Pick Six: Week 15

1. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick should feel honored. New England’s defense used the “everyone stand around” pass rush. It was first introduced when the Patriots played against Drew Bledsoe in 2002. Years later it was used against QB Tom Brady. I think it was the New York Jets when coached by Eric Mangini that turned the tables. That’s good company to be in for Fitzpatrick.

2. The pass rush had their best day of the year. They totaled six sacks on the afternoon. They were led by OLB Tully Banta-Cain with three. And ILB Gary Guyton picked up his first career sack as well. This was New England’s best sack day since they had seven against Miami in week 16 of 2007.

3. The defense shouldn’t pat itself on the back too much, though. Buffalo was 2-for-3 on fourth down conversions. It would had been 3-for-3 if WR Josh Reed didn’t drop a pass at New England’s three yard line. One of the conversions was S Brandon Merriweather’s fault. If he wrapped up on his tackle attempt, he would had stopped Reed short. All three fourth down attempts were during the same fourth quarter drive.

4. Thankfully the Bills lead the league in first half penalty yards. Two pass interference penalties set up both touchdowns.

5. The offense needed all the help it could get. Brady had five completions in the first half, his lowest first half total since another Buffalo game back in 2006. The offense really petered out in the fourth quarter: 28 total yards, one first down. But that first down was an eight-yard pass to Wes Welker that sealed the game.

6. Congratulations to NT Ron Brace. He had his first career start. Without NT Vince Wilfork, DEs Ty Warren and Myron Pryor out, he was needed. Brace was OK, finishing with four total tackles.

Extra Point: I’d like to thank the company that made the knee brace Brady wears over his surgically reconstructed knee. He took a direct hit to the joint from Buffalo DE Aaron Schobel when he tried to leap over a cut block by RB Kevin Faulk.