To about 75 percent of the Patriots' fanbase, you could probably file this under "useless information."
When all you've known for 20 years is winning — especially in the AFC East against the Bills — and in the clutch time after time, there's really nothing you can say to put lipstick on the pig that was the Patriots' 24-21 loss in Buffalo on Sunday.
Cam Newton fumbled. The defense can't stop the run. They lost. They stink.
That may all be factually true, but here's another truth that may or may not be too late for this Patriots' team: the offense played really well in the second half — especially Newton — and they may be back on the upswing.
The run defense and the Lollipop Guild? Sorry, can't help you. They're terrible.
But the Patriots have a little something cooking on offense and I'm excited to see what's next.
The plays that stood out:
1ST & 10 AT BUF 37
(5:52) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass short middle to J.Meyers to BUF 23 for 14 yards (T.Johnson, D.Marlowe). PENALTY on NE-S.Mason, Illegal Use of Hands, 10 yards, enforced at BUF 37 - No Play.
3RD & 10 AT BUF 37(04:15)
(4:15) (Shotgun) R.Burkhead left tackle to BUF 27 for 10 yards (J.Poyer).
Just an outstanding run by Burkhead where he gets the first down by bailing out David Andrews on the second level with an unbelievable spin move.
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There are probably a lot of you out there who are wondering, "Then why the hell were they so damn conservative in the first half?!"
I get it. Really, I do.
But I don't think you fully realize where this offense was the prior two weeks. I know Patriots fans are just accustomed to the offense stalling for a bit but then revving back up quickly, but that's not how the NFL operates for the other 31 teams.
The Patriots' offense against the Broncos and 49ers was atrocious. They were like a toddler who had just started walking — every step was perilous and could result in an injury. Seriously, they couldn't go two or three plays without a grenade going off. And Newton had lost all confidence and could not function as an NFL QB. He was awful.
The Patriots appeared to try to start back at square one in this game. That means, the No. 1 objective was to avoid turnovers — which they did for 59 minutes. The Patriots could barely hang on to the ball against the 49ers. To avoid turnovers, that meant not throwing in tough situations like any long yardage. That meant running a draw that had a chance if executed well on 3rd and 12 (the same play converted a 3rd and 10 later in the game).
The coaches obviously didn't think they were capable of executing very much, and the idea was just to keep the game close to give yourself a chance, and not turn the ball over (which makes the onsides kick even more baffling). I mean, a 7-6 halftime deficit was exactly what they were looking for.
This also meant the passing offense was limited to just a handful of plays or concepts the team had some confidence in that they — especially Newton — could execute well and decisively.
I think the Patriots just kept the arrows in their quiver as long as possible and unleashed them in the final three possessions. The three throws above by Newton were scripted and repped plays, it appears. They wanted Newton on a schedule and to eliminate as much thinking as possible.
And it worked, too, until the fumble (if Isaiah Wynn blocks another player, Newton might have run out of bounds).
The Patriots had to take their boring medicine in the first half — Newton was fooled by coverage and missed an open Gunner Olszewski in the first half on a rare scoring opportunity — to start the healing process for this diseased offense.
Don't focus on that. Focus about the progress that was shown in the second half — with nearly three scoring drives on the final three possessions.
For an offense that could only manage six field goals in the previous eight quarters, that's real and significant progress.
Here are the positional ratings against the Bills:
OFFENSE
LG Shaq Mason: Outside of his penalty, he was perfect and his pulls on power runs in the second half sprung Damien Harris.
RB Damien Harris: Fast, explosive and tough inside. He has a 7-yard gain that should have gone for about minus 2. A weapon.
DE Tashaun Bower: Well, somebody wants to set the edge. Bower had four impactful plays in just 19 snaps — including a half sack and 2.5 stuffed runs.
Honorary — S Adrian Phillips: It's bullcrap what this team is making him do — he should get hazard pay before he gets hurt — but he still made some really nice plays in the second half.
THREE DOWN
TE Ryan Izzo: Allowed a sack, knockdown, two hurries, a stuffed run and dropped a ball. Did have a few good moments but not enough to make up for eight crucial errors.
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley: Was a day late and a dollar short again and helped give up an 18-yard run and a touchdown.
LG Joe Thuney: Pains me and he's obviously injured, but gave up four pressures including a big hold to negate a big gain.