Die Hard Bills Fan

Wow! That’s really all you can say about the Buffalo Bills Week 3 win against the Oakland Raiders to improve to 3-0. To be honest with everyone, the Bills had no right to win this game, but that is why they play the whole 60 minutes. Trent Edwards and crew went on a 4^th quarter rally with a little more than 6 minutes left in the game that was ended with Rian Lindell’s 38 yard field goal to win it.

So who do I have for my “Unsung Hero”? Who receives the gameball? How did the Bills do overall in my eyes? Keep the page scrolling for the answers.

GRADES on Bills

Running Game: B

Marshawn Lynch led the ground game with 83 yards and 2 TDs. Fred Jackson in his limited role averaged almost 5 yards a carry on his 5 attempts in the game. The ground game stuttered at times, but when they were really needed they stepped up. Lynch also had some strong carries to help set up the winning field goal.

Passing Game: B+

Another strong 4^th quarter helped bump this grade up. Edwards came through when needed though and was the main reason the Bills scored 17 points in the final quarter.

Run Defense: A

The run defense also got a boost in the grade due to their late game heroics. They also very quietly held a strong running game to under 100 yards.

Pass Defense: B-

The defense held the Raiders to 72 yards passing, before the 4^th quarter strike from JaMarcus Russel to Higgins that went for 84 yards. The Raiders only threw the ball 3 times in the 2^nd half!

Special Teams: C

Two weeks in a row the special teams have been sub par. Lindell did win the game, BUT the rest of the time they were horrible. Kick and punt coverage were both awful. If it wasn’t for the last second field goal, this squad might have received a F.

Coaching: B+

The offense made adjustments all game, and the defense played great. Another hard fought win for this Bills squad. They are really playing hard under Head Coach Dick Jauron.

GAMEBALL

QB Trent Edwards. He is the winner of the gameball two weeks in a row now. How can you argue with this pick though? Edwards finished the game 24 of 39, 279 yards and 1 TD and 1 INT to go along with 9 yards on the ground. The 4^th quarter is where he won this award though, when he threw for 177 yards on 13 of 18 throwing including a TD pass to Roscoe Parrish. This is now the 2^nd week in a row, Edwards has led 4^th quarter comebacks and the Bills start 3-0 for the first time since 1992.

UNSUNG HERO

WR Josh Reed. Reed was the leading receiver for this game with his 6 catches for 72 yards. Edwards looked for him when the game mattered most and Reed helped move the chains. Sure he will not get the attention of go to guy Lee Evans, or the game changing Roscoe Parrish, but Reed has turned into a solid possession guy. Edwards looks for him on 3^rd downs and Reed has some very sure hands. I remember a few years ago when Reed couldn’t catch and I would want to pull my hair out watching him play. Now he has turned into a solid threat. Who would’ve thought that? He wins the unsung hero award for this week.

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Hello Bills fans.  Yesterdays game did not start out the way I thought it would.  Im sure most would agree with that statement.  Although I didnt think we would blow out the Raiders, I did think we would win by at least 10 points.  I wanted to comment on how Trent Edwards is developing.  I know it has only been three games this season but Trent is turning into Captain Cool when the game is on the line.  He had such great poise and leadership in the 4th quarter yesterday.  He reminded me of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.  You could see the look in his eye that he knew we would win the game.  Trent had a tough time in the first three quarters.  The Raiders were constantly blitzing and the Bills o-line could not protect Trent long enough.  There were also a lot of dropped passes and dumb penalties that killed drives.  Once the 4th quarter came, the switch went on and we started to move the ball at will.  Marshawn Lynch also had a monster 4th quarter getting first downs when it looked like he was going to be stopped for a loss.  Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish and Lee Evans stepped up and ran great routes.  Reed probably had the best game because most of his catches went for first downs and big moments of the game.  If this team continues to play with heart and have the never say die attitude, this will be a special season.  Go Trent.  Go Bills. 

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1st Quarter

I’ll be honest.  The first quarter was extremly boring football.  The Bills couldn’t do anything, and the Radiers had to settle for 2 field goals because they just couldn’t get the ball into the endzone after having great field position. 

Like I said above, Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski did make two field goals in the 1st giving the Radiers a 6-0 lead. 

