Die Hard Sports Fan

The Buffalo Bills will continue to fight for their playoff lives this afternoon as they take on the San Francisco 49ers at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Broadcast Info:

Game: San Francisco 49ers (3-8) @ Buffalo Bills (6-5)
TV: FOX (Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli)

Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). Broadcasts are all done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network.
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• Last meeting: The Bills totaled 226 rushing yards, including 102 from Willis McGahee, whose two touchdowns helped the Bills leave San Francisco with a 41-7 win in Week 16 of 2004.
• The Bills have won two of the last three meetings with the 49ers to take a 5-4 series lead.
• Last week, Niners QB Shaun Hill posted a career-high 303 passing yards, yet it was all for naught as his team converted just two of 10 third downs against the Cowboys. The Niners have struggled on third downs all season, converting them at just over a 33 percent clip (27th in the league).
• Rookie corner back Leodis McKelvin had two interceptions Sunday, including a 64-yard return for a touchdown, marking the second consecutive week that he’s seen the end zone. McKelvin’s contributions are not limited to defense. The rookie ranks second behind Seattle’s Josh Wilson with 1,140 kick return yards.
• Last week, Trent Edwards looked more like the QB we saw during Buffalo’s first six games — the one who threw five touchdowns and just two interceptions. Since then, he went through a four-game stretch in which he turned the ball over 10 times. Look for Edwards to build on last week’s error-free performance against San Francisco’s 29th-ranked pass defense.
• The 49ers have 52 plays of 20-plus yards, the most in the NFL
• Frank Gore is one of two players to lead his team in rushing yards (860) and receptions (36).
• Edwards leads the AFC with a 108.6 passer rating in the fourth quarter.
• The Bills are 9-1 when Edwards has 80-plus passer rating.
• NFL west coast teams (San Diego, Arizona, Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco) have a combined record of 0-14 in games played in the eastern time zone this season.
• Buffalo is already responsible for three of those eastern time zone losses having beat Oakland, San Diego and Seattle thus far this season.

Injury Report:

Bills- Out of Game: CB Jabari Greer (knee), LB Teddy Lehman (hamstring), DT John McCargo (back), TE Robert Royal (hamstring), and DE Aaron Schobel (foot). Doubtful: S Donte Whitner (shoulder). Questionable: DE Copeland Bryan (foot), LB Keith Ellison (ankle), and TE Derek Schouman (hamstring).

49ers- Out of Game: CB Dashon Goldson (knee), and CB Allen Rossum (ankle). Questionable: WR Allen Rossum (foot), CB Walt Harris (hamstring), and WR Josh Morgan (groin). Probable: LB Patrick Willis (ankle), and WR Jason Hill (groin).

Quote of the Week:

“With five games in the season left, we want to try to make a run. That is how we have to approach the rest of our games and that’s how we are going to play them. We have an attack mentality, we are going to go out and attack with less mistakes.”

-Bills DT Marcus Stroud

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Bills fans from around the world.

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The Buffalo Bills needed a victory to fight for their playoffs lives and they got it, hammering the Kansas City Chiefs 54-31 at Arrowhead Stadium.

1st Quarter

Well this game started off with fireworks and it looked like these teams would go back and forth all afternoon putting up points.

The Chiefs started off the game with a touchdown on their opening drive to take the 7-0 lead on a 36 yard TD pass from Tyler Thigpen to Jamaal Charles.  The Bills would be able to match it on their first drive of the game.  On 4th and Goal from the 1, Buffalo went for it and it paid off.  Marshawn Lynch ended the drive with a TD run, the extra point was good at it was a tied game again.

The score is tied 7-7 heading into the 2nd quarter.

2nd Quarter

33 points were put up in this quarter, although 23 of them went to one team.

Bills kicker Rian Lindell made a 21 yard field goal to give Buffalo a 10-7 lead.  It wouldn’t last long though as Kansas City was able to answer the points right back.  After a huge Larry Johnson run, Thigpen threw his second TD of the game on a play action pass.  The Bills defense fell for the fake and left Tony Gonzalez wide open in the endzone.  Chiefs now up again, 14-10.

