Oct 30th vs. Buff @ 8:30

[BrentD22]

http://www.dylanscards.com/_Images/Football%20Helmets/Patriots.gif

 

@

 

http://www.fanhut.com/Images/NFL-Replica/BillM.gif

 

Sunday October 30th 8:30 prime time

 

Game Notes

The Patriots will return to action following the bye week by opening their AFC East division schedule against the Buffalo Bills with a Sunday night prime time game in Foxborough. New England is playing its first divisional game of the season in Week Eight, marking the latest division-opener in franchise history. Before this season, the latest the Patriots had played their first divisional game was in 1980, when they began AFC East play against the New York Jets in Week Five. This week’s game begins a 10-week stretch in which six games will fall against divisional opponents. The Patriots also enter a portion of their schedule that will see them play three home games in the four-week span between now and Thanksgiving.

 

LOCAL BROADCAST

 

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be televised to a national cable audience by ESPN and can also be seen over the airwaves in Boston on WCVB Channel 5. Mike Patrick will handle play-by-play duties and will be joined by analysts Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire. Suzy Kolber will provide sideline reports throughout the game.

 

RADIO: WBCN 104.1 FM is the flagship station for the Patriots Rock Radio Network. A complete listing of the network’s 36 stations can be found in this press release. Play-by-play broadcaster Gil Santos is in his 29th season as the voice of the Patriots and will call the action along with Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti. Santos and Cappelletti are celebrating their 22nd season as a broadcast tandem.

 

HOME SWEET HOME

 

Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots have compiled a 25-4 record. New England’s .862 home winning percentage is the highest of any NFL team over that span. The Patriots achieved perfect 8-0 regular season home records in 2003 and 2004 and have also notched a 3-0 home playoff record at Gillette Stadium. New England won a franchise-record 21 consecutive home games between 2002 and 2005. Below is a list of the NFL’s top home records (including regular-season and playoff games) since the Patriots moved into Gillette Stadium in time for the 2002 season.

 

The Return of Teddy Bruschi

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/04_05_AFC_NFC_Champs/Images/04SBAFCBruschiTeddy.jpg

WILL HE PLAY?

 

Injury Report

BUF

OUT

T Greg Jerman (Ankle)

QUESTIONABLE

T Mike Williams (Ankle)

PROBABLE

CB Terrence McGee (Ankle)

 

NE

OUT

RB Kevin Faulk (Foot)

T Matt Light (Ankle)

DOUBTFUL

CB Tyrone Poole (Ankle)

QUESTIONABLE

WR Troy Brown (Foot)

RB Corey Dillon (Ankle)

CB Randall Gay (Ankle)

DE Jarvis Green (Shoulder)

DE Marquise Hill (Ankle)

ILB Larry Izzo (Thigh)

OLB Willie McGinest (Finger)

SS James Sanders (Ankle)

DE Richard Seymour (Knee)

CB Duane Starks (Thigh)

PROBABLE

QB Tom Brady (Shoulder)

[schillingouttheks]

If Bruschi plays, I don't think words could explain how happy I'd be. This defense needs a confidence boost, and quickly.

[riverside sluggers]

how great would it be if say buffalo and new england are tied at say 17 with under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, and buffalo has the ball. Holcomb hikes the ball but without even being able to blink, he is sacked in an instant by bruschi forcing a fumble in which brushi recovers and brings it in for a game winning touchdown

 

simply poetic

[schillingouttheks]

Or Bruschi gets a pick and runs it back. Which I love seeing even more

 

Anyway, I doubt the game would be tied at 17 when playing Buffalo, but if given that situation, yes, I would love it.

[BrentD22]

how great would it be if say buffalo and new england are tied at say 17 with under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, and buffalo has the ball. Holcomb hikes the ball but without even being able to blink, he is sacked in an instant by bruschi forcing a fumble in which brushi recovers and brings it in for a game winning touchdown

 

simply poetic

 

rudy, Rudy, RUdy, RUDy, RUDY....

