shelby
10-19-2008, 07:41 AM
Five games into a season in which the NFL has been about as predictable as the stock market, we'd like to tell you that these Bills aren't counterfeit; that they're on their way to their first playoff berth of the 21st century and their first AFC East title in 13 years.
But given the volatility of a league bereft of any blue-chip teams and the challenging next phase of their schedule, it's still too early to know if these Bills really are for real.
They definitely are a better team than they've been in recent years, but we'll have a clearer idea if this season is legit or just another tease during these next four games.
After making the most of the soft underbelly of its schedule, Buffalo hosts the talented but erratic San Diego Chargers this afternoon, visits the improved and immensely entertaining Miami Dolphins next Sunday, returns to the Ralph the following week to face the Brett Favre-revived New York Jets, then closes out this meat grinder on the road against the reeling, Tom Brady-less New England Patriots on Nov. 9.
If the Bills emerge from this stretch with at least two wins, they'll be in good shape to end their post-season drought because their final seven games include winnable matchups with Cleveland (home), Kansas City (road) and San Francisco (home), as well as divisional games at home (OK one of them is at their new home-away-from-home, Toronto) vs. Miami and New England. Taking four of the final seven would give them 10 wins, which should be enough.
more... (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20081019/SPORTS0102/810190340/1021)
But given the volatility of a league bereft of any blue-chip teams and the challenging next phase of their schedule, it's still too early to know if these Bills really are for real.
They definitely are a better team than they've been in recent years, but we'll have a clearer idea if this season is legit or just another tease during these next four games.
After making the most of the soft underbelly of its schedule, Buffalo hosts the talented but erratic San Diego Chargers this afternoon, visits the improved and immensely entertaining Miami Dolphins next Sunday, returns to the Ralph the following week to face the Brett Favre-revived New York Jets, then closes out this meat grinder on the road against the reeling, Tom Brady-less New England Patriots on Nov. 9.
If the Bills emerge from this stretch with at least two wins, they'll be in good shape to end their post-season drought because their final seven games include winnable matchups with Cleveland (home), Kansas City (road) and San Francisco (home), as well as divisional games at home (OK one of them is at their new home-away-from-home, Toronto) vs. Miami and New England. Taking four of the final seven would give them 10 wins, which should be enough.
more... (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20081019/SPORTS0102/810190340/1021)