Archives for January 2012

‘George Edwards did a nice job early but had no answers once the Patriots made the inevitable adjustments.’

‘Buffalo was threatening to tie the game, but on a 1st-and-10 play at the Patriots 32 a Fitzpatrick pass intended for C.J. Spiller was deflected and intercepted by Devin McCourty. After a 44-yard catch and run by Aaron Hernandez to set up first-and-goal from the three, Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis waltzed in for his second touchdown of the game to make it 35-21.’

‘After putting the Bills up 13-0 in the first quarter, he lifted his jersey to reveal ‘Happy New Year’ on his undershirt in much the same way he wrote ‘Why So Serious?’ on his undershirt in the Bills comeback win over Cincinnati last year. The gesture drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and Johnson was benched for the rest of the game by head coach Chan Gailey.’

‘The 2009 class was solid, even though it’s overshadowed by the bust of top pick Aaron Maybin. Eric Wood, Jairus Byrd and Andy Levitre all are mainstays in the Bills’ lineup from that crop. The 2003 class – with Willis McGahee, Chris Kelsay, Angelo Crowell and Terrence McGee – was good, even though McGahee "shot his way out of town" after just three years on the field.’

‘New England 30, Bills 17.’

‘Maybe Brady is simply tired from carrying his team for the last four months. Heading into this afternoon’s regular-season finale against the Bills, Brady is having another sensational year for the AFC East champions, who have won seven straight and can sew up home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs with a victory.’

‘Careful with the glum predictions. Youth may come back to surprise you. Speedy running back C.J. Spiller, a disappointment for virtually two full seasons, exploded in December. That suggests an interesting duet with the return of injured teammate Fred Jackson next season.’

‘”It’s frustrating to not be where we were then, but we have to roll with the punches and try to end this thing on a good note,” Barnett said.’

‘Yet despite all that shuffling, the Bills have surrendered only 20 sacks all season, tied for the lowest number (with Tennessee) in the league.’

Solid backing (Boston Globe)

The playoff possibilities are (almost) endless (Boston Globe)

Playoff bye week doesn’t bring out the best in Patriots (Boston Globe)

Bills at Patriots (Boston Globe)

Stinging reality (Boston Herald)

Defend turf, but keep Brady off of It (Boston Herald)

Williams will work it out (Boston Herald)

Looking out for No. 1 (Boston Herald)

Five things to watch today (Boston Herald)

In today’s NFL, success on the ground doesn’t add up to wins (Providence Journal)

This regular-season finale is far from meaningless for Patriots (Providence Journal)

Patriots-Bills keys to the game (Providence Journal)

Finishing touch needed (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots have plenty of motivation against the Bills this week with the No. 1 seed on the line (Springfield Republican)

Patriots promote Malcolm Williams to the 53-man roster (Springfield Republican)

What to watch for: Patriots vs. Bills (Springfield Republican)

Wes Welker fined $10K for wearing unauthorized hat (Springfield Republican)

Patience may pay off in the long run for Pats’ Ridley (Brockton Enterprise)

Patriots hope to plant a seed in Foxboro (Brockton Enterprise)

Patriots vs. Bills: It’s payback time (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Patriots in complete control of playoff fate (New Bedford Standard Times)

Sizing ‘Em Up: Bills at Patriots (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

New responsibilities coming Ridley’s way (Manchester Union Leader)

Patriots want this one badly (ESPN)

Things to watch: Patriots-Bills (ESPN)

Will Patriots Represent AFC in Super Bowl XLVI? (NESN)

Wes Welker Fined $10,000 for Wearing Unauthorized Hat During News Conference (NESN)

Patriots-Bills Preview (CSN New England)

Malcolm Williams signed to active roster; Alex Silvestro signed to the practice squad (Patriots.com)

‘Patriots 37, Bills 20.’