 

bruschi, Bruschi, BRuschi, BRUSCHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Thursady Injury Report ( ouch ) :

 

 

Offensive tackle Matt Light (ankle) -- out

Running back Kevin Faulk (foot) -- out

Cornerback Tyrone Poole (ankle) – out (placed on injured reserve)

Receiver Troy Brown (foot) -- questionable

Running back Corey Dillon (ankle) -- questionable

Cornerback Randall Gay (ankle) -- questionable

Defensive lineman Jarvis Green (shoulder) -- questionable

Defensive lineman Marquise Hill (ankle) -- questionable

Linebacker/special teams ace Larry Izzo (thigh) -- questionable

Outside linebacker Willie McGinest (finger) -- questionable

Safety James Sanders (ankle) -- questionable

Defensive lineman Richard Seymour (knee) -- questionable

Cornerback Duane Starks (thigh) – questionable

Defensive lineman Ty Warren (hip) – questionable

Safety Eugene Wilson (flu) – questionable

Running back Amos Zereoue (thigh) -- questionable

Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder) -- probable

 

Warren, Wilson and Zereoue are new additions to the injury report today. Except for Poole, the status of all other players on the report hasn’t changed from Wednesday

[BrentD22]

God damb we are cursed. I guess Babe said oh really the sox don't need me then I'll just go curse the Pats. (I really don't think this)

 

Even with all the injuries we have the emotional advantage with Bruschi coming back, but I really am starting to think we are in trouble. We just lost too much from last year.

[yankeessuck013]

as a bills fan I'm gonna look at both ends of the spectrum here....

 

the bills d is looking super-overated at this point. the run d sucks and milloy is looking very old out there. look for dillon to go nuts even if he's not 100%. the whole bruschi return thing should be enough motivation for the pats even he if plays like crap....least it'll really get the fans into the game early.

 

look for them to start holcomb again...i can't see them throwing jp into the fire here after they benched him for 2 home games.

 

now the positive side of me..

 

i don't think this will be as big of a blowout as it usually is. The pats d is even worse than the bills this year. correct me if i'm wrong, but they've allowed 30+ points in the last 3 games, and 20+ points in EVERY game this season.

 

if we give the ball to willis all night, after bruschi dies from exhaustion (only 1 week of practice all season,) i think we have a shot at scoring. thats only if MM decides to run the ball. also, "godly" harrison is out, and if holcomb learns how to throw a ball deep, well, anything further than 10 yards, theres another way to win. and, our defense needs to show up. if all 3 of those happen, plus we get some good returns from mcGee (fresh off his contract) + we contain dillon, i really think we stand a chance of winning this game.

 

now, in reality, they'll likely only meet 1 of the 5 criteria

[Sox Fan on Cape]

as a bills fan I'm gonna look at both ends of the spectrum here....

 

the bills d is looking super-overated at this point. the run d sucks and milloy is looking very old out there. look for dillon to go nuts even if he's not 100%. the whole bruschi return thing should be enough motivation for the pats even he if plays like crap....least it'll really get the fans into the game early.

 

look for them to start holcomb again...i can't see them throwing jp into the fire here after they benched him for 2 home games.

 

now the positive side of me..

 

i don't think this will be as big of a blowout as it usually is. The pats d is even worse than the bills this year. correct me if i'm wrong, but they've allowed 30+ points in the last 3 games, and 20+ points in EVERY game this season.

 

if we give the ball to willis all night, after bruschi dies from exhaustion (only 1 week of practice all season,) i think we have a shot at scoring. thats only if MM decides to run the ball. also, "godly" harrison is out, and if holcomb learns how to throw a ball deep, well, anything further than 10 yards, theres another way to win. and, our defense needs to show up. if all 3 of those happen, plus we get some good returns from mcGee (fresh off his contract) + we contain dillon, i really think we stand a chance of winning this game.