Rian Lindell would add another FG in this game to cut the lead to one on a 39 yard attempt.

On the very next series for Kansas City, Thigpen’s pass was picked off by rookie CB Leodis Mckelvin.  Mckelvin took it down the sidelines, showing off his great speed, and tip toeing down the sideline before he dived into the end zone for 6.  The Chiefs then added a 45 yard FG by kicker Connor Barth to keep the game close, 20-17.

Lindell would add another field goal and QB Trent Edwards would scramble 15 yards and dived into the endzone for a touchdown to put the Bills up huge by the half.

Going into the tunnel, Buffalo leads 30-17.

3rd Quarter

Edwards would run for another TD, this one being a little bit closer though as he only had to go 5 yards.  Lindell then added another field goal before Kansas City got on the board again.  Thigpen would hook up with Mark Bradley for a 45 yard TD pass.

It looked like the Chiefs had a little bit of life but Trent Edwards led another great drive and threw an 8 yard TD pass to Josh Reed.  Going into the 4th, Bills up a bunch, 47-24.

4th Quarter

Each team put another TD on the board.  Buffalo’s came first on a 17 yard pass from Edwards to TE Derek Schouman.  Kansas City would put one more up too on a 3 yard pass from Quinn Gray to Dwayne Bowe in garbage time.

Bills win this one, 54-31.

Wrap Up

• QB Trent Edwards improved his game this week.  He went 24 of 32 for 273 yards and 2 TDs (0 INTs).  Edwards also ran the ball 6 times for 38 yards and 2 more TDs.
• Marshawn Lynch had another strong game on the ground.  On 20 carries, Lynch had 79 yards and a touchdown.  He also had 5 catches for 25 yards.
• Lee Evans finally got back into the game plan, catching 5 passes for 110 yards.
• Josh Reed in his first game back from injury, also caught 5 passes, for 50 yards and 1 TD.
• After missing the go ahead kick last week, Rian Lindell went 4 for 4 today on FG chances.
• Not only did Leodis Mckelvin have a pick 6, he also had another INT and returned 2 kickoffs for an average of 33 yards.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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Two struggling teams in the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs will face off tomorrow afternoon in a must win game for Buffalo.

Broadcast Info:

Game: Buffalo Bills (5-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-9)
TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots)

Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). Broadcasts are all done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network.
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• The Chiefs have won two of the past three meetings, but Buffalo leads the all-time series, 19-16-1.
• Lynch recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the season against the Browns last week. Lynch aims for his second consecutive 100-yard performance as the Chiefs are next to last in rushing defense, allowing 165 rushing yards per game.
• Tyler Thigpen started the season third on the depth chart behind Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. But he has thrown eight touchdown passes and only one interception in his past four games for a passer rating of 96.9.
• The Bills started the season with such promise, racing out to a 4-0 record. But Buffalo has lost four consecutive games to drop to 5-5 and are now playing for its playoff lives.
• Linebacker Kawika Mitchell spent four seasons with Kansas City (2003-06)
• Chiefs running back Larry Johnson averages 93 rushing yards per game at home.
• Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe posted a career-high two touchdown receptions last week.
• The home team has won 10 of the last 11 games between the Bills and the Chiefs.
• Roscoe Parrish needs one punt return for a touchdown to take sole possession of first place in franchise history with four in a career.
• Josh Reed needs 25 receiving yards to reach 3,000 in his career.
• Leodis McKelvin needs 133 kick return yards to pass Eric Moulds (1,205) for most kick return yards by a rookie in a season.
• Under Dick Jauron, Buffalo is 11-5 (.688) with a positive turnover margin and 2-15 (.118) with a negative turnover mark.

