Editor’s Note: Andy Gresh will be part of The Providence Journal’s Patriots coverage for the season. “Gresh’s Grades” will appear each week in print, on providencejournal.com/sports, and on 630wpro.com following a Patriots game.
This was the JV vs. the Varsity in Buffalo. The Patriots knew they had enough offense, when they wanted it, to win this game. The Bills did a great job holding the Patriots to field goals in the first half, but this game was never, ever in doubt. On to Green Bay.
QUARTERBACK: B
Tom Brady was well protected but had to make some throws from (and move around in) the pocket. The Patriots went into this game knowing that throwing was the way to win. I love that Brady will still run the ball when given the opportunity, we just don’t see it unless it’s a critical down and distance. Gotta score touchdowns in the Red Zone and 12 said as much after the game.
RUNNING BACKS (plus Patterson): B
The initial strategy in using Cordarelle Patterson in the backfield was to get an extra defensive back on the field to run against. Running the ball with him looked unnatural. James White was his usual killer-self in the passing game. When defenses load up on Rob Gronkowski, White gets a high volume of touches.
WIDE RECEIVERS: B-
Julian Edelman got to work inside as the Bills were determined to make sure Gronk wouldn’t dominate. Josh Gordon is still evolving in this offense and I don’t know where the truth lies with the pregame story about his tardiness and availability. All I know is, the slant is a weapon in this offense when he’s on the field. I was disappointed that this group didn’t get red-zone separation.
TIGHT ENDS: B-
Gronk worked hard to get open – or try to get open. I think people forget, if you take one playoff against 87, he catches a pass for 35 yards. So you have to layer defensive personnel to make sure he’s handled every play. Same as the receivers, I’m disappointed there wasn’t more red-zone separation.
OFFENSIVE LINE: A-
Run game production with a wide receiver getting most of the carries was a job well done. The Bills didn’t make it easy on the “big boys” but they held up well considering they were almost 2-1 pass to run ratio — an even tougher task to execute when on the road. Keep an eye on Shaq Mason, who left the game in the second half, they need him for the stretch run.
DEFENSIVE LINE: A
Solid and steady performance. Buffalo’s run game wasn’t a factor at all and this group picked up the pass rush in the second half. Derek Anderson shouldn’t be in the league, let alone starting, and by the end of this one he had to be wondering what he got himself into.
LINEBACKERS: A-
Even with no Dont’a Hightower, the Bills had no run game and tight end Charles Clay was hardly noticed. I thought these second-level defenders took good routes to the ball carrier in the running game and they didn’t panic or get beat when the Bills ran all that wildcat bunk early in the first quarter.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: A
Kelvin Benjamin had a 40-yard play but otherwise, the corners and safeties kept most everything in front of them. And the changing of leverage by the inside corners that set up Devin McCourty’s pick-6 was a great show of trust by the coaching staff to know the back end would work in concert and it turned into a big play.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C
Ryan Allen straight shanked one late in the game, and his lack of hang time on one punt set up a 31-yard return. Combine that with a miss by Stephen Gostkowski and some sloppy tackling on kickoff returns led to an average day. I think this unit will be retooled during the coming bye week.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1) I do NOT expect Patterson to be getting 10-plus carries as a running back in the playoffs.
2) At times, Gronk doesn’t look right. Some of it is coverage, however, I think he’s getting old.
3) I’m glad the Patriots’ Monday night games are over. That broadcast crew is the TV equivalent of the Buffalo Bills.
“The Gresh Show” airs each weeknight on 99.7FM and AM 630 WPRO from 6 to 9 p.m.
Article originally posted to The Providence Journal on October 30, 2018.
