< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Bills in focus

Email|Link|Comments (1) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 26, 2008 05:30 AM

The Patriots (10-5) visit the Bills (7-8) on Sunday, and here are five items of note on the Bills:

1) One of the NFL's slowest starting teams. The Bills have been outscored 105-46 in the first quarter of games this season. Only the Lions and Rams have been outscored more in the first quarter.

2) Special teams are special. Buffalo is one of the rare teams in the NFL that can win games on special teams, and at the very least, can shift field position in the kicking game. The punt return unit, with Roscoe Parrish as the main returner, is the NFL's top-ranked unit. The kickoff return unit, with rookie Leodis McKelvin the main returner, ranks fourth in the NFL. Punter Brian Moorman has just five touchbacks, while pinning 22 punts inside the 20-yard line.

3) Lynch-Jackson an effective 1-2 tandem. With Marshawn Lynch (250 carries) and Fred Jackson (103 carries) at running back, the Bills have averaged a solid 4.2 yards per carry this season. Buffalo will mix in some direct snaps to Jackson in a Wildcat package, which the Patriots saw in the first meeting between the teams Nov. 9.

4) Second-half slide; Dick Jauron's future in focus. The Bills opened the season 5-1, but have posted a 2-7 record since. Division losses to the Dolphins, Jets and Patriots started the slide. While players are behind head coach Dick Jauron, the stance of ownership is that Jauron will be evaluated after the season regarding his future.

5) Too much charity with the football. The Bills have totaled 29 giveaways on the season -- 15 interceptions, 14 lost fumbles -- the fifth highest figure in the NFL. The 14 lost fumbles are tied for the second most in the NFL, and that ball security has been an issue at quarterback as both Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman have four lost fumbles apiece.

ANALYSIS: Conditions could play a factor in the game, as December games in Buffalo are often unpredictable. The Bills showed life last week in upsetting the Broncos in Denver, with the return of quarterback Trent Edwards helping stabilize a team that had been reeling. The Patriots featured a balanced attack in the first meeting against the Bills, running 40 plays with 3 or 4 receivers on the field, and another 36 with two or more tight ends. So there is no telling which approach -- spread the field with receivers, or run more compact formations with multiple tight ends -- the offense will feature Sunday. Defensively, the Patriots have traditionally done a solid job to limit the damage of top WR Lee Evans, and they also figure to key on Lynch and Jackson as both runners and receivers. Special teams units will be tested. The Patriots have won 10 straight in the series. Prediction: Patriots 24, Bills 17.

» Back to Front Page

1 comments so far...

Were I a football coach I would instruct my punter to kick EVERY PUNT OUT OF BOUNDS and to practice that daily! Lose a few yards on average???for sure, but never a runback or long gainer. Would be unpopular with the fans and the opponents, and the kicker. Would also reduce injuries and penalties.

Posted by Phinneus2 December 27, 08 03:46 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

You must be logged in to submit a comment.

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

see all globe blogs