Even The Saltiest Of Fans Had Trouble Bashing Bill Belichick
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- No matter how important the quarterback position is, it still takes a full team effort to not just win a game but dominate as thoroughly as the Patriots did Thursday night in their 27-0 win over the Houston Texans. You saw that on full display, as the Patriots controlled the game in all three phases and executed a virtually flawless gameplan.
Practically everyone on the Patriots roster took their game to another level to support quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who himself was impressive in his first career start. The rookie out of N.C. State managed the offense, protected the ball, and even made a couple of nice plays with his legs, including his first career touchdown. But on top of that, Thursday's win will go down as yet another legendary coaching performance for Bill Belichick and his staff.
"Well, this is a really satisfying win," a proud Belichick said to open his post-game presser. "I thought that this whole week our coaching staff, let's start with them, did a tremendous job. Josh [McDaniels], Matt Patricia, [special teams coach] Joe Judge – did a great job. [Assistant quarterbacks coach] Jerry Schuplinski with Jacoby [Brissett], just how hard they worked to prepare the team to get them ready, and then how committed the players were.
Of course, anyone with a shred of intelligence, integrity, or objectivity when it comes to the game of football knows that Belichick is one of the great coaches in the history of the game and continues to make his case as the best to ever man a sideline. Winning with a rookie third-string QB making his first career start on a short week, and embarrassing the Texans in such convincing fashion, only reinforces this undisputable truth.
Unless, of course, you're too stubborn to get past the "cheating." It's OK, these people know the truth deep down.
How can people praise a cheater? Bill Belichick has to be one of the biggest cheaters in NFL history and he is praised as a good coach lolol
— Hunter (@HunnnaP) September 23, 2016
Now we know for sure Belichick is the Head Cheater In Charge & Brady is his lil pansy. #Patriots
— COHemPteeOHiN Cem (@cohempteeohin) September 23, 2016
@975Mornings @jonmarks975 does the cheating make you think less of Belichick? Like he always cheats jus rarely gets caught.
— Haroldstotle (@Haroldstotle) September 23, 2016
These tweets happened. Last night. During that game. How anyone can look at Belichick and still think like this after the way he's gotten the Patriots to a 3-0 record without Tom Brady (and, for at least one game, Jimmy Garoppolo) and basically without Rob Gronkowski (Thursday night wasn't full Gronk). It's understandable to be mad about all the sorcery and how Belichick just continues to find ways to win...but discrediting the work of Belichick and the Patriots coaching staff continues to be the strangest hill salty football fans will ever die on.
Here is a sampling of the football fans who knew and appreciated what they were watching Thursday night ...
BREAKING: The Patriots have released their entire roster
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 23, 2016
Bill Belichick: "I don't need to pay players. I'll win with air."
You could drop Belichick onto any team on Monday and he'd come up with a good game plan, the players would execute it, and they'd win.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) September 23, 2016
Starting to think Bill Belichick could win a game with four concession stand workers, a paperclip, and a piece of gum
— Bailey Steele (@bailey_steele) September 23, 2016
Based on current @Patriots QB stats, I'm confident that Bill Belichick could put Gary Busey in at QB and still win by two scores. #TNF
— Blake Monroe (@bmonroe01) September 23, 2016
Im convinced Bill Belichick could win with Hellen Keller at quarterback
— Brenden (@brenden_ziegler) September 23, 2016
You could Belichick a homeless man to play quarterback and he would still figure out a way to win. Unbelievable coach.
— Alex Wuensch (@AJ_Wuensch) September 23, 2016
Eventually, NFL coaches will figure out that the only way to rid themselves of Bill Belichick is by destroying him in their dreams.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) September 23, 2016
I'm pretty sure Bill Belichick is so great a coach that he could start a Stormtrooper at QB and get him to hit receivers all night. BOOYEAH!
— Scott Barker (@RandolphMancurd) September 23, 2016
Imagine thinking Bill Belichick isn't the best coach of all time
— jordan (@welpjordan) September 23, 2016
Congrats to Kevin Clark, who wins my imaginary Tweet of the Night award ... and this should 100 percent be a thing after Belichick retires.
Belichick needs a Bar Rescue-style show where he visits different NFL teams and builds gameplans for crappy teams to win a game.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 23, 2016
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.