FOXBOROUGH - Laurence Maroney scored seven touchdowns last season, and to match that total this season he's going to have to do it in seven games.
Nine games into the season, Maroney has yet to find the end zone. He'll try to break through Sunday night at Buffalo. Maroney, who rushed for 103 yards in the teams' first meeting Sept. 23, said he's not mad he hasn't crossed the goal line.
"Have you seen the victories we have? I can't be upset as long as we're winning," said Maroney. "I'm happy even though I haven't reached the end zone. Everybody wants to reach the end zone. I feel like my time is coming sooner than later. As long as we keep winning, I don't care if I never make it to the end zone."
Maroney, who missed three games with a groin injury, hasn't been the team's primary goal-line back. Sammy Morris and Heath Evans have gotten the bulk of the carries in close, but with Morris (chest) out for the season, Maroney could see more goal-line duty.
Maroney is averaging 4.7 yards this season (417 yards on 89 carries), but he has been criticized for dancing before hitting the hole, a detriment in short-yardage situations.
"I feel like I'm going to do the best thing I know how to do and that's run the ball," he said. "A lot of folks always want to talk about how somebody runs, but ask them have they ever ran the ball before. Everybody thinks it's as easy as getting the ball and go run. It's more [than] that. I feel like I didn't try to hide my running style. They knew my running style before they drafted me. They drafted me because of my running style and what I was able to do on the collegiate level, so I feel like I shouldn't have to change because I dance too much or one person feels like I should do this more. That ain't what got me here. I feel like I'm going to continue doing what got me here."
Winter warning
The Patriots are bracing for wintry weather in Buffalo. According to the National Weather Service, snow is likely tomorrow in Buffalo, although it is not expected to snow during the game.The Patriots practiced indoors yesterday, and coach Bill Belichick said he'll address the elements with his team as it gets closer to game time. Other than ballhandling, Belichick said the kicking game is most affected by wind, moisture, and cold.
Stephen Gostkowski said the key is knowing your limitations.
"You know we're not going to be trying 55-yard field goals in the first quarter when it's 30 degrees outside and windy," he said. "And the touchbacks, you can't count on those, but our kickoff team does a great job. I have to suck up my pride and realize that maybe a kick to the 5-yard line is a great kick in these conditions. You have to realize what you can do and not try to do too much, and not change your approach."
The temperature could be below freezing. The Patriots have done well in cold weather, winning 16 of their last 18 when it's 34 degrees or below. "I think this team is going to be good no matter what weather we play in," said Maroney.
Brown gaining ground
Veteran wide receiver Troy Brown, who has spent the season on the physically unable to perform list following offseason knee surgery, has already made an impression after beginning to practice this week."He looks quick. I saw that on film. He's moving great and he feels pretty strong," said safety Rodney Harrison. "He came and crackback-blocked on me [Wednesday], and I was like, 'Wow, Troy, you got a little hunger behind you.' Troy is doing great. He's worked his butt off to get in shape and put himself in a good position to come back and play."
The Patriots have until Nov. 28 to activate Brown or in all likelihood end his career by releasing him or placing him on injured reserve for the season. Belichick said Brown understands he's not going to receive special treatment because of his stature with the club.
"I think you always have to put the team first," said Belichick. "That's bigger than all of us, but Troy is a special guy and he's done a lot to help this football team win a lot of games since I've been here and before that. That's all well respected and pretty well documented, but at the same time, this year is this year, and we'll do what's best for the team this year. And he understands that. We all do."
Lynch misses practice again
For the second straight day, Bills running back Marshawn Lynch did not practice because of a sprained left ankle. On Wednesday, coach Dick Jauron said he was not "particularly optimistic" about Lynch's availability Sunday. The Bills did get some good news as defensive end Aaron Schobel fully participated in practice after sitting out Wednesday with an illness. Tight end Robert Royal, who suffered a concussion last week, returned to practice with limited participation. The Patriots had no changes to their injury report, as linebacker Eric Alexander (knee), safety Eugene Wilson (ankle), and safety Mel Mitchell (groin) all sat out practice.Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report; Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.
