Week 4: Bills vs Patriots Game Day Thread

[jb_gobills]

vs.

Sunday, September 30th at 1:00 PM EDT - Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo vs. New England


Buffalo Bills (2-1)


Buffalo’s offensive line has been dominant this season, the Bills rank 2nd in yards per rushing attempt and the OL has not allowed a sack

2012 Team Rankings

Offense
Total Yards: 11th (371.0 yards/game)
Rushing Yards: 3rd (178.0 yards/game)
Passing Yards: 26th (193.0 yards/game)
Points: 6th (29.0 points/game)

Defense
Total Yards Against: 17th (348.7 yards/game)
Rushing Yards Against: 14th (100.3 yards/game)
Passing Yards Against: 19th (248.3 yards/game)
Points Against: 23rd-tied (26.3 points/game)

Differentials
Takeaway/Giveaway: 12th-tied (+1 turnovers)
Net Points: 11th (+8 points)
Net Yards: 11th (+67 yards)

Football Outsiders Rankings
Overall: 8th
Offense: 12th
Defense: 14th
Special Teams: 11th

Power Rankings
ESPN: 19th
FOX: 14th
CBS: 17th

2012 Team Leaders

Passing: Ryan Fitzpatrick - 50/86 (58.1%) for 581 yards (6.8 yards/attempt) and 8 touchdowns to 3 interceptions (95.2 rating); 12 carries for 52 yards (4.3 yards/attempt)
Rushing: C.J. Spiller - 33 carries for 308 yards (9.3 yards/attempt) and 3 touchdowns; 7 receptions for 114 yards (16.3 yards/reception) and 1 touchdown
Receiving: Steve Johnson - 13 receptions for 172 yards (13.2 yards/reception) and 3 touchdowns

Solo Tackles: Nick Barnett - 15 solo tackles (23 total), 1 forced fumble
Sacks: Kyle Williams - 3.0 sacks, 6 solo tackles (9 total)
Interceptions: Bryan Scott - 2 interceptions for 32 yards, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 3 solo tackles (4 total)

Kicking: Rian Lindell - 12/12 extra points, 1/1 field goals, 15 total points
Punting: Brian Moorman - 32.7 net average, 45.5 average, 2/15 inside the 20 (13%)
Kick Returns: Leodis McKelvin - 4 returns for 105 yards (26.3 average)
Punt Returns: Leodis McKelvin - 6 returns for 178 yards (29.7 average) and 1 touchdown

2012 Game Balls

Week 1: Bills at Jets -> C.J. Spiller
Week 2: Chiefs at Bills -> C.J. Spiller
Week 3: Bills at Browns -> Offensive Line

2012 AFC East Standings

1. (2-1) New York [2-0 DIV, 2-1 CONF]
2. (2-1) Buffalo [0-1 DIV, 2-1 CONF]
2. (1-2) New England [0-0 DIV, 1-1 CONF]
3. (1-2) Miami [0-1 DIV, 1-2 CONF]

Current Bills Depth Chart

Check out the Bills Forum Directory (always being updated) for a depth chart as well as recent Bills news and stories.

Bills Injury Report (updated 9/27)

Injured Reserve:
WR David Nelson (knee)
OT Zebrie Sanders (undisclosed)
DT Torell Troup (back)
CB Ron Brooks (foot) ~ recall player

Active PUP:
TE Mike Caussin (knee)

Doubtful:
RB C.J. Spiller (shoulder)

Questionable:
RB Fred Jackson (knee)
WR Ruvell Martin (ankle)
CB/KR/PR Leodis McKelvin (groin)

Other Stats

• The Bills are 41-61-1 all-time against the Patriots during the regular season
  
• The Bills are 2-21 against the Patriots over the last 23 games
  
• New England is below .500 for the first time in 145 games; the last time was after a week 1 loss to the Bills in 2003
  
• New England has not lost three games in a row since 2002
  
• Buffalo is averaging 5.56 yards per rushing attempt, good for second in the NFL
  
• Buffalo is the only team in the league to not allow any sacks through three games
  
• Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 8 touchdown passes are tied with Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger to lead to the league
  
• Chan Gailey is 2-11 against the AFC East since coming to Buffalo
  
• The Bills are 5-0 when Ryan Fitzpatrick throws less than 30 passes
  
• The Bills are 10-3 when Fred Jackson runs for at least 100 yards
  
• Tom Brady has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 35 consecutive games, which is fourth best in NFL history (Unitas-47, Brees-46, Favre-36)

New England Patriots (1-2)


Wes Welker came on strong last week, catching 8 balls for 142 yards

2012 Team Rankings

Offense
Total Yards: 9th (381.0 yards/game)
Rushing Yards: 12th (109.7 yards/game)
Passing Yards: 9th (281.3 yards/game)
Points: 10th (27.3 points/game)

Defense
Total Yards Against: 14th (343.0 yards/game)
Rushing Yards Against: 7th (81.0 yards/game)
Passing Yards Against: 24th (262.0 yards/game)
Points Against: 10th (21.3 points/game)

Differentials
Takeaway/Giveaway: 3rd-tied (+4 turnovers)
Net Points: 7th (+18 points)
Net Yards: 9th (+141 yards)

Football Outsiders Rankings
Overall: 9th
Offense: 2nd
Defense: 19th
Special Teams: 20th