2nd Quarter

 The sack and forced fumble was the possible changing point of this game.  DE Chris Kelsay came around the end and stripped JaMarcus Russel.  Bills linebacker Paul Poz picked up the football and had great field postion.  After 2 plays, the Bills ran a sweep to RB Marshawn Lynch.  Lynch powered it around the end and make a great play to stay in bounds and get the ball into the endzone.  The Bills get their first lead of the game, 7-6.

Before the two minute warning, Oakland went on another small drive with great field postion.  It stopped short of the endzone and Janikowski was forced to make another one.  It went up and through the uprights.

Going into the tunnel at halftime, the Radiers had the lead, 9-7.

3rd Quarter

 Another pretty boring quarter between these two teams.  It was a defense struggle in this one.  The Raiders played the Bills tough.  They only had three possessions in the 3rd in total.  A missed field goal, an INT (the first of the season for Edwards), and a punt. 

Oakland on the other hand was able to put some points on the board.  After the INT, the Raiders got the ball in the redzone and this time got more than 3 points.  The short, 3 play drive was ended by a 1 yard JaMarcus Russel TD sneak for a TD.  The extra point was good.

The Bills had the ball and they needed a score if they wanted to come back in this one.  Oakland still had the lead, 16-7. 

4th Quarter

How about a 16 play, 96 yard drive to stay in the game?  Trent Edwards led the troops down the field, that ended with another Lynch TD run.  Bills now right back into it after the extra point with the score now being 16-14. 

 After the touchdown the defense looked fired up.  They stopped the Raiders on two running plays but then it looked like the game might have been over with one pass.  Russel hit WR Johnnine Lee Higgins on a slant that went for 84 yards for a TD.  Raiders now take the lead again, 23-14 with only a  little over 6 minutes left.

Edwards now need to led the troops on another scoring drive.  He did!  Edwards marched down the field 69 yards on 7 balls while ripping apart the Radiers loose defense.  The drive ended with Edwards staying in the pocket and taking a bone crushing hit, but getting the ball to Roscoe Parrish for a 14 yard TD.  The extra point was of course good, and now the Bills trailed by only 2 points, with the score being 23-21.

The defense then came back on the field just as fired up.  After 2 running plays that went no where, Russel was forced to throw a deep ball that fell incomplete.  The Bills were going to get the ball back with a little more than 2 minutes to play, just needing a field goal.

With the Bills starting off the drive on their own 34 yard line, they only needed to drive down the field a little bit to get in field goal range.  Edwards drove the ball down the field 46 yards, with the help of Lynch on the ground to set up a 38 yard field goal attempt.

The snap was good, hold was down and the kick was GOOD!  Rian Lindell knocked the kick straight through and the Bills win 24-23 in front of the home crowd in Buffalo.

The NFL.com Gamecenter: Post Game is attached.

BILLS Wrap Up

Trent Edwards finshed very well for the day after starting off slow.  He went 24 for 39 (61.5%), 279 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.  Edwards also had 9 yards on the ground on 2 attempts.

Marshawn Lynch had a strong game on the ground, rushing the ball 23 times for 83 yards and 2 TDs.  He also had 4 catches out of the backfield that went for 31 yards.  Fred Jackson also have 5 attempts for 24 yards and 1 catch for 1 yard.

Just like last week, Edwards spread the ball around to all of his targets.  Josh Reed led the team in catches and yards with 6 and 72.  Lee Evans had a solid performance with 4 catches for 65 yards.  Roscoe Parrish also had a strong game catching the ball.  He had 3 catches for 42 yards and a TD.  FB Darian Barnes had 2 catches for 34 yards.  TE Robert Royal also had 34 yards receiving, but he did it on 4 catches.

MLB Paul Posluszny led the team in tackles with 6.  Poz also recovered a fumble after a strip by DE Chris Kelsay (the only turnover of the game for the Radiers).  Kelsay also recored the teams only sack.     

This is the first time the Bills have started off the season 3-0 since the 1992 season.

