TJB Scout: Buffalo Bills Posted on October 30th, 2008 by R_in_CT The Jets: 4-3 The Bills: 5-2 On the line: First place in the AFC Sooooo ?. To Niag?ra in a sleeper, There?s no honeymoon that?s cheaper, And the train goes slow. Ooh ooh ooh! Off, we?re gonna shuffle, Shuffle off to Buffalo. . . Shall we? Cheerleader check: Buffalo is known for wings . . . and some lovely drumsticks ? the Buffalo Jills. The scene: The game is in Orchard Park at Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the Bills have yet to lose this season. The forecast currently calls for patchy sun and temperatures in the mid 40s. Record: The Bills are 5-2, currently tied for first in the AFC East. Streaks: The Bills have won the last three in a row against the Jets. Barometer: Rising, as everyone from Chris Berman to Gregg Easterbrook to Nick Bakay to Wayne Chrebet?s mom loves the plucky young Bills. Ugh! Old Friends: Unlike other teams in the AFC East, there is no cross pollination between the Bills and the Jets. Questions: How have the Bills become the darlings of the NFL? Are they continue to succeed by being really good at everything and not excellent at anything? Can quarterback Trent Edwards continue his steady and consistent play? In the words of Butch and Sundance, ?Who are these guys?? Key injuries: Wide receiver Josh Reed (ankle), right guard Brad Butler (knee) and defensive end Aaron Schobel (foot) are all hurting and as of now, not expected to play. Five things to know about the Bills offense: The Nemesis, The Antithesis ? Quarterback Trent Edwards has thus far made a successful career of being very careful with the ball and not taking big risks, a smart, high-completion passer (like someone who used to wear green-and-white, and unlike someone who currently wears it). Last week, he was uncharacteristically butterfingered, fumbling twice and throwing a pick in the loss to Miami. On the season, he?s 127 of 187 (67.9%) for 1,436 yards, 5 TDs and 3 interceptions. The passing attack (including some time when J.P. Losman filled in for Edwards) ranks 12th, with 222 yards/game. Lynch Starting To Flinch ? After a successful rookie season, Marshawn Lynch has struggled a bit this year, having yet to rush for 100 yards in a game, only averaging 64.3 yards/game and 3.7 yards/carry. He?s been sharing carries with Fred Jackson, who has been averaging 4.7 yards/carry. Overall, the Bills are 22nd in rushing, gaining 102.9 yards/game ? although if history has taught us anything, Lynch will probably have a huuuge game against the Jets, as most Buffalo running backs do. I Want to Live Dangerous-LEE ? Dynamic wide receiver Lee Evans is one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL, currently averaging 20.5 yards/catch. On the season he has 31 catches for 637 yards and 3 TDs, including a long of 87 yards. Look for the Bills to move him around to get him away from Darrelle Revis. No Josh, B?Gosh ? Reciever Josh Reed will be out this week with an Achilles strain, so look for the Bills to try to exploit the vulnerable Jets secondary and get the ball to receivers Roscoe Parrish (10 receptions, 82 yards) and highly touted rookie James Hardy, who only has 7 receptions for 66 yards and a TD, but at 6′7, 220 pounds, could provide matchup nightmares. O(uch) Line ? Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert?s offensive line has been dinged up as late, as starters Melvin Fowler and Brad Butler missed last week?s games with injuries. Left tackle Jason Peters has played well after missing preseason and Week 1 due to a contract dispute; right tackle Langston Walker and left guard Derrick Dockery continue to be steady as the Bills have only given up 13 sacks this year. Jersey watch (offense): The #83 of Evans can score from any place on the field at any time. Five things to know about the Bills defense: Solid Is As Solid Does ? As mentioned, the Bills don?t seem to do anything great, but do everything well. Defensive coordinator Perry (?Caught Stealing?) Fewell?s defense is ranked 11th in points allowed (20.4 points/game) and overall yards (302.3), and 13th in both passing yards (203) and rushing (99.3). It Starts Up Front ? Like the Jets, the Bills added some quality beef to the interior of their defense line in the off-season, acquiring three-time Pro Bowl tackle Marcus Stroud from the Jaguars for 3rd- and 5th-round