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Week 6: Defense Disappoints In Second Half Collapse
Patriots score on every meaningful possession after halftime.
by Steve Saslow
Here are our position by position grades:
Quarterback:
Kyle Orton Had good stats going 24 of 38 for 299 yards and two touchdowns but his fumble and interception led to 10 Patriot points.
Grade B: Not the main reason for the loss.
Running Backs:
C.J. Spiller struggled once again running the ball and had a costly fumble just before halftime giving the Patriots three free points at the halftime buzzer. That was after a 12 yard run which was his best run of the day. He finished with 19 yards on 6 carries.
Fred Jackson seemed slowed by his ankle injury and perhaps his illness. He led the way with 10 carries for just 26 yards. He had 4 catches for 17 more yards. He did score a touchdown one a one yard plunge.
Boobie Dixon was part of the gameplan and saw more time as Jackson wasn't likely 100%. He ran hard in between the tackles and had a magnificent leap over a defender. Played hard and with passion but only had 23 yards on seven carries.
Grade D: The running game may be the biggest disappointment of the season.
Receivers:
Sammy Watkins was taken out of the game by Darrelle Revis with the exception of a 20 yard catch near the goal line. He was also called for offensive pass interference on a pick play that was a ticky tack call. He caught a meaningless pass in the final minutes as well.
Robert Woods was called for offensive pass interference penalty that was also a questionable call. He had his first touchdown of the season and showed toughness on the two point conversion catch. Finished with 78 yards on 7 catches.
Chris Hogan had five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown playing more with Mike Williams a healthy scratch. He did drop one pass.
Marquise Goodwin was thrown to deep three times but wasn't close to catching any of them.
Scott Chandler had a career game with six catches for 105 yards including five first downs.
Grade C: Chandler and Woods was this whole unit as Revis took out Watkins.
Offensive Line:
Cordy Glenn beat for a strip sack by Chandler Jones that set up the Patriots just before halftime.
Grade F: Gave up five sacks and only averaged three yards per run.
Defensive Line:
Mario Williams had a nice sack to help force the Pats to settle for a field goal in the 2nd quarter.
Marcell Dareus had a quiet three tackles but clogged up the middle well.
Kyle Williams was in at the end of Mario's sack and had two tackles.
Jairus Wynn had a costly offsides penalty late in the game.
Jerry Hughes was called for unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a third down stop that kept a drive going. Didn't look like he did anything to draw a penalty as he hit his teammates helmet and the refs must have thought he hit his opponent. Luckily it didn't hurt them as Gostkowski missed a field goal on that drive. He then got called for another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he hit Brady low. Did have a sack and another tackle of Brady for a one yard gain to go along with six other tackles.
Grade D: Not enough pressure, worst game of the year for this unit.
Linebackers:
Brandon Spikes was in on eight tackles in limited playing time as the Bills were in the nickel or dime packages most of the game.
Keith Rivers was quietly in on five tackles.
Nigel Bradham had good penetration on the first run play of the game that went for a loss. He finished with 11 tackles and was active near the line of scrimmage.
Preston Brown had two tackles and was beaten by Gronk for a 17 yard reception in the second half.
Grade D: Rough day for this crew besides Bradham who is really coming on strong this year.
Secondary:
Stephon Gilmore was beaten by Gronkowski for a third down conversion on the Patriots first series. He was beaten for a sideline catch just before halftime that allowed the Pats to get three free points at the buzzer. Was then beaten for a long touchdown pass to Tyms from 43 yards out.
Leodis McKelvin was carried for a few yards by Gronk on his first catch. Beaten on the 56 yard touchdown pass to LaFell that clinched the game for the Patriots.
Corey Graham got the start for the injured Aaron Williams and had great coverage on an early incomplete bomb. Was beaten with Gilmore on Tyms touchdown.
Nickell Robey had two tackles and had a nice pass breakup that was almost a pick six.
Duke Williams was beaten by Gronk for a third down conversion on Pats second drive. He committed perhaps the worst pass interference penalty I have ever seen in the end zone to setup the Patriots first touchdown. He pushed the receiver down before the ball got there and he had good position. He was beaten for a 33 yard fade pattern by Gronk in the third quarter. He was called for a second pass interference penalty two plays later.
Da'Norris Searcy was very quiet with two tackles.
Grade F: Brady threw for 361 yards, enough said.
Special Teams:
Colton Schmidt did a bad job on his first punt of not pinning the Patriots deep as it rolled into the end zone for a touchback. He averaged nearly 50 yards on five punts but two went into the end zone and none were inside the 20.
Dan Carpenter hit two extra points and had no feel goal attempts.
Leodis McKelvin had punt returns of 3 and 9 yards.
C.J. Spiller averaged 26 yards on two kickoff returns including a nice 37 yard return.
Coverage Units gave up just 12 yards on three punt returns.
Grade C: Not the reason for the loss but Schmidt could have helped the field position battle.
Coaching:
Doug Marrone didn't have his team ready to play maybe the ownership change was a distraction. Penalties continue to be a problem with 8 for 107 yards.
Nathaniel Hackett got his offense going in the 2nd half but had no help from the defense on this day.
Jim Schwartz maybe let the ride on his players' shoulders last week go to his head. He made no adjustments at halftime and had no answers for Brady and co. in the second half. They gave up 295 yards in the final two quarters.
Grade F: Very disappointing showing in front of the new boss.
 Bills Blitz
NFL.com Gamebook
Patriots Game Preview
Gameday Homepage
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