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Scrappy Bills are no match for Patriots
Some Buffalo Bills fans might feel insulted that the New England Patriots are whopping 15-point favorites for Sunday night's AFC East showdown at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Patriots beat the Bills 38-7 in Week 3, but that game was in Foxborough and Buffalo is a much better team now than it was then.
But here are a few sobering points to ponder before jumping on the Bills bandwagon:
They still rank 31st in offense (268.3 yards per game) and 28th on defense (359.7). The Patriots rank first in offense (428.7 yards per game) and fourth on defense (275.2).
The Patriots are 9-0 and coming off a bye week. Coach Bill Belichick has had extra time to prepare for the Bills and isn't the kind to waste it. Belichick and his players love the big stage, and Sunday night has become the NFL's main attraction.
The Bills have done a good job of holding opponents to field goals in the red zone. New England seldom settles for three points.
The way I see it, Buffalo has two ways to approach this game:
1 — Try to keep the score down by playing conservatively on offense; hope for a few breaks, lucky bounces and favorable zebra calls.
2 — Hope J.P. Losman plays the game of his NFL career in a shootout.
It is no bargain either way.
If I thought Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could throw five interceptions as Tony Romo did in a 25-24 victory at Buffalo in Week 5, I'd give the Bills a chance to upset New England. Imagine what a victory over the Patriots would do for Buffalo's playoff hopes and for the morale of western New York.
But beating New England is about as likely as Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning throwing six interceptions and Adam Vinatieri missing a potential game-winning chip-shot field goal in the same evening.
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