1. The perfect recipe for a bounceback
Here’s a taste of just how moribund the Bills franchise has become: Safety Donte Whitner told reporters yesterday that he’s sick of players laughing at Buffalo on the field.
“Grown men laughing at other grown men on the football field,” he said. “That happened toward the end of the ball game last week. And it happens every time we play New England.”
There are no two ways about it: The Bills are a team New England should toy with this weekend. Anything less than a morale-building, spread-covering win would be a disappointment.
2. No Mark Sanchez this time around
The Jets’ young QB had an absolute field day against a punchless Patriots pass rush a week ago.
That’s one of the main things that needs to change for New England come Sunday. And if it does, you can all but mark down a ‘W.’
The Bills are starting Harvard alum Ryan Fitzpatrick in Foxborough after Trent Edwards failed to do much of anything in Weeks 1 and 2.
Goal No. 1 for the Pats needs to be getting in Fitzpatrick’s face enough to rattle the 27-year-old. If they can do that, chalk up a few picks from the career backup.
3. Don’t worry about Faulk this week
Yes, the Patriots are missing a key offensive weapon in Kevin Faulk. No, the injury won’t come back to bite them this week.
Buffalo has given up 24.5 ppg so far, near the bottom of the league. Their pass ‘D’ has been OK — 209.5 ypg — but they have yet to intercept a single pass.
This is the kind of matchup Tom Brady must dream about. The Bills aren’t terribly talented, and there’s little chance their mediocre offense will be able to control the ball very much, even against New England’s defense.
