predators Forum

09-26-2007, 11:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
NEsince92 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 18	I agree with Zen that this is the best Patriots team of the decade. These guys have the best potential to win the super bowl, and it would take a great deal of effort for any other team in this league stop them from achieving that. __________________ Ad-Aware SE Personal HiJackThis KillBox SpyBot Search&Destroy PandaOnlineScan

09-27-2007, 06:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
DiamondDave Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD, on the Potomac River Posts: 5,390	That can only be determined when they start playing other good teams and have actual tough games on the road.... I would reserve my judgment on the 'greatness' of this team, until then __________________ Reagan in 08... Even though he's dead, he's the better choice! Superdelegates - Because even the Democratic party knows it's base is too stupid to make really important decisions.