 

now, in reality, they'll likely only meet 1 of the 5 criteria

 

Historically, the Bills always play the Pats tough ( meaning hard fought close game ). Although the Bills have a terrible run defense ( last in league I believe ) the Pats have had no success with their's ( Dillions numbers are way off and the back-ups suck ). On the other hand, the Pats run defense is also weak. I could see Willis having a great day. On face value the edge would go to the Bills on the run game. However, Bill B. has a habit of taking away the strength of an opponent and making the other team beat them with the other team's weakest. In this case it would be the Bill's passing. Unfortunately, this is also a weakness for the Pats. Our secondary is definately beatable, especially on big plays. However, Holcomb is a weak QB and I doubt he will be able to fully exploit this weakness. Brady will be able to balance his passing game with a moderate to good running game and produce enough points to win. Tedy will help with an emotional uplift ( combined with a home game ), as well as, on running plays ( usually early ), and special teams. All in all, the Pats should / will win, but probably by 7 or less ( the spread is 9 ). Go Pats, it should be a good game.

[riverside sluggers]

Brady will be able to balance his passing game with a moderate to good running game and produce enough points to win.

 

no doubt about that as the Patriots are ranked as the AFC's best offensive team. It will help some that Tom Brady is 7-1 against the Buffalo Bills.

 

This season he is tearing it up toward a career year, throwing 1821 yards in first 6 games (300+ yards average a game), he could be on course for 4200 - 4800 yards

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Its 3-0 Bills. Pats still in striking distance.

[ACL BoSox]

Patriots shut out in the first half?

Vinatieri misses a FG?

 

The Patriots look flat, but on a bright note, they are only down by three and will get the ball to start the 2nd half.

[RedSoxRooter]

It's ok. I smell some second half offense. That last drive was interesting...

[riverside sluggers]

Vinatieri misses a FG?

 

it didnt help that they stupidly took their time getting onto the fielding causing a time delay penalty, turning a 39 yarder into a 44

[riverside sluggers]

tedy bruschi is back people!!!

 

he took part in 64 of the 77 defensive plays and special teams. compiled 44 hits, and had made 7 tackles. his contributions alone in the 4th quarter really helped out the pats. exhaustion get to bruschi? not for a minute next stop is for bruschi to say hi to his old friend payton

[Sox Fan on Cape]

All in all, the Pats should / will win, but probably by 7 or less ( the spread is 9 ). Go Pats, it should be a good game.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Told you.

[riverside sluggers]

how great would it be if say buffalo and new england are tied at say 17 with under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, and buffalo has the ball. Holcomb hikes the ball but without even being able to blink, he is sacked in an instant by bruschi forcing a fumble in which brushi recovers and brings it in for a game winning touchdown

 

oh wow i had predicted the game winning points would result from a forced fumble in the final minutes. not exactly on the mark i know, with colvin rather than bruschi who had forced and recovered the fumble.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

oh wow i had predicted the game winning points would be from a forced fumble in the final minutes. not exactly on the mark i know, with colvin rather than bruschi who had forced and recovered the fumble.

True, but I put my money where my mouth was / is , and I won ( as did the Pats ) a good day !!!!

[riverside sluggers]

True, but I put my money where my mouth was / is , and I won

 

??

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Wasn't giving any grief bro, I'm just enjoying the moment ( I don't get many these days ). WE were both right. I just got a bigger bonus ( with a coma in it ).

[BrentD22]

Ugly game, good win, Brushchi plays football, ect.

 

Can Coach Belicheck show any kind of emotion? I mean get mad man the game was ugly, we won, but it was ugly. Get excited about Bruschi coming back. Players use what ever they can to get up for the game. I'm a big believer of emotion having a big part in sports.

 

Corey looked good in the 2nd half.

 

Brady had an OK 2nd half.

 

Our defense looked more confident (maybe because of Bruschi)

 

Branch is a pro bowl WR!

 

What happened to D. Graham, B. Watson, Givens, ect. They speak of all the injuries, but it seems as if a lot of guys that are healthy are not steppin' up!

 

Hopefully next week can be one of those jumping boards, a big emotional rival game, a team that is way better than us, can we beat them? Sure! Should we no. Will we, I don't know.

 

I call next week a shoot out 41-39 - who wins I don't know hopefully with the history against this team us, but this year is a different story! They are not the same team and obvisouly we aren't either.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

All good points. Maybe Bill B. didn't want to show his cards.