Buffalo Bills (1-1) vs New Orleans Saints (2-0)
4:05 PM ET, Ralph Wilson Stadium (TV: FOX)
Bills inactives: LB Paul Posluszny (arm), rest TBD.

The Buffalo Bills have accomplished two major feats to this point in the regular season: they have suffered crushing defeat, and they've rebounded from it.  Through two weeks, the Bills sit at .500, have proven they are talented, and have also shown just how far they have to go.

Today, they can take a major step toward contender by defeating the thus-far-undefeated New Orleans Saints.  That won't be an easy task - we've discussed all week the many intricacies of a Saints team that has been dominant in their 2-0 start.  Just because a task isn't easy, however, doesn't mean it cannot be accomplished.  There are no moral victories to be had in this matchup today, folks - this is a game the Bills must win if they're to be considered anything other than pretenders.

These Bills are out to prove something today: that they aren't the Bills of old; that they can win tough games against good teams; and that they can defend their home-field advantage.  It will take hard, fast, smart football.  They're capable of it.  But today needs to be the day where capabilities transform into achievements.  If you're at The Ralph today, we - the 12th man - can be catalysts in that process.  Be loud.  Believe this team is different.  Believe they're going to make a statement today.

This is your game thread.  Let the adrenaline flow.  GO BILLS!

  
Buffalo Bills (0-1) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
4:05 PM ET, Ralph Wilson Stadium (TV: FOX)
Bills inactives: LB Paul Posluszny (arm), rest TBD.

Today, we'll find out exactly what these 2009 Buffalo Bills are made of.  Coming off of a devastating season-opening loss at the hands of New England on Monday Night Football, the Bills will take the field in roughly a half-hour to take on Tampa Bay in their 2009 home opener.

It's going to be a crazy atmosphere.  Expectations for this team are raised despite the early loss thanks to the team's unexpectedly strong play.  Terrell Owens is making his Ralph Wilson Stadium debut.  Buffalo's 50th Anniversary All-Time Bills Team will be unveiled at halftime.  It's going to be a day of memories, excitement and hopefully victorious football today.

It's time for these Bills to grow up.  It's time to not just avoid the let-down, but prove to the skeptics that the team is better than the fluke-prone pretenders of seasons past.  This team has talent, it has youth, and it has energy.  The Buccaneers are a formidable foe, but their talent pales in comparison to ours, and this game is on our turf.  It's time to show the world exactly how good this team can be.  This is your open thread for this must-win game.  GO BILLS!

More photos » by Winslow Townson - AP

Browse more photos »

The Buffalo Bills lead the New England Patriots 14-10 at halftime on Monday Night Football. This is your open game thread for the second half. GO BILLS!

  
Buffalo Bills (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)
7:00 PM ET, Gillette Stadium (TV: ESPN)
Bills inactives: TE Derek Fine (hamstring), CB Drayton Florence (knee), WR Steve Johnson, OT Kirk Chambers, LB Ashlee Palmer, CB Ellis Lankster, DE Chris Ellis

December 9, 2007.  That was the last time the Buffalo Bills won a game against an AFC East rival.  The Bills are looking to end a six-game in-division slide against a New England Patriots that they have not beaten since 2003, and have never beaten in Gillette Stadium.  Welcome, folks, to the start of the 2009 Buffalo Bills regular season.

This is your open thread for Monday Night Football.  Make sure you brush up on our Community Guidelines if you're new to the Game Thread process.  As this game is televised nationally (anyone else looking forward to Jon Gruden's commentary?), this, and subsequent, Game Threads should be rather hectic.  Keep it clean and enjoy yourselves.

Against my better judgment, I am excited about the possibility of seeing these young Bills compete with the Pats for 60 minutes.  No matter what happens, we'll know exactly where the Bills stand after tonight, because the Patriots are, without question, an elite franchise.  Game time starts in one half-hour.  Get your game faces on.  Buffalo Bills football is back.  GO BILLS!

  
Buffalo Bills (1-3) vs Detroit Lions (2-1)
6:30 PM, Ralph Wilson Stadium
SB Nation's Detroit Lions coverage: Pride of Detroit

It's nearly over, Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills will take the field in just over a half-hour's time to finally, mercifully, bring this lengthy pre-season to an end.

This is your open thread to discuss the game.  I won't be present, as I'll be taking the game in at The Ralph in person.  (If you're at the game reading this and see a young guy in a throwback Fred Jackson jersey, it might be me.)  Please respect our new rule of not posting links to this particular game streaming online; otherwise, have fun, keep it clean, and go Bills.  After tonight, the games count!

  
Buffalo Bills (1-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
7:30 PM ET, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
SB Nation's Steelers coverage: Behind the Steel Curtain

After three consecutive less-than-exciting pre-season performances, the starting units for the Buffalo Bills will get at least a full half of action tonight when they take the field in Pittsburgh.  A strong showing would go a long way towards raising confidence heading into the ultra-important 2009 season.  A fourth straight poor performance would bring pre-season sketpticism to an all-time high in Western New York.

Not in action for the Bills tonight: WR Terrell Owens, WR Felton Huggins, TE Derek Fine, TE Travis McCall, OT Demetrius Bell, DE Aaron Schobel, LB Pat Thomas, CB Drayton Florence and CB Lydell Sargeant.

This is your open thread for tonight's game.  GