Archives for December 23, 2010

‘The Bills couldn’t have picked a tougher opponent to host the day after Christmas. New England’s players are no strangers to cold and snow and in fact thrive in tough conditions. Meanwhile, the Patriots have won six consecutive games in Buffalo and 14 straight in the series. Job One will be to limit QB Tom Brady and his offense ranked No. 1 in scoring in the NFL to under 30 points. New England is 59-2 under coach Bill Belichick when it scores at least that much. The Bills have a good chance to move the ball and find the end zone against New England’s No. 28 defense but they have to protect the ball. The Patriots are 30th against the pass and Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown a TD pass in 15 consecutive games but New England is also plus-20 in turnover ratio. If Buffalo’s defense doesn’t make a few game-changing plays, Fitzpatrick isn’t likely to win a shootout against Brady (31 TDs, four interceptions), who hardly ever loses to the Bills. He had three TD passes in this year’s first meeting, a 38-30 Patriots win. New England has plenty of motivation in this rematch, too: It can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture with a win and earn the right to rest its key people in the final game of the year.’

‘The Bills continue to build up struggling rookie first-round pick C.J. Spiller as a player with a bright future. While he’s contributed on special teams, Spiller has not had the kind of impact on offense expected of the ninth overall pick in the draft and one of the most prolific runners in NCAA history. He has 65 carries for 248 yards and no touchdowns and 22 catches for 103 yards and one score receiving. Gailey said Wednesday that Spiller needs to improve in reading his blocks and in blitz pickup but still tagged him an “amazing talent.” Said QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: “It’s probably frustrating for him not to step in and score 20 touchdowns this year. The expectations are always high for a first-round pick. But he’s going to be a very special player and I think he’s really grown up this year. I think he’s getting a better feel for the NFL game and the guy has a tremendous future.”‘

‘”They’ve won four of the last six games,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday before practice for Sunday’s matchup in Buffalo. “There’re not a lot of teams that are doing better than that over the last six weeks in the National Football League. Not a lot.”‘