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Official Pre-Game Thread: Week 17, Bills at Patriots

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Dan

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Week 17: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 4:25pm

 

TV Network: CBS (TV Map)

Announcers: Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

DirecTV: 718

 

Bills Radio:

On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Joe Buscaglia (sideline)

Flagship: Buffalo - WGR550 (550AM) (Pre-Game only), Game Coverage - WBEN 930AM; Toronto - Sportsnet 590 The Fan; 

Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WTKW (99.5/WTKV 105.5)

Sirius: 132

=================================================================

 

Game Preview:

The Patriots can ensure themselves of at least the AFC's No. 2 seed Sunday with their 20th win in 21 tries against the visiting Buffalo Bills.  New England (11-4) clinched its fifth straight AFC East title and 10th in 11 years early last Sunday when Miami suffered a 19-0 loss to Buffalo. Then for good measure, the Patriots went out later that afternoon and crushed Baltimore 41-7.

 

Even as dominant as the Patriots have been in this series, winning 12 straight home matchups dating to Nov. 11, 2001, the team's veteran members appear to be guarding their teammates from taking the Bills for granted. Buffalo's lone win in the last 10 years came Sept. 25, 2011.

 

Buffalo may need another dominant performance from its defense. The Bills surrendered 103 yards to the Dolphins, the fewest allowed by any team over the last three seasons.

 

Read more at ESPN game preview...

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Scouting Report: Week 17 (from Buffalo Bills.com Chris Brown)

 

NFL.com Video Preview

 

Perillo's 3 Points for Sunday

 

NFL.com Game Center

 

Team Stats:      Bills         Patriots

Total Yds/Game.... 334.5         384.7

Total Rush............. 142.5         119.9

Total Pass............. 191.9         264.8

Points/Game..........  21.3           27.3

Time of Poss..........  28.8           30.2

----------------------------------------------

Yds/Gm Allowed... 330.1         371.7

Rush Yards........... 119.7         131.7

Pass Yards........... 210.4         240.0

Points Allowed........ 23.6           21.2

Source: NFL.com

 

Injury Report:

Buffalo Bills

     NAME            POSITION    INJURY         WED.   THU.   FRI.    GAME STATUS

Easley, Marcus         WR           Knee               -           -         LP           Probable

Goodwin, Marquise   WR           Knee             LP        FP       FP           Probable

Jackson, Fred            RB           Ribs              DNP      LP       FP           Probable

Johnson, Stevie        WR   Not injury related  DNP     DNP    DNP         Out

Lewis, Thad               QB       Left Shoulder    FP         FP      FP           Probable

Manuel, EJ                QB            Knee             LP         LP      LP           Doubtful

Williams, Aaron         S               Ribs             DNP      DNP    DNP        Out

Williams, Kyle            DL            Achilles        DNP       FP      FP           Probable

Source: BuffaloBills.com

 

New England Patriots

     NAME            POSITION    INJURY         WED.   THU.   FRI.    GAME STATUS

Amendola, Danny     WR            Groin            FP        FP       FP           Probable

Arrington, Kyle          CB             Groin            LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Boyce, Josh              WR            Ankle            DNP     DNP   DNP         Out

Brady, Tom               QB             Vagina         FP        FP       FP            Probable

Cannon, Marcus       OL             Ankle            LP        LP       LP            Probable

Dennard, Alfonzo      CB      Knee/Shoulder    LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Dobson, Aaron          WR            Foot             LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Fletcher, Dane           LB            Groin            LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Gregory, Steve          S          Finger/Knee      LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Hoomanawanui, Michael  TE      Knee            FP        FP       FP            Probable

McCourty, Devin       DB         Concussion     DNP     DNP   DNP           Doubtful

Ninkovich, Rob          DL             Ankle             -          LP       LP            Questionable

Solder, Nate              T            Concussion      LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Spikes, Brandon        LB             Knee             LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Svitek, Will                 T               Ankle            LP        LP       LP            Questionable

Talib, Aqib                 CB             Hip               FP        FP       FP            Probable

Thompkins, Kenbrell WR            Hip               LP         LP       LP            Questionable

Vereen, Shane          RB            Groin            LP         LP       LP            Questionable

Source: Patriots.com

   Practice Status                                                                                         Game Status

        DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice                                                      Out = Player will not play

        LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps                    Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play

        FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions                Questionable = 50% chance a player will play

        Out = Player will not play                                                                          Probable = 75% chance a player will play

        (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available                                          (-) = Not Listed - No game status available

The Odds:

Line: Patriots -9

Over/Under: 47.0

Source: The Linemakers

 

Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas.

 

My Take on the Matchup:

Here we are, at the end of another exciting, frustrating, disappointing, good season of Bills' football.  This should be an interesting game as it could be the best way to see exactly how far this team as come this season.  Starting in week 1 against the Patriots, we played them close and nearly came away with the win.  Can we still hang with the class of the division?  Can we improve upon the outcome of that game?  Regardless of who starts at QB, I think there are a lot of questions that can be answered.

