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The New England Patriots are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. They arrived much earlier than many people expected after posting their first losing record in almost 20 years last season. A large part of the unexpected success has been the play of rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
The Alabama product surprisingly took the job from Cam Newton during the preseason, which led to the Patriots cutting the former league MVP. He never looked back and turned out to have the best rookie season of all the rookie quarterbacks. That's despite being the fifth one taken.
For more insight on the Patriots' Wild Card playoff matchup against the Bills, listen below:
Many people would assume that Jones would be the X-Factor for New England if they are going to pull off the upset. But they would be missing the forest for the trees. The X-Factor is far more obvious.
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Patriots X-Factor vs. Bills in 2022 NFL Playoffs: Bill Belichick
Despite my belief that Bill Belichick is the obvious choice as the Patriots X-Factor, I can see how most would overlook it. After all, our mind goes straight to players. But this Patriots team, that lacks for stars at the offensive skill positions, requires great coaching more than anyone.
If New England is going to pull off the upset, it will require another genius gameplan from Belichick.
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Earlier this season, the Patriots traveled to western New York and beat the Bills, 14-10. In the win, New England shocked the football world, throwing the ball a grand total of three passes. You read that right, Mac Jones went 2-3 passing for 19 yards. The Patriots ran the ball 46 times for 222 yards.
The weather was a clear factor. Winds were consistently 25 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 mph. But obviously Patriots head coach Bill Belichick must have had a specific game plan in mind. His team executed to perfection.
If ever you wanted to see a head coach sounding like he was out-coached, just look at Bills head coach Sean McDermott. After the aforementioned 14-10 game, McDermott was quoted saying “Let's not give Bill (Belichick) too much credit.” If you need to tell me why I don't need to give the other coach too much credit, it's probably because he did a better job than you did that day.
Given the conditions, and the Bills' inability to stop the run, Belichick reminded everyone why he is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in history.
The Patriots guru is known for mixing it up from game to game. He is like a coaching chameleon, able to adjust the game plan according to his opponent. McDermott spoke to that exact point this week.
#Bills Sean McDermott on the challenge of playing the Patriots for the third time this season:
"It’s incredible how they can change things up, and what Coach Belichick does to stay a step ahead. We obviously have our work cut out for us." pic.twitter.com/ySYkf9ph6y
— Taylor Rocha (@TaylorRochaTV) January 10, 2022
This time, McDermott said all the right things. His team is the favorite and rightfully so. They are more talented, deeper and are playing at home.
In order for New England to pull off another upset, Belichick is going to need to pull another rabbit out of the hat. I don't foresee the Bills allowing New England to simply run the ball every play again. Therefore, they'll need something else.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of trick plays, maybe a fake punt or fake field goal, something. But another great game plan will be required.
