Bill from NYC Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) I normally resist the temptation to cite the importance of individual games. They all seem to be just SO important, but this one sticks out imo so I want to address it..... 1) Houston can be beat, and it would be an important road win in a conference game. 2) Win or lose, it will be a tall order for this inexperienced coaching staff to win next week on the road for the 2nd week, in a dome, against a very talented Lions team. Not impossible mind you, but a VERY tough task. 3) EJ will be tested because of Watt, who is tearing up the league. Every EJ scenario exists: a) He could step up and take over the game. b) He could suck. c) He could get hurt and Orton could win (or lose). d) Anything else. 4) 3-1 is a beautiful thing. Yes, we have been down the road of good starts before only to see to see them go sour. That said, 3-1 is still a nice situation. 5) A win, coupled with a loss from ANY of our divisional opponents (let alone more than 1) would be HUGE. And this division isn't looking all that great, ya know? So there it is. On Sunday I will be happier than the norm if we win and more disappointed if we lose. I truly do want this game big time! Bills Fans probably need this game more than the team does. GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Edited September 27, 2014 by Bill from NYC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I think EJ will have a bounce back game provided the Oline protects better and the receivers are on the same page with EJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Beard Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Weakest parts of the Bills right now are Oline and DBs. The DBs should be able to handle Fitz. It's up to the Oline to get the job done. And Richardson may be getting his first start. All eyes will be on the Oline (at least mine will be). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 D needs to step up and put pressure on fitz. EJ needs to hit his recivers and not turn ball over. If we can win 3 out of every 4 games I will be very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I'm most interested in how the Bills run the ball to set up the pass. Without the former it'll be increasingly difficult to do the latter. EJ needs to keep the defense on their toes with some passes down-field. Defensively, I think Buffalo can handle Fitz and Houston's offense. But the Bills can't just hope to Jauron ball and expect to win with defense and a weak offensive performance. Besides, you don't draft Watkins and have the remaining skill players to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orton's Arm Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I normally resist the temptation to cite the importance of individual games. They all seem to be just SO important, but this one sticks out imo so I want to address it..... 1) Houston can be beat, and it would be an important road win in a conference game. 2) Win or lose, it will be a tall order for this inexperienced coaching staff to win next week on the road for the 2nd week, in a dome, against a very talented Lions team. Not impossible mind you, but a VERY tough task. 3) EJ will be tested because of Watt, who is tearing up the league. Every EJ scenario exists: a) He could step up and take over the game. b) He could suck. c) He could get hurt and Orton could win (or lose). d) Anything else. 4) 3-1 is a beautiful thing. Yes, we have been down the road of good starts before only to see to see them go sour. That said, 3-1 is still a nice situation. 5) A win, coupled with a loss from ANY of our divisional opponents (let alone more than 1) would be HUGE. And this division isn't looking all that great, ya know? So there it is. On Sunday I will be happier than the norm if we win and more disappointed if we lose. I truly do want this game big time! Bills Fans probably need this game more than the team does. GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > 1) Houston can be beat, and it would be an important road win in a conference game. Agreed. I expect this to be a hard-fought, close, exciting game. However, I also feel the odds of Houston winning are better than 50/50. > 2) Win or lose, it will be a tall order for this inexperienced coaching staff to win next week on the road for the 2nd week, in a dome, against a very talented Lions team. Agreed. If the Bills go 1-1 over the next two games, I'd be reasonably pleased. Considering where the team is at, anything more than 1-1 over the next two games would be difficult. > 3) EJ will be tested because of Watt, With a name like Watt, he should be playing for the Chargers! The problem that Watt represents can largely be overcome with good game planning and coaching. If Manuel pretty much knows where he's going with the ball before the snap, he should be able to get it there about as quickly as most other starting QBs. Granted, this implies that Manuel would only be making one read on each play. But being a one read QB isn't exactly venturing into uncharted territory for him. > That said, 3-1 is still a nice situation. Don't get ahead of yourself. > On Sunday I will be happier than the norm if we win and more disappointed if we lose. The game will be an important measuring stick. Not just for the team as a whole, but for individual players. Can the offensive line bounce back from its poor showing last week? Will the secondary improve? Will the WR corps continue to look like one of the best in the league? The more of these individual matchups we win, the more comfortable I'll feel about the team going forward; regardless of whether we win. If (for example) the Bills get dominated in most phases of the game, but win anyway due to a few fluke Houston mistakes, I'll take the win. But I wouldn't see a game like that as a harbinger of good things to come for the rest of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) Bill, you forgot something: I will not condemn you nor yet would I deny I would ask the same of you but failing will not die Edited September 27, 2014 by Fred Jackson Jockstrap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 3-1 will be important in the divisional race though Houston is obviously not in the division. More important to me in this game is that the Oline and EJ respond to what happened last week. The NFL can be a copycat league and SD clearly exposed the Bills weakness at guards and EJ's inability to respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjjr Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Agree this is a huge game...3-1 is very different from 2-2 as they head to the next part of the schedule. Go Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I want to see them come out throwing early, with the scripted plays as a bunch of intermediate timing patterns designed to get EJ comfortable (a lot like the opening drive of the Carolina preseason game). Accomplishes two things: establishes confidence by getting EJ into a rhythm, and backs off the safeties/brings the LBs toward the LOS to open up the run game. I'm far less worried about the defense than I was last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Houston is beatable. Neutralize