Are the 2 hardest games of the season out of the way??

[Mitchy moo]

Looking at the remaining schedule, I cannot for the life of me see a better team than the Bills. San Diego has issues, Broncos have been scoring on weakness and NE has no Brady. I actually see the last game of the season having the Bills start their 3rd string and having no reason to play.


<TABLE class=dataTbl cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=dataTrHdr3><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" colSpan=6>Upcoming Games</TD></TR><TR class=dataTrHdr2 align=middle><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>Wk</TD><TD align=left>Date</TD><TD align=left>Opponent</TD><TD>Time</TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD>Coverage</TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>3 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=3)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Sep 21, 2008</TD><TD align=left>Raiders (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=13)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20080921002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>4 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=4)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Sep 28, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Rams (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=14)</TD><TD align=middle>4:05 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20080928014)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>5 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=5)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Oct 5, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Cardinals (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=22)</TD><TD align=middle>4:15 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081005022)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" align=middle><TD align=left>6 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=6)</TD><TD align=middle colSpan=5>--- BYE WEEK ---</TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>7 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=7)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Oct 19, 2008</TD><TD align=left>Chargers (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=24)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081019002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>8 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=8)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Oct 26, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Dolphins (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=15)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081026015)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>9 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=9)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Nov 2, 2008</TD><TD align=left>Jets (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=20)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081102002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>10 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=10)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Nov 9, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Patriots (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=17)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081109017)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>11 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=11)</TD><TD align=left>Mon Nov 17, 2008</TD><TD align=left>Browns (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=5)</TD><TD align=middle>8:30 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081117002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>ESPN </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>12 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=12)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Nov 23, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Chiefs (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=12)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081123012)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>13 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=13)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Nov 30, 2008</TD><TD align=left>49ers (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=25)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081130002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>FOX </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>14 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=14)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Dec 7, 2008</TD><TD align=left>Dolphins (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=15)</TD><TD align=middle>4:05 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081207002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>15 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=15)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Dec 14, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Jets (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=20)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081214020)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr2 onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr2';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>16 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=16)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Dec 21, 2008</TD><TD align=left>@Broncos (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=7)</TD><TD align=middle>4:05 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081221007)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR><TR class=dataTr onmouseover="this.className='dataTrHigh';" onmouseout="this.className='dataTr';" height=30><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 8px" align=left>17 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule?weekNum=17)</TD><TD align=left>Sun Dec 28, 2008</TD><TD align=left>Patriots (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=17)</TD><TD align=middle>1:00 PM ET (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20081228002)</TD><TD align=middle>Buy Tickets (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/this.href+'?c=79-5-3-0-0-0-0&pid=foxsports'&quot;)</TD><TD align=middle>CBS </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[The Spaz]

I don't think so we still have the Patriots and the Browns, Broncos, Chargers.

[Lexwhat]

The Seahawks are not a good team, and they won't even make the playoffs this year, IMO. The Jaguars game was tough, but we still have a lot of other tough games left.

The Chargers will bounce back, and they started slow last year too. That game will be a real test, but I think we can win since we are at home, and coming off a bye week.

The Broncos (Week 16) and Patriots (Week 10) games will be tough, and I see us losing those games.

[raphael120]

Not a chance. What Spaz said...and the Pats I think we'll split with. Not sure we can win on the road there but I've seen weirder things...like us winning these past 2 games!

[Lexwhat]

And also, divisional road games are always difficult too. We are in no position to underestimate any team.

[Mitchy moo]

The Browns?? They looked like crap. Chargers are 0-2 for a reason and didn't lose to powerhouse teams, they just lost. Broncos game will be tough but winnable and who knows how we are playing by then or even them.

Many W in the column by mid season, many.

[Typ0]

we'll be playing for some form of playoff game here in Buffalo last week of the season. It will be a nice change.

[The Spaz]

The Browns?? They looked like crap. Chargers are 0-2 for a reason and didn't lose to powerhouse teams, they just lost. Broncos game will be tough but winnable and who knows how we are playing by then or even them.

Many W in the column by mid season, many.

Umm the Chargers lost to the Broncos and really should have won except for a terrible call.

[Jaybird]

The Hardest game is always the next game!!!!!!!!!

[Typ0]

The Hardest game is always the next game!!!!!!!!!


not this time.

[shelby]

The Chargers are still a decent team, and so are the Patriots, even without the Golden Child. Denver appears to be off to a good start.

Don't count your chickens....

[Slim]

Denver scares me. So do the Chargers. Rivers and Cutler look unstopable.

[Mitchy moo]

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=5>Below is ESPN power rankings. Besides NE, not one other team that we have to play is currently in the top 10. That doesn't mean this won't change but it says alot about how we should do based on the current standings.

2008 Power Rankings: Week 3

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD></TD><TD width="10%">RK (LW)</TD><TD>TEAM</TD><TD>REC</TD><TD>COMMENT</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/dal.gif</TD><TD>1 (1)</TD><TD>Cowboys (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>Survived a game against the Eagles that they easily could have lost. Now they just have to prepare for a showdown with the Packers. (MM)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/pit.gif</TD><TD>2 (2)</TD><TD>Steelers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=pit)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>The Steelers took control of the AFC North with a big win over Cleveland. Now it's time for Pittsburgh to prove it's one of the elite teams in the NFL with another big road game against Philadelphia. (JW) </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/nyg.gif</TD><TD>3 (5)</TD><TD>Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>The Giants summarily dismissed the Rams, but that's not saying much. The Giants have found success in the post-Umenyiora era. (MM)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/gnb.gif</TD><TD>4 (7)</TD><TD>Packers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=gnb)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>They've feasted on two winless teams. Now the Packers face the biggest game of the young season: A home matchup against Dallas that should establish early NFC supremacy. (KS)</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/phi.gif</TD><TD>5 (6)</TD><TD>Eagles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi)</TD><TD width=50>1-1-0</TD><TD>Valiant effort against the Cowboys by Donovan McNabb and the rest of his team. (MM)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/nwe.gif</TD><TD>6 (9)</TD><TD>Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>They're still the AFC East team to beat even if they don't have superduperstar QB Tom Brady. Matt Cassel played it safe against the Jets, and that was good enough. They should be 3-0 with the Dolphins coming to Foxborough. (TG)</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/ind.gif</TD><TD>7 (8)</TD><TD>Colts (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind)</TD><TD width=50>1-1-0</TD><TD>Fortunate to be 1-1 and in position to drop Jacksonville to 0-3. Run game and run defense have to improve. (PK)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/car.gif</TD><TD>8 (12)</TD><TD>Panthers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=car)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>Undefeated without WR Steve Smith and only better as he comes back from a two-game suspension. Defense playing at best level in years. (PY)</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/ten.gif</TD><TD>9 (11)</TD><TD>Titans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>Last time the Titans started 2-0 was 1999, when they made their only Super Bowl appearance. Upcoming schedule is awfully friendly. (PK)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=left><TD>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD><TD>10 (13)</TD><TD>Bills (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf)</TD><TD width=50>2-0-0</TD><TD>The Bills scored 10 points in the fourth quarter in a comeback victory in the Jacksonville heat. They should be 3-0 after their home game against the reeling Raiders. (TG)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[TigerJ]

It's difficult to quantify the relative difficulty of games on the Bills schedule. Buffalo caught Seattle at a very opportune time, with their offense crippled by injuries to receivers. I don't think Jacksonville was affected a great deal by their injury problems on the offensive line. That was a very good win. I would hope that Buffalo respects every opponent, but particularly Arizona, San Diego, New England, Denver, and even the Jets. I think Buffalo can beat any one of them. They all have weaknesses, but they all have strengths too, and on a given day those strengths can rise up and bite an unprepared team, even one that is well rounded and has a lot of talent.

[Mitchy moo]

It's difficult to quantify the relative difficulty of games on the Bills schedule. Buffalo caught Seattle at a very opportune time, with their offense crippled by injuries to receivers. I don't think Jacksonville was affected a great deal by their injury problems on the offensive line. That was a very good win. I would hope that Buffalo respects every opponent, but particularly Arizona, San Diego, New England, Denver, and even the Jets. I think Buffalo can beat any one of them. They all have weaknesses, but they all have strengths too, and on a given day those strengths can rise up and bite an unprepared team, even one that is well rounded and has a lot of talent.

:rockon:

[Mad Bomber]

I don't think so we still have the Patriots and the Browns, Broncos, Chargers.
I'm not worried so much about the Browns...I think that they are overrated.

The Patriots (TWICE), Chargers and Broncos (in THEIR house) worry me.

[Mitchy moo]

Chargers and Broncos (in THEIR house) worry me.

FYI- Chargers are a Bills home game, worry a little less.