Injury Report:

Bills- Out of Game: CB Jabari Greer (Knee), DE Aaron Schobel (Foot), S Donte Whitner (Shoulder), and LB Marcus Buggs (Ankle). Questionable: WR Josh Reed (Ankle) and S Bryan Scott (Knee).

Chiefs- Out of Game: LB Donnie Edwards (Hamstring), G Adrian Jones (Ankle), CB Patrick Surtain (Quad), and LB Patrick Thomas (Thigh). Probable: WR Mark Bradley (Calf), CB Brandon Flowers (Thigh), LB Derrick Johnson (Thigh), S Jarrad Page (Groin) and DT Glenn Dorsey (Knee).

Quote of the Week:

“I can speak for everybody in that locker room, we don’t like the slide we are on, so we definitely are going to have to get that confidence and swagger back and believe we can pull a close game out.”

-DT Marcus Stroud

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Bills fans from around the world.

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The Buffalo Bills not only dropped a heart breaker last night against the Cleveland Browns 29-27 on Monday Night Football but they also ended their postseason chances.

 

Usually in losses like this, there is plenty of blame to go around but this game was not the case.  

 

The offensive line finally stepped up and not only did they not allow a sack but they also looked like they knew what they were doing running blocking.  Marshawn Lynch was able to break the century mark for the first time this year after a 119 yard effort. 

 

The defense wasn’t lights out but they did the job to the best of their ability.  Despite losses in the secondary like starting safety Donte Whitner and corner back Jabari Greer, Terrence McGee stepped up his game and played very well.  Minus a 76 yard run by Josh Cribbs in the 4^th quarter, the Bills run defense also played very well, keeping Jamal Lewis in check.  Overall the defense led up 176 yards through the air and 161 on the ground while also holding Cleveland to 5 field goals despite them having great position through the entire game.  Forcing a team to go 3 for 13 (23%) on 3^rd down isn’t too shabby either.   

 

Special teams proved why they were one of the best units in the game also (despite that final field goal).  Leodis McKelvin finally had his break out game as a returner, showing his great speed and field vision and returned 1 for a 98-yard touchdown.  He went on to average 61 yards on his 3 returns.  Fred Jackson also did very well.  He was getting the ball when the Browns were trying to kick the ball away from McKelvin on line drive or high kicks.  Jackson had 4 returns for an average of 15 yards but remember he was getting the ball on the 30-35 yard line to start his returns.  Roscoe Parrish also had a game changing return to set up a score.  He only got the ball once but when you go 34 yards the other way, that is always a good sign of not only Parrish but the blockers too.

 

The coaching was so-so.  To be honest, I really liked the defensive game plan.  They showed multiple blitzes to confuse young quarterback Brady Quinn and it worked.  He went 14 of 36 for 185 yards. 

 

The game calling towards the end was a little puzzling but I understand where it was coming from.  Instead of passing the ball, trying to get it a little closer for Lindell, they decided to run it for 3 straight plays.  I didn’t really like it but I do understand it.  It got the Browns to use all 3 timeouts and also they didn’t have too much confidence in Trent Edwards after his 3 picks in the 1^st quarter.  Instead of risking a turnover, they keep it with the safe choice.  Again, I didn’t like it at all, but understood where they were coming from. 

 

The coaches did a good job to finally turn the o-line around although poor game management happened again in this one.  The Bills wasted timeouts in places they shouldn’t have but on a plus note at least they didn’t have to challenge anything.  Head Coach Dick Jauron doesn’t know where the red flag is anyways.      

 

So let’s take a look at what worked in this game.  Running game; check.  Offensive line; check.  Defense; check.  Coaching; well not 100% but still got the job done.  

 

So what are we missing?  On yes, the quarterback.

 

Trent Edwards was a complete disaster for the 4^th game in a row.  He threw three interceptions in the 1^st quarter and from that point on he looked scared.  He would drop back to pass, get plenty of time, and then just throw it to check down, again and again and again. 