Watt by running the ball. Another random thought, $8k for a head butt and $11k for socks, WTF NFL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zazie Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Houston is beatable. Neutralize Watt by running the ball. Another random thought, $8k for a head butt and $11k for socks, WTF NFL? Now it seems like nothing to him but I am thinking at some point in his 40s or 50s Williams may want to have that 11k. better just obey the dress code. At least it was red socks on his feet and not a sock in the mouth for his wife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Thank you, Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 3-1 will be important in the divisional race though Houston is obviously not in the division. More important to me in this game is that the Oline and EJ respond to what happened last week. The NFL can be a copycat league and SD clearly exposed the Bills weakness at guards and EJ's inability to respond. Great post, Bill from NYC. And BuffaloBill nailed it with seeing how the offense can bounce back from last week. I'll take it a step further and say it's important to see how the offense AND defense bounce back. They were both horrible last week. We need to get an early lead because every Bills fan knows how Fitz plays from behind. Like taking candy from a baby. A baby with a wicked thick beard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy Watkins' Rib Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 The AFC East Division is weak....again. I'm including the Patriots in there too. Take a look at their schedule. Its very, very tough. They've lived off taking advantage of how ****ty the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins have been over the past few years. It's definitely a year where another team in the AFC East can take advantage, unfortunately I have no faith it happens until I actually see it happen. I agree. Right now, it is a question of are the other three teams improved or are the Patriots on the decline. It certainly seems in the early going that it is the Patriots more on the decline. But heck, I will take anything at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Bill - nice thread. I was thinking the same thing. Their run defense is avg at best. Definitely more Fred than CJ on pass plays as he can chip better, or something creative would be a heavier dose of Dixon on pass plays. That dude is a load, and between him and a lineman, they should be able to slow down Watt. If we're going designed run on a read option, then Spiller there with a couple of chances running with EJ, but please slide early. No injuries. I know if we win we're 3-1 and even if we lost to the Lions who look hot, we still walk into the Pats game at home both 3-2 (I'm assuming with the sloppy play of the Pats so far and the way the Bengals are playing, the Bengals should win that one). That's two 3-2 teams in Buffalo and we'll see. The second quarter could be 2-2 with losses to the Lions and Pats, and wins against KC and the Browns. It could also be 3-1 with beating the Pats with us 6-2, and then a handful of very winnable games. I wrote off the last quarter to 1-3 before the season, but the Packers don't look nearly as impressive as years past. Guys this week matters as we could actually go 10-6 if we see the Bills of the first two weeks. Can you believe it? I'm not predicting it, I just see it as possible. Please God let this be the year! I have three children with two boys who are football nuts and excellent athletes. They have never seen (my oldest 15) a playoff or even winning Buffalo Bills team. They've seen so many videos of the comeback, and so on, but they've never watched our team as a real threat or contender. Let this be the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireChan Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 The AFC East Division is weak....again. I'm including the Patriots in there too. Take a look at their schedule. Its very, very tough. They've lived off taking advantage of how ****ty the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins have been over the past few years. Patriots Schedule: 4. @ KC 5. vs CIN 6. @ BUF 7. vs NYJ 8. vs CHI 9. vs DEN 11. @ IND 12. vs DET 13. @ GB 14. @ SD 15. vs MIA 16. @ NYJ 17. vs BUF Just about every single game outside the AFC East is a tough one. It's definitely a year where another team in the AFC East can take advantage, unfortunately I have no faith it happens until I actually see it happen. I'd love to agree with you, but we play the exact same teams minus 2 opponents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bufcomments Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I normally resist the temptation to cite the importance of individual games. They all seem to be just SO important, but this one sticks out imo so I want to address it..... 1) Houston can be beat, and it would be an important road win in a conference game. 2) Win or lose, it will be a tall order for this inexperienced coaching staff to win next week on the road for the 2nd week, in a dome, against a very talented Lions team. Not impossible mind you, but a VERY tough task. 3) EJ will be tested because of Watt, who is tearing up the league. Every EJ scenario exists: a) He could step up and take over the game. b) He could suck. c) He could get hurt and Orton could win (or lose). d) Anything else. 4) 3-1 is a beautiful thing. Yes, we have been down the road of good starts before only to see to see them go sour. That said, 3-1 is still a nice situation. 5) A win, coupled with a loss from ANY of our divisional opponents (let alone more than 1) would be HUGE. And this division isn't looking all that great, ya know? So there it is. On Sunday I will be happier than the norm if we win and more disappointed if we lose. I truly do want this game big time! Bills Fans probably need this game more than the team does. GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its about this time every year I can usually tell if this is a playoff team or not. Still not sure about this squad tho. The way San Diego won last Sunday bothered me. They were outplayed AND out-coached. Rivers is a top 5 QB IMO. It would have been nice to see them put up more of a fight. They didnt. If they win on the road this week will be huge inside the locker room. They win have to regain their Swag before going up to Detroit. If they don't win we might see some changes because I think the organization is fed up with losing just as much as we are and nobodys job is safe. Including CB and QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I am hoping that the coaches will NOT respect Fitzes arm and thus allow corners to play up on the line of scrimmage. Fitz can beat us but it will have to be with 5-10 yard passes not the 15-25yd variety. Play close tight coverage, Fitz will still try to throw the ball in there and hopefully our guys can get a pick or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Including CB and QB. Right or wrong, I agree with this. This season is EJ's last chance to prove he's the guy, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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