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The Buffalo Bills will face the Oakland Raiders in less than an hour at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

TV & Radio Info:

Game: Oakland Raiders (1-1) @ Buffalo Bills (2-0)
TV: CBS (Don Criqui, Dan Fouts)
Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). All done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network.
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• At halftime, Buffalo Bills great Bruce Smith will be put on the Wall of Fame at the Ralph.  Be sure to stay in your seats for this one to honor a legend.  Smith is currently the NFL’s alltime sack leader and one of the best Bills players of all-time. 
• In the last meeting between these two teams back in 2005, Oakland was victorious with a 38-7 score.
• Oakland has beaten Buffalo seven of the last eight games played between the two teams.  Oakland also leads the overall series 19-15.
• This game with be decided in the trenches.  The Raiders are 2nd in the league, averaging 225 yards per game, including 300 yards in their win over the Cheifs last game.  The Bills have improved their run defense greatly and have only let up 91.5 yards on the ground.  The winner of this match up will decide the time of possession battle.
• Bills QB Trent Edwards has not throw an INT through the Bills first two games.  He has looked mature and has been very accurate with his throws.
• Oakland has scored an average of 18.5 points per game while the Bills have only let up 13. 
• The Bills are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since their superbowl years in 1992.

Injury Report:

Bills - Out of Game: TE Derek Fine (Hand).  Probable: CB Terrence McGee (Back) and WR Roscoe Parrish (Knee).

Raiders - Doubtful: RB Justin Fargas (Groin) and T Kwame Harris (Knee). Probable: RB Darren McFadden (Toe) and WR Javon Walker (Hamstring).

Quote of the Week:

“It’s kind of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. If you spill he’s bouncing around the corner. If you post up on the outside the way they try to cut block and seal guys off he might take on back side off on you. So it’s something that we really have to get our fits well, get into our fits and put the guy on the ground. Because if not, he’s capable of hitting a home run every time.”

-DT Kyle Williams on Darren McFadden

Bills need the 12th man to step up in this game.  Be loud and proud Bills FANS!  This is the last game at the Ralph for the next 3 weeks when the Bills finally return 10/19 to face the Chargers.  LET’S GO BUFFALO!

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Hello and welcome back to the site.  Like promised I am back to give you the rest of the NFL picks.  However, I am still a little bit under the weather (like yesterday, which is why I didn’t finish the picks in the first place) so the post today will just be the picks.  Sorry no insight for today.  Let’s get it started.  I’ll run down all of the pick (including yesterdays).  My picks are in bold.

Oakland Raiders (+9.5) @ Buffalo Bills

Arizona Cardinals (+3) @ Washington Redskins

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) @ Chicago Bears

Kansas City Cheifs (+6.5) @ Atlanta Falcons

Houston Texans (+5) @ Tennesse Titans 

Cinininati Bengals (+13.5) @ New York Giants

Miami Dolphins (+13) @ New England Patriots

Carolina Panther (+3.5) @ Minnesota Vikings

 St. Louis Rams (+10) @ Seattle Seahawks

New Orleans Saints (+6) @ Denver Broncos

Detriot Lions (+4.5) @ San Francisco 49ers

Jacksonville Jaguars (+5) @ Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles

Cleveland Browns (+3) @ Baltimore Ravens

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (+3)

New York Jets (+8.5) @ San Diego Chargers

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Here at the Bills Blog we are very capable of changing things up.  This week I’m calling an audible and going to give you my NFL picks for Week 3 against the point spread.  This is going to be a weekly post that will happen every Thursday from now on (remember every Tuesday is also the Bills Player Bio of the Week).  Why am I still talking?  Let’s start it up.

Oakland Raiders (1-1, +9.5) @ Buffalo Bills (2-0)

OVER/UNDER: 36.5 Points 

Oakland lost their top back in Justin Fargas to a hamstring injury so the workload will go between rookie Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush.  I think the Bills Defense is going to be able to stop the run with Marcus Stroud just terriozing the Raiders O-line.  If they can’t run the ball, then the pressure will be put on 2nd year QB JaMarcus Russel who has not looked very strong.  The guy only had 55 yards last week through the air against a weak Kansas City defense (he went 6 for 17 which is good for a 35.3% completion).  Not to mention that the defense has been terrible.  They have let up an average of 24.5 points per game and 315 yards.  The Bills offense should have a big day.  The only question is will the Bills blow them out?  This is a game they are suppose to win big and it is tough whether or not they will step on their throat and blow them out of this game. 

THE PICK: I have to go with the Bills in this one.

OVER/UNDER: I’ll go with the OVER.   

Arizona Cardinals (2-0) @ Washington Redskins (1-1, +3)

OVER/UNDER: 42.5

Kurt Warner looked the right choice after all after he has led the team to a 2-0 start to the season.  He looked great last week against the Dolphins (but who doesn’t).  The Redskins secondary hasn’t looked great, so expect Warner to have another strong game with Fitz and Boldin running the show.  Clinton Portis is going to have to led the Redskins in carrier and be their workhorse in this game.  Jason Campbell looked sharp last week, like he was suppose to look like this season.  I think the Redskins are still a pretty good team.  Look for a high scoring game.

THE PICK: I really do like the Redskins with the 3 point spread in this one.

O/U: It might be a pretty high scoring game but my gut tells me to go with the UNDER.

KANSAS CITY CHEIFS (0-2, +5.5) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

O/U: 36.5

This game could be the possible stinker of the week.  Kansas City is terrible but the Falcons aren’t too much better.  Neither team has a QB (sorry Matt Ryan Fans) but both do have some running backs.  Look for the Falcons to win the running battle with Turner and Norwood.  Two awful teams going head to head. 

THE PICK: Turner will have a huge game.  Falcons are my pick.

O/U: These teams might not even get passed the 25 point mark.  I’m taking the UNDER.

HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1, +5) @ Tennessee Titans (2-0)

O/U: 39

This will be the Texans fist game in 2 weeks as they had a “bye week” last week due to the Hurricane.  The Texans looked terrible in their first game and I expected that to continue especailly because they don’t have a running back.  The Titans will have to not turn the ball over and stop the Texans in the air to win this one.  Should be a low scoring game.

THE PICK: I like the Texans with the +5 points.

O/U: Like I said, I think this one will be low scoring.  I’ll take the UNDER.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-1, +3) @ CHICAGO BEARS (1-1)

O/U: 35.5

The biggest question with this line is how is the over/under 35.5?  Neither team will score much in this game.  Both teams have a decently strong running game but passing is the big question.  Kyle Orton is not going to put up big numbers and Devin Hester, the Bears top playmaker might not even play in this game.  He has missed three pratices in a row this week due to a rib injury.  How are they going to get into good field postion now?  Their offense certainly won’t be able to do it.  This game should be another stinker.

THE PICK:  No Hester equals No Win.  I’ll take the Bucs with the 3 points to spare.

O/U: Under for sure.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2, +13.5) @ NEW YORK GIANTS

O/U: 41.5

Can the Giants cover the spread?  They certainly will beat the joke of the NFL in the Bengals but by almost 14 points?  Their offense will put up some big numbers over a very poor defense (don’t give me those numbers of where the D is ranked, they are terrible).  The X-Factor in this one is Carson Palmer.  He has looked terrible for the Bengals in their two losses.  I have a feeling he bounces back in this one.  And hey maybe Chad Johnson (no I will not refer to him by his stupid spanish name that translates to eight five, not eighty-five) might accuatly come out and play a game of football.

THE PICK: Palmer bounces back in this one and the Giants, who win, just can’t cover the spread.  I’ll go with the Bengals, although I proabably will regret it. 

O/U: Over.  This game will have a pretty high score at the end.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2, +12.5) @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-0)

O/U: 36.5

The Dolphins will play this game close, until halftime where they will eventually be blown out by the Pats.  Miami’s defense will not be able to stop the run or pass, even without Tom Brady.  The national betting scene is all over the Dolphins but let’s be honest here.  The Pats have too much firepower for them to handle.  It won’t be a high scoring game but I wouldn’t be suprise if the Dolphins get shut out. 

THE PICK: Not following the national media on this one.  I’m going with the Patriots.

O/U: Neither team will score much.  UNDER.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-0, +3.5) @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2)

O/U: 37.5

The Panthers are the underdogs in this one?  Watch Gus Frerotte be terrible this week and Tavaris Jackson wins back his spot.  The Panthers of course will have to stop AP and Chester Taylor on the ground.  That is no small task.  However they have won their first 2 games without their best player in Steve Smith.  Look for him to have a big game in this one.  I don’t usually go on trends but QB Jake Delhomme for the Panthers is 22-4 as an underdog in his career.  I expect that record to improve after this game.

THE PICK: Going with the Panthers on this one as everyone in Minnesota realizes their team is in deep trouble.

O/U: Steve Smith is back remember?  Going with the OVER on this one.

That covers all of the early games for Sunday.  Didn’t feel the need to bore all of you guys tonight.  Check the site tommarrow evening for the rest of the games.  Also remember, this post will be done on Thursdays from now on.

