Game Day Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 1/1

Happy New Year, Bills fans!

Bills show signs that 2011 wasn't more of the same - Larry Felser
Felser talks about the Bills promising youth as well as the number of injured starters that will return. He sounds hopeful.

BUSCAGLIA: 5 Things To Watch In Bills - Patriots - WGR 550
Joe Buscaglia's five most important things to watch today.

Inside The Bills | Bills, Pats best at ball security
"Buffalo and New England are tied for the league lead in fewest fumbles lost. Both clubs have lost just 5 through the first 15 games. A handful of other clubs have also lost just five fumbles this season. New Orleans, Green Bay, Carolina, San Francisco and Detroit all are tied for the top spot with Buffalo and New England for fewest fumbles lost."

Inside The Bills | Hernandez missed 1st meeting
"When he came back they started hitting full stride," Gailey told Buffalobills.com. "He is a big part of what they do. They’ve got the three-headed monster so to speak right now, but those other guys will make plays if you don’t watch out for them too."

Inside The Bills | It’s not about limiting Welker’s catches
"You’d like to say just cover him tighter, but you do that and it opens up something else," Gailey told Buffalobills.com. "What you want to do is limit his number of yards. I’m not as worried about the number of catches as I am the yards. If you can tackle him when he catches it in that four-yard range then we’re okay. It’s the yards after the catch that really burn you with Wes Welker."

Inside The Bills | Where Fitz ranks best
"Admittedly Fitz had a rough stretch during Buffalo’s seven-game losing streak and is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 19, but here are some other areas where Buffalo’s signal caller is among the top 10 QBs in the game."

First chapter of careers of Bills' rookies reads promising - The Buffalo News
"Early returns look good for the Buffalo Bills' draft class of 2011. The Bills enter today's season-finale in New England with four rookies in the starting lineup, and all four are locks or near-locks to be starters entering next season."

Solid defensive play could keep Pats in check - The Buffalo News
Rodney McKissic's five keys to the game.

Buffalo Bills eye sweep of New England Patriots | Democrat and Chronicle
"The calendar today flipped to 2012, a new year has begun, and it seems appropriate because it feels like Buffalo's 34-31 victory over New England on Sept. 25 couldn't have possibly happened this year."

Remember last year: 2011 flashback - AFC East Blog - ESPN
James Walker looks through the comments from posters at ESPN.com's AFC East Blog since he took over to find some of the dumbest comments.

AFC East Week 17 X factors - AFC East Blog - ESPN
Jairus Byrd is this week's X Factor for the Bills.

Final Word: AFC East - AFC East Blog - ESPN
Can the Bills overcome their road demons and get their second win on the road this season? Also, the Bills can help set the record for most passing yards allowed by throwing for over 122 passing yards.