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ORCHARD PARK, NY -- The Buffalo Bills are coming off of a 24-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday and will now prepare to face the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium this weekend in an AFC East Divisional Match-up.
The match-up features former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe having an opportunity to face the coach who felt sending him to a division rival wouldn't be a problem. Bill Belichick will now face a Buffalo Bills team that not only features the AFC's leading passer, but also a very talented roster.
RECEIVERS: What do Eric Moulds and Peerless Price have in common? They are currently the top two receivers in the NFL. Moulds is first with 57-receptions for 785-yards and 5-touchdowns, with Price having caught 51-balls for 740-yards and 6-touchdowns. Each topped 100 yards receiving in the same game for the second time this season against the Lions in Sunday's victory and both continue their march toward a Pro Bowl appearance.
RUNNINGBACK: Travis Henry is currently fourth in the AFC in yards rushing, gaining 695-yards on 151-carries including carrying the ball 19-times for 64-yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. Henry's only downfall has been his tendency to fumble, which he's done and lost five-out-of-six times. this season.
"Every one knows what that situation is and I don't really need to comment on it," said Bledsoe when asked about Henry's troubles holding onto the football. "The only thing I will say is that Travis is a guy that we depend on. We will continue to give him the ball because he is a great runner. We will continue to lean on him greatly."
TIGHT ENDS: Jay Riemersma had his number called just twice on Sunday, with two catches for 18-yards. Riemersma is the leading tight end on the Bills with 18-grabs for 209-yards. Teammate Dave Moore is suffering from a broken hand and didn't record a reception against the Lions and spent most of the game blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE: The team was without rookie Mike Williams who is battling a hamstring injury, head coach Greg Williams told the media on Monday he anticipates having Williams and tackle Jonas Jennings returning to practice on Wednesday. The unit has allowed 30-sacks to Bledsoe thus far this season, and will likely be facing different blitz packages from the Patriots defense this weekend.
DEFENSIVE LINE: The unit held the Lions to just 19-yards rushing in the second half and kept the Detroit offense pretty much at bay for most of the afternoon. Lions quarterback Joey Harrington completed 20-of-42 for 199-yards and a touchdown, and also picked the rookie off once during the game. New England may have an easier time running the football this weekend. The Bills are 24th in the NFL against the run, allowing 124.9 rushing-yards per game.
LINEBACKERS: The Bills linebackers were excellent against the run and in coverage on Sunday, holding Lions runningback James Stewart to 83-yards on the ground. They've also gotten some very good performances from Eddie Robinson who has an interception and is fifth on the team in tackles with 41.
SECONDARY: Defensive Back Nate Clements is the star of the Buffalo secondary, leading the team in passes defended with 9, has three interceptions including one for a touchdown, and has 24-tackles on the season. Safeties Coy Wire and Pierson Prioleau have combined for 93-tackles this season along with cornerback Chris Watson who has 32-tackles of his own and an interception on the year.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Field goal kicker Mike Hollis has been solid, connecting on 4-of-5 of his kicks from 30-to-39-yards, 4-of-5 from 40-to-49-yards, and 3-of-4 from beyond 50-yards. The team also has a good punter in Brian Moorman who is averaging 46.2-yards per punt.
QUARTERBACK: Quarterback Drew Bledsoe has played well this season, finishing with his fourth 300-yard game last weekend in which he tossed his AFC leading 16th touchdown. Bledsoe currently is second in the NFL with a 98.3 passer rating and a league leading 2500-yards passing, and has thrown just five interceptions over the teams first 8-games so far this season.
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