Dan Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 Week 17: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 4:25pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts DirecTV: 718 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Joe Buscaglia (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo - WGR550 (550AM) (Pre-Game only), Game Coverage - WBEN 930AM; Toronto - Sportsnet 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WTKW (99.5/WTKV 105.5) Sirius: 132 ================================================================= Game Preview: The Patriots can ensure themselves of at least the AFC's No. 2 seed Sunday with their 20th win in 21 tries against the visiting Buffalo Bills. New England (11-4) clinched its fifth straight AFC East title and 10th in 11 years early last Sunday when Miami suffered a 19-0 loss to Buffalo. Then for good measure, the Patriots went out later that afternoon and crushed Baltimore 41-7. Even as dominant as the Patriots have been in this series, winning 12 straight home matchups dating to Nov. 11, 2001, the team's veteran members appear to be guarding their teammates from taking the Bills for granted. Buffalo's lone win in the last 10 years came Sept. 25, 2011. Buffalo may need another dominant performance from its defense. The Bills surrendered 103 yards to the Dolphins, the fewest allowed by any team over the last three seasons. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scouting Report: Week 17 (from Buffalo Bills.com Chris Brown) NFL.com Video Preview Perillo's 3 Points for Sunday NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Patriots Total Yds/Game.... 334.5 384.7 Total Rush............. 142.5 119.9 Total Pass............. 191.9 264.8 Points/Game.......... 21.3 27.3 Time of Poss.......... 28.8 30.2 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 330.1 371.7 Rush Yards........... 119.7 131.7 Pass Yards........... 210.4 240.0 Points Allowed........ 23.6 21.2 Source: NFL.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Easley, Marcus WR Knee - - LP Probable Goodwin, Marquise WR Knee LP FP FP Probable Jackson, Fred RB Ribs DNP LP FP Probable Johnson, Stevie WR Not injury related DNP DNP DNP Out Lewis, Thad QB Left Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Manuel, EJ QB Knee LP LP LP Doubtful Williams, Aaron S Ribs DNP DNP DNP Out Williams, Kyle DL Achilles DNP FP FP Probable Source: BuffaloBills.com New England Patriots NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Amendola, Danny WR Groin FP FP FP Probable Arrington, Kyle CB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Boyce, Josh WR Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out Brady, Tom QB Vagina FP FP FP Probable Cannon, Marcus OL Ankle LP LP LP Probable Dennard, Alfonzo CB Knee/Shoulder LP LP LP Questionable Dobson, Aaron WR Foot LP LP LP Questionable Fletcher, Dane LB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Gregory, Steve S Finger/Knee LP LP LP Questionable Hoomanawanui, Michael TE Knee FP FP FP Probable McCourty, Devin DB Concussion DNP DNP DNP Doubtful Ninkovich, Rob DL Ankle - LP LP Questionable Solder, Nate T Concussion LP LP LP Questionable Spikes, Brandon LB Knee LP LP LP Questionable Svitek, Will T Ankle LP LP LP Questionable Talib, Aqib CB Hip FP FP FP Probable Thompkins, Kenbrell WR Hip LP LP LP Questionable Vereen, Shane RB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Source: Patriots.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Patriots -9 Over/Under: 47.0 Source: The Linemakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Take on the Matchup: Here we are, at the end of another exciting, frustrating, disappointing, good season of Bills' football. This should be an interesting game as it could be the best way to see exactly how far this team as come this season. Starting in week 1 against the Patriots, we played them close and nearly came away with the win. Can we still hang with the class of the division? Can we improve upon the outcome of that game? Regardless of who starts at QB, I think there are a lot of questions that can be answered. If the Bills play a tough team fighting for the #2, potentially the #1, seed in the conference close and even improve over their week 1 numbers, it could give the players and the fan base all we need to believe in this coaching staff. The key, with all Patriots games, will be the defense. We absolutely can not let Brady get comfortable. We can't let their run game get going. Pressure up the middle and tight man coverage is critical in beating Brady. Can the Bills bring it 2 weeks in a row? The offense has to bring its A game as well, and we've been remarkably consistent this season. For the most part, regardless of opponent and regardless of starting QB, the Bills have moved the ball between the 20s. It would be nice to see them score more TDs than FGs, you have to do that against a team like NE. Do that... and Thad will be making a strong case that he should be a starting QB. With all that said, I'll be watching: 1. The defensive line. Can they pressure Brady up the middle while containing the run game? With Branch's new contract, will he come out on fire or be complacent to ride out the last game? 2. Kiko. He's got one final game to make his case for DROY. And there is no better stage than against a playoff-bound Brady. Will he respond? How will he show up in his final game as a rookie? 3. Marrone and Hacket. They need to show the players and the league that they can compete with the class of the division. Billy boy has owned the Bills in the second game of the season for a decade. It would be nice to see the team come out pumped up, prepared, and with a winning game plan. 4. Thad the Impaler. If he thinks he can be a starter in the league, this is his game to prove it. Come out, lead the team, play solid and consistent football and he could easily secure a starting job either in Buffalo or on another team. 5. The Refs. How bad will they be? I'm sure the league wants a Brady/Manning Championship game more than anything. But, how blatant will the calls/non calls be? If the Bills light it up, there's no limit to the number of flags to be thrown against our team. Go Bills! and a Happy New Year to all Bills Fans!!
