Archives for November 21, 2015

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'But they believe they have sound reasons to feel encouraged, beginning with the fact they have won their last two games, against Miami and the New York Jets. They also think they are catching the Patriots at the right time. Julian Edelman, New England’s best receiver, is out with a broken foot. Dion Lewis, the Patriots’ dynamic running back, suffered a season-ending torn ACL.'

'"Whatever puts us in the best position to win, that's what we'll do," he said. "When you have a good head coach, which they both are, they always want you to work hard. Rex and Bill both, they expect you to know your stuff. They expect for you to come prepared every day, even if it's just a walk-thru. … Make sure you're on top of your stuff, make sure you're taking care of what you need to take care of so when your number is called,c ou can be put in the best position to succeed and help the team."'

'If winning in Foxborough were simple, more teams would do it. The Pats haven’t lost a meaningful regular-season conference game at home since Matt Cassel was in for Tom Brady seven years ago. You have to play a near-perfect game to win up there, and get a little lucky besides.'

'Patriots 30, Bills 16.'

'The Patriots’ blueprint isn’t unlike others: They build through the draft, but just do it better.'

'“I think our team is gonna show that. I think we’ll play a lot smarter than we are. We know we can’t beat that team by giving them the type of penalties we gave them and that’s not what we want to be known for anyway.”'

'Unlike the first meeting between the two teams, the Bills haven't done much trash talking throughout the week. All has been fairly quiet as Ryan's squad gears up for a second go-around with Bill Belichick's Patriots.'

'"I don't think it's disrespectful, because if I could do it, I'd do it," said cornerback Stephon Gilmore. "I don't think it's disrespectful. It's playing football. They're probably trying to stay in rhythm for the next game. So you don't want to take a step back."'

'"We want to be a team that prides themselves on playing our game and not getting caught into the other part of it, and that’s what we’ll show Monday. I think our team is gonna show that. I think we’ll play a lot smarter than we are."'

'"I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said. "I mean, you know it’s New England week, man. I don’t know what to tell you. I’m not real fond of New England right now. No, it’s . . . just the way it is, man."'

'Coach Rex Ryan provided that assessment on Friday without revealing the nature of the illness. McKelvin last practiced on Tuesday, when the Bills returned following a four-day break following their 22-17 win at the New York Jets on Nov. 12.'

'"I look on the bright side of things in the fact that I still have opportunities to prove myself," Johnson said. "There's a lot of people who don't get that opportunity, so that's really what keeps me going."'

'Defensive tackle Kyle Williams was the only other “did not participate” player Friday, which was expected. Williams is still recovering from a knee injury and won't play against the Patriots.'

'With Buffalo’s run game as healthy as it has been all season the production is showing. Their 148-yard rushing day against the Jets top-ranked run defense proves they can be effective against just about any run front in the league right now. Relying on the one-two punch of LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams should effectively set up play action for Tyrod Taylor and more importantly keep possessions and opportunity for Tom Brady to a minimum.'