Archives for October 30, 2016

'“If you’re trying to chase (a title), then you’ve got to beat them,” he said. “It’s as simple as that. If you don’t, then you can think, ‘Well, we’ve still got a chance at the division.’ You really don’t. That team is pretty darn talented. It doesn’t mean you won’t make the playoffs, but the likelihood of catching them is probably not very high.”'

'The last time these two teams got together, a scuffle broke out before the game when a pair of Patriots ran through the Bills' defensive backs' drill. Safety Robert Blanton shoved Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, setting off a pushing match. Members of the Bills' secondary have said this week that the same thing will happen if any of the Patriots try the same thing. In the grand scheme of things, the first incident between the teams really wasn't that big of a deal, but it will be interesting to see if there is a sequel.'

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'"I'm married to an NFL player who used to knock people out," Perez-Smith said.'

'The Bills haven't been above .500 after 10 games since the 2000 season, which doesn't lend itself to monumental matchups.'

'"The beauty of Jim is, things like his golf tournament that raises money, and other events, through the years after football, he has kept those Bills together," Berman said. "Jim and Bruce are just a little younger than me … we were friends back when they were in their 20s and I was in my young 30s, and it's a friendship that stayed from the late '80s and now we're here, almost 30 years later."'

'"I didn’t really get into hockey until high school, but I enjoy it. I’m a Wild fan, Twins fan, TimberwolvesWolves fan. Not a Vikings fan, though.'

'Then again, sometimes that’s not enough either, not against this guy who has spent his entire career torturing NFL defenses, none more so than Buffalo’s, regardless of what iteration he has faced. Sometimes no matter what you do, and no matter how well you do it, Brady can still carve you up, and boy, do the Bills ever have a reservoir of evidence to that point.'

'Patriots 34, Bills 13.'

'"The big tight ends, that's as big a test, this team is as big a test as your going to get in the league for a linebacker," Rob said. "The size, the speed, the great talent that they have, the scheme. There's a lot on this plate, but I know our guys are up to the task. We're excited about this challenge."'

'In addition to handling kick and punt return responsibilities, Tate will look to step up in the receiving game while Buffalo battles injuries. Tate caught two passes for 31 yards last week against the Dolphins in a game where the Bills were without Robert Woods and lost Marquise Goodwin in-game.'

'Hackett served as Buffalo's offensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, Buffalo was 28th in passing, second in rushing and 22nd in points per game (21.2). The Bills improved to 18th in passing and points per game (21.4), but dropped down to 25th in rushing in 2014.'

'Roberson originally signed with the Rams after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft. The cornerback started six games in the last two seasons with the Rams and has appeared in 25 games over this span of time. Roberson has 39 total tackles, seven passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble in his professional career.'

'It's no secret that pretty much everybody on the 49ers' roster that wasn't drafted in the first round over the past two seasons is available to any team that comes calling. Torrey Smith may not be an elite receiver, but he can be a productive one on a team that can get him the ball, especially deep. Buffalo lost a big weapon when Sammy Watkins went down hurt, and Smith would go a long way towards giving the Bills some of that deep weaponry back. Smith's average depth of target this season is 15.6 yards downfield, but he has caught just 43.3 percent of the balls thrown his way because of disastrous San Francisco QB play.'

'And seemingly every time the Bills have faced Brady since he took over for Drew Bledsoe in the middle of the 2001 campaign, he has given the Bills fits. In 28 games against Buffalo, Brady is 25-3, has gone 588 of 922 (63.77 percent) for 7,001 yards, and has thrown 62 touchdowns to just 20 interceptions.'