BringBackFergy Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 . Nice to see Brady on the injury list.
Nanker Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 . Nice to see Brady on the injury list. I caught that too. Hope it doesn't develop further into spinal vaginitis. The Williams brothers and Dareus might need to wear extra protection when sacking him... just to be safe.
BringBackFergy Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 I caught that too. Hope it doesn't develop further into spinal vaginitis. The Williams brothers and Dareus might need to wear extra protection when sacking him... just to be safe. Good point.
oman128 Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) if the bills have any chance of winning they need to pound the ball running at the heart of the New England defense which is now without behemoth Vince Wilfork. Which means Fred Jackson Fred Jackson Fred Jackson. if I was coach Marone id be telling all them they need to pin there ears back and sak Tom Brady early and often. Limit penalties, turnovers, stupid mistakes, and if possible knock Bill Bellicheck into the Gatorade table just for fun. Edited December 29, 2013 by oman128
PolishDave Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) Defense will definitely need to show up and play nearly their best game of the year if the Bills are to win today. And I hope to see lots of quarterback draws today on 3rd and short. Let Thad do what he does (play with heart and passion and determination). Get the running game going. Keep the chains moving. Keep Brady on the sideline. Eat the clock. Control the football. A couple shots down the field long to either Goodwin or Graham at some point. Gotta complete those today or at least draw flags. Looking for Chandler to have a big game and a crucial touchdown today. Go for touchdowns instead of field goals. Bills won't win playing conservative in the red zone. Would like to see Marrone go for it on 4th and short in the red zone today. Stick it to em! Any given Sunday baby!! Go Bills! Edited December 29, 2013 by PolishDave
Rivermont Mike Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) There's a storm coming in--temps in 30s and rain and wind during the game. This raises questions: 1. Does this affect the Pats* dink and dunk game? Can we handle Blount? 2. Does Lewis just need to game manage or are we going to have to open up the O to beat these jerks? 3. Do conditions help or hinder Bills pass rush? 4. Are you as worried as I am about ball security? GO BILLS!!!! WOOOOOO!!!! Edited December 29, 2013 by Rivermont Mike
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 It's hard to say what kind of outcome I want. If EJ were playing, I would yell and scream to win, to give him one more shot to see what we have with him. With Thad playing...a win ignites a firestorm about who should be starting, and a loss gives us a better draft pick but tells us absolutely nothing about our status at QB. However, I *will* be eagerly watching the defense. This is as close to fully healthy and clicking the Bills have been on defense in a while: Gilmore and McKelvin are back, seeming like a surprisingly good CB tandem. Robey has gotten bloodied, and I am curious to see him against Amendola again. With the Patriots' O-line dinged up, I want to see Mario, Hughes, Kyle and Dareus going full steam. In the end...I don't know, but if the end result is an absolute beating on Brady that wears him down for when the playoffs start (and if this slides the Pats to the #3 seed) I would be happy.
dhg Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 . Nice to see Brady on the injury list. Brady is always on the injury list. I can't remember the last time he wasn't.
thebandit27 Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) Run, run, and run some more. Belichick is going to blitz Thad any chance he gets, and as we saw against New Orleans, that's a recipe for mistakes galore. I'd work to get 15 carries apiece for Jackson Spiller, and Wingo, while mixing in some Frank Summers and QB designed runs as well. Keep the ball on the ground or we're cooked. Edited December 29, 2013 by thebandit27
BUNCH OF MULARKEY Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 Training staff reported they are going to use the super absorbency padding on Brady's injury.
YoloinOhio Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) I was reviewing the injury report for the Pats and literally laughed out loud. Well done, sir. Edited December 29, 2013 by YoloInTheBlo
Nanker Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 Brady is always on the injury list. I can't remember the last time he wasn't. You obviously didn't read the indication they have him listed under/in/with...
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 I was reviewing the injury report for the Pats and literally laughed out loud. Well done, sir. Lmao nice work Dan
zow2 Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 This is going to be miserable weather. I'm in mid-atlantic today and the hard steady cold rain would be brutal to pass in. This weather is all headed into New England today.
Max997 Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 The entire Northeast is a mess today I'm in South Jersey and the weather just keeps getting worse.
Rockinon Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 The Bills are going into this game pissed. I hope they crush NE.
zow2 Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 This is two horrible weather games in a row for Thad trying to impress.
PolishDave Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 The Bills are going into this game pissed. I hope they crush NE. Why are the Bills pissed?
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