High Disagree with one of my picks?  Think I’m an idiot?  Want to praise me for picking your team?  Write a comment in below and tell me what’s up. 

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Hello and welcome back to the site Bills fans. Only a little more than 3 days left before the Oakland Raiders take on the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson stadium. I know you guys out there are just as excited about the game that I am so let’s get into one of the big match ups that will decide the winner of the game, the Bills rush defense against the Radiers Running game.

BUFFALO BILLS

The Bills rush defense has looked much improved so far this season, especially compared with last season where they were in the bottom half of the league. This is not the same team that it was last year though. Newcomers Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell have made sure to that. Second year linebacker, Paul Poz, who missed all but the first 3 games due to injury has also stepped right back in where he left off.

Stroud has been a force in the first 2 weeks so far. He is deffienty the player that the Bills thought they were trading for in the offseason and even more. He is so big and powerful. He just pushes the offensive line the other way. He also draws double teams that open up the field for everyone on the defense to make plays. It let’s the linebackers roam free and it also takes some of the focus off of the Bills defensive ends. Stroud has had 7 tackles this year to go along with 2 sacks. Pro Bowl DE Aaron Schobel has 6 tackles with 1 sack, while linebackers Paul Poz has 12 tackles, Mitchell has 7 and 1 sack, and former backup now starter Keith Ellison has 4 tackles. Just one person can make the world of difference.

The Bills rush defense has been rock solid so far. They have only let up 91.5 yards a game on the ground while holding one of the top runningback duos in the league last game to under 70 yards. If the Bills want to win this game, that will have to continue.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

The Bills caught a little bit of a break with top Raiders runningback Justin Fargas not being able to play this week due to a servere groin injury. That is going to put the workload on top rookie Darren McFadden and 2nd year man Michael Bush. The Raiders rushed for 300 yards last week against the Kansas City Cheifs and 164 of those yards came from McFadden. They don’t need 300 yards, but they need to keep control of the ball and take time off the clock. If the running game doesn’t get going the Raiders will lose this game. I guarnteed it.

WINNER of this Match Up

I got to go with the Bills on this one. Their front 7 has looked so good and they have a very capable saftey in Donte Whitner to come up and make the stop if needed. All the Bills really need to do is focus on the run. If they can stop the Raiders backs, they will win this game. Oakland certainly can’t pass the ball to try to stay in it.

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Hello Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills have played great to start the 2008 season.  One player that is in the last year of his contract is star wide receiver Lee Evans.  The team has maintained constant dialogue with Evans and his agent.  They have stressed that signing Lee is a top priority.  I came across this article on yahoo.com that quotes Evans saying that he is a lot closer to signing an extension and the gap has been closed.  The gap being dollars that the Bills were originally offering.  Although Evans does not have a touchdown grab in the first two games, he has eight catches for 179 yards including the huge 37 yard grab that setup the winning touchdown against Jacksonville.  I hope Evans signs soon because he is one of my favorite players on the team.  He also was at training camp and never complained about his contract situation.  The Bills should pay Lee now because he is talented and a great teammate.  Go Bills. 

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The countdown to kickoff has begun.  Only 4 days away until the Bills return to the Ralph to take on the Oakland Raiders.  Similar to last week, instead of breaking down a match up today I invited another guest to the site.  Matt Loede joins the website today.  He is the senior editor at billsgab.com and nflgridirongab.com.  NFLGridrongab.com brings together all of the teams in the NFL.  It is a great site to go to for opinions and news on any NFL team.  Matt has been covering the sports world for over 13 years and this week he is heading to Blog World 2008 this weekend in Las Vegas.  He was gracious enough to stop by and chat a little bit about the Buffalo Bills and the entire NFL (NOTE: Just like last time, my questions are in bold while Matt’s answers are in normal font).  

What are your thoughts on the Bills through their first 2 games?  They beat the Seahawks badly, 34-10 and they came through when they had to against the Jaguars 20-16.  That is two wins against playoff teams from last year.  Sure both of these teams have injuries, but they looked pretty good in both of them.  This is the first time since 2003 that the Bills have started 2-0 to begin a season.

I think the Bills have looked solid through two weeks.  The one thing that has impressed me is the maturity of Trent Edwards, as well as the ability of the defense to make stops when they need to.  Edwards and the offense really came through Sunday when the team was trailing and had two great drives to take the game back over.  Injuries or not, many felt Seattle and Jacksonville would be, and could still be playoff teams.

