Robdude

A couple of points

1. I always think this 'earley pressure' on Brady idea is one of the dumbest ideas around. Ofcourse everyone wants earley pressure on the QB. Sacks and hurries are good. If you can get earley pressure on any quarterback you hamper the offense. Every defense wants their pass rushers to get to the QB as quickly as possible. I worry about the team that comes up with the strategy of "Lets rush the QB slowly and give him some time".

The idea of blitzing the QB is a general philosophy and not a strategy against the Pats.

Now I realize that our WRs are too talented to let them run around for a long time but trying to put pressure on Brady instead of dropping everyone into coverage is a lesser of two evils it is not a 'way to beat Brady".


2. I like what the Bills have put together. I find I rout for them against most other teams. I know what the stats say (31st offense 28th defense) but I do think they will be a challenge.

3. I will be curious to see how effective the Pats offense will be under adverse weather conditions. I feel they will be O but it will be nice to see how the passing game goes

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patfanken

Fortunately, while we fans overlook the Bills for ALL the reasons given above, the good news is that the PLAYERS aren't.

Add me to the growing number of fans who appreciate what the Bills are doing in upstate NY. If I were a fans of theirs I would be very proud. They weren't that talented to begin with, and still compete DESPITE the large amount of injuries to key players that they've survived. They are a credit to Dick Jauron, who is a much better coach that many who are mentioned ahead of him. I'd like someday to see him lead a team that has some REAL talent. Maybe in a 2 years this Bills team can be a real threat to the Pats.

However one think this Bills team has proven to me, is something I've preached forever, and is well known here. If your OL and DL are solid, then the rest of your team will be able to at least COMPETE with most of the teams you will face. I don't know why bad teams keep drafting or signing skill players when they DON'T have the OL/DL in place, and then when they continue to lose; they are in shock.

The Bills took care of their OL in the off season and because its solid they have been able to compete, and their rookie QB has been able to operate with relative success.

There was a lot of criticism around the league when Marv Levy became GM, but he has been doing it the right way in building his team. He hired the right coach. He is improving his team in the right way. His talented rookie RB and QB would be in bad shape if he hadn't overpaid for some OL talent this off season. I remember people complaining that Levy could have paid Nate Clement with the money he paid for 2 good but not great OLmen. Clearly he made the right choice....something we should keep in mind when it comes time to sign our next top CB

NYCPatsFan

Count me also among those who admire the Bills. As I mentioned before, I don't care about the 'quality' of the opponents they defeated in the last four games. It is amazing to see how they were crippled by injuries and they fought it keeping quiet unlike other teams that weep.

Considering how hard hitting they are, I am curious to see how Maroney fares. Hopefully he does enough to put a damper on some who doubt him.

patchick

Great points. Long-term Pats priorities: locking up Wilfork & Mankins.

Patriotic Fervor

Yes, it has long been a tenet of professional football that games are invariably won or lost in the trenches.

That's a good point you made for us.

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Dagg

I live in western NY as well but honestly they had a slight punchers chance with Lynch..now without Lynch they have no chance. And they ned to get Edwards back in there Losman is to up and down.

patchick

Let's talk backup RBs for a minute.

Anthony Thomas was mediocre in a 2nd RB role last year, averaging 3.5 yds on 107 carries. This year he's been completely invisible with just 12 yards on 10 carries.

But the Bills drafted 2 good-looking RBs this year. Their 4th-round pick Dwayne Wright is really their #2 back right now, averaging 3.0 yds on 25 carries. That's not a great average, but it's probably skewed by short yardage situations since Wright is a 5-11, 228 power back. He's a strong, tough (but not speedy) runner whom a lot of Pats fans penciled in as a Heath Evans replacement before the draft, especially since he comes from Fresno State. Not a breakaway threat, but not easy to bring down.

Bobs My Uncle

While the Bills are winning let's keep it in perspective just who the Bills have beaten during this winning streak.

Yeah, I know you have to play the teams that are scheduled but the reality is 2 of the Bills recent wins came against the lowly Dolphins and Jets who combined have won just 1 game this season. The 3rd and 4th wins came against struggling Cinci and Balt teams who are as bad as any team not playing in SF at the moment.

Further, Buffalo's QB's have thrown for all of 3 TD's this season. Brady gets that in half of a quarter in some games. M Lynch accounts for the teams other 7 TD's (6 rushing and 1 throwing) and he's not even playing in this game.

With all the injuries they have suffered thru, Buffalo's defense is chalk full of backups many of whom are rookies, undrafted, late round and UDFA's.

Sorry, but living in the area and seeing them up close, the Bills are a mirage. They've timed things out incredibly well and have been fortunate to win as they have. But this game should not be remotely close to being a competitive contest.

Spirit of '76

The Bills will be missing Marshawn Lynch. That's about 60% + of their offense.

The only true threat the Bills have is their special teams.

That only has an impact on close games.

3 of their wins are against the Jets and Dolphins.

Enough said.

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