 

That is what his one touchdown pass was in this game.  He dropped back, looked downfield, held onto the ball way too long and then finally dropped it off to Lynch who made the play.  

 

Edwards looked like a little child who just didn’t want to disappoint anyone and we had to sit there and watch him.  It really looked like he was indeed scared.  He wouldn’t throw the ball down the field at all.  His go-to-guy in Lee Evans was open on multiple occasions but he could not get him the ball.  Evans, the #1 WR on this team had 0 balls thrown his way!  Are you kidding me? 

 

The Browns didn’t even bring pressure in this game either.  They just dropped back into a zone, usually when Edwards excels by ripping apart defenses.  For some reason though he just couldn’t get the ball to his team and lost a lot of confidence.

 

From poor reads to terrible passes we have now watched a guy who was being named for MVP early in the season, to a young QB struggling to make his way into the league and get wins for his team.  

 

Now, I still think Edwards is the man at the QB position but I see why you J.P. Losman fans are now starting to come out of hiding again.  One thing I can agree with you with, at least Losman will get the ball down the field.  What team catches it though is a different story.

 

Hey it could be worse though, we could be Detroit Lions fans.

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Breaking news came from rotoworld.com on the Bills starting CB situation today.  It looks like McKelvin will be getting his first pro start at the cornerback postion.  Here is what they had to say.

The Bills confirmed that first-round pick Leodis McKelvin will start at left cornerback Sunday, replacing Terrence McGee (knee).  McGee could be back in Week 8, making this only a one-week trial for McKelvin, but he is likely to be tested often in the game. If Chris Chambers (ankle) can’t go, McKelvin will mostly be matched against Malcom Floyd.

In other Bills injury news, it doesn’t look like Bills DE Aaron Schobel will be able to go.  That will be a huge loss for the Bills defense who has to face a very tough running game in the Chargers.

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It is being reported today that Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee will be out for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

That sprained left knee just hasn’t healed enough.  This is bad news for a Bills defense that might be out with pro bowl DE Aaron Schobel also. 

The only good news for the Bills secondary is that FS Ko Simpson praticed today and is listed as probable.  Also the Chargers #1 WR is listed at doubtful (Chris Chambers). 

Even more bad news came out though as CB Ashton Youboty was limited in pratice and is a 50-50 shot to play.

This means that 1st round pick, Leodis McKelvin will have a big role in the game Sunday.  Let’s see how the rookie does.  Lets go Buffalo!

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Today was suppose to be a breakdown of the matchup between the Buffalo Bills DB’s and the Arizona Cardinals passing game, but breaking news came out about two players that will force this breakdown to be pushed back a day or two.

For starters, Cardinal’s WR Anquan Boldin has not been ruled out for the Week 5 matchup between the two teams.  Boldin suffered a devasting hit in the final minute of the Cardinals, Jets game.  He was taken off the field by a stretcher.  Rotoworld.com is reports that Boldin has about a 50-50 chance to play though.  Here is what they had to say:

Anquan Boldin (head) didn’t practice Wednesday, but the Cardinals aren’t ruling him out for Week 5 against the Bills.  Coach Ken Whisenhunt says Boldin needs to be cleared medically before any determination on his playing status is made. Boldin says his only injury is a “fracture near his sinus.” His chances of facing Buffalo seem 50-50 at best. 

So with seemingly good news coming out of Cards Camp, what did the Bills get?  Well it wasn’t great news coming out of Bills camp, but hey at least their starting CB Terrence McGee was not ruled out.  McGee was hurt in the win against the St. Louis Rams.  Here is what the Canadian Press is reporting (it is the most recent story published on McGee):

Cornerback Terrence McGee, who wore a brace on his left knee and walked with a noticeable limp, was one of three Buffalo Bills defensive starters to miss practice Wednesday as the team prepared to play at Arizona this weekend.

Coach Dick Jauron wouldn’t rule McGee out, saying he will continue to have his sprained knee tested through the end of the week. McGee said the knee was still sore, but had improved since Monday, when he had difficulty walking.

