These Buffalo Bills...

Fitzpatrick gives Buffalo some much needed hope.

Fans in Buffalo have a lot to be happy about. Coach Chan Gailey made some aggressive offseason moves on Defense. We remember the skill set of DE Mark Anderson, but also The Bills managed to snag the crown-jewel of the free agent class, Mario Williams. These guys are getting a lot of attention, and Buffalo is getting some QB pressure. Although Williams (1.5) and Anderson (1.0) have only combined for 2.5 sacks, the team has sacked the QB 9 times. However, sacks don't tell the story. The Bills are having a hard time getting off the field on 3rd down, allowing 18 of 39 conversions, good for 46%. Still, The Bills D has made significant upgrades from last year. Offenses have had success passing the ball, and I expect The Patriots to challenge DBs George Wilson and Nick Barnett. I would also keep my eye on Rookie corner Stephon Gilmore as a potential whipping boy.

On Offense, The Bills might be a little shorthanded this week. C.J. Spiller went down with injury last week. Spiller had been the league leader in rushing. Likewise, RB Fred Jackson has been out for 2 weeks with injury. Jackson might try a return against The Patriots, but his health bears watching. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to run hot and cold, but he is a much more serviceable QB than any that Buffalo has had since Drew Bledsoe or Doug Flutie. Stevie Johnson is Fitzpatrick's favorite WR by far, but he also looks for WR Donald Jones and TE Scott Chandler when he can.  Last year, The Bills spread out the field, looking to stretch The Patriots secondary as thin as possible. I expect a lot of 3-WR sets and a lot of sub-defense from The Patriots.

The Bills have enjoyed lots of special teams success in recent years. I don't think that Punter Brian Moorman is considered the Bills "best player" anymore, but he is a Pro Bowl player to be sure. Also, Ryan Lindell has been a solid 2 for 2 this year. Really, this Bills team has become a much more complete team in the past two years. Fitzpatrick is serviceable, and Williams/Anderson bring talent to the Defense. Overall, this team is knocking on the door to the playoffs. A home win against The Patriots would make them serious contenders, and would put them in first place in the division.

The Patriots need to be better in the secondary this week. Devin McCourty has had trouble with Johnson in games past, and he needs to be better. Fitzpatrick has a propensity to make a few mistakes, but The Patriots must bring the pressure, and force his hand. The Bills have been solid on the O-line so far this year, allowing only 1 sack of Fitzpatrick. Breaking through for pressures and hits could be just as important as sacks. Likewise, we need to catch the balls that come our way.

This is a must-win game for The Patriots. Division games are huge factors in deciding playoffs, and we simply cannot abide a third loss in a row. Its time to nut up Patriots!