finn

A JAG who made a clutch play in the playoff game against KC, just like another receiver who did the same against the same team a few years earlier. Neither will be on the field today thanks to deliberate decisions by McBeane to play a guy with inferior ability and character.

Off to my Patriots* bar. If you don't hear from me, you'll know why. I'm wearing my Allen jersey. 😬

So much for rewarding production and high character. They sit that guy and play a lazy, unproductive guy who lets his teammates down. Baffling and harmful.

Based on his behavior to date, he'll more likely shrug it off and go play a video game. I'm guessing McDermott assigned someone to get him to meetings on time, where he probably sits with his Airpods in. Please, universe, prove me wrong. Make him suddenly play great. (And make me a millionaire while you're at it.)

Beane doesn't get enough criticism for paying Palmer instead of Hollins, who was clutch--and stayed healthy.

It's like playing "Have You Never Been Mellow?" over the loudspeaker instead of "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

It's more the signal it sends, which is "We're doubling down on our mediocrity at wide receiver. You think we're bad there? I'll show you bad!" I'm overreacting, I know. He can block and catch the occasional ball. I'm just venting my disgust at having him on our roster. A poor man's Shavers.

In what universe is Coleman better or more useful than Gabe, who, unlike Coleman a) catches the ball; b) sells routes when he's not the target; c) is a deep-ball specialist; and d) has the trust of Allen? It's perverse. Are they trying to spot the Patriots a pawn, trying to even things up? Did they get a directive from the league to water down the roster? Is McDermott--god forbid--actually relying on Brady's judgment? Shall we make a prediction, based strictly on history? Coleman will not get open, ever, at any time, unless the DB falls down. If he catches a ball, it will because Allen hits him in his unreliable hands. He'll catch two balls on slants, drop a third, and fumble a fourth for a turnover. He'll be dominated by any linebacker, cornerback, safety, defensive lineman, or player-coach the Pats put on him. He'll give up when not targeted, giving his man a chance to make the play on who is. The only possible rationale I can think of (besides the perverse ones) is that they plan to run all day and want Coleman to block. But then why not play a fourth tight end? At least he would be a receiving threat. The man is a liability, one of the worst players on the roster, which is saying something. Benford out and Coleman in. Someone reassure me. My confidence level went from high to "Time to start drinking."

It would be nerve-wracking, but if they won, it would put to prevent the asterisk that's going to be applied by KC fans for all time if the Bills win the Super Bowl without facing the Chiefs.

Which says a lot about the sheer cowardice of the voters, who are far more concerned covering their butts than acting with integrity.

Oh, you made me so happy just now. Thank you! I thought he was out. Well, that's a horse of a different color! Especially with Campbell out.

In no particular order: Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Bills, Broncos, Eagles (maybe), Packers. Next I'd put Bengals (yes), Patriots, Texans, Lions, Bears, Chargers, Cowboys, Chiefs. By the way, I think the Chiefs are going to make the playoffs and make it to the divisional round. But that could be me expressing my worst fear to make it less likely that it will happen.

If Bosa and Benford are out this week, that's the three best players (along with Oliver) missing on a defense that is average at best even with them. So, yeah, nerves are understandable, especially looking at their replacements. Maybe Bishop and Milano will step up; they've been quiet. Or maybe Hairston will have a breakout game. Otherwise, we're depending on a team effort, which isn't grasping at straws. I do think McDermott has it in him to scheme up a defense that will at least slow down this offense, maybe hold it to 25 points. That would put the ball in Brady's court, where I'm less confident, especially if his initial ideas don't work. The last line of defense is Allen, but the team has been asking a lot of him this year. Carrying this WR corps and his OC is a big burden even for him. Incidentally, has anyone else noticed how ubiquitous the Superman trope is now? Seems like it's automatic for everyone to talk about Allen "putting on his cape"--then not mentioning him as an MVP candidate. If the Superman of the league isn't MVP, who is?

Maybe. I think the bottom line is that no one really knows how good the Patriots team is, despite the mindless hype. They were promising but bad last year. Are they suddenly elite, in one year? That seems unlikely, even with improvements to the roster, a new coach, and Maye a year more experienced. More likely is that they've gotten a lot better but are not yet in the top tier, a good team that has stacked up wins against bottom feeders while staying exceptionally healthy all year. An up-and-coming 9-4 or 8-5 team for whom the stars have aligned so far this season. A team overdue for a reality check. Regression to the mean, baby.

I had the same thought, especially with the film of them practicing on Cook stand-ins. Cook better be ready because the outcome of this game will likely be determined by turnovers, just like the last one.