Georgia Bill

Everybody seems down on the Bills right now, a surprise win would lift everyone's spirits and I think it's coming this Sunday! I am not saying we go to the playoffs. It will be (as many have said) an up and down year. Looking for one of those surprise "ups" this Sunday. Go Bills - pound that rock!

I agree that with a Stanley Cup win, the sports media would tie in to the Super Bowl losses. But I think such a win would make a BIG dent in the hard-luck sports town perception. I think a lot of people nationally would like to see Buffalo finally win one, and after that we wouldn't only be known as the little engine that couldn't. I think there is quite a bit of national sympathy to our plight, like I saw when the Boston Red Sox finally won one. Go Sabres! and Bills!

Just wondering what others think about it. Personally I was glad to see Jauron keep JP in and the turnover and touchdown pass. I think it was a little moral victory for the Bills and JP. It's bad to get whooped, but worse to not even score. Some will say it didn't matter, as it was "mop up" time, but I got the sense the Bears really wanted the shutout. Their fans were up and cheering big time, and after the TD pass there appeared to be some PO'd looks on the Bears sidelines.

So is it true that there is no way to get a streaming audio of the game on the web except for paying for it? I live somewhere down south and the Bills are never on TV here unless it's a Sunday or Monday night game. So usually I go to a sports bar. Last week I couldn't make it and found myself watching the play by play on NFL. com. It's a kinda painful way to take in a game - web radio would be nice but I'm a cheapskate!

We only score one TD and win! 13-9

Specifically, when asked what was the ugliest thing or play he had ever seen in the NFL, Marino quipped: "Darryl Talley without his helmet on". I had to chuckle. But in retrospect, it was a low blow...

Oops - the announcers didn't mention that (they probably said their last 8 regular season home games to make their point about the Chicago D sound more convincing). Concerning our chances I think our best chance is to take the wraps off Losman, and start airing out some deep balls. If we just try to run and do west coast type dinking passes, I think the Bears D is just too quick and we'll be doing a bunch of 3 and outs w punts. I'd rather take the shots downfield - they might intercept, but that is probably not much worse field position-wise than a punt. You get the bennies of possible completion or possible pass interference. I'd rather take some chances at the win then stay conservative and lose by 10 points.

Screw all the BS about the refs - it really sounds like a bunch of whining. All I want is for the Bills to play 4 solid quarters of football and beat the Patriots 3 weeks from now!

They just mentioned that in Chicago's last 8 games at home, no one has scored more than 10 points. That's some stout defense! I'm no pessimist, but if any of you out there are thinking we look so good we will beat the Bears at home, well... I guess I might like some of whatever you're taking. I sure hope we play tough all game, and the Bears are looking past us. Go Bills!

Here in Atlanta of course the game was not broadcast, and I ended up watching the play by play on NFL.com. At halftime, I went to the tube to watch the Fox halftime report, figuring to at least see the highlights. The bastards showed almost everyone else. but for Bills/Vikes, just flashed the score up for a few seconds and moved on. I guess we just aren't worthy yet

I'll won't get myself worked up expecting a win against a D as dominant as the Bears'. If we could pull out a win there I'd be ecstatic! I think our defense can play reasonably well against the Bears offense, but they might wear out in the end if we are getting a bunch of 3 and outs. I mostly worry about Losman w our O-line vs that Bears D - it could be scary!

Bills win in a nail biter! Jets lose in last 40 seconds! Houston stuffs Miami! This is turning out to be a great Sunday in Bills land. Go Bengals!

not Bill and her. Bill and someone else!

To your point, I found this link to red zone stats. 2006 Red Zone statsWe are in the bottom 7 or 8 both offensively and defensively. They also kind of marry the two up to make up a total red zone stat, and we are 4th worst. Well, at least there is (almost) nowhere to go but up!

FYI, I'm not bashing JP at all, just wondering if it's easier for him when the receivers are more spread out than when in red zone - seems learning this phase of the game would naturally take longer?

I don't know where to dig up such stats, but it seems like last year and so far this year we continue to have red zone issues, w regards to scoring touchdowns. Is it possible that: a) because the field is so much shorter, w all the players running around in a small area, that JP has a hard time reading/finding the open receiver and/or b) knowing JP has not been too proficient at throwing for TD's in this area, the defenses also prepare more for the run, thus also making it tougher to run I know in general everything gets tougher in the red zone, still, it seems we ought to be getting a higher percentage of TD's. I suggest the above, as I would not think the O-Line would necessarily have a tougher time blocking in relation to where we happen to be on the field. I stand ready to be educated (or blasted. abused etc. if that is your preference)

Before I even got to your post this topic made think of Fergy, and damn if I didn't picture him with that glum head down look in my mind. It kind of personified the sucky Bills back then, IMO.

Are you going soft on us? Here's hoping JP (and the O-line) can turn us all into believers.

Even if Brad Johnson is a carbon copy of Pennington, that should not be anything to be afraid of. The Jets offense didn't exactly "whup up" on the Bills. The bigger questions is -How good is the Vikings defense? If they are not better than the Jets AND we can eliminate (or reduce by at least half) the turnovers, and get a little better on 3rd/4th down percentage, we win. I think we get our act a little more together and are 2-2 next week. Go Bills!

I tend to agree with you - it is looking like it is going to be a dog pile in the AFC east. I wouldn't be surprised if the division "champion" is 9-7 or 8-8. Sure wouldn't mind that if it was us.... I figured we start out rough but promising, with bright spots plus bonehead plays that make you slap your head. I still think we work our way through that and have a better second half of the season than the first.

I think the Jets are not going to be a cake walk. They have been playing really well in the 3rd and 4th quarters - not giving up. I hope we can have a good lead going into the 4th! Reason for optimism though, in that they are more of a passing team than a running team - which should play into our defense's hands. Is there any game any one wants to win more than the NE game at home? It seems that inevitably we have to use them as our measuring stick!

That's it in a nutshell - they are fun to watch, playing with heart, and there's reason for optimism. Seems we have not had THAT in a while now.. If we keep making progress week in and week out ... (STOP that dreaming, must think week to week) ...yes, me hopes the fun continues!!!

No doubt it takes the media quite a while to veer away from their "favorites" and start to give teams that really are earning the wins (but were'nt expected to) their appropriate credit. If we get to the point where this D plays consistently good, and we string together several wins, you might start seeing the media talking about those "surprising" Bills - and then piling on about the coaching genius, great draft picks etc. As for me, I like it better if we fly under the radar a little. Let them keep saying it's how "poor" the other teams played. We will earn respect over time (and hopefully pile up some W's in the interim). I sure hope the fans get LOUD for the team against the Jets. The Bills could thrive off that positive energy!

I only got to catch the game at the sports bar starting midway through the 3rd. I loved it (quite sorry I missed the beginning)! Lot's of glum looking Miami fans. When I left I overheard a couple Pats fans saying "man Buffalo's looking like they might give us some real competition this year".. Gotta love it. I don't want to get too optimistic, but when you whomp Miami in Miami, it brings back memories of our Glory years! Fins fans must hate it. Levy's baaack.... Go Bills!