Yes, the Patriots bear in mind.
Two video games, zero punts, and 80 factors allowed to the Bills.
Last season, their protection suffered a crash touchdown from its No. 1 rating in mid-December to producing the worst efficiency in NFL historical past throughout a 47-17 playoff loss. That drop expedited the workforce’s fall from a high seed within the AFC playoff image to a Wild Card berth and first-round exit. Ahead of Thursday’s go to from the Bills, the division rivals’ first assembly since final January, Pats linebackers coach Jerod Mayo admitted these defeats do really feel private.
“I think you have to (take them personally),” Mayo mentioned Saturday.
Though, Mayo famous, the Patriots’ focus is presently on fixing issues that arose of their most up-to-date loss, a 33-26 thriller at Minnesota on Thanksgiving. The Pats allowed Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson to go off for 139 yards and a landing. Facing an adaptive Buffalo offense, the teaching employees acknowledges the Bills will assault these weaknesses till they’re fastened, particularly with a succesful No. 1 receiver on their sideline in Stefon Diggs.
“It all runs through the quarterback (Josh Allen) and also through Diggs. But in saying that, you know, they are a game-plan offense,” Mayo mentioned. “Allen has the ability to extend plays and turn it almost into street ball at any given point. So (it’s) definitely a challenge not only for the front, but also for the back end. And I think the guys are ready to go.”
Patriots defensive play-caller Steve Belichick mentioned Allen has improved from final yr, when he went 21-of-25 for 308 yards and 5 touchdowns within the Wild Card win. More not too long ago, Allen’s MVP candidacy has cooled with a tough November month, although he’s nonetheless accomplished 63.9% of his passes for 3,183 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this yr.
“He’s got such a complete game as a runner as a passer inside outside, short, deep intermediate reading defenses command of the offense,” Belchick mentioned. “He’s been playing at a high level for multiple years now.”
As for Diggs, the Patriots count on him to be featured towards Thursday evening. He’s averaged greater than six catches and 84 yards per recreation towards the Patriots over his profession, with 5 touchdowns in six video games, But, just like the VIkings, Buffalo boasts a succesful No. 2 wideout in Gabriel Davis, who’s caught 33 passes for 650 yards and 5 touchdowns, plus tight finish Dawson Knox and a number of succesful working backs.
“I’m sure some of that stuff will be relevant, but last year was last year, last week was last week. So (you’re) not going to put all your eggs in one basket and say like, ‘This is what it’s going to be,’” Belichick mentioned. “You got to kind of take it all into account. And they have so many weapons over there that they can attack in a bunch of different ways. So you gotta respect all that.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com