draft picks. He plays alongside ends Chris Kelsay and D?Brickashaw Ferguson?s good friend Aaron Schobel (who has been hampered by a foot injury and may not play this week). Second to Some ? The Bills secondary has struggled at times this year, especially last week, giving up 314 yards to master of the quick-short game Chad Pennington; Ted Ginn Jr. had a career day, gaining 175 yards. Cornerback Terence McGee ? who has 2 of the Bills 4 interceptions ? has struggled through a knee injury, while rookie safety Bryan Scott played in place of the ineffective Ko Simpson. Safety Donte Whitner continues to be active, logging 33 tackles and a sack thus far. Poz is No Boz ? After an injury shortened his rookie season, linebacker Paul Posluszny has come back this year to play well, so far racking up 48 tackles to lead the team, plus defending three passes and even forcing a fumble last week against the Phins. Eureka, It?s Kawika ? One of the quieter pickups of the off-season was the Bills signing linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who always seems to be able to make plays ? he has made 33 tackles while netting 2 sacks and an interception. On a young Bills team, Mitchell provides a solid veteran presence with a championship pedigree. Jersey watch (defense): The #51of Poz is often involved in the defense. Three things about the Bills special teams: April Is A-1 ? For the past five seasons under special teams maven Bobby April, the Bills have consistently had one of the best return, coverage and kicking units in the NFL. Although rookie Leodis McKelvin has been pedestrian on his kickoff returns (23.8 yards/return), punt returner Roscoe Parrish is among the best in the NFL, and although he?s ?only? currently averaging 13.2 yards/return, he?s taken one 63 yards to house already this season. No Cryin? With Rian ? Rian Lindell is also one of the better kickers in the NFL, hitting at over 80% for his career, including going 15 of 18 this season. He?s also pretty decent on kickoffs, averaging 63.8 yards/kickoff with 6 touchbacks. Keeps Giving You Moor, Man ? Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman also continues to kick at a high level, averaging 47 yards/punt with a net of 39.7 yards. He also has a TD pass on a fake punt this year. What to expect from the broadcast booth: For the third time this season, the Jets draw CBS? No. 1 team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, so expect a fairly competent dissertation of the game as it goes, with a focus on the contrasting styles of the quarterbacks: conservative Edwards vs. gunslingin? Favre. Spotlight matchup: Trent Edwards vs. the Jets secondary. The Jets have been very vulnerable to the pass this year, especially the short fast ones that are Edwards? stock in trade. If he can take early advantage, it could open up running games for Lynch against the Jets rush defense. The pressure is on: Edwards not to make mistakes or turn the ball over like last week, and just wait for the inevitable Favre turnovers. Expect the unexpected from: James Hardy, as big receivers (Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez most recently) seem to have had very good games against the smaller Jets secondary. Bottom line: Are you kidding me? The Jets lost to the dysfunctional Raiders and barely got by the inept Chiefs ? look for a very solid and consistent Buffalo team to bounce back from a bad loss in Miami and completely stampede the Jets.
McGee hurt. Schobel, out. Pennington wont be killing us on 3 yard outs. Coaching staff should be bringing the offense along. Jets +10
who are you do you write for someone or is this just a post? Please if your a jet fan and this is your view going into the game, go order up a big plate of wings and blue cheese put on your blue and red and root for the bills.
Am I a homer for thinking a Jets win would not be an upset? How much better are the Bills than the Jets? I mean really. The Jets just need to play better.
if you just looked at the talent or supposed talent on both rosters, than it would be tough to call a jets win an upset. when you look at how both teams have played this year-jets very inconsistent two ugly games in a row vs. bills who have been consistent pretty much all year, and coming off a bad loss looking to bounce back at home- than it seems very easy to call a jets win an upset.
