Originals
Significant Figures – Jets 11/03/2011
Every game is important in the NFL, at least that’s what they tell me. However, there does not seem to be any question that the upcoming game against the Jets has an increased air of urgency about it for the Bills. Fans know it and I can guarantee the coaches and players realize it.
Last year, the Jets absolutely embarrassed the Bills, thanks to a potent running game. Rex Ryan’s squad put up 549 rushing yards in two games on 99 carries – that equates to 5.55 yards per carry. Not only did the green machine put up yards, they did it with their backups and backups’ backups, in Week 17, including current Bill Brad Smith. I’m pretty sure I saw even Rex Ryan carry the ball for 10 yards at one point.Read More…
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OFV – Shutting Out Shannahan 11/02/2011
The more I stewed on the loss to the Giants, the more I was concerned that the Bills were in for some serious trouble. Had we won, we would have kept up with the Patriots; we would have stayed two games ahead of the Jets. And every time I said, “the Bills don’t have a good defense,” “They don’t have the depth to deal with the injuries,” “This thing is unraveling with 2 losses in 3 games,” “Hello, 2008!”, I would see the Redskins on the calendar.
Then I felt a lot better. Then I saw @ Toronto. Then I felt sick. The Bills had never won in Toronto in the regular season. Then the Redskins announced that John Beck was their QB. Then I knew the Bills would be 5-2. Read More…
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Totally Scientific Power Rankings: Week 8 11/02/2011
Welcome one and all to the Totally Scientific Power Rankings, following week 8 of the NFL season. Due to time constraints there isn’t too much preamble this week, but I have got the numbers done, and have time to review the AFC East and the Colts’ efforts to draft Andrew Luck.
Bills/AFC East Watch: A win for Buffalo, and a loss for the Patsies may have the Bills ahead in the standings, but the numbers say the Patriots are still the better team. Just. The Dolphins managed to throw away a second game in two weeks, and I just can’t see them going through the entire season without managing to sneak one somwhere. The Jets had the week off, but dropped a place due to a slight improvement in the Falcons’ SOS and a slight decline in theirs. Read More…
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Significant Figures: Washington 10/25/11
While statistics aren’t everything in football, they can be a good representative of a team’s play if looked at objectively. Of course, many different numbers have to be checked to see the overall picture and form the context. I will try to point out several key numbers related to the Buffalo Bills’ upcoming opponent, the Washington Redskins.
The Washington Redskins seem to be a very average team on paper, which is portrayed well by their 0.500 record (3-3). They are strong in certain areas, but weak in others. While that is usually the case with many teams when it comes to statistics, there are usually underlying reasons for those strengths and weaknesses. For example, a team that cannot stop the run may appear to have a good pass defense. Or a team that has a great offense doesn’t appear to have a great defense because other teams are moving the ball to try and keep up. Usually taking the averages (e.g. yards per attempt) mitigate the appearances and tell more of the true story.Read More…
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Well, another glorious week of football is in the books, and the Bills have enjoyed a well deserved rest, and what have we learned?
Well, some teams seem predisposed to losing to teams from the AFC South (I’m looking at you Baltimore) and Carson Palmer is still Carson Palmer. Also, Christian Ponder didn’t look too shabby at all, certainly better than fat slow Donovan anyway.
Bills/AFC East Watch: The Bills drop a place due to Dallas and Houston winning and the Raiders getting destroyed by the Chiefs. The Patriots stay where they are, though the Vikings very nearly made the Pats the best team in the NFL. The Jets win sees them jump five places to 13th, and the Dolphins, well, I guess they’re just grateful that the Colts are so bad this year. Read More…
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One Fan’s View – Week 5 - 10/13/11
I truly enjoy games where I am sweating as much as the players. Most of it was stress induced, the rest of it was based on the rising heat index at Kelly’s. With a perfect day outside, it was hardly the ideal day to be sitting at a bar without AC.
Leading up to this game, I had almost no gut feeling about the outcome of the game. I could see the Bills winning, I could also see the Eagles rising to the challenge. When the Bills went up 7-0, I was still uncertain. When they stopped the Eagles on 3rd down at mid field, I felt like the Bills were for real. Then I saw Danny Batten headbutt Vick, and I knew we were in for a long game that was going to go down to the wire. And for me, that was problematic. Read More…
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