Week 14 Preview
By Nick Flickinger, NYC Buffalo Bills Backers Columnist
Heart breaking losses, getting jobbed by the referees, people talking
about progressing towards next year, it's definitely Christmas with the
Bills again. The Bills are 5-7 with four games left to go, whilst trailing
five teams for the AFC wild card. Angelo Crowell is out for the season and
things are starting to get dim. But then again nobody circles the wagons
like the Buffalo Bills. And even if the playoffs are out of reach there
would be nothing better than knocking the Jets out of contention.
If there is one Bill who has to show up, it is Willis McGahee. He always
terrorizes the Jets and he was completely shut down last week. He was a
first round draft pick, had an incredible first season, but is leaning
towards disappointing since. Willis has never had a bigger supporter, but
come on, give me some help here, have some big games. Step up.
J.P. really is turning things around. I'm a believer. He has 9th best
passer rating of any one starting this week. Higher than draft day enemies
Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. He is not at the level Rivers is
playing at this year, but J.P. is with out a great line LaDanian Tomlinson
and Antonio Gates. He finally starting connecting on the deep ball against
the Texans and is recently been doing well in the short game with Peerless
Price and Josh “I can't do any thing well but am inexplicably J.P.'s
favorite receiver” Reed. I have no idea why J.P. loves Josh so much,
but if it works, I'll take it. But there is a reason why Lee Evans has
caught over 40% of the team's passes this year. He can stretch the field
and if the Bills can find a legitimate possession receiver to play across
from him next year, J.P. can really thrive. Note to the front office,
RECEIVERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TALL! Even so our offense has clearly
progressed and will be much more exciting in the final few games and next
season. Lets all pray for offensive line help.
The Bills defense is stacked. Perry Fewell is 100% the wrong coordinator
to run it. Barring the two games Triplett has shown up, and the one game
Denney helped out the Bills have one penetrating lineman, Aaron Shobel.
The loss of Crowell will hurt a lot, but when he was healthy, he, London
Fletcher-Baker, and Takeo “I finally showed up last week”
Spikes rivaled and team's line backers. Nate Clements is one of the best
corners in the league and has really been playing like it recently.
Terrence McGee has his moments and our safeties are improving every game
and are some of the fastest in the league. With a young speedy secondary,
play making linebackers and a D-line that can't get penetration on its own
maybe we should blitz once in a while. The cover-2 is not for us. We were
one of the best defenses in the league with Dick Lebeau and his blitz
happy style. We get no penetration and even less take aways. Fit the
system to the defense, not the other way around.
This week was more calling out the Bills and saying we have a lot to look
forward to next year, but Chad Pennington's arm is still limp from when
Shobel hit him last year, hey Aaron, wanna try that again? And Willis
always runs through the Jets. I don't know what I'll do with myself if we
lose this one, take the Bills with the points.
It may be time for the big guy to retire, but Brett Favre has one
big week left in him. He's my sleeper fantasy pick to be this week's top
QB against a San Francisco D that can't cover any body this year. I hope
you can get him in tonight's game because Willie Parker is going to tear
up the Browns. Roethlisberger is shaky and Pittsburg is looking for
respectability after winning the super bowl last year. Who do you want
receiving for you this week? Terrell Owens has been huge since Romo's
arrival in Dallas and is ready for a shoot out against New Orleans. Lead
pipe lock of the week, is Vince Young and the Titans coming off wins
against Indy and still getting 1.5 against Houston.
E-mail feedback and comments to Nick at
sattt34 at aol.com
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