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Re: Ralph Wilson Stadium: 10% chance of snow by gametime (40% by halftime)
Fun fact: 10% chance actually means that on the last 10 days with similar conditions, it snowed once. Even when they say 100% chance, it's not really a guarantee.
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Re: Ralph Wilson Stadium: 10% chance of snow by gametime (40% by halftime)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctpatsfan77
Fun fact: 10% chance actually means that on the last 10 days with similar conditions, it snowed once. Even when they say 100% chance, it's not really a guarantee.
Thanks, I was wondering how they determined the percentages. As long as the winds are not crazy, the pass game will be fine.
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“When you hang with a bunch of 300-pound linemen, you tend to find the places that are the greasiest and serve the most food.” Brady.
Re: Ralph Wilson Stadium: 10% chance of snow by gametime (40% by halftime)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pessimistic Pete
They just showed a quick live look in @ Ralph Wilson on ESPN, currently 22°F with very light snow flurries.
dah-dum dah-dum. . . .
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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots
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The obvious thing going against the Patriots for their Week 16 game against the Bills is the possibility of a letdown. In addition to that, the Pats are without four key players: ORG Dan Connolly, TE Aaron Hernandez, OLB Jermaine Cunningham and DE Brandon Deaderick.
Oh, and the Bills have won four of their last six games and put 30 points on the Patriots in Week Three.
The Patriots struggled against Matt Flynn and the Packers in a close Week 15 win. Tom Brady threw for just 163 yards, and the Packers' run game and third-down offense had little problem against New England's "D."
Without ILB Brandon Spikes, the Pats' run defense struggled against Green Bay. Cunningham has been a solid run-stopper on the outside, and without him as well, look for the Bills to pound the ball against a depleted Patriots front seven. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had a pretty good game through the air against New England in his first start in Week Three.
But what keeps the Patriots with the edge is their offense. Even though the Bills have a pretty good passing defense, Brady picked them apart in Week Three. Buffalo's league-worst run defense will struggle against the Pats' O-line and RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
While the Bills should get some points and may have success controlling time of possession, I don't see them stopping Brady often. Remember, after last Sunday's win, Bill Belichick and Brady were not pleased with the Patriots' effort. Expect to see them take it to Buffalo in a high-scoring affair.
Cappelletti: They are taught, and they have accepted it, that they're not playing the weather but they're playing the Bills this week, like they played the Bears two weeks ago. That's the opponent, not the weather. Bill (Belichick) has been able to get through to them on that. They just ignore the weather and play the game. Tom Brady throws the ball as well as anyone in bad weather because he doesn't think about it. He's not losing the handle. He's throwing passes the way they have to be thrown for a reception to be made. He's an excellent pass thrower and he doesn't let the weather affect him. Somewhere along the line, winds could affect it, but (Brady) doesn't make any allowances for it; he plays like it's normal conditions.
On defense, the strength of this unit has to be their secondary. At the cornerbacks you have Drayton Florence and Terrence McGee who will challenge the Patriots receivers. Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd are accomplished safeties to round out a solid secondary which is currently ranked 7th in the NFL in defending the pass.
The weakness of the defense has to be stopping the run. The Bills are dead last in this category giving up 158 yards per game on the ground.
On offense, this unit has definitely improved over the course of the season. They have a couple of dangerous running backs that the Patriots will need to account for. Fred Jackson is their main threat at the position, and he is having a solid year. He has ran for 811 yards with a 4.1 yards per carry average. He is also a threat in the passing game, and the Patriots will need to watch him carefully.
The big improvement of this unit has to be at the quarterback position. Ryan Fitzpatrick showed Patriots fans in the first match-up that he can play at a high level. He has only improved his game from the beginning of the season. Fitzpatrick has thrown 23 touchdown passes with only 12 interceptions. His main receiver now is Steve Johnson who has 72 receptions on the season. Anyone that has watched the Bills this season knows that offensively they can move the ball and put up points.
Overall, the Bills are a team on the rise, but the Patriots have certainly had their number this decade. I think the Pats have too much going for them right now to stumble in this trap game. I feel confident that the Patriots will clinch the division and home-field throughout the playoffs with a victory against the Bills.
Here are my “five keys” which I believe could play a role in a potential victory for the Pats.
1. Ryan Wendell or Quinn Ojinnaka need to protect Tom Brady in the place of Dan Connolly at guard. Connolly will not play against the Bills because of a concussion. Protecting Brady will be very important, and Wendell or Ojinnaka will probably have that role. For Sunday’s game this position is an area of concern.
2. The Patriots need to run the ball and control the game. This key is pretty obvious for a few reasons. First, the Bills are 32nd in the NFL against the run. Secondly, their pass defense is solid so a stong running game should open up the Bills secondary especially with play-action. Third, it is going to be a cold day, and a good running attack is always needed in these conditions. If they can run the ball on Sunday effectively they should have complete control of the game.
3. The Patriots need to contain Fred Jackson. This player has hurt the Patriots in past games. What makes this key even more important than in game’s past is that the Bills are utilizing him even more in their overall offensive game-plans. Do not be surprised to see him lined up in different positions on Sunday.
4. The Patriots need to win the turnover battle. This is another obvious key, but one that cannot be taken lightly. The Bills turnover ratio is -5 and the Patriots is +20. If the Patriots can capitalize on turnovers against the Bills and limit their own I think they will be on their way to a division title.
5. Shayne Graham needs to be very solid in the kicking game. Graham needs to do a better job than he has so far this season in kick-offs. The Patriots cannot afford to have the Bills starting drives at their 30 yard line or better. Graham will need some real strong kick-offs on Sunday to push the Bills back. He also cannot afford to miss any extra points. His job on Sunday could be vital to a Patriots victory.
This will not be an easy game for the Patriots. I think it will come down to the Patriots limiting their mistakes, and capitalizing on the Bills shortcomings. I see the Patriots pulling out a 21-17 victory against the Bills.
Re: Ralph Wilson Stadium: 10% chance of snow by gametime (40% by halftime)
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