i'm not worried about new england

[mybills]

it's all over the local news how they're struggling with their offense, so there's half a problem solved right there!

[The_Philster]

All we usually have to worry about with them is Belichek and his defense, anyway.

[Ickybaluky]

The Pats offense is much better than last season. Everybody focuses on the uncertainty on the OL, but the OL has performed pretty well in the preseason, despite injuries. 4/5th of their OL is intact, with RT being the uncertain spot. Their running game won't be spectacular, but it is complementary to their passing game, which should take a big jump this year.

The Pats have great depth and speed at WR, and are solid at TE. TE Dan Graham is healthy and improved, giving them a hugh upgrade in the passing game. WR is very deep, with Troy Brown and Deion Branch healthy, David Patten continuing to play solid, David Givens having taken a big jump from his rookie season and rookie Bethel Johnson having tremendous speed and kick return ability. Johnson may not be active early on because of his inexperience, but the kid will be a tremendous big-play threat when on the field. Dedrick Ward will need the team to carry 6 WRs to make it, but how many teams have a 6th WR with his background?

The Pats can line up in a traditional set and be OK, but will spread teams out and throw the ball around to a bunch of different guys. That makes them difficult to defend. By spreading teams out, they neutralize the LBs. The way to defend them is to pressure the QB, but Brady makes quick decisions and gets rid of the ball, making teams pay for the blitz. That is the key, Brady has always eaten up the blitz. Additionally, they have guys like Graham, Centers and Faulk who can play in more traditional sets or split out, which makes them less predictable. Last season, the Pats offense was on fire until injuries to Brown, Branch and Graham left them thin for playmaking threats. This year, they have better receiving depth, which should help them.

Brady is the key to it all. He is entering his 4th season and continues to improve. He played well in the preseason, going 34-for-56 (60.7%), 381 Yds, 6 TD, 0 Int, 114.9 QB Rating. He improved steadily in each game.

Brady and the Pats will score enough, the key to their season will be on defense. They played well in preseason, but they are incorporating a lot of new bodies, including some young players. There likely is to be an adjustment period early on. They need to show they can stop the run on defense. Ted Washington likley will help, but he isn't an every-down player.

Their big strength on defense will be their pass-rush, which is greatly improved. However, in order to take advantage of that they need to get out to early leads and force teams to throw the ball. If they can jump out early on Buffalo, then it plays to their strength as they can get after Drew. That will be the key to the game.

[The Spaz]

The Bills defense has improved overall, and I don't think anyone is scared of Brady's "long ball".

[Captain gameboy]

I, for one, am quite worried about the Patriots. They've had a flawless preseason.
The only areas I think they lack are a good running game and the ability to come back from a large deficit.
But then I'm a sweater.

[Novacane]

I'm worried too. I think we will win but I'm worried.

[Ð]

If they try that stupid one down lineman **** again, I hope we make em pay by running the ball down their throats because they're not set at the point of attack.

A good Offensive Coordinator would take advantage of that big time...not having your DL/DE's set should cost the NE defense an extra 2 yds on each running play if they just go quick smashmouth on them every time they pull that ****.

[Ickybaluky]

If your not worried about Brady's long ball, then you prove your ignorance. The Pats offense isn't designed for the long ball. They didn't throw it much when Bledsoe was the QB or when Testaverde ran the same offense in NY. The Pats will throw more intermediate stuff, but their offensive design is the geared to shorter routes and Brady excels at that.

Look at the Raiders. Was anyone worried about Rich Gannon's deep passes? No, but they still had a great offense.

As a Pats fan, I think the offense will be pretty good, but the defense is still a question. Sure, they have upgraded talent, but nobody knows how that will translate into the season, especially early on.

I think in this first Pats-Bills game, whomever gets out to an early lead will have a big advantage. If the Pats get out early and score, then the Bills will have to throw more and the Pats can get after Drew. If not, then the Bills can pound the ball and the Pats offense becomes more predictable. I think the winner of this game will be decided in the first half.

[The Spaz]

That's what I'm saying we have LB's that can cover sideline to sideline so when they try that screen pass garbage it will blow up in their face. Meaning that will force to throw the ball downfield and Brady doesn't want to do it that much. Get it now!:)

[Ickybaluky]

No, you don't get it. LBs may be able to run, but they can't cover WR. Spreading the field is to force LB to play more in space against smaller, quicker players. It is the same thing teams did to the Steelers last year. The Steelers have great LB, but teams forced those guys to cover. I don't care how well guys like Spikes or Posey run, they aren't going to cover a guy like Deion Branch. Thus, the Bills are forced to go with extra-DBs, which neutralizes their strenght (the LBs).

The whole idea is to create a favorable match-up by forcing the LB or S to cover quick players like Brown, Patten, Branch, Givens, Faulk, Graham or Centers. The key is having a guy like Brady that makes quick decisions and gets rid of the ball before the defense reaches him. The Pats will be able to move the ball against the Bills because they have good matchups. The key will be how the Pats defense defends the Bills.

[The Spaz]

Yeah maybe once ina while one of our Lb's will have to cover a WR and that is obviously isn't a favorable matchup with us. Saying that though we have brought in additions to our secondary that will help when you do get into the 2nd and 3rd down with Kevin Thomas and Dainon Sidney. I really think we have enough talent to beat the Patriots we just have to put it together and play that way on the field. We will see on Sunday and i can't wait!:)

[hwc]

The key for the Bills will be establishing a ball control running game with Travis Henry. If they can commit to a grind-the-clock running attack, they will have a chance to win a relatively low-scoring game.

If they don't or can't commit to the run, then the Bills will be in for a long afternoon. The Pats defense has 20 sacks in pre-season, compared to 34 sacks for the entire 16-game schedule last year. There is no way that Drew Bledsoe will be able to sit in the pocket and air it out; he'll be pressured into mistakes. The only way I can see to pass on the Pats is with a disciplined short-timing pattern offense. Bledsoe doesn't do this very well -- by the time he looks downfield, he's late with the release to the short guys.

The key to watch in this game is Travis Henry early. Can he pick up rushing first downs and move the chains? On the other side of the ball, it wouldn't surprise me if the Pats open up throwing the ball downfield and testing the Bills corners. Brady's hit several nice deep balls in preseason.

[The Spaz]

Let him try and air it out before he is drilled!!!!:)

[Dozerdog]

Welcome aboard, hwc!

I agree...run it down their throats.


On defense, the Bills should give Belicheck a taste of his own medicine- 2-3 down linemen, 3 LB's, and 5-6 DB's. And blitz Brady senseless. Pressure will be the key.

[mybills]

is TH even playing? how's his injury?

anyway, i have to agree on the drew thing...jeesh, i wish more bills fans would admit it. if the bills are to win, it won't be because of drew, and i have to admit that our pass rush still isn't what i'd hoped it would be...then again, i've only seen 2 pre season games.

where are you pat's fans from, anyway? i'm stuck in pats land. x q's my typing, i'm one handed. if you're so confident, why is it all over the news about their offense troubles?