“I haven’t given up hope yet,” McGee said. “I’m really not too sure. I’m just trying to see from day to day.”

Don’t be alarmed too much Bills fans.  The other two defensive starters missing pratice today were DT Marcus Stroud (left shoulder) and DE Aaron Schobel (foot). They were both hurt in the last game, but both finished the game.  Both are also expected back at pratice tomorrow. 

If McGee can not go, Nickel corner Ashton Youboty and 1st round pick Leodis McKelvin would be the two guys getting the playing time.  Both have played pretty well so far this season.

Needless to say the breakdown between these two teams will take place later in the week when the injury report comes out.  My question to those of you out there is, “Who is more important to their team if they are unable to play and why?”.  Please leave the answer is a comment or send the response to buffbillsfan517@yahoo.com.  I will address the best/most interesting answers in the breakdown that comes later in the week. 

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The Buffalo Bills will face the St. Louis Rams today at the Edwards Jones Dome.

TV Info:

Game: Buffalo Bills (3-0) @ St. Louis Rams (0-3) TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots) Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). All done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network. Time: 4:05 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• The Bills have beaten the Rams in four out the last five meetings, and lead the overall series, 5-4.
• The last game between these two teams ended in a Buffalo win, 37-17.
• RB Marshawn Lynch has scored atleast one TD in each of the first 3 games
• Rams RB Steven Jackson is avergaing just 3.2 yards per carry in a Rams offense that has put up just 29 points in three weeks. It doesn’t get much easier this week as St. Louis goes up against a sixth-ranked Bills defense
• The Bills defense has not allowed a 100 yard rusher in their first 3 games. Let up an average of 93.6 yards per game.
• With returnman Roscoe Parrish out look for rookie Leodis McKelvin to have a huge impact on not only punt returns but also kick returns.
• The Bills are 6-0 when QB Trent Edwards posts an 80-plus passer rating. Edwards is averaging a 96.6 rating through three games this season.
• QB Trent Green of St. Louis is making his first start of this season for the benched Marc Buldger. Green has started three times vs. the Bills, posting a 2-1 record.
• Green is making his first start since suffering a concussion while with Miami in Week 5 last season. The concussion was Grade 3 which is the most severe level. Many thought it would be enough to send Green into retirement. But he’s back for more (which might not be a good thing).
• The Line: The Bills are favored by 8. Over/Under 42.5.

Injury Report:

Bills - Out of Game: TE Derek Fine (Hand) and WR Roscoe Parrish (Thumb). Probable: FB Darian Barnes (Ankle). Rams - Out of Game: WR Drew Bennett (Foot), WR Keenan Burton (Knee), and RB Antonio Pittman (Lower Leg). Probable: G Jacob Bell (Hamstring), DE James Hall (Thigh), RB Steven Jackson (Groin), TE Joe Klopfenstein (Illness), DE Leonard Little (Hamstring) and T Orlando Pace (Groin).

Quote of the Week:

“I’ve always liked to block but I guess what set it off was something Tyke told me a long time ago. He said if you’re going across the middle and a DB has a free shot to take your head off, he will. Plain and simple. It will make him look good and feel good. So that’s just the mentality I take into it. You’re going to try to take my head off, so what should stop me from trying to take your head off?” -WR Josh Reed on blocking

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Bills fans from around the world.

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The Buffalo Bills took a hit with the news coming out today that slot WR and return man Roscoe Parrish will be out 4-6 weeks after recovering from thumb surgery.  Parrish underwent surgery on the thumb Tuesday after he suffered an injury in the game Sunday, against the Oakland Raiders.  The exact extent of the injury is unknown although head coach Dick Jauron has come out and said it was a problem with the ligament.  Jauron said, “It wasn’t a bone issue.  My understanding was it was a ligament issue and there’s no support for the thumb if it moves a certain way. Talking to him today he wasn’t in a lot of pain or discomfort with it. We’re just hoping it heals real fast and we get him back on the field.”

The thumb was injured early in the 4th quarter of the game, but Parrish played through the pain and scored a late receiving TD that helped the Bills rally in the 4th to beat the Raiders, 24-23.  Roscoe hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2005 when he broke his wrist in training camp during his rookie season.

Through the first 3 games, Parrish has caught 7 passes for 60 yards and 1 TD.  In the return game, he has 11 punt returns for 167 yards (good for a 15.18 average) and 1 TD.

Rookie Leodis McKelvin will most likely step into the punt returners role which he excelled in  during his college career.  Second string RB Fred Jackson or slot WR Josh Reed could also return punts as all three did so in pratice today.  It will not be known until game day which player will be taking over his duties.

Rookie WR James Hardy and Justin Jenkins are the two players who will step into Parrish’s slot role.  Steven Johnson is a long shot to take over the job.  Jenkins has not caught any passes so far this season, while Hardy has 2 catches for 12 yards and a TD.

My thoughts are that McKelvin takes over the punt returner role, while Jenkins gets most of the playing time from the slot.  Hardy will be used a lot more inside the 50 though, and especially in the redzone where he is a huge target with his large frame. 

 

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The countdown to kickoff has begun.  Only 4 days away until the Bills return to the Ralph to take on the Oakland Raiders.  Similar to last week, instead of breaking down a match up today I invited another guest to the site.  Matt Loede joins the website today.  He is the senior editor at billsgab.com and nflgridirongab.com.  NFLGridrongab.com brings together all of the teams in the NFL.  It is a great site to go to for opinions and news on any NFL team.  Matt has been covering the sports world for over 13 years and this week he is heading to Blog World 2008 this weekend in Las Vegas.  He was gracious enough to stop by and chat a little bit about the Buffalo Bills and the entire NFL (NOTE: Just like last time, my questions are in bold while Matt’s answers are in normal font).  

What are your thoughts on the Bills through their first 2 games?  They beat the Seahawks badly, 34-10 and they came through when they had to against the Jaguars 20-16.  That is two wins against playoff teams from last year.  Sure both of these teams have injuries, but they looked pretty good in both of them.  This is the first time since 2003 that the Bills have started 2-0 to begin a season.

I think the Bills have looked solid through two weeks.  The one thing that has impressed me is the maturity of Trent Edwards, as well as the ability of the defense to make stops when they need to.  Edwards and the offense really came through Sunday when the team was trailing and had two great drives to take the game back over.  Injuries or not, many felt Seattle and Jacksonville would be, and could still be playoff teams.

How do you like the Bills offense through the first 2 games?  It is similar to a west coast offense with some different formations.  It let’s the young QB Trent Edwards make quick decisions and they air it out when the defense starts cheating up.  Not to mention Edwards spreads the ball all over the place.  Everyone gets involved, something as Bills fans we haven’t seen in a while.  Plus they have Lynch that they can ride all day too if needed.

As I said above, Edwards and the offense has looked very good.  Turk Schonert has done a very good job in two games as the new offensive coordinator in putting Edwards and the offense in a position to succeed, and Trent has taken advantage of it.  Marshawn and the running game has been good, and credit also has to be given to the O-line for doing a good job up front.

How do you see the AFC East playing out?  The Patriots looked pretty much like the same team (just less scoring) and the New York Jets looked pretty bad.  The Bills and the Pats are both 2-0 so far this season.  Do you give the Bills a shot?

The Bills have a shot, but injuries and how other teams shape up will determine just how much of a shot Buffalo has come playoff time.  The big difference is they started slow last year and caught their stride midway through the season.  This year they have already started fast, and now need to not have a letdown, as the Pats will not be going away easily as we saw last week vs. the Jets.

What are your “surprises” so far this year?  A lot has caught me off guard so far.

• Titans at 2-0, I’m surprised with.  I didn’t see that team doing anything this year. 
• Colts at 1-1!  What surprises me with that is Peyton Manning doesn’t look like himself (except for the one throw to Wayne ). 
• Broncos at 2-0.   I thought Denver would be fighting for a wild card spot not leading the division (although some calls by refs in your favor help).
• Chargers at 0-2!  Chargers get beat by last second plays two weeks in a row but their defense does not look right to me (and Shawn Merrian is out for the year).
• Vikings 0-2!  Vikings were supposed to be going to the Superbowl according to some experts.
• Jags 0-2.  Jags went 11-5 last year, although they do have some injuries.    

There has been plenty of surprises to go around, some good, and of course some bad.

For the Good - the Bills have to be high on the list, along with the Carolina Panthers, who look like they are going to contend with the Saints for the NFC South Title.  Pittsburgh looks for real in the AFC, and Jay Cutler and the Broncos look like a team that is going to give a lot of teams issues.

On the Bad side - The Browns and Vikings have to top the list.  These two teams were the “sexy” picks by many to get deep in the playoffs, and now they are both having to fight just to not find themselves 0-3 after Sunday.  The Chargers have had a tough start, and the Colts may be 1-1, but they look like they have aged a bit.  Seattle and the Jaguars look like two teams that are going to never be able to overcome already the injuries they have encountered.

While we are on the entire NFL, I have to ask this question early in the season. What are your predictions for the rest of the season (division leaders, playoff teams, Superbowl champs, etc.)?  Sorry if you have gotten sick of this one.

Division Champs:
AFC - New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver
NFC - Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Arizona
Wild Cards - AFC: Tennessee, San Diego NFC: NY Giants, Philadelphia
Super Bowl: Dallas vs. Pittsburgh - Dallas 24-20

Back to the Bills now.  What are your keys to the game for them to beat the Raiders?  The #1 on my list is to stop the run.

Stopping the run is by far and away the most important.  This team ran for 300 yards last week, so yes, that is the biggest key.  On offense, they can’t make mistakes to think the Raiders can sneak out a win in Buffalo.  Take the lead early, pressure Russell and force him to have to win the game

How about them rookies?!?  We say both of them play roles in todays game.  2^nd rounder James Hardy caught the go ahead touchdown pass and even 1^st round pick Leodis McKelvin got into the game a little bit with two returns.  What role do you see the two of them playing the rest of the season?  I don’t see McKelvin beating out Jabri Greer anytime soon for the starting spot.  

I see Hardy and McKelvin playing the roles they have already played, which is to get in the games at various points, but also for Dick Jauron and the staff not to force them into situations to fail.  I like that neither have had to play a lot, but when they have played they have been able to be successful.

A big part of the Bills offense is Lee Evans.  Do you think he gets a contract extension and stays with the Bills for the foreseeable future?

Edwards and Evans finally seem on the same page, which concerned me entering the season.  Yes, I see Evans and the team getting together on a deal that will pay him like the #1 WR that he is quickly showing he can be week in and week out.

How about another WR?  Every year we hear how the Bills are going to get the ball into Roscoe Parrish’s hands.  Do you think this will come true this year?

Right now Parrish is still a mystery as to how much he’ll be used.  He only has four catches in two games, and Edwards seems more comfortable with Evans and Robert Royal.  Parrish will at some point get a shot to make a play, but those may be few and far between.

Where did Aston Youboty come from?  I didn’t even have this guy making the roster before preseason. 

Just goes to show that some players that are not great in preseaosn and practice can show up when the lights are brightest.  That’s the case with Ashton, who seems to have relished his role with the team, with 11 tackles and a sack in two games.  For now, he’s been a welcome surprise.

Prediction time.  What is the score for the game between the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills?

I think the Bills will win, I say 24-13.  They can’t take the Raiders lightly, as this is a team that lost 41-13 two weeks ago only to come out
and physically dominate the Chiefs in a place they rarely win.  Look for the defense to have its moments, and for Edwards and Evans to make a few big plays to secure the win.

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