Patriots Daily: Mahomes, Bills Embarrass Themselves

The New England Patriots got a day of rest on Sunday, following their 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. But there plenty of action around the NFL. This included a battle of AFC contender between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills prevailed 20-17 in one of the most entertaining games of the NFL season. However, bother franchises managed to tarnish the excitement of the game with some embarrassing behind.

Buffalo Bills Celebrate Sean McDermott

In the victorious locker room after the game, Bills head coach Sean McDermott gave a celebratory speech. McDermott came under fire this past week when old comments of his resurfaced. McDermott had addressed his team in 2019, attempting to give them a speech on the importance of togetherness. He referenced the 9/11 attacks as an example of everybody being on the same plan and executing their game plan.

But Buffalo’s coach was not citing the New York Fire Department, New York Police Department, or other first responders in his speech. McDermott used the terrorists who carried out the attacks as the inspiration that he was hoping his team modeled themselves after.

McDermott said he regretted using 9/11 as an example. However, he could have cited 9/11, but used the examples listed above if that was his prerogative. He stated, “My intent in that meeting that day was to discuss the importance of communication and being on the same page with the team.” Somehow the people he felt were good examples of the people who carried out the 9/11 attacks. Needless to say, the comments from the head coach of the only team that plays home games in New York were not well received.

So after their huge victory over the Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills decided to celebrate Sean McDermott. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane handed McDermott the game ball. Beane exclaimed as he handed the ball to McDermott:”Tough fcking week. We got this man’s back. We got your fcking back.” Umm, okay.

Sean McDermott got the Buffalo Bills game ball because he received pushback for saying he wanted his team to be well coordinated like the terrorists in the 9/11 attack? Just making sure I’m following correctly. pic.twitter.com/Gh1neGRJBr

— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) December 11, 2023

Patrick Mahomes Berates Officials

For a moment it appeared as though the Chiefs had taken the lead late in the fourth quarter of the game. In one of the most exciting plays of the season, Kansas City reached the end zone with an improbable lateral. All-Pro TE Travis Kelce caught a pass from QB Patrick Mahomes at the Bills 32-yard line with 1:22 remaining in regulation. When it appeared Kelce was about to get hit at the 20-yard line, he turned and thew a beautiful spiral across the field to WR Kadarius Toney.

Toney took it the rest of the way, high stepping into the end zone with the go-ahead score. However, the touchdown was called back when it when Toney was flagged for lining up offsides. Review showed that it was clearly the correct call. Kansas City failed to do anything after the score was called back, and Buffalo prevailed.

Patrick Mahomes let the officials know his displeasure about the penalty for the rest of the game. After slamming his helmet on the sideline, he continuously berated officials for their correct call. At one point it appeared he was near tears while screaming at the referee.

"Offensive offsides? What is that? That's fucking terrible man"

Patrick Mahomes is yelling at the referee on the sideline pic.twitter.com/ENzdM47Gtp

— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 11, 2023

Postgame Comments

Patrick Mahomes had an opportunity to regain his composure before meeting with the media. A review of the penalty would have made it clear it was the correct call. Letting emotions get the best of him in the moment is understandable and excusable. However, the Chiefs QB opted to continue complaining.

“Not only for me, but for football in general. To take away greatness like that,” said about his frustration with the call.

“I know as fans you want to see the guys on the field decide the game.” The guy on the field did help decide the game, by lining up over the line of scrimmage.

“They’re human man, they make mistakes,” Mahomes said of the referees while attempting to sound diplomatic. But in this instance, the referee did not make a mistake.

“Another game we’re talking about the refs, it’s not what we want for the NFL, for football.” Yet it was Patrick Mahomes who had brought all of the attention to the refs. If Mahomes is concerned that talking about refs was bad for football, why was he continuing to make them the focus on and off the field?

Unfortunately, the behavior of both franchises after a great game left at least one onlooker scratching his head.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily: Tyreek Hill’s toughest cornerbacks; Zach Wilson’s best game; Walk off punt return for Ravens;  Willie McGinest fun fact; and more…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – New England Patriots happy about winning, even if fans are not

Patriots Football Now – Pat McAfee puts Robert Kraft in an awkward spot

NFL.com – What we learned from the Patriots victory over the Steelers

Patriots Football Now – Patriots assistant leaving to join Syracuse staff

AFC East News

Syracuse.com – SNL pokes fun at Bills coach Sean McDermott over 9/11 comments

Dolphin Nation – Miami WR Tyreek Hill named the toughest cornerbacks he’s faced

NBC Sports – Jets HC Robert Saleh: Zach Wilson had his best game as a professional

NFL News

NFL.com – Eagles QB Jalen Hurts chimes in on Philadelphia’s consecutive losses

Yardbarker – Watch: Ravens beat Rams on walk-off punt return touchdown

PFN+ – 2024 NFL Draft Previews

Boston Bruins

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Fun Fact of the Day

New England Patriots legend Willie McGinest is the all-time playoff sacks leader with 16.0. Frank Clark of the Kansas City Chiefs is the active leader with 13.5.

Willie McGinest is also one of six player in NFL history to record a sack in three different Super Bowls, which is tied for the record.

Tweet of the Day

Today’s Tweet of the Day comes from Tom Pelissero with the NFL officials discussing the call against the Chiefs…

Pool report with NFL SVP Walt Anderson and referee Carl Cheffers, who said of the critical offsides penalty on #Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney: “(C)ertainly, no warning is required, especially if they are lined up so far offsides where they’re actually blocking our view of the ball.” pic.twitter.com/iKQPujy5R0

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 11, 2023