Archives for December 6, 2021

Will the weather impact Bills-Pats MNF showdown?

‘Of course, if the weather forecast is right, the passing game might not be much of a factor tonight.’

How tragedy has helped Bills’ Dane Jackson prepare for ‘opportunity of a lifetime’

‘A group of seven or eight boys grew close, hanging out every day. One by one, however, that circle grew smaller. Starting when Jackson was a high school senior, four of those friends were killed, lost to a combination of gun violence and tragic accidents.’

Scouting Report: Bills quarterback Josh Allen making big plays – both good and bad

‘Prediction: Patriots, 27-21.’

How we see it: News writers predict Bills vs. Patriots on Monday Night Football

‘Weather is the wild card, and a game with limited passing obviously hurts the Bills more than the Patriots. This could be a game in which each team needs to maximize the possessions it has going with the wind. Most of the points could be scored with the wind, especially if the winds are 30 to 40 mph. I think Star Lotulelei’s return helps the Bills’ defense a lot. I think Josh Allen still can make a few plays passing, as long as it’s not a blizzard. Field position and punting will be huge factors. If a team is forced to punt into the wind from its own end zone, it could be automatic points for the opposition. I know this: I wouldn’t bet a dime on this game. Bills, 16-15.’

View from Vegas: Historical trends favor the Patriots, but these aren’t those Patriots

‘With the Hoodie riding a 9-1 against-the-spread record in his last 10 games as a division road against foes coming off a win, we can’t fade that. It’s like Jerry Reed says, “When you’re hot, you’re hot … and when you’re not, you’re not.”’

Erik Brady: Even south of the border, the Bills still make them want to shout

‘The NFL is popular in Mexico, where the most popular teams are the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. But a survey taken in 2015 found that the Bills are the seventh-most popular, which is impressive given Buffalo’s small-market size and the Bills’ record for most of this millennium.’

Keys to the game and Sal’s prediction for Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots

‘Sal’s prediction: New England Patriots 20, Buffalo Bills 17.’

Bills’ Levi Wallace, next man up, says he’s ‘not trying to be TreDavious White’

‘“I’m not trying to be Tre’Davious White. There’s only one Tre’Davious White. I’m Levi Wallace and I’m gonna play my game and do me. That’s what I’ve focused on this week,” he said. “I think a lot of people are like, ‘CB1 and dah, dah, dah, dah.’ I’m like, Tre’Davious is CB1. I’m CB. I’m just out here to play football. I want to do the best that I can and keep it pushing.”’

Patriots’ Mac Jones vs. Sean McDermott: No rookie QB has done this vs. Bills defense under coach

‘No rookie quarterback has ever thrown for more than 1 touchdown pass against a Sean McDermott-coached Bills defense in seven games since the 47-year-old was hired in 2017. Trevor Lawrence, Davis Mills, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Dwayne Haskins, Duck Hodges and Sam Darnold have combined for just 4 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in their rookie game against McDermott’s Bills. They’re a combined 146 of 241 (60%) for 1,398 yards (199 yards passing per game).’

‘All eyes are on Josh Allen’ as Buffalo Bills take on surging New England Patriots on MNF (preview)

‘“Is it going to come down to him making enough plays to win? Is it going to come down to eliminating the bad plays? Because for me, what I want to see from the start to the finish is composure. Whether he gets hit, whether he gets picked off, whether he fumbles the ball… I’m judging him more based on the two or three plays after those mistakes, than I am going to be the mistakes themselves, because this is a really good defense, an opportunistic defense. You’re gonna probably have a few moments in the game where you make mistakes. It’s how you recover from them. And I think all eyes are on Josh Allen in this game.”’

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots 2021 preview with odds, predictions, for Week 13

‘Bills 27, Patriots 21.’

Parrino’s perspective: 3 things I’m thinking about ahead of Bills-Patriots

‘While most fans are concerned about the Patriots’ ability to run the ball, Jones can make plays if he’s given time. From the very first snap, the Bills have be in Jones’ space and make him uncomfortable. Watching him in a few games this season, he gets into a rhythm pretty quickly if he has time to operate.’

Non-Billievers: CBS analysts unanimously pick Patriots over Bills in AFC East

‘To be fair to the CBS analysts, New England is one of the hottest teams in the league and will be riding a six-game win streak into Highmark Stadium on Monday night. Buffalo has a chance to prove the analysts wrong starting on Monday night, but the Bills have done themselves no favors with a few bad losses (Steelers, Jaguars) this season.’

How to watch Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots on Monday Night Football: Time, TV channel, free live stream info

‘There is some good news for the Bills heading into this game. Offensive lineman Spencer Brown and defensive tackle Star Lotueleli are off the Covid list, and injured reserve OL Jon Feliciano returned to practice this week as well.’

CNY diner owners give staff Tuesday off. Tonight, they’re taking them to the Bills game

‘The owners of Nestico’s Too diner in Camillus (and Chelsea’s Restaurant in Syracuse) are treating about 25 of their employees to the Monday Night Football game. They’re headed to Buffalo by limo today, and probably won’t make it back to Central New York until 2 a.m. or later.’

Five takes: Bills hosting Patriots for massive divisional matchup

‘Tonight, Buffalo must ensure it doesn’t play into the Patriots’ hands in that regard. If the Bills can protect the football, protect the quarterback and limit penalties against the Patriots, they will have a great chance to win the game. But for this team, remaining disciplined has proven easier said than done, as Buffalo currently leads the NFL in penalties per plays run and is near the middle of the pack in total turnovers.’

NFL Monday preview: Patriots aren’t dead, as every Bills fan feared

‘A factor that promises to be huge in this game is the weather. After two days of off-and-on rain as an unsettled weather mass moves through the Great Lakes region, the forecast for the Buffalo area Monday afternoon and evening calls for plummeting temperatures, snow showers and — most impactfully — strong winds.’

In the land of the Bills, anticipation and anxiety as Patriots showdown nears

‘“I think anybody that’s a Bills fan would be lying if they said we’re 100-percent confident we got this,” said Shane Prouty, a longtime season-ticket holder and owner of the famed Bills Mafia House near the team’s stadium. “We’re all nervous.”’

Corralling Josh Allen first order of business for Patriots defense

‘Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo says Allen’s ability to throw on the fly, or take off if no one’s open, makes it extremely difficult for a defense to defend. Having a player (Jamie Collins) “spy” Allen on throwing downs should be in the mix.’

Monday’s New England Coverage

Bills CB Dane Jackson Draws On Memories Of 4 Late Friends

‘For Jackson to fail on Monday night, when the Bills (7-4) host the New England Patriots (8-4) with first place in the AFC East on the line, would also personally represent him failing De’Von and Diondre Dozier, Domanek Cabbagestalk and Ricky Giles, who were among his biggest football backers growing up in Pittsburgh’s Greenway projects.’

Bills have been carried by defense without stars, but now face their biggest challenge short-handed

‘The game will be a measuring stick in multiple ways. Buffalo will be trying to take down the team that dominated the AFC East for so many years and has beaten the Bills in 35 of 42 games under Bill Belichick, with two of the Bills’ wins coming last year. The Patriots won 17 AFC East titles under Belichick and spent 233 weeks in first place since 2000, nearly 200 more than anyone else.’

Bills vs. Patriots weather: High wind warning in effect; 60 mph gusts could impact ‘Monday Night Football’

‘The Weather Channel forecasts just a 9 percent chance of rain or snow, with temperatures only dropping to the mid- or high-30s, but predicts steady and strong winds throughout the afternoon and evening — regularly above 20 miles per hour. The high-wind warning, in effect until 7 p.m. Eastern, projects southwest winds between 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. Widespread power outages are also anticipated as a result of the high winds.’

As the Teams Battle for the AFC East, Will Patriots-Bills Live Up to Potential As a Rivalry

‘“I don’t think they feel it’s a rivalry,” she said over the phone this weekend. “But we do.”’

Opinion: Capaccio: Patriots at Bills: Keys, notes, and stats

‘The Patriots have been terrific at insulating rookie quarterback Mac Jones and not asking him to do too much. Jones ranks 20th in the NFL with an average length of pass from the line of scrimmage to target of 7.54 yards. He ranks 26th with an average length of completion from line of scrimmage to target of 5.44 yards. The wind is going to be a huge factor in the game, with gusts of at least 40 mph expected. The Bills should make sure the Patriots can’t run the ball like they want, forcing them into situations where Jones has to make some throws to beat them.’

WKBW sports team predicts Monday night’s game between the Bills and Patriots

‘I haven’t picked against the Bills yet this season and that won’t be changing Monday night. It’s going to be an absolute battle but the tie goes to the team playing at home.’

Bills Mafia gets ready for Monday Night Football, saying cold weather won’t stop them

‘“The people I’ve met in this lot over the years, they’ve become lifelong friends,” camper and Bills’ fan Joe Mineo said. “And its always good to see them.”’

Bills fans gear up for Monday night’s game against the Patriots

‘“It’s the best feeling ever. We’re just so stoked to be back,” said Mike Ullett, who traveled from Canada. “We’ve been secluded at home up North in Canada for ever and just coming back here is the best thing ever it’s been way too long.”’

Bills, Patriots set to clash in primetime for top spot in AFC East

‘What makes this game so great is not only the rivalry itself but because of how well-matched up both sides of the ball are for each team. We speak about the success of Mac Jones this season, but the Bills defense has been one of the best, if not the best unit in the league this year.’

Carucci Take2: Bills will give favorable answer to identity question Monday night

‘Yes, he has played well and is a strong favorite to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Yes, he’s from a big-time program, Alabama, and performed more like an established veteran than a newbie. But there is reason to believe Jones’ lack of experience will compromise his ability to lead his team to victory Monday night.’

Thad’s Three Things: Bills vs. Patriots

‘There is also snow and rain possible, but the wind by itself is enough to affect every pass thrown. That’s going to hurt the Bills. They are the much better passing team and the team more likely, in normal weather, to try more deeper throws. It doesn’t mean the Bills don’t still have an advantage in that department, but the weather will stunt it.’

Top 10 reasons to be excited for Bills vs. Patriots on Monday Night Football

‘But it will be very, very impactful. The Bills, with a win, would have a 76-percent chance to win the AFC East based on simulations conducted by The New York Times playoff machine. They would move a half-game up on the Patriots and two games ahead in divisional play – meaning they would own the tiebreaker over the Patriots so long as they take care of business against the Jets in Week 18.’

NFL analysts | Bills vs. Patriots game predictions | Monday Night Football

‘The Patriots have been the best team in the NFL for the last six weeks, and I don’t see that changing in Buffalo. New England takes a major step toward winning the AFC East.’

Bills vs. Patriots | How to watch, stream, and listen | Week 13

‘Fans in Canada can find the game on TSN 1, 3, and 4 and RDS2.’

09/08	@ Rams	8:20 pm
09/19	TITANS	7:15 pm
09/25	@ Dolphins	1:00 pm
10/02	@ Ravens	1:00 pm
10/09	STEELERS	8:20 pm
10/16	@ Chiefs	4:25 pm
10/30	PACKERS	8:20 pm
11/06	@ Jets	1:00 pm
11/13	VIKINGS	1:00 pm
11/20	BROWNS	1:00 pm
11/24	@ Lions	12:30 pm
12/01	@ Patriots	8:15 pm
12/11	JETS	1:00 pm
12/18	DOLPHINS	TBD
12/24	@ Bears	1:00 pm
01/02	@ Bengals	8:30 pm
01/08	PATRIOTS	TBD