DaBillzAhDaShiznit
09-29-2004, 09:55 AM
The NFL is about three factors
1) Matchups
--Right now, at this point in the season...I think we match up ok vs. the Pats. Our Oline is good enough to give Bledsoe some time, and make some holes for our backs.
Our receivers match up just fine vs. their secondary. I am not too worried about their LBs....except when in the red zone...let's see if Bledsoe makes smart decisions there.
They have a better kicker, but I think that if they are relegated to FGs, we can beat them, as long as we can punch in a couple of TDs.
Our D actually overmatches their O...the only weakness I see is pass rush and I think our DTs will get some good penetration and pressure vs the Pats interior lineman. I agree that we should not over rush---just apply steady pressure and tight coverage on the receivers. Make Brady throw it away several times.....don't give the receivers much cushion....if we can execute there, we are gonna be looking good.
Special teams is a wildcard for both teams. We have a better punter, they have a better kicker.....hopefully we don't use Mr. Moorman too much but when we need him he will be solid. I DON'T want to see Clements returning punts. McGee is a better KR and PR. Or even Shaw on PR. Clements is not doing anything, lets give someone else a chance who is not afraid to get hurt. I think Clements fair catches too much because he is afraid to get hurt (coaches probably make him do this for same reason).
2)Environment/Attitude.
--The fans will help win this game. The team knows their back is against the wall. We want to avenge last years late season drubbing. Bledsoe knows that this might be the last time he plays the Pats in Buffalo. The Pats are (to quote Shakespeare, "me thinks the lady doth protest too much") telling everybody that the streak means nothing to them...but I think they are placing a lot of emphasis on it because they don't feel they have got the recognition they deserve over the past 3 years. They wouldn't have such a strong, universal denial of thinking of it unless it was heavy on their minds.
3) Coaching--while I don't think Mularky is anywhere near the coach Bellichek is yet, I honestly think he is a smart coach and if anyone has a good chance of beating Bellichek, it is a coach who Bellichek is not yet familiar with. Look for some trick/gadget plays that actually work. Would not surprise me at all to see an early onsides kick.
With all of the above, I can't see the Bills losing. I think this game is ours, and if we can ride the momentum from this game through the next month, we could be well positioned to make a playoff push.
1) Matchups
--Right now, at this point in the season...I think we match up ok vs. the Pats. Our Oline is good enough to give Bledsoe some time, and make some holes for our backs.
Our receivers match up just fine vs. their secondary. I am not too worried about their LBs....except when in the red zone...let's see if Bledsoe makes smart decisions there.
They have a better kicker, but I think that if they are relegated to FGs, we can beat them, as long as we can punch in a couple of TDs.
Our D actually overmatches their O...the only weakness I see is pass rush and I think our DTs will get some good penetration and pressure vs the Pats interior lineman. I agree that we should not over rush---just apply steady pressure and tight coverage on the receivers. Make Brady throw it away several times.....don't give the receivers much cushion....if we can execute there, we are gonna be looking good.
Special teams is a wildcard for both teams. We have a better punter, they have a better kicker.....hopefully we don't use Mr. Moorman too much but when we need him he will be solid. I DON'T want to see Clements returning punts. McGee is a better KR and PR. Or even Shaw on PR. Clements is not doing anything, lets give someone else a chance who is not afraid to get hurt. I think Clements fair catches too much because he is afraid to get hurt (coaches probably make him do this for same reason).
2)Environment/Attitude.
--The fans will help win this game. The team knows their back is against the wall. We want to avenge last years late season drubbing. Bledsoe knows that this might be the last time he plays the Pats in Buffalo. The Pats are (to quote Shakespeare, "me thinks the lady doth protest too much") telling everybody that the streak means nothing to them...but I think they are placing a lot of emphasis on it because they don't feel they have got the recognition they deserve over the past 3 years. They wouldn't have such a strong, universal denial of thinking of it unless it was heavy on their minds.
3) Coaching--while I don't think Mularky is anywhere near the coach Bellichek is yet, I honestly think he is a smart coach and if anyone has a good chance of beating Bellichek, it is a coach who Bellichek is not yet familiar with. Look for some trick/gadget plays that actually work. Would not surprise me at all to see an early onsides kick.
With all of the above, I can't see the Bills losing. I think this game is ours, and if we can ride the momentum from this game through the next month, we could be well positioned to make a playoff push.