Power Rankings
ESPN: 8th
FOX: 12th
CBS: 10th

2012 Team Leaders

Passing: Tom Brady – 79/118 (66.9%) for 887 yards (3.4 yards/attempt) and 4 touchdowns to 1 interception (97.0 rating); 5 carries for 7 yards (1.4 yards/attempt)
Rushing: Stevan Ridley - 52 carries for 233 yards (4.5 yards/attempt) and 1 touchdown; 5 receptions for 51 yards (10.2 yards/reception)
Receiving: Wes Welker - 16 receptions for 251 yards (15.7 yards/reception)

Solo Tackles: Jerod Mayo - 22 solo tackles (33 total), 1 pass defended
Sacks: Chandler Jones - 2.0 sacks, 6 solo tackles (12 total), 2 forced fumbles
Interceptions: Steve Gregory - 1 interception for 36, 1 pass defended, 8 solo tackles (10 total);
Tavon Wilson - 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 7 solo tackles (8 total)

Kicking: Stephen Gostkowski - 9/10 field goals, 7/7 extra points, 34 total points
Punting: Zoltan Mesko - 31.1 net average, 38.3 average, 7/13 inside the 20 (53%)
Kick Returns: Devin McCourty - 4 returns for 98 yards (24.5 average)
Punt Returns: Jukian Edelman - 6 returns for 63 yards (10.5 average)

Patriots Injury Report (updated 9/27)

Injured Reserve:
RB Jeff Demps (leg)
FB Spencer Larsen (undisclosed)
TE Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring)
TE Brad Herman (Achilles)
C Jamey Richard (concussion)
DE Dane letcher (knee)
DB Will Allen (undisclosed)
DB Josh Barrett (undisclosed)

Reserve/Non-Football Injury:
OT Markus Zusevics (pectoral)

Active PUP:
TE Jake Ballard (knee)
DT Myron Pryor (shoulder)

Out:
TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle)

Questionable:
RB Shane Vereen (foor)
WR Julian Edelman (hand)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (back)
OG Logan Mankins (hip)
OG Nick McDonald (shoulder)
DE Justin Francis (ankle)
DT Brandon Deaderick (ankle)
CB Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring)
CB Sterling Moore (knee)

Probable:
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)


Keys to Victory

• Buffalo must get consistent pressure on Tom Brady. These guys need to have a good game: Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Mark Anderson.
  
• Buffalo needs to control the clock. Fred Jackson and Tashard Choice must keep getting fed the ball. The Bills cannot win this game by putting it on Ryan Fitzpatrick’s shoulders.

_________________

^Jamison.

Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?
When it's too tough for them, it's just right for us
Proud to be a Bills fan

[Maxmw22]

time to take sole possession of first place in the afc east.
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[BillsGuy82]

[TommyC376]

[Yibbyl]

Feeling lazy...same thing I posted in the Patriot's GDT...

I'm expecting quite a few points scored this game...from both teams. Both secondaries are weak, so the team with the better pass rush probably has an advantage. Chandler Jones concerns me, but I think the Bills are able to bring it from more positions on the DL. Our best advantage there is the ability of both Dareus & Williams to get to the QB. That inside push keeps QB's from stepping up into the pocket and Brady is no scrambler. In the running game, I think the Bills have the advantage on both offense & defense, an especially nice surprise as this was supposed to be a line that mainly rushed the QB. The better QB play will come from Brady...it's not even close. Gronk > Chandler, but that gap has closed some since last season...Chandler has definitely improved. The Patriots are gonna miss Hernandez in a big way. We had no answer for their 2 TE packages last year and not much looks like it has changed. That injury is likely the game-changer.

Bills win in a nail-biter 31 - 30
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[Nucealius]

My cousin sent me this:


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Thanks a lot to Maxmw22 for the sig.

NFL- Buffalo Bills
College- Tennessee Vols

[TommyC376]

This is going to be a tough game. If we can get a early jump on the Pats and get the crowd into it, I think we have a chance. Buffalo has a great OLine and a great DLine. The thing that scares me is our corners, Aaron Williams will get beat a few times a game and Stephon Gilmore, although he stepped up his game since week 1 he really hasnt seen a good QB like Brady. We need our safetys patrolling the field and making sure Gronk doesnt go all "Yo Soy Fiesta" on us. I think we have a shot, but our QB needs to be smart wiht the ball and whoever steps up as Fitz's #2 WR (wether it be D. Jones, Graham, or Chandler) we need them to take the coverage off of Stevie.

Not going to give a prediction. But enjoy this little vid:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_EngM7HmUA
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Go Bills!

[marshawn lynch]

CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson are questionable and McKelvin is probable.
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Jamison on sig

[jsnydes]

There's not much to say. Time for the bills to put up or shut up. I wish the game was tonight. I'm anxious
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TommyC376^^^

[marshawn lynch]

Gronk and Mankins both questionable for sunday.
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Jamison on sig

[Yibbyl]

[DubiDo0]

Freddy is playing. CJ still questionable.
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If life is beating you down just think, "Hey, atleast I'm not a Bills fan"

[jb_gobills]

Logan Mankins will not play tomorrow.
_________________

^Jamison.

Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?
When it's too tough for them, it's just right for us
Proud to be a Bills fan

[jsnydes]

[marshawn lynch]