Bills/Patriots: Final MNF predictions from Pats Pulpit
We spent a solid six days last week discussing tonight's Buffalo Bills/New England Patriots Monday Night Football showdown with Pats Pulpit. I believe I can speak for both MaPatsFan and myself when I say that I'm infinitely glad that the pre-game coverage is nearly over.
Y'all know what this game is for the Bills: a tremendous challenge and a very difficult victory to earn. It's also going to be a measuring stick; after tonight's game, we'll know exactly where we stand when comparing our team to the NFL's elite.
It's final prediction time. After the jump, you'll find game predictions from both MaPatsFan and myself. We'd love to hear yours as well, so let 'em rip in the comments section.
Pats Pulpit prediction, from MaPatsFan
Frankly, with the personnel changes on the Patriots and few Tom Brady reps to go on, it's a bit crazy trying to make solid predictions - but that doesn't stop ESPN. There's a few reasons why New England will keep its winning streak against Buffalo intact:
a) This is the return of Brady, in a home game opener on Monday Night Football;
b) The Patriots will announce their All-Time Team at halftime, which includes recently retired LB Tedy Bruschi named as Honorary Defensive Captain;
c) The Patriots are undefeated at Gillette Stadium against the Bills.
None of these are football reasons for winning the game. They have nothing to do with X's and O's. But all I have to go on is the emotional incentives for the Patriots and their fans. Prediction: 28-21, Patriots.
My own prediction:
Most NFL fans are making backup plans for tonight's game in the event that it turns into an early blowout. (The Jay Leno Show premieres on NBC tonight, but its 10PM time slot doesn't help potentially bored football fans much, does it?)
I am as relentlessly optimistic as Bills fans come. Considering the fact that New England's defense is in transition, the fact that nobody really knows what to expect from the Bills on either side of the ball, and the fact that the Bills will always have a chance to put up points so long as the offensive line is even average, they have the capability to hang with the Pats tonight. But as you accurately point out, MaPatsFan, there's just no way - no way - that the Pats outright lose this one. Not in Tom Brady's return; not at Gillette; not in the season opener in front of a national audience. I'm not big on moral victories, but if the Bills can keep this one entertaining, even if only for a while, I'll be somewhat satisfied.
Final Prediction: Patriots 34, Bills 16
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Offensive Line
Unless Van Pelt suddenly becomes a miracle-worker, and with an inexperienced offensive line, I don’t see the Bills covering the spread.
Pats-38
Bills-20
- Without Marshawn Lynch, that also hurts the running game. Defense really needs to rise to the occassion for Bills to make it a close game.
Patriots 31 Bills 23
We do get into the endzone twice, once in each half. We come up short a few other times. Our pass rush keeps us in the game but cannot stop the arsenal that Brady can deliver. We have an opportunity in the fourth period but fail to convert on a fourth down play wich puts the pats into a time management ball control offense to run out the clock.
Only Real Men Wear Red, White, and Blue.
My prediction Pats 31 - 24 Bills
34-16 ouch, but it looks like you have the Bills actually scoring a TD! Probably a kick return by McKelvin – showing how inept the Bills O are at reaching the endzone.
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
All I want is for the Bills offense to score a TD........don't care about the score
just look like you belong on the field.
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
Buffalo 24, New England35
We actually move the ball, start fast and find holes in the Patriots young d thanks to Belicek not having any tape on us and the inexperienced New England d being awed by the atmosphere. New England puts up silly numbers through the air because of Brady and our inability to diagnose screen plays after long bombs and the Patriots defense records a pick-six after one hurried sloppy read from Edwards (growing pains). However, all is not lost on Bills fans – T.O. shines on Monday Night and does something silly to taunt the Patriots. We all fall hard for T.O. and all the sudden we all start believing again… maybe… just maybe… we can do this.
Bills 23 Pats 17
Brady is rusty mcruster – their defense shows holes.
Trent takes a quarter and a half but finally get’s 10 pts then does better in the second half.
Bellichick is seen crying on the way out of the stadium….
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
I feel confident in saying that the Pats announcing their all time team will have no impact on the game.
by Pistol on Sep 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
exactly
Most people are up for that last-chance brew. The emotional lift will be Brady on the field in a meaningful game.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Pats 38 Bills 7
Our TD will come either Special teams or TO.
