Ickybaluky
12-15-2004, 03:01 PM
At this link (http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Spins/2004/spins121504.htm) PFW's Jeff Reynolds says of the Bills playoff run:
Bills peaking at the right time
Buffalo can improve to 8-6 with a win at Cincinnati, positioning themselves for a late-season wild-card push and improbable playoff bid after a 1-5 start. With the Jets facing a rough schedule over the final three weeks, Buffalo has a chance to sneak in the back door with wins at Cincinnati, San Francisco and vs. Pittsburgh, which may or may not be playing for home-field advantage in Week 17.
PFW: What has been the difference for the Bills since Week Seven, when they were 1-5?
Reynolds: Almost everything, starting with the more level play of QB Drew Bledsoe and the emergence of RB Willis McGahee. McGahee makes his ninth start on Sunday, when he’s likely to clear the 1,000-yard mark. He has been a perfect complement to the Bills’ defense, which quietly has been one of the best in the league for each of the last two seasons. Buffalo has 38 sacks and 28 takeaways and makes teams earn their yardage. The Bills allow just 4.42 yards per play, second in the NFL to Washington (4.38), and they rank third in the NFL in total yards allowed.
Bledsoe remains a concern for the Bills, especially against teams that force the Bills to beat them through the air. The Bengals aren’t that kind of team, nor is San Francisco, but the Steelers arguably are the most physical defense in football. McGahee allows head coach Mike Mularkey to use his preferred ball-control, power-running offense to complement the defense. The Bills are more explosive than the Ravens, though the philosophies are similar, and have scored 37 or more points in four straight games. Rookie WR Lee Evans continues to make plays with teams bracketing Eric Moulds on the outside. Bledsoe is showing more confidence in the rookie and teams have to honor Evans’ speed, opening running lanes for McGahee.
Bills peaking at the right time
Buffalo can improve to 8-6 with a win at Cincinnati, positioning themselves for a late-season wild-card push and improbable playoff bid after a 1-5 start. With the Jets facing a rough schedule over the final three weeks, Buffalo has a chance to sneak in the back door with wins at Cincinnati, San Francisco and vs. Pittsburgh, which may or may not be playing for home-field advantage in Week 17.
PFW: What has been the difference for the Bills since Week Seven, when they were 1-5?
Reynolds: Almost everything, starting with the more level play of QB Drew Bledsoe and the emergence of RB Willis McGahee. McGahee makes his ninth start on Sunday, when he’s likely to clear the 1,000-yard mark. He has been a perfect complement to the Bills’ defense, which quietly has been one of the best in the league for each of the last two seasons. Buffalo has 38 sacks and 28 takeaways and makes teams earn their yardage. The Bills allow just 4.42 yards per play, second in the NFL to Washington (4.38), and they rank third in the NFL in total yards allowed.
Bledsoe remains a concern for the Bills, especially against teams that force the Bills to beat them through the air. The Bengals aren’t that kind of team, nor is San Francisco, but the Steelers arguably are the most physical defense in football. McGahee allows head coach Mike Mularkey to use his preferred ball-control, power-running offense to complement the defense. The Bills are more explosive than the Ravens, though the philosophies are similar, and have scored 37 or more points in four straight games. Rookie WR Lee Evans continues to make plays with teams bracketing Eric Moulds on the outside. Bledsoe is showing more confidence in the rookie and teams have to honor Evans’ speed, opening running lanes for McGahee.