Under most circumstances, getting scheduled for a bye three weeks into a 17-week schedule would seem far too early, like a 9-to-5er forced to take lunch at 10 a.m.
Given the unsightly nature of the Buffalo Bills’ 0-2 start, though, the time off might have come at exactly the right time.
Not that the break likely made Drew Bledsoe any more mobile or Rian Lindell any more accurate. The extra practice days before the New England Patriots visit on Sunday should help the offensive line some, however, since Jim McNally has repeatedly shown he can coach just about any group of five oversized men into a decent unit given enough time and health.
And for all the talk about what Bledsoe has or doesn’t have left, the genius of Bill Belichick, Belichick’s snide comments about the Bills in his just-released book, the Patriots’ 17-game winning streak and Buffalo’s Arizona-esque 9-17 record over the past 2.6 seasons, the outcome of Sunday’s game is not a foregone conclusion.
There’s a reason no team has ever won more than 18 straight games, the figure New England will attempt to match on Sunday – it’s pretty tough to do.
Particularly when No. 18 comes on the road in a hostile environment against a team that, for all its glaring offensive problems and subtler defensive shortcomings, lost its first two games by a grand total of six points.
For the Bills, a 5.5-point underdog, to have any chance of covering that spread, much less winning outright, that offensive line will be the key. While the Patriots have a knack for making plays when they’re needed most – something the Bills would do well to study – their defense is no iron curtain. If Buffalo can mount a remotely consistent running game and keep Bledsoe from getting buried on every third down, the Bills should be able to move the ball.
Simply moving the ball won’t be enough, though. Buffalo’s offensive inadequacies – a line that hasn’t created enough seams and a quick-passing game with no rhythm – become particularly pronounced with the goal line. And given Lindell’s wayward kicks, settling for three is more high-risk gamble than safe strategy.
Of course, even Buffalo’s best offensive performance of the season wouldn’t offer an answer for the short passing scheme run by Tom Brady, who seems nearly immune to a pass rush of any nature.
In fact, it’s difficult to make any rational case for a Bills win, given the recent history of both franchises. But in today’s NFL, what you least expect to happen usually does. And if Buffalo can’t enforce the law averages on Sunday, they’ll be left vainly wishing for another week off with a very long season ahead. Bills, 19-17.
N.Y. Giants at Green Bay (-7): Home wins against a Redskins team that turned the ball over seven time and a Cleveland squad that can’t do much of anything at the moment doesn’t convince me that the Giants are for real. Packers, 28-20.
Philadelphia (-9) at Chicago: A nine-point road favorite is almost always a terrible play, but it’s tough to shake the feeling that Jonathan Quinn, making his first start for the Bears, is going to spend a lot of the day under Jevon Kearse. Eagles, 30-13.
Washington (-3) at Cleveland: The Redskins are another one of an incredible 10 road favorites in 14 games this weekend. Cleveland almost has to be better at home. Browns, 16-13.
Oakland (-2) at Houston: Another likeable home dog. Texans, 27-24.
Indianapolis (-4) at Jacksonville: Some road favorites do win, however. And the Jaguars can’t drag Indy down to their level. Colts, 21-13.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (-4): Both these teams look like .500 units, and both will be after Sunday. Bengals, 20-16.
Atlanta at Carolina (-3.5): Panthers cool off Atlanta’s hot start. Panthers, 23-16.
New Orleans (-3.5) at Arizona: Another solid road favorite. Saints, 34-24.
N.Y. Jets (-6) at Miami: The Dolphins have officially reached “take whoever they’re playing against” status. Jets, 28-3.
Denver (-3) at Tampa Bay: Bucs aren’t nearly the team they were two years ago, but they’re not 0-4 bad, either. Bucs, 23-20.
Tennessee (-3) at San Diego: Good news for the Titans – Steve McNair’s back on the injury list. They’re just not the same when he’s healty. Titans, 19-12.
St. Louis (-3.5) at San Francisco: It doesn’t seem to matter where the 49ers play at the moment. Rams, 31-7.
Kansas City at Baltimore (-5): Have to figure Dick Vermeil will have K.C. ready on a Monday night while staring at 0-4. Chiefs, 26-23.
(Last week: 10-4 overall, 6-7-1 against the spread. Season: 31-15 overall; 21-24-1 against the spread)
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | Sept. 23 2004 |