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By: Mark Weiler
12/6/02
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
When: 1 p.m. EDT, Sunday, December 8th
The primary matchup here is that between Greg Williams and Bill Belichick. Unfortunately for Williams, he is not even in the same league as Belichick and his team will have to respond with an additional performance effort on the field to overcome the discrepancy in coaching in this one. If Williams and Gilbride fall prey to the “Bledsoe v. Brady” hype as they did in game one, this will be a loss as well.
The Bills, to have any chance of victory, will absolutely need to run the ball well as 4 of 5 teams that have beaten the Pats have done so far this season. While fans are mentioning playoffs again following an emotional and amazing victory last week at the Ralph, what many fans seem to be overlooking was the Bills having allowed an alarming 270 rushing, 228 of which by Ricky Williams alone for well over an 8 yard-per-carry average. If Antowain Smith is allowed to rush for even half of that in what figures to be halfway decent weather, then the Bills will be in trouble.
If this turns into a Bledsoe-Brady gunfight, then look for the Pats to win again. Largely due to the differences in styles of passing offenses in conjunction with the defenses going up against each. The Patriots short style passing game is much more likely to experience success against a Bills’ defense that has yet to prove that it can stop any team from doing that.
On the flip side, the Patriots’ defensive strength in game one was the variations in blitz schemes and formations that they threw at the Bills who were ill-equipped to make the necessary changes in time to effectively counter. The Bills simply did not have the time to develop their deep routes and patterns and they did not effectively adjust to not being able to do so.
If the Bills are going to win this one then look for #20 to have at least 30 carries and well over 100 yards. In game one against these Patriots Henry had 11 carries. Last week against the Dolphins in what turned out to be the Bills largest margin of victory, most convincing win, and highest offensive output all season, Henry had 151 yards on 35 carries. Meanwhile, Bledsoe posted his second best passing performance all season by putting up 3 touchdowns on over 300 yards passing and added yet another rushing to put his TD total at 4 on the day. His passer rating was the second highest all season....MORE...
12/6/02
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
When: 1 p.m. EDT, Sunday, December 8th
The primary matchup here is that between Greg Williams and Bill Belichick. Unfortunately for Williams, he is not even in the same league as Belichick and his team will have to respond with an additional performance effort on the field to overcome the discrepancy in coaching in this one. If Williams and Gilbride fall prey to the “Bledsoe v. Brady” hype as they did in game one, this will be a loss as well.
The Bills, to have any chance of victory, will absolutely need to run the ball well as 4 of 5 teams that have beaten the Pats have done so far this season. While fans are mentioning playoffs again following an emotional and amazing victory last week at the Ralph, what many fans seem to be overlooking was the Bills having allowed an alarming 270 rushing, 228 of which by Ricky Williams alone for well over an 8 yard-per-carry average. If Antowain Smith is allowed to rush for even half of that in what figures to be halfway decent weather, then the Bills will be in trouble.
If this turns into a Bledsoe-Brady gunfight, then look for the Pats to win again. Largely due to the differences in styles of passing offenses in conjunction with the defenses going up against each. The Patriots short style passing game is much more likely to experience success against a Bills’ defense that has yet to prove that it can stop any team from doing that.
On the flip side, the Patriots’ defensive strength in game one was the variations in blitz schemes and formations that they threw at the Bills who were ill-equipped to make the necessary changes in time to effectively counter. The Bills simply did not have the time to develop their deep routes and patterns and they did not effectively adjust to not being able to do so.
If the Bills are going to win this one then look for #20 to have at least 30 carries and well over 100 yards. In game one against these Patriots Henry had 11 carries. Last week against the Dolphins in what turned out to be the Bills largest margin of victory, most convincing win, and highest offensive output all season, Henry had 151 yards on 35 carries. Meanwhile, Bledsoe posted his second best passing performance all season by putting up 3 touchdowns on over 300 yards passing and added yet another rushing to put his TD total at 4 on the day. His passer rating was the second highest all season....MORE...
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