How do you like the Bills offense through the first 2 games?  It is similar to a west coast offense with some different formations.  It let’s the young QB Trent Edwards make quick decisions and they air it out when the defense starts cheating up.  Not to mention Edwards spreads the ball all over the place.  Everyone gets involved, something as Bills fans we haven’t seen in a while.  Plus they have Lynch that they can ride all day too if needed.

As I said above, Edwards and the offense has looked very good.  Turk Schonert has done a very good job in two games as the new offensive coordinator in putting Edwards and the offense in a position to succeed, and Trent has taken advantage of it.  Marshawn and the running game has been good, and credit also has to be given to the O-line for doing a good job up front.

How do you see the AFC East playing out?  The Patriots looked pretty much like the same team (just less scoring) and the New York Jets looked pretty bad.  The Bills and the Pats are both 2-0 so far this season.  Do you give the Bills a shot?

The Bills have a shot, but injuries and how other teams shape up will determine just how much of a shot Buffalo has come playoff time.  The big difference is they started slow last year and caught their stride midway through the season.  This year they have already started fast, and now need to not have a letdown, as the Pats will not be going away easily as we saw last week vs. the Jets.

What are your “surprises” so far this year?  A lot has caught me off guard so far.

• Titans at 2-0, I’m surprised with.  I didn’t see that team doing anything this year. 
• Colts at 1-1!  What surprises me with that is Peyton Manning doesn’t look like himself (except for the one throw to Wayne ). 
• Broncos at 2-0.   I thought Denver would be fighting for a wild card spot not leading the division (although some calls by refs in your favor help).
• Chargers at 0-2!  Chargers get beat by last second plays two weeks in a row but their defense does not look right to me (and Shawn Merrian is out for the year).
• Vikings 0-2!  Vikings were supposed to be going to the Superbowl according to some experts.
• Jags 0-2.  Jags went 11-5 last year, although they do have some injuries.    

There has been plenty of surprises to go around, some good, and of course some bad.

For the Good - the Bills have to be high on the list, along with the Carolina Panthers, who look like they are going to contend with the Saints for the NFC South Title.  Pittsburgh looks for real in the AFC, and Jay Cutler and the Broncos look like a team that is going to give a lot of teams issues.

On the Bad side - The Browns and Vikings have to top the list.  These two teams were the “sexy” picks by many to get deep in the playoffs, and now they are both having to fight just to not find themselves 0-3 after Sunday.  The Chargers have had a tough start, and the Colts may be 1-1, but they look like they have aged a bit.  Seattle and the Jaguars look like two teams that are going to never be able to overcome already the injuries they have encountered.

While we are on the entire NFL, I have to ask this question early in the season. What are your predictions for the rest of the season (division leaders, playoff teams, Superbowl champs, etc.)?  Sorry if you have gotten sick of this one.

Division Champs:
AFC - New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver
NFC - Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Arizona
Wild Cards - AFC: Tennessee, San Diego NFC: NY Giants, Philadelphia
Super Bowl: Dallas vs. Pittsburgh - Dallas 24-20

Back to the Bills now.  What are your keys to the game for them to beat the Raiders?  The #1 on my list is to stop the run.

Stopping the run is by far and away the most important.  This team ran for 300 yards last week, so yes, that is the biggest key.  On offense, they can’t make mistakes to think the Raiders can sneak out a win in Buffalo.  Take the lead early, pressure Russell and force him to have to win the game

How about them rookies?!?  We say both of them play roles in todays game.  2^nd rounder James Hardy caught the go ahead touchdown pass and even 1^st round pick Leodis McKelvin got into the game a little bit with two returns.  What role do you see the two of them playing the rest of the season?  I don’t see McKelvin beating out Jabri Greer anytime soon for the starting spot.  

I see Hardy and McKelvin playing the roles they have already played, which is to get in the games at various points, but also for Dick Jauron and the staff not to force them into situations to fail.  I like that neither have had to play a lot, but when they have played they have been able to be successful.

A big part of the Bills offense is Lee Evans.  Do you think he gets a contract extension and stays with the Bills for the foreseeable future?

Edwards and Evans finally seem on the same page, which concerned me entering the season.  Yes, I see Evans and the team getting together on a deal that will pay him like the #1 WR that he is quickly showing he can be week in and week out.