Ftr, to state the obvious, we may well have a better idea of how for real Buffalo is after this game. I say may since the Jets have shown themselves capable of losing the game all by themselves, unfortunately. But if the Jets play decent and lose, I will only then start to be impressed by Buffalo. Right now, I don't find their wins all that impressive, and their roster is not so great, either. Do they have a better CS than the Jets? Heh. I guess we see on Sunday.
That had to be one of the most annoying articles I have ever read. Not because of the substance....but the style..my head is ringing right now. Yeah..I did read the whole thing...desperation. As far as the substance goes, yes, the Bills should be the favorite but this is one of those games where their weaknesses and injuries play into where the Jets have struggled. Edwards dinking and dunking could be the killer without Harris playing and the Jets using down lineman as linebackers in coverage in the middle of the field....which has killed us all season long.
I'm sorry to say that I don't think the Jets will win this week. I hope they do, but unless there are significant changes in the way they play I don't see it happening.
no doubt if the level of play stays at what it has been the last two weeks than this will be a tough game to watch. i find myself just hoping that something "clicks" with this team this week. im hoping that the players privately complaining about the offensive play calling, and the general feeling of not only the fans and the media, but also seemingly the players brings some type of change in the coaching staff this week. maybe im hoping for to much, but maybe they will finally see that they dont need to be tricky to win. the first year of this coaching staff they managed to go 10-6 with mostly smoke and mirrors. since than it hasn't worked so well. maybe it will never work out and the search for the right coach will have to continue. i think this game will go a long way in showing me if i am hoping for too much from this team and coaching staff or not.
you are showing that you are a rookie. TJB is the Jets Blog and it is a widely read blog! It might differ from your opinion but the writer does make some good points.
Man I signed up to post not read a freaking book.:rofl:. It is hard to believe the Jets are only a game out of the div. Kick some bills arrrrss!
What exactly is a stampede? If the Bills win it won't by more than 3. I think it'll be a tight game with the Jets having a small advantage.
Terrible Pick. When has Buffalo "Stampeded" anyone all-season???? They have won a lot of close games against mediocre teams. They have played much more consistently than the Jets, are undefeated at home, and absolutely deserve to be favored in the game. But let's not get carried away . . . this is certainly a winnable game for the Jets.
I agree with you, but I'm one of those homers. The Bills aren't some amazing football team...it's just a kind of a transition year for the league.
This is the "same old Jets" match up stuff. It made my head hurt reading it. For Example: Buffalo's offense strength (running the ball) plays right into the Jets defense's strength...... Kris Jenkins and the run defense. This years defense is absolutely nothing like the past years where the Jets were as soft as charmin up the middle with Robertson and Vilma. Harris maybe out but what Lynch did last year or what Willis McGahee did the prior years means about as much as what kind of semi-digested ruffage you can pluck out of Mangini's turds. The Jets are going to be vulnerable to the intermediate/seam routes and the underneath shit like they have been all year. The Bills running game is going to be inconsequential. Anyway I m having a difficult time thinking the Jets are going to take away that from Edwards after making horrible QB's like J. Russel or that turd Thigpen look good. If they can stop the underneath shit they are going to win this game............... easier said then done.
I'm taking Buffalo laying the points although it's flucuating between 5 1/2 and 6 at the place I bet. I'd obviously like to get the 5 1/2 but I don't think it matters. Favre has never one a game at Buffalo although he hasn't played awful up there. Although each game he has progressively done worse. In November of 2006 Favre threw 1 TD and 2 INTs (1 return for a TD) in a 24-10 loss In week 2 of 2000 he threw 2 TDs and 0 INTs in a 27-18 loss In November of 1994 he threw 3 TDs and 1 INT in a 29-20 loss My prediction..... Buffalo 27 Jets 19 Favre will throw 2 TD and 2 INTs in the loss. We will be trailing 24-13 Favre will hit Keller for a TD we will go for two to make it a 24-21 game in the 4h q and not get it. Bills will then add a game clinching FG.
