Welcome to windy Buffalo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Welcome to Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the Patriots visit the Bills today in their regular-season finale (1 p.m.).
It is extremely windy here, with gusts of nearly 40 miles per hour at this time. The goal posts in the stadium are both tilted to their side at this time, and a bit earlier, the white benches that players sit on were lifted off the ground.
Assuming these conditions don't change, this is going to make it a challenge for both teams to throw the football today. The kickers and punters will also face a significant challenge.
The temperature is in the low 40s, which is mild for Western New York at this time of year, but the wind gusts make it feel a bit colder. There is a light rain at this time.
Gene Steratore is assigned to referee today's game between the NFL's least penalized team (Patriots, 55 accepted penaties) and the NFL's second least penalized team (Bills, 68 accepted penalties, tied).
More to come throughout the day.
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Mike....if this becomes a game of smash mouth running and field position via special teams do the PATS have an advantage or disadvantage vs Bills given the PATS poor performance vs run in 2008?
The Pats are 12th in the league vs the run allowing 104 yds per game, at a 4.1 per avg carry, the Bills are 19th in the league vs the run allowing nearly 119 yds per game at a 4.4 yds per avg carry. This is where Seymour's absence could be felt but Buffalo's pro-bowl LT Peters is out and Lynch could be out as well.
The Bills front 7 move around and stunt a lot and the Pats could use this to their advantage to gain big yds and make big plays in the running game today.
Mike... NFL Gameday is hinting at a possible delay of the game... Have you heard anything more? Would the NFL back the game up to 4:15pm? (leave the Jets and Baltimore at the same time, or move either teams games up due to the switch?) Please answer, I'm freaking out... Plus I will need to figure out what time to get to the bar since the game isn't playing here in rainy Atl...
Good question, Tim. I think the wind helps the Bills in the sense that the Patriots' passing game has been operating at a very high level of late. This figures to make it more of a one-dimensional game. But it looks like the Bills will be without Marshawn Lynch, so a case could be made that it helps the Patriots. Faith, I am here at the stadium and have not heard anything regarding a delay.
--Mike
Absolutely no delay Goodell from JAX stadium says nfl network
Mike, I don't believe the wind will have as much effect on the Pats passing game as you suggest. Yes, it will have SOME effect but with the style that they have given Cassel to use, the short range pass, quick and hard, as long as the receivers don't have stone fingers, and have the roome to pick up valuable YAC, I don't see much of a problem.
In fact, as far as the deeper game goes, which Cassel seems to underthrow a lot, perhaps throwing WITH the wind on occasion, a deep post for example to Moss, would be more workable for him than on days with no wind assistance. In either case, I would call quick slants, crossings and then some quick screens to the backs but STAY AWAY from the wide receiver screen which could be a problem in the wind and susceptible to interception.
Hey Mike,
The goal posts are bent to hell. Can they be fixed ?
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