WEEK 3
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EAMFL GAME OF THE WEEK!
Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) vs. Chicago Bears (1-1)
This is the biggest game of the year for the Patriots. It is either win here or start making tee times. The Bills need a win to stay in the AFC Wild Card hunt so this one will be a tense one between division foes.
OFFENSE
Both teams on offense are in the middle tier of the Hood. Both score about 21 points per game and are better at throwing the ball (Both in the top 10) than rushing the rock. Both teams will need their stars on offense to shine to be successful. The key here may be in getting time in the passing game because New England is currently 28th in the league in giving up sacks.
Quarterbacks:
The QB position is strong for both teams. Drew Bledsoe for Buffalo is having a very nice season completing over 53% of his passes with 9 TDs and only 6 picks. Bledsoe currently leads the league in Yards Per Attempt (10.5) and Passer Rating (94.5). The Patriot's Tom Brady is no slouch either. Brady is 4th in the Hood in Passer Rating (81.2) with 11 TDs and 7 INTs. Brady is completing just under 50% of his passes so far this season
Edge: Buffalo
Running Game:
The Bills now have a 2 back attack with the emergence of former Miami Hurricanes star Willis McGahee. Both he and Travis Henry are averaging over 4 1/2 yards per carry with 5 TDs between them. The Patriots have their new acquisition from Cincy in Corey Dillion who also has 5 TDs but only a 3.5 YPC average. Look for Dillion to have a breakout game in this one.
Edge: New England
Passing Game:
Buffalo's passing attack starts and basically ends with wideout Eric Moulds who has over 35% of the team's total receptions with 19. After that there are no Bills with double digit catches. New England on the other hand has 5 players with 10 or more grabs lead by the reserve RB Kevin Faulk with 21. The running backs account for for over 40% of the Pats air assault but do not forget about WR Bethel Johnson out of Texas A&M who is 3rd in the league in Yards Per Catch (28.2).
Edge: New England
DEFENSE
Rushing Defense:
Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in run defense. Is that because of the defense or because teams find that it is easier to pass against them? Buffalo's unit is not bad but the Patriot front seven are as good as any in the biz.
Edge: New England
Passing Defense:
Buffalo's line is is active and quick but New England's pair of DEs (Ty Warren & Richard Seymour) have as many sacks as the entire Bills team. That, and the fact that Buffalo is ranked 27th in creating turnovers through the air gives the edge in this one again to the home team. Edge: New England
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bills special teams have been anything but special with low punt return averages, a so-so punter and a shaky kicker. New England on the other hand has the speedy Johnson in the return game and one of the best clutch kickers in the game in Adam Vinatieri.
Edge: New England
Summary
Since this is a must win game for New England I am going with them. Their head coach stated earlier in the year that he would make the playoffs and this is his chance to prove it. Buffalo is coming off of 2 straight conference losses so they will be ready but the pressure is all on the Patriots and I think they will rise to the challenge.Winner: New England over Buffalo (31-27)
Vote and post your take on this game and good luck in Week 9!
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