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Patriots-Bills openers

Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff March 24, 2009 05:00 AM

With news that the Patriots will host the Bills in a Monday night game on 2009 Kickoff Weekend, a look back at the previous times the teams have met in Week 1:

  • 2006 -- Takeo Spikes sacks Tom Brady on the first offensive play and London Fletcher-Baker recovers for a touchdown, but the Patriots recover for a 19-17 win at Gillette Stadium.

  • 2003 -- After he was cut by the Patriots, Lawyer Milloy signs with the Bills and provides an emotional spark as host Buffalo -- behind Drew Bledsoe -- posts a resounding 31-0 win.

  • 1993 -- The first game of the Bill Parcells era sees Ben Coates and Greg McMurtry catch touchdown passes from Drew Bledsoe as the Patriots trailed 17-14 after three quarters. But the host Bills break it open in the fourth quarter to post a 38-14 victory.

  • 1984 -- Touchdown catches by Stephen Starring and Derrick Ramsey (from Steve Grogan) and a touchdown run by Tony Collins help the Patriots get out to a 21-0 lead in Buffalo. The Bills' late charge is held off, as the Patriots win, 21-17.

  • 1973 -- In the opening game of Chuck Fairbanks' tenure as Patriots coach, O.J. Simpson rushes for two touchdowns (80. 22 yards) to give the Bills a 31-13 victory. Sam Cunningham and Mack Herron score the Patriots' touchdowns.

  • 1968 -- Gino Cappelletti kicks three field goals and R.C. Gamble rushes for a 45-yard touchdown, giving the Patriots a 16-7 triumph in Buffalo.

  • 1965 -- The Patriots score first -- Gino Cappelletti catching an 11-yard pass from Babe Parilli -- but the Bills rip off the game's next 24 points to secure a 24-7 win in Buffalo.

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    9 comments so far...

    1. Didn't OJ run for 250 in that 1973 game?

      Posted by Hitman March 24, 09 08:41 AM

    1. Mike should do the opening scene to this game. That's some good history!

      Posted by Andy M March 24, 09 09:37 AM

    1. Sept 14th 2009:

      Tom Brady returns and crushes the Bills 41-10. Randy Moss catches two touchdowns and Joey Galloway the other. Wes Welker has 10 catches. Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris each have a rushing touchdown

      Posted by Blair from Canada March 24, 09 09:48 AM

    1. Hi Hitman. O.J. had 250 yards on 29 carries that day.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss March 24, 09 09:48 AM

    1. Hey, Mike when's the mailbag coming back?! Its just not the same without it!

      Posted by patsFAN401 March 24, 09 09:56 AM

    1. Hi patsFAN401. The mailbag should be published today, and will run every Tuesday from here on out.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss March 24, 09 10:31 AM

    1. Mike, your to good to us!!!

      Posted by patsFAN401 March 24, 09 11:00 AM

    1. >The mailbag should be published today, and will run every Tuesda
      > from here on out.

      Yeah! Geeesh, I LOVE the mailbag....the longer the better.

      Posted by Bruce March 24, 09 11:01 AM

    1. Bruce: Yeah! Geeesh, I LOVE the mailbag....the longer the better.

      THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

      Posted by Michael Scott March 24, 09 01:06 PM
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    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.
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