Around the AFC East, Week 3: Buffalo Bills

by MaPatsFan on Jun 5, 2009 11:30 AM EDT

Heading over to Buffalo, we chat with Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings about the "lopsided" rivalry our two teams share. Check out what Brian has to say.

Sorry to bring up this perennial sore spot, but Seth Wickersham of ESPN considers the Patriots vs. Bills matchup one of the most lopsided in the NFL. He goes on to postulate that this year, the Bills might have the tools to come out on top. What do you think? If that's true, what are those tools?

Clearly, I think Wickersham is wrong. "One of" the most lopsided matchups in the NFL? How about the most lopsided matchup in the NFL. The Pats have beaten the Bills in eleven straight contests. They've outscored them 321-96 in those contests - that's an average score of 29-9. I defy anyone to find a more thoroughly routine butt-whipping between two franchises over the past five years.

I'm not sure he's right in saying that the Bills have a team that can compete with New England this year, either. Clearly, the fact that the team has put together legitimate offensive talent at the skill positions is going to help. We scored a whopping 10 points against you guys last year; this new-look Bills offense could grab that total by halftime in the MNF season opener (which is a short 101 days away). You can't win if you don't score points, and we haven't scored points against the Patriots, plain and simple.

There are too many questions that the team has to answer at this point to predict anything other than the status quo in this matchup. Is Trent Edwards capable of leading a competent NFL offense? Can the re-tooled offensive line hold up? Do the Bills have the capability to lay a fingernail on Tom Brady's pristine jersey when he drops back to pass? Is it possible for a player in a Bills uniform to actually make a big play in a divisional game? These are the critical questions; if the Bills can answer those, then they'll at least compete with the Patriots in 2009.

All eyes will be on the season opener with the Bills and whether or not their new offensive talent will begin contributing is something I'll be watching. They were so strong out of the gate last year, but this is a new year. Thanks to Brian Galliford for talking to us about this season and seasons past. Check Buffalo Rumblings for my answer to his question about the Patriots' offensive line.

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season opener only 101 days away...

Can’t wait.

Do the Bills have the capability to lay a fingernail on Tom Brady’s pristine jersey when he drops back to pass?

That’s the million dollar question that you, the Bills, and every other team that the Patriots play is going to want an answer to. How’s Brady going to react to getting hit, to stepping up in traffic, to performing with bodies flying around at his feet? How differently will the O Line look as it protects him? What will the Bills’ D do to get at him? What about our new CBs ability stop Terrell Owens? I think it will be a very closely watched game, and personally I’m dying to learn the answers to these very same questions.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jun 5, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Although with regard to the pass rush, the Bills still don’t really have anyone who can rush effectively. Even Schobel, their supposedly all-world defensive end, wasn’t effective last year before he was hurt. Their saving grace might be that our line is a bit of a question mark, but I don’t think we really need to worry about how Brady is going to react to getting hit, stepping up in traffic, or having bodies flying at his feet until week 2, particularly with a three receiver set of Moss, Welker, and Galloway — the Bills don’t have the personnel to keep Brady from getting rid of the ball quickly with that set.

by RSNexile on Jun 5, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

the Bills don’t have the personnel to keep Brady from getting rid of the ball quickly with that set.

isn’t that the truth – we’ve been pining for someone there for 2 years now. I like Maybin’s potential – but he’s a good 2/3 years away from being any sort of impact player.

Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film

by J2 on Jun 5, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

If you’re very lucky, he might give you half a dozen sacks this year — that would be a successful season for him. But that doesn’t make him an effective pass rusher, unless it’s relative to the rest of the team.

Two or three years from now, he could be one of the best. Right now, he’s not going to be putting up double digit sacks while drawing double teams, and that’s exactly what you need.

by RSNexile on Jun 6, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's the hope...

I’d be glad if he put up 5 sacks. I really would. But if Schobel is anything like his old self and contributing 5+ sacks, too, that puts us in a lot better position than this past year.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 6, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that puts you in a better position

But it still leaves you with 10-12 sacks from your two leading pass rushers. In other words, it still leaves you without a pass rush.

Really, your defense isn’t going to be much better this year. The only hope you guys have is on offense. If the line can get it together, Edwards figures things out, and the coaches realize it actually is legal to throw the ball more than six inches downfield, you’ve got a potentially dangerous offense.

by RSNexile on Jun 6, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention...

The careless mistakes from last year have to be avoided. I still shake my head at the J.P. Losman fumble against the Jets that essentially gave them the game. The Jets should’ve lost that day, and I saw it coming the minute I knew it was a pass play (note to Jauron: run the ball, especially if it’s been working all game long).

by NESilver on Jun 6, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I still don't understand why Jauron wasn't fired

If he was the coach of the Patriots, we’d go 7-9, even if we played the Lions 16 times.

by RSNexile on Jun 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I won't go too far in depth about it.

But the play call wasn’t the worst part of that play. With a couples seconds left before the two minute warning you might want to catch the defense off guard with a pass when they are expecting a run. Even if he tucks an runs or throws it out of bounds it’s the two minute warning. If Peters doesn’t whiff on a block it’s a moot point.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 6, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions