Archives for September 20, 2015

'“Parts of it are tough, just the little nuances of his game . . . we don’t have a lot of film on him, so I just try to imitate him as best as I can,’’ said Garoppolo. “He’s a fast guy, so I’m trying to become faster. I’m doing my best.’’'

'That’s because the game plan should theoretically contain a heavier dedication toward stopping the Bills’ ground attack than it did in Week 1 against the pass-oriented Steelers. That doesn’t excuse the fact the Patriots surrendered 134 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries in the opener, but the personnel packages figure to be different against Rex Ryan’s run-happy Bills, who had 36 carries for 147 yards and two scores Sunday against the Colts.'

'“I think players see through coaches trying to be something they’re not. They don’t generally respond to that,” said linebacker Matt Chatham, who played for both the Patriots and Jets, albeit the latter before Ryan’s tenure. “The other things is, if you have an environment like Coach Belichick has and then you don’t stick to it, you all of a sudden break rank and talk smack, I mean, the reason it works is because it’s consistent. The same thing with Rex. If he clams up, it sends a weird message to your team. So it’s consistency. That’s what’s important.”'

'In those last seven games, Brady threw 20 touchdown passes with only four interceptions. Couple that with his 23-3 stretch vs. the Bills (which, by the way, includes a loss in what was for all intents and purposes a New England forfeit in the final game last season) and it makes today’s confrontation at least a psychological crossing of the Rubicon for the suddenly energized Bills.'

'Ryan’s group knows how to attack, and the Bills have the same four defensive linemen (Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes) who racked up 39.5 sacks in 2014. Keeping them at bay is the most obvious challenge of the day. The Patriots offensive linemen played well against the Steelers, but at some point, it would make sense to find continuity after rotating seven linemen last week. If Ryan Wendell still isn’t ready, will Tre’ Jackson, Shaq Mason, David Andrews and Josh Kline be enough on the interior line? It’s a safe bet Ryan will attack the inexperienced trio.'

'The Patriots have done a solid job against Dareus in the past, and that will have to continue on Sunday in order to keep Tom Brady upright. In seven previous games, the defensive lineman has just 1 1/2 sacks on Brady.'

'What was surprising in the Bills' opener was the play of quarterback Tyrod Taylor.'

'Patriots 24, Bills 17.'

'Well, it wouldn't be anywhere near as entertaining if there wasn't some Ryanesque bluster thrown into the mix. But the fact of the matter is that while the Bills appear to be a vastly improved team in the dawning days of the Rex Era, they still are newly formed and led on offense by a four-year backup to Joe Flacco in Baltimore that barely got off the bench while there – and now, the immortal Tyrod Taylor is about to face a Bill Belichick-authored defense for the first time.'

'Patriots 27, Bills 12.'

'LeSean McCoy is questionable because of a hamstring injury, but he was ineffective in week one and yet the Bills still attempted 36 runs against 19 passes. If the Pats line isn't better at the point of attack, the Bills will keep ramming the rock down their throats. At the same time, if the Patriots aren't disciplined, they'll leave themselves vulnerable to big plays outside.'

'What would we do without Rex Ryan? The AFC East would be even more boring than it already is.

'“I don’t classify him as a young quarterback at all,’’ said defensive end Chandler Jones of Taylor. “As far as playing experience, yeah, but this guy’s been in the league for a long time and he’s a veteran, and we have to prepare for him like he’s a veteran.'

'“We have a confident group of guys in their ability, and we have confidence in our coaches,” four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kyle Williams said. “If we continue to follow the blueprint that we’ve had leading up to the preseason and the first week, just putting the work in that we need to put in, I think we can be really successful.”'

'Patriots 27, Bills 21…Bills 24, Patriots 20.'