Archives for December 2014

‘Patriots 24, Bills 14.’

‘Other than that duo, the Bills are relatively healthy heading into the regular season finale. Only kicker Dan Carpenter (groin) and safety Aaron Williams (hip) were also listed on the injury report this week, but each were assigned the ‘probable’ designation against the Patriots.’

‘The top item on the off season “things to do” list should be get better at quarterback. After benefitting from an entire off season of preparation, EJ Manuel lasted just four games in his second NFL season before being benched. Kyle Orton got off to a good start but Orton and the offense have been coughing and wheezing since coming out of the bye week with a 5-3 record.’

‘Patriots 21, Bills 16.’

‘Buffalo’s defense struggled last week as their tackling was as inconsistent as it has been all season. They have to get back to wrapping up ball carriers with sure tackling and consistent fundamentals, otherwise the Patriots could run wild on the ground, much like they did in the season finale last season.’

‘”The thing that Brian started is pretty special,” Chandler said. “To get to visit those kids and just be able to put a smile on their face is something you can’t really put into words, how that feels.”‘

‘The Pegulas’ first order of business will be deciding whether to keep General Manager Doug Whaley and coach Doug Marrone. Apparently, tension mounted between the two during the season. Some inside the organization believe that their working relationship is beyond repair.’

‘As a result, the Bills’ running game has been anemic. They rank 25th in rushing with 1,378 yards, and if they don’t gain 174 yards in Sunday’s finale against the Patriots, they will finish with their lowest total in a 16-game season. The current futility mark is 1,552 yards in 2006, when the Bills were 27th in the NFL.’

‘And what does that say about EJ Manuel, the 2013 first-round draft choice who was limited to 10 starts as a rookie due to multiple knee injuries and was benched after going 2-2 to start this season?’

‘The Patriots had just one game tape to study of Orton with the Bills the last time they met. But they came up with a game plan that seemed to work.’

‘Perhaps the statistic of the year for the Bills: In Weeks 7-15, opposing quarterbacks (and the group included Rodgers and Peyton Manning) combined to throw three touchdowns and 13 interceptions against Buffalo.’

‘OK, so maybe there are no banners for 9-7 seasons, but that is a sign of improvement for a team that’s been mediocre (or worse) for what seems like a football eternity.’

Patriots make red zone into a dead zone for opponents (Boston Globe)

Bills QB Kyle Orton gets a second shot at Patriots (Boston Globe)

Hard final exam for offensive line (Boston Herald)

Five threats to spoil Patriots’ party (Boston Herald)

Despite brutal loss versus Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills showed progress in 2014 (Springfield Republican)

A few Patriots approaching milestones in season finale against Bills (Springfield Republican)

Wilfork as good as new in comeback from Achilles injury (Providence Journal)

Patriots’ Slater celebrates with gift of Pro Bowl berth (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots happy with return on Amendola (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

In Bills, Patriots face a team that’s gotten downright defensive (Brockton Enterprise)

Many happy returns for Amendola (Brockton Enterprise)

Patriots, Bills searching for that final meaning (Nashua Telegraph)

One scout’s take: For Patriots, Bills, plenty of reasons to take Sunday seriously (WEEI-FM)

Vince Wilfork following Achilles injury: ‘I worked my tail off just to get back and play football like I normally play (WEEI-FM)

No changes on Patriots’ injury report Thursday (WEEI-FM)

‘”My disappointment’s deep,” he acknowledged Wednesday, as the Bills continued preparations for Sunday’s season finale at New England. “It’s tough to swallow every year.”‘

‘”Tell me about it,” Rex said. “You know what I wanted for Christmas? For the New England game to matter. Still alive for the playoffs going into the last game, I would have taken that. I really was starting to believe in them again.”‘