[Akhippo]

Chargers, Denver, NE, and the Cards scare me. If we dont trap any of the other games I think we could be easily 12-4. All these teams will seriously test our pass D. Hopefully our secondary gets some cohesiveness week to week.

[BADTHINGSMAN]

FYI- Chargers are a Bills home game, worry a little less.

I think he was referring to the Broncos. There are reasons the NFL has upsets. The higher standards get set, the harder they are to live up to.

[LABillsFan]

Too many teams on that schedule haven't found or lost their grove yet. How they are playing now doesn't necesarily reflect what the team will be like in week 7. Heck, the Bills didn't get on a roll until week 7 winning 4 in a row. The first being against the 4-2 Ravens, the Ravens ended up losing 9 straight starting with that game.

[Mad Bomber]

Nope. We still have to play the Patriots twice, plus the Chargers and Broncos (AT Denver).

[Meathead]

it would appear that badthingsmans sig is in violation of the new board policy

not saying i agree but please be consistent thanks

[Mitchy moo]

it would appear that badthingsmans sig is in violation of the new board policy

not saying i agree but please be consistent thanks

Ummm..., OK.

[Dujek]

Arizona looked brilliant last week. I know it was only the Dolphins they were beating up on, but they were still very impressive.

I think you're right about Denver though, they beat up a terrible Raiders team and then they got lucky against the Chargers.

San Diego are a good side who have been unlucky.

As for the Patriots... I'm still unsure as to whether they were good or the Jets were really, really bad last week. Then again, the Jets only just scraped by the Dolphins, so I've probably answered my own question.

If things fall the right way the Bills could make it to 13-3 and win the division. I still think 11-5 and a wildcard place is more likely though.

[gr8slayer]

I don't think so we still have the Patriots and the Browns, Broncos, Chargers.
People obviously aren't watching the games if they don't see that Denver and San Diego are still both better teams than we are right now; and how the hell is everyone counting out the Patriots when they have Belichick as their HC? We are good right now but we're nothing special, we have a long way to go and it's a long ass season.

[Mitchy moo]

Arizona looked brilliant last week. I know it was only the Dolphins they were beating up on, but they were still very impressive.

I think you're right about Denver though, they beat up a terrible Raiders team and then they got lucky against the Chargers.

San Diego are a good side who have been unlucky.

As for the Patriots... I'm still unsure as to whether they were good or the Jets were really, really bad last week. Then again, the Jets only just scraped by the Dolphins, so I've probably answered my own question.

If things fall the right way the Bills could make it to 13-3 and win the division. I still think 11-5 and a wildcard place is more likely though.

I just don't see a team on the schedule that I can really say is better than the Bills.

[Dujek]

I just don't see a team on the schedule that I can really say is better than the Bills.

Possibly not, but I don't see anywhere near enough from the Bills to say that they're unbeatable.

[gr8slayer]

Possibly not, but I don't see anywhere near enough from the Bills to say that they're unbeatable.
A true blue blowout this week would go a long way to making me a believer though.

[Dujek]

A true blue blowout this week would go a long way to making me a believer though.

The Bills need to make another big statement this week by doing the one thing they haven't done yet. Win big as favourites.

[Mitchy moo]

A true blue blowout this week would go a long way to making me a believer though.

Prepare to buy the billieve shirt on Monday.

[Preacher]

Your hardest games are coming up in the second half...

against the pats, the jets, the Browns, and yes, the fish.

WHy?

Because now, those are teams that you will be EXPECTED to win against... if you want to make it to the next level.

It is one thing to go into a game as an underdog and come out victories, it is quite another to actually have the expectations raised a few levels and then achieve them.

So my vote, your toughest games are coming up, because there is a whole other level of mental weariness/toughness that the Bills are going to have to deal with now.

I sure hope they do it though....

ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE BROWNS!

[Mr. Pink]

There are plenty of tough games remaining.

About 14 of them. Welcome to the NFL. No game is a cakewalk.

[Bufftp]

Truth is every game is hard game and every game is a potential loss. One game at a time, keep the focus. That is the crux, for it is difficult to do in a 16 game season.

[Ickybaluky]

After 2 games last year, Detriot was 2-0.

After 2 games last year, the Giants were 0-2 (Giving up 80 points in those 2 games).

It is a long season. It is way too early to be making judgments. I understand you are excited with your team, and you should be. However, it is only 2 games.