The report cards are out, and the results are pretty tough for the Patriots again this week.

Jeremy Gottlieb on Patriots Daily says that this one was even uglier than last week’s win over the Panthers, which he didn’t think would be possible. Steve DeOssie says that the Patriots offense barely passed a test that they should have aced. Ron Borges says that the offense once again disappeared like it was held hostage at halftime.

Mike Reiss wonders why all the national critics (Hello, Peter King.) aren’t shouting “Arrogance!” and “Hubris!” over Mike Tomlin’s on-sides kick on Sunday.

Adam Kilgore has Bill Belichick raving about the performance of Mike Wright on Sunday. Danny Picard has more on the praise for the fifth-year defensive lineman. Rich Garven notes that Ron Brace also got some praise from the head coach, along with Wright. Ian R. Rapoport has the Patriots secondary and defensive line working well together on Sunday.

Robert Lee wonders if there is something seriously wrong with Tom Brady. Tom E. Curran says that this team is just OK, and won’t go far in the playoffs. Picard has Belichick looking for more consistency from his team. Glen Farley says that there are no guarantees for the Patriots going forward, even for Sunday.

Rapoport has the Patriots glad to cure the road blues that they’ve had all season. Jonathan Comey says that this Patriots team doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a champion. Jeff Howe points out that the Patriots still have a slim chance of earning a first-round bye.

Steve Buckley says that there has been too much criticism of Randy Moss. Lenny Megliola says that the Patriots are fortunate to be in strong playoff position.

The Globe notebook has a “hat and T-shirt game” on tap for Sunday. Rapoport’s notebook has more on the praise for Wright. Lee’s Patriots journal has more on Wright. Farley’s notebook has Wright being modest about his role, and looking to get better.

Bruins

Joe Haggerty has old reliables coming through for the Bruins last night in Ottawa. Fluto Shinzawa has Tim Thomas pulling out all the stops in the 2-0 win. Stephen Harris has the Bruins getting their tenth win in a row against the Senators. Graig Woodburn has some key Bruins re-emerging last night.

Shinzawa’s notebook looks at the move of Steve Begin to the top line. Harris’ notebook has Shawn Thornton doing the gritty work.

Celtics

Mark Murphy has Paul Pierce feeling married to Doc Rivers and his system, even after a shaky beginning to the union. Jessica Camerato has Pierce’s overall versatility making him one of the most dangerous players in the league. Scott Souza says that the Celtics need Pierce to be more aggressive offensively. Frank Dell’Apa has Pierce being told to trust his instincts on offense.

Mike Fine has Tony Allen’s latest comeback going well. A. Sherrod Blakely has Allen making the most of his increased minutes in the absence of Marquis Daniels. Murphy’s notebook has more on Allen’s stock rising. Camerato has Glen Davis planning on keeping slim during the holidays.

Misc

With six championships this decade, Bob Ryan examines the state of Boston sports in 2009.

Michael Silverman says that the Red Sox have still not closed the door on Jason Bay or Matt Holliday.

Gordon Edes has Mike Lowell saying that the Red Sox didn’t know about his thumb and didn’t treat it for seven weeks.

Published by Bruce Allen

Automattician.

4 thoughts on “Patriots Don’t Grade High In Win Over Bills”

  1. Two thumbs way up to Mike Reiss for pointing out the media’s hypocrisy over the Mike Tomlin onside kick Sunday. Of course, the Packers somehow let the Steelers steal that game in the end, so the decision didn’t cost Pittsburgh the game.

    I guess I’m comforted by the fact that had the officials actually spotted the ball correctly, given Faulk the first down, and the Pats had run out the clock, the media would still be calling BB’s decision arrogant and a derivation of his megalomania.

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    1. Tony I agree with you on Reiss. I cannot believe that King went out of his way to blame Belichick for Tomlin’s decision. So much for Shaugnessy’s national media cartel.
      I disagree with you on Faulk because NBC with all of the billions they spent on Sunday Night Football could not come up with a reverse angle on the play. Nice job Freddy Gaudelli.

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      1. It was a bang-bang play.

        The ref seemed to be spotting it short because he claimed Faulk was still juggling the ball before he established possession past the first down marker. The replays showed that he briefly juggled it but had already pinned it against his chest, with his foot straddling between the 30 and 31 yard lines, and then was driven back by the defenders.

        I thought he had the first down, but you’re right…NBC couldn’t give us a definitive angle, so C’est La Vie!

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