Two Bills Drive

‘Jones said the Patriots noted a Buffalo tendency to pass on second down when close to the goal line. “It was one of the plays they ran in practice,” Jones said of New England’s coaching staff. “Practice makes perfect.”‘

‘In winning their third straight contest and fifth of the last six games, the Patriots utilized the formula that brought them success in 2001: spread the ball around on offense and confuse the opposing quarterback into making mistakes.’

‘If you were watching the Patriots beat the Bills 27-17 on Dec. 8, you may have thought you were watching a repeat of the teams’ first game from five weeks earlier.’

The Buffalo Bills have had many memorable battles over the course of their 42 year history. One that stands out is a game on December 8, 1963 versus the New York Jets when Bills' running back Cookie Gilchrist ran for five touchdowns and racked up 243 yards on the ground at War Memorial Stadium.

‘New England has taken the last five meetings between the teams.’

‘New England jumped out to a 20-0 lead and cruised from there, winning its eighth game of the season against five losses, 27-17.’

‘The Patriots dominated Buffalo for the second time in barely a month.’

‘[Bledsoe] completed 32-of-51 passes, but threw four interceptions in a game for the first time since 1999 and was one shy of a career high.’

‘”This team is real tight chemistry-wise and we’re healthy,” Williams said. “Our confidence is obviously buoyed some from the last ballgame (the win over Miami), and we have to go out and execute.”‘

‘While Bledsoe’s return to Foxboro certainly adds suspense to this matchup, it is merely a footnote to the real drama – the 7-5 Patriots have a chance to eliminate the 6-6 Bills from AFC playoff contention with a victory. If Buffalo wins, the playoff picture gets further muddled, with Miami and the New York Jets still hanging close and the increasing likelihood that only the division winner will advance to the postseason.’

In the offseason, what do you fell will be the most important transaction to be made? Offensive (Peerless) or Defensive (D/Lineman)? – Nick F. Schneider

"I think all of the above. Hopefully we can resign Peerless but at the same time sure up our defensive unit and get those guys stronger and I think we'll have more of a complete team."

New England quarterback Tom Brady has been successful this season by using short passes for small gains. So, give them to him. By maintaining tight zone coverage on the Pats' receivers, the Bills defense can relegate Brady to tiny tosses. If the defenders collapse on the receiver and bring him down almost on the spot-sort of like other teams were doing to Buffalo's offense last month-then those mini-passes will move the Pats nowhere.

vs. MIAMI (12/1): Recorded 1st rushing touchdown as a Bill (3rd of career) on 2-yd plunge in the 2nd qtr…had two touchdown passes of 50+ yards (73 yards to Peerless Price, 57 yards to Eric Moulds)…13th time in Bills history that a quarterback had a pair of 50-yd TDs in the same game (Last: Alex Van Pelt vs. MIA, 11/25/01)…threw for three touchdowns for the 3rd time this season (23rd in career).

‘He calls himself a big Bledsoe fan. I call him an idiot.’

‘The Bills defense, however, remains porous and defensive mad scientist Belichick has had 10 days to prepare a fresh batch of anti-Bledsoe serum. That’s nine more days than he needs. Prediction: Patriots, 27-20.