finn

Watch for the critical penalty.

Look, it's not the fault of anyone on the Bills, coach or player. The refs are controlling the game. We're playing right into their scheme by criticizing everyone but them. From the start, the Bills literally could win this game no matter what. Now investigate who in the league's front office or their allies put big money on the Pats.

But I don't think it was necessarily a penalty. The announcers will always fall into line (except Troy Aikman) and back up the refs every time. But notice there was no replay, and if there were, it would show the kind of minor transgression you could find on every play. No, it's plain as day: the refs will not allow the Bills to win. They literally will not allow it. And all of us will point fingers at anyone but them.

The refs must have been reined in. Maybe the league reminded them it doesn't matter if they have big money on the Pats.

Can you imagine if a Bills lineman held like that? There would be ten flags on the ground.

Everyone keeps saying the Bills are playing sloppy, but that is just what the league wants you to believe. All but one of those calls were ticky tacky, and they're not being ticky tacky with the Patriots. No team can overcome hair-trigger refs, no matter what quality the opponent. The Bills will not win this game because they literally will not be allowed to win.

How can anyone who has watched football contend that the refs aren't biased? Now a lingering hand on the chest is a hold? A pat on the chest is a hold? Meanwhile, the Patriots isn't making similar phantom holds? The league clearly decided that a 5-0 Bills team is not a money maker.

Terrible starting field position all game hasn't helped. Throw in hair-trigger refs and the play of Keon Coleman, and you score 3 points in the first half against a team like the Patriots.

Yep. Waiting for a mistake, aka playing not to lose.

They have arguably the best pair of corners in the league and a terrific defensive line. Where are they weak again?

I don't get nervous with him like I always do with whathisname.

He's not just giving no positive value, he's hurting the team. Two missed catches, a fumble, and a pass interference penalty. Why is he still in the game?

So now the defense finally has its act together the offense decides to take the game off? What the hell.

It's hard to get down the field if the refs throw the flag on you every third play. The calls are BS, too, like the "hold" on McGovern and Kincaid, who only patted the guy's chest. Meanwhile, they miss the CB dragging down Coleman by his jersey. Even if it's not corruption, it's still blatant bias. For whatever reason, they're putting the Bills and the Bills alone under the microscope.

The Patriots seem perfectly content to lose this game, but the Bills aren't cooperating yet. The flagfest isn't happening. Have all the calls been against the Bills so far?

Yeah, they think they are the big draw. National TV!

Both those throws to Coleman were good throws. He played them like my niece would have. Bench the guy, or at least figure out what is in his head.

If Keon Coleman can't do Keon Coleman things, what can he do?

Flag fest.

Two cute plays in a row.

A huge, huge man who could dunk a basketball. Gives you a sense of what it takes to make it in the NFL, much less be a star.

That would make me smile. I'm a bad, bad man.

I'm telling you, I'm getting impatient!

Agreed, but that's a bit vague. I would say the offense is demonstrably better across the board, but I don't think that's the case with the defense. As always, it's the matchups that matter. Is the Bills offense enough better than the Pats defense to overcome the narrower (or non-existent) disparity between the Pats offense and Bills defense, all else being more or less equal? (Not that it is; watch out for the Pats' return game and their penchant for fumbling.) I think we need to prepare for another nail-biting game where the Bills run the ball and throw short passes, the defense repeatedly gives up yards, third downs, and points, and the score stays close until the end, when the Bills cash in on all that running and pull away against a tired Pats defense. So far, it's been a winning formula. Keep your Porsche in the garage for the milk runs and all that. But, yes, by all means the Pats could win this game. The "winning formula" doesn't work if the Bills offense turns the ball over more than once, the receivers drop the ball in critical situations, and special teams poops the bed. I can just see Maye leisurely pat the ball while we tear our hair out before lofting a TD over Tre's head. And Brady running the ball on second down all game for no gain while we scream for play action. And the secondary bouncing off the Henderson, who has his breakout game. Down two scores, the Porsche comes out and does its thing, but by then it's anyone's game. On the other hand, maybe finally--finally--the Bills will blow somebody out. Wouldn't that be nice?

Maybe he's waiting to spring it on the Chiefs late in the fourth quarter of the Bills' inevitable playoff game against them. Surprise them for a change.