 

If the Bills play a tough team fighting for the #2, potentially the #1, seed in the conference close and even improve over their week 1 numbers, it could give the players and the fan base all we need to believe in this coaching staff.  The key, with all Patriots games, will be the defense.  We absolutely can not let Brady get comfortable.  We can't let their run game get going.  Pressure up the middle and tight man coverage is critical in beating Brady.  Can the Bills bring it 2 weeks in a row?

 

The offense has to bring its A game as well, and we've been remarkably consistent this season.  For the most part, regardless of opponent and regardless of starting QB, the Bills have moved the ball between the 20s.  It would be nice to see them score more TDs than FGs, you have to do that against a team like NE. Do that... and Thad will be making a strong case that he should be a starting QB.

 

With all that said, I'll be watching:

1. The defensive line.  Can they pressure Brady up the middle while containing the run game? With Branch's new contract, will he come out on fire or be complacent to ride out the last game?

 

2. Kiko.  He's got one final game to make his case for DROY.  And there is no better stage than against a playoff-bound Brady.  Will he respond?  How will he show up in his final game as a rookie?

 

3. Marrone and Hacket.  They need to show the players and the league that they can compete with the class of the division.  Billy boy has owned the Bills in the second game of the season for a decade.  It would be nice to see the team come out pumped up, prepared, and with a winning game plan.

 

4. Thad the Impaler.  If he thinks he can be a starter in the league, this is his game to prove it.  Come out, lead the team, play solid and consistent football and he could easily secure a starting job either in Buffalo or on another team.

 

5. The Refs.  How bad will they be? I'm sure the league wants a Brady/Manning Championship game more than anything. But, how blatant will the calls/non calls be?  If the Bills light it up, there's no limit to the number of flags to be thrown against our team.

 

Go Bills! and a Happy New Year to all Bills Fans!!

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oman128 RFA

oman128

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Posted (edited)

if the bills have any chance of winning they need to pound the ball running at the heart of the New England defense which is now without behemoth Vince Wilfork. Which means Fred Jackson Fred Jackson Fred Jackson.

 

if I was coach Marone id be telling all them they need to pin there ears back and sak Tom Brady early and often.

Limit penalties, turnovers, stupid mistakes, and if possible knock Bill Bellicheck into the Gatorade table just for fun.

 

Edited by oman128
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PolishDave Veteran

PolishDave

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Posted (edited)

Defense will definitely need to show up and play nearly their best game of the year if the Bills are to win today.

 

And I hope to see lots of quarterback draws today on 3rd and short. Let Thad do what he does (play with heart and passion and determination).

 

Get the running game going. Keep the chains moving. Keep Brady on the sideline. Eat the clock. Control the football.

 

A couple shots down the field long to either Goodwin or Graham at some point. Gotta complete those today or at least draw flags.

 

Looking for Chandler to have a big game and a crucial touchdown today.

 

Go for touchdowns instead of field goals. Bills won't win playing conservative in the red zone. Would like to see Marrone go for it on 4th and short in the red zone today. Stick it to em!

 

Any given Sunday baby!! Go Bills!

Edited by PolishDave
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Rivermont Mike Rookie

Rivermont Mike

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Posted (edited)

There's a storm coming in--temps in 30s and rain and wind during the game. This raises questions:

1. Does this affect the Pats* dink and dunk game? Can we handle Blount?

2. Does Lewis just need to game manage or are we going to have to open up the O to beat these jerks?

3. Do conditions help or hinder Bills pass rush?

4. Are you as worried as I am about ball security?

 

GO BILLS!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!

Edited by Rivermont Mike
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WhitewalkerInPhilly Veteran

WhitewalkerInPhilly

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It's hard to say what kind of outcome I want.

 

If EJ were playing, I would yell and scream to win, to give him one more shot to see what we have with him. With Thad playing...a win ignites a firestorm about who should be starting, and a loss gives us a better draft pick but tells us absolutely nothing about our status at QB.

 

However, I *will* be eagerly watching the defense. This is as close to fully healthy and clicking the Bills have been on defense in a while: Gilmore and McKelvin are back, seeming like a surprisingly good CB tandem. Robey has gotten bloodied, and I am curious to see him against Amendola again. With the Patriots' O-line dinged up, I want to see Mario, Hughes, Kyle and Dareus going full steam.

 

In the end...I don't know, but if the end result is an absolute beating on Brady that wears him down for when the playoffs start (and if this slides the Pats to the #3 seed) I would be happy.

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thebandit27 Hall of Famer

thebandit27

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Posted (edited)

Run, run, and run some more.

 

Belichick is going to blitz Thad any chance he gets, and as we saw against New Orleans, that's a recipe for mistakes galore.

 

I'd work to get 15 carries apiece for Jackson Spiller, and Wingo, while mixing in some Frank Summers and QB designed runs as well.

 

Keep the ball on the ground or we're cooked.

Edited by thebandit27
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