Our Team hasn’t changed enough IMO to deviate from previous scores. A moral victory would be 2 Offensive TD’s.
How many years can we go without making the playoffs...eventually the odds go in your favor.........right?!?!?
No point in being pessimistic
Bills – 20
Pats – 17
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
LOL – there’s a huge, Middle Earth-sized space between pessimism and realism. :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Since Middle Earth is a fictitous place, therefore, not occupying any real space……….wait, I’m confused.
Tell that to Dwight Schrute.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
New episode Thursday! Woo-hoo!! Thank jeebus we have football to help pass the time until the final season of Lost.
Haha, actually, I use Lost to pass the time between football seasons.
I think I’m more excited for the new season of Fringe than anything else. Really, really getting into that show. <3 JJ Abrams.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Always Sunny is Phillidalphia what im waiting for
But back to being pessimistic; anything can happen in this league it is not outlandish to think we could win tonight and i will maintain that thought until the game is over, or else there is no point to watch.
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
weird....Always Sunny in Philadelphia is what im looking forward to
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
Sunny in Philly
Gets more off the wall with each season—-Briliantly funny!!
Sons of Anarchy just started last week and the first episode of the new season was outstanding. the new season promises to be intense!!!
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Fringe, eh? Haven’t seen it. I’ll have to check it out. How long has it been on? First season on DVD?
First season is on DVD, second season set to start this Thursday.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Pats 38-20
I think the Bills will finally show some juice against the Pats and make it a good battle in the first half. Unfortunately, I think the Pats coaching and offensive talent takes over in the 2nd half. I think we’ll see some decent things out of our O tonight, at least I’m hoping.
Mostly, I’ll be relatively happy to see us show some fight and signs of life. If we lose 42-3, I will not be a happy camper, but if we can keep it close and at least look like a competent NFL team against them for once, I can at least take the loss a little easier….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
how many pass yards Trent will throw tonight.
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
by J2 on Sep 14, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
34-14 to the Patriots.
They’re going to be a terrific football team this year, especially on the offensive side of the football, and I don’t expect us to be able to merely shut them down on defense. Our offense will have growing pains and likely make quite a few mistakes, which the Pats will capitalize upon.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Sep 14, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions
Oh, I thought you were going for touchdown and safety.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Shoot out
Buffalo’s offense is better than people think. Pats D isnt as good as advertised. 34-28 Bills.
Why not Bobby April?
Pats 27, Bills 13
The Bills only chance to win comes from their defense. It’s not that the offense doesn’t have the potential to score, but they’ve really been put in a tough spot with ALL the changes in such a short time span. Their offense simply needs more time to figure things out, imo. I think the 2nd meeting will be a better measuring stick.
The D – They have to make plays and have to play determined to change the tides. I don’t see that happening with this unit, and that makes me a bit sad.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions
with ALL the changes in such a short time span
well I don’t think the changes are too big a deal – it’s still football.
Bell’s been in this system for a year so he knows what he’s doing as far as assignments – he just needs to work on communication with Levitre.
AVP has been in the system as well and knows it – they will just be running plays at different times – the offensive players should all know the plays. When they’re called really shouldn’t matter – they have to execute them regardless.
I think the firing of Schonert and Walker are a bit overrated since they both were obviously inadequate
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
by J2 on Sep 14, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
To shrug off any of the offensive changes as not “too big a deal” might be wishful thinking.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
WoW, a lot of opptumism on here but the bills will not score more than 10.
Most likely New England scores 39-10
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
NoBody Circles the Wagon like the Buffalo Bills
everybody is going to know this song after we win
The Bills make me wanna Shout!
Kick your heels up and Shout!
Throw your hands up and Shout!
Throw your head back and Shout!
C’mon now, the Bills are makin’ it happen now.
Stand up now c’mon and Shout! Yea-ea-eah!
Say you will- Shout it right now baby.
Say you will- C’mon, C’mon.
Say you will- C’mon and Shout! Say you will- Yea-ea-eah!
Shout! Buffalo’s happenin’ now, Shout!
We’re on the move now, Shout!
The Bills’ are happenin’ now, Shout!
They’re makin’ it happen now, Shout!
We’ve got the spirit, Shout!
A lot of spirit-Yeah! Shout!
We’ve got the spirit, Shout!
Just watch it happen now!
Hey-ey-ey-ey! Hey-ey-ey-ey! Hey-ey-ey-ey! Hey-ey-ey-ey!
Lets Go Buffalo!
Lets Go Buffalo!
Lets Go Buffalo!
Lets Go Buffalo!
The Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
GO BUFFALO
by kooldude on Sep 14, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Love the song koolaiddude :-) I will be cheering and praying.
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
Bills fans should know it by now, I hope!
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Head vs. Heart
I will be at Gillette this evening along with a small but very vocal Bills fans.
My head says Brady is back, our O-Line is young, inexperienced and likely to be star-struck, we can’t stop Moss, Welker and Faulk, can’t run on the D-Line which even without Seymour has a bunch of # 1’s backed up by Mayo, God only knows what to expect from Trent and this could be a 2-3 touchdown game easily won by the Patsies..
HOWEVER, and remember football is a game of the heart, my heart says our DE rotation has a field day against the NE mediocre tackles, Brady just can’t make that slight slide step, the Patsies are cocky beyond belief, TO catches 8-10 balls but all for short yardage while it is Lee that makes a few big plays, a special teams play late makes the difference and the D hangs on….
Bills 24, Pats 23.
Leaving shortly for the stadium. Go Bills.
Geronimo
I hope you enjoy the game.....and come back with your heart intact :-)
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
You were so close, man.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 15, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to predict a Pats win, but then I saw it. AVP is wearing the same shirt that I own and am currently wearing in the above picture. Must be a sign. Bills 31 Pats 28.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Yep, it is a sign
AVP is wearing the same shirt that I own…….Must be a sign…..
Of questionable fashion sense :-)
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
Just as long as AVP isn’t pantsless.
Wouldn't it be ironic if this team imploded and it had nothing to do with TO?
by thefourwinds on Sep 14, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to question
if the Patriots even look at the Bills as a worthy adversary? I wonder if they’re looking at this as the large game that our side of the fence does?
I know you never take your divisional opponents lightly, but this current streak stinks of the infamous Dolphins/Bills era when Buffalo couldn’t fight their way out of “no whammies…no whammies…STOP!”
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions
Rose colored magic 8 ball says NE is hoping Springs can handle TO one on one most of the night, AVP has the cahones to go there anyway, and TO has a big game with 2 tds and 120ish yds.
Even Brady doesn’t plant that left leg firmly on every throw, and Bills get a pick at an opportune time, and solid special teams field position.
Bills 28, Pats 24
Bills win 22-21
with Lee getting 3 TD’s and a 2 pointer, joey galloway get 3 tds for the pats
"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important - like a league game or something." Dick Butkus
2003 Season Opener Repeat!
Bills 34, Pats 10. Why? Because I’ll be damned before I become realistic.
… but that wasn’t the score of the ’03 opener…
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
31-0, I know
I meant more of the spirit of it.
I was at the game; Sam Adams wadling down the field for the touchdown was the funniest/greatest/slowest play I have ever seen in a football game. I couldn’t tell if he was running or rolling. So, in the spirit of the ’03 game, I say Williams does the same thing
I'm not going to predict the score...
I wanna see Whitner make Welker pay as he’s running that stupid slant using the ref as a pick on the defender like he always does. I wanna see one sack from Kelsay (for irony’s sake). A batted pass by Stroud. One bone-crushing tackle by Poz on 3rd and 2 that makes the Pats think hard the next time they try to run it up the gut. One smart INT by McKelvin as Brady launches one.
I wanna see Trent say, “Screw it!” and let one fly deep. I wanna see Jackson make Mayo look foolish once. I wanna see Lee catch a quick slant over the middle and TO knock Meriweather into next week as he’s closing in for the tackle. I wanna see Brad Butler dump an OLB on his butt. I wanna see Parrish break one and make the defenders wonder where the hell he just went.
I wanna see no mistakes. I wanna see no penalties. I wanna see smart football.
That’s all I want.
The only thing I want as a guarantee:
no injuries to the Bills.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Message sent
Pats 48 Bills 13. Brady sends a message to the rest of the NFL that he is back. Wes Welker and Randy Moss each score twice in the first half. Welker rests the entire 2nd half so not to re-injure himself.
Pats 28 Bills 17
And that’s being optimistic and hoping T.O. lights a fire and gets a few scores.
If the Pats are super-pumped and get a couple of quick TD tosses from Brady, it could get REALLY ugly. The key is how much pressure we can put on Brady.
pats and bills score
I want the bills game to be close. but somehow I don’t see it being true judging by preseason. I say it will be 35-13 pats
Pats 30 Bills 12
As the Bills Monday opener quickly draws near I don’t know if I should be my normal excited self or look upon the game with dread.
5 new starters on the Bills O-line says it all. This game for Bell, Levitre and Wood is their christening into the NFL. What a way to lose their cherry on a national stage against the Pats and Brady’s first game back—-On My!!!!
Here’s how I envision the game; The Bills offense will surprise for the first quarter but fail to put up a TD. The defense with show enthusiasm and speed to the ball, but wear down do to lack of offensive production.The Pats will put up a couple of TD’s then go on cruise control to not show anything to their next opponent the J-e-t-sss! This series has become what the Bills went thru in the 70’s by losing to the Fish 20 straight times….
Pats 30 Bills 12
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Seems very realistic Goose
Those rookies will have some major butterflies. If they play to avoid getting embarrassed, we are in for a long day. If they play pissed off, we might have a shot.
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
Classic Goose...
“What a way to lose their cherry on a national stage against the Pats and Brady’s first game back—-On My!!!!”
You never forget your first time…
by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 14, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Pay back is a B--itch!!!
Let’s just hope these young guys remember what happens tonight, learn from it and come back with a vengeance when the Pats visit the Ralph in December and beyond. We’re all sick of this being a one sided rivalry.
If the Bills happen to pull a stunner tonight I will happily enjoy some ketchup on the crow I’ll be eating for lunch….
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Bills: 34 - Pats: 27
TE gets off to a fast start and Brady stumbles out of the gate. TO makes Springs wish he had gone to the AFC West, L. Evans has a 100 yd game…halftime score: 21-13…NE comes back strong by stuffing the run, but continues to struggle defending the passing game. Moss gets it going in the second half, making it close, but Welker will be out by the end of the 1st half and NE will be a different team bcuz of it. Specials Teams will not be as big an advantage for the Bills as we would like to hope, but our defense will seal the victory with a late INT…
by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 14, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions
Bills 24 - Pats 20
Early Buffalo lead on TDs from Lee & TO. Defense holds on as Pats need a TD to win in 2 min drill.
Pats 37 - Bills 20
But it won’t really be that close..I think we come out fast and hard,but get figured out and stopped after 1 td and then limited to a couple of field goals .Then get a “garbage” td at the end as time runs out..I think the biggest point we can make against the Pats at Home,is the ability to move the ball,and then work on it from there..Our Rookie line is tough,but the crafty Vets on the other side of the ball take them to school tonight..
by FanFromThe80s on Sep 14, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions
Pats 20 - Bills 16
As the Patriots’ offensive line looks terrible, I say Aaron Maybin gets in early and sacks Brady, sending him out of the game. Bills lose nonetheless 20 – 16. I wish I could believe this would actually happen.
In many ways, NE’s D is as green as our O. I really hope AVP goes after it. Leigh Bodden was cut by the Lions for God’s sake. Shawn Springs has had some great battles with TO, but the later history has gone in Owen’s favor, and Springs is nursing a gimpy knee. I believe both Merriweather and Willhite are 2nd year players.
NE’s strength is the front 4. Our precieved weakness is the o-line, obviously. If they can hold their own – I think there will be plays to be made in the passing game.
A couple years ago, an embattled, ready to be fired coach did indeed change his stripes, captured the heart of his team, and led them to a super bowl triumph. tom coughlin.
can jauron do the same? his willingness to take extreme chances the last 10 days tells me he might. i’ll be watching him closely tonight, win or lose.
Just note guys… how many of you feel awful right now but said “I’ll be happy if it’s close.” There are no such thing as moral victories but you guys said you would be happy, not me.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.

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