hondo in seattle

We'll have a better understanding how good Schwartz is as a DC after this game. So far the Bills are limiting their opponents to 15 points per game. Shutting down the Chargers, though, will be a bigger challenge than shutting down the Phins. It will be fun to watch.

I'm staying on the bandwagon until I'm knocked off. Bills 23, Bolts 14

WINNER!

2011 absolutely weighs on me. I'll enjoy each win. But I won't allow myself to think about the playoff race until the season is at least half over and we're still in contention. I remember when we were 5-2 thinking we weren't as good as our record. But, on the other hand, if we could manage to finish last 9 games with a 5-4 record, we'd still probably be in the playoffs. 5-4 seemed doable. No math for me this year. I'm taking it one week at a time.

Going back 7 years, PFF graded the best Pass Rushing Productivity scores for defensive lineman. Scores were awarded for whole seasons. Scores are determined by sacks, hits & hurries as a percentage of total snaps played. Jerry Hughes' 2013 effort was ranked 3rd best over that time among edge rushers. (Brandon Graham's 2012 season was ranked #1). Kyle Williams' 2013 season was ranked 8th best among interior linemen. Last year, we got two guys onto the seven year Top Ten lists which is impressive. Can we do it again this year with Schwartz's scheme? Btw, Mario had no season in the Top 22. I believe we have 6 sacks so far this year. This is solid. But at this pace we'll have 48 sacks at the end of the year, somewhat less than last year's total of 57. (Of course two games is a small sample). https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/07/14/pof-pass-rushing-productivity/

It's true that none of this really matters but it's fun to see how national NFL commentators rank us - and why. Besides, as fans, I think we want our team to get some respect.

Bleacher Report has us at #14 (can't post link)

Junk yards don't just get piled on the Bills. They're part of every game and I suppose even out by the end of the year. But the point is taken - our D played really well. The series where the Phins lost yards on 3 consecutive plays was beautiful to watch!

I've never been a Chandler basher but I sure didn't expect him to make that catch.

I never liked Siri. I like her now!

Great way to look at it. The Bills faced 2 solid opponents and emerged 2-0. We've been fooled by good starts before but this is sooo much better than being 0-2! I'm guessing we get ranked between 10 and 15. The national media will be slow to jump on the bandwagon. If we beat the Chargers, we'll make the top 10 and create some buzz.

Yep, he didn't throw for 350 yards. But he played a role. He played the part he's been asked to play. He threw 2 TD passes. He ran for another. He - to borrow a term from Hank Stram - matriculated the ball down the field at times. Remember, EJ's essentially a rookie with less than a season worth of starts. Nonetheless, he's got the 13th highest QB efficiency rating in the NFL this season - ahead of Brees, Roethlisberger, Foles, Flacco, Kaep, Stafford, Luck, Romo, Tannehill, E. Manning, etc. Note that this list contains SB winners. Manuel's doing just fine so far. Let's hope he gets even better. http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?seasonType=REG&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-p=1&statisticPositionCategory=QUARTERBACK&d-447263-s=PASSING_PASSER_RATING&tabSeq=1&season=2014&experience=&Submit=Go&archive=false&conference=null&qualified=false

The EJ led Bills scored more on the Fins than the Brady led Pats. The EJ led Bills scored more on the Bears than the Kaepernick led 46ers. Ej has flaws. He makes mistakes. Just imagine when experience and coaching help him master his game.

I disagree. I don't read Sully much because I get the feeling he's an incurable whiner - not the kind of person I want to keep company with. Because he happens to write about the Bills - who haven't been in the playoffs for geologic eras - his negative Nancy shtick comes across as accurate. Maybe even prophetic. But I'm pretty sure he'd be a whiner if he covered the Seahawks or any other team. It's just his nature to be a dark cloud on a sunny day.

I know you aren't used to Bills WRs being wide open but it's really not that unusual in the NFL. I remember early on in Brady's career thinking Brady was overrated because (1) he was protected so well, and (2) his receivers were open so often. I can't blame EJ for our offense starting to run the way other offenses run. Didn't we blame previous QBs for not finding open receivers? EJ found them and got them the ball. Kudos to him.

EJ still doesn't have a full season of starts under his belt. Given his inexperience, he's playing well. I'm guessing his passing rating is currently above the NFL average. Better yet, he's 2-0 as a starter this year.

Looked to me the pylon caused him to lose control of the ball. In other words, he only dropped the ball after the TD was scored.

You're choosing a gf over the Bills? Ah, the screwed up priorities of youth! I think you need to train her better.

He's certainly been injury prone thus far. And it's hard for a young player develop his potential when he's not on the field. Let's hope the trend doesn't continue.

Interesting question. Who will benefit the most from Miami's banged up LB corps. Will CJ find space? Will Freddy be able to shed more tackles? My guess is CJ will have more combined yards and more impact. I think the coaches are going to make a deliberate effort to make better use of CJ this game than they did with the Bears.

Who makes your travel plans?

The "12th Man" is a registered trademark. Maybe after designating Ralph as the 12th man, we could register "The 13th Man."

Very cool find!

If I'm Hackett, I'd study a lot more game tape of Chan Gailey and see how he managed to get CJ to produce 6 yards per carry while I'm only getting 4 yards per carry out of him. And then I'd draw up some plays to hopefully get CJ to the second level. I want Miami's banged up or back up LBs trying to run down and tackle CJ. Good luck! And, yep, combine this with some quick slants and dump offs to the running backs. As Beef says, put stress on the LBs all game long.

As I recall, it smells like toasted Cheerios.