Nothing is more annoying than having the last game of the season be filled with one or two plays that you want back. Heading into today's game that's what I think the main focus needs to be. I have no doubt that Belichick has given the team the perfect plan to beat the Bills​. Will they carry out that plan? That's what we'll be watching for. Here are some out of the box things I think the Patriots should do to extend this season.
GLOVES- Gloves for everyone I say. Since it is going to be ridiculously cold out tonight, I'm sure players are planning on wearing gloves. With the temperature being so extreme, the tackiness of the gloves is going to change as the game goes on. Changing gloves, keeping the gloves warm so the tackiness is there, the equipment managers better bring their A game. I imagine there are all kinds of experiments which have gone down on the most effective way to keep the gloves tacky in the frigid and dry conditions. If not, someone better get on it.
NO HUDDLE- Mac Jones has some pretty solid numbers when going no huddle. Plenty of times this season we've seen him get pissed when McDaniels calls a timeout when he's trying to rush up to the line. While his no huddle numbers aren't great during the 1st quarter (see graphic below), I'd still like to see the team come out going no huddle early. Specifically, I think going no huddle on every 2nd and 3rd down to start the game would catch Buffalo off guard. This would likely lead to a quick lead and some burnt timeouts by the Bills.
TEAMS SUCCESS RATE FOR ALL QUARTERS WITH YARDS TO GAIN 1-10
CONTAIN JOSH ON 3RD AND LONG- There's a pretty good chance Josh is going to make a break on third down. It's what he does. It's how they win. On 3rd and 4-9 this season, Josh has run for a first down on 76% of his attempts (13 for 17). When passing in those situations, he has completed 57% of the time (47 for 83). Of the 83 pass attempts, only 38 resulted in a first down (46%) while 4 resulted in an interception. In my opinion, trying to sack Josh on 1st or 2nd down is just fine, but there is no reason to try on 3rd down. The risk versus reward is almost 100% favoring risk.
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