How about another WR?  Every year we hear how the Bills are going to get the ball into Roscoe Parrish’s hands.  Do you think this will come true this year?

Right now Parrish is still a mystery as to how much he’ll be used.  He only has four catches in two games, and Edwards seems more comfortable with Evans and Robert Royal.  Parrish will at some point get a shot to make a play, but those may be few and far between.

Where did Aston Youboty come from?  I didn’t even have this guy making the roster before preseason. 

Just goes to show that some players that are not great in preseaosn and practice can show up when the lights are brightest.  That’s the case with Ashton, who seems to have relished his role with the team, with 11 tackles and a sack in two games.  For now, he’s been a welcome surprise.

Prediction time.  What is the score for the game between the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills?

I think the Bills will win, I say 24-13.  They can’t take the Raiders lightly, as this is a team that lost 41-13 two weeks ago only to come out
and physically dominate the Chiefs in a place they rarely win.  Look for the defense to have its moments, and for Edwards and Evans to make a few big plays to secure the win.

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This week I go with one of the main players on the team instead of the role players.  He is one of my favorite players on the team also.  This week’s bio is going to be on starting QB Trent Edwards.

Edwards’s football career really took off way back in high school.  He played for the Los Gators high school in California.  Trent was one the #1 highest rated pro-style QB in his recruiting class of 2002 in many publications.  The reason for that was the fact that he put up some pretty godly numbers.  In his senior year he went 154 for 213 (72.3%), 2,535 yards, 29 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions.  To go along with great stats is an even better record.  In his junior and senior seasons, Edwards led his team to two undefeated seasons, and back to back Central Coastal Section D-III Championships.  Edwards was recruited by a ton of high profile schools.  Michigan, Florida, Notre Dame and Tennessee all went after the highly sought quarterback, but he decided to stay close to home and enrolled at Stanford.

His goal to reach the NFL got difficult from this point on, as the Stanford team couldn’t even stay on the field with the other schools going after him.  In 2002, Edwards sat the bench as a true freshman.  In 2003, he started as the number 2 guy on the depth chart but won the starting job.  He started 4 games towards the end of the season, but couldn’t finish it due to a shoulder injury.  In 2004, it was Trent’s job but he was knocked out of 2 games, and missed 2 more games all together due to more injuries.  At this point a promising young QB looked to be far from the NFL, but it turned around for the good.

Edwards’s best year came in 2005 when he was able to start all 11 games that year.  He finished the year 168 for 268 (62.7%), 1934 yards and 11 TDs.  The Cardinals went 5-6 that year. 

In 2006 Edwards was once again the starter but only played in the first 7 games.  He was done for the season after another injury, this time a broken foot.  The Cardinals went 10-20 in games that he started.  His goal of making the NFL was still intact though.  Despite the poor record he was still ranked very high due to his intelligence, arm strength and accuracy.  ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. picked him as the third best QB available in the 2007 draft behind only JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

The Bills selected Edwards in the 3^rd round with the 92^nd overall pick despite having a good young up and coming QB in JP Losman (or at least they thought that at the time).  The Bills were made fun of here in Buffalo on the local radio stations.  A QB so early in the draft when they already had one?  Little did they realize what a great pick it turned out to be.

The 2007 season started great for Trent Edwards.  In his first preseason as a pro he beat out Craig Nail for the #2 spot behind Losman.  Edwards and the rest of us here in Buffalo didn’t realize how fast he would become the starter. 

In his first action as a pro, he went 10 of 20 for 97 yards and an INT.  We all know the rest of the story from that point on.  His strong, smart play won him the starting job for the rest of the 2007 season and he entered the 2008 season as the starter.  He has looked mature in the Bills first two games going a combined 39 for 55 (70.9%), 454 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs. 

If the 24 year old QB will have to continue to make plays if the Bills want to make the playoffs this season.  He has led the team to a 2-0 record, something they haven’t done since 2003.  He also shows great leadership and really trusts in his teammates.  The 2^nd year pro was also voted one of the team captains by his teammates. 

The sky’s the limit for the young QB as he looks to be the quarterback of the future and now for the Bills.  The Bills haven’t had a reliable QB since Jim Kelly retired and the city is excited with what they see in the young man as he attempts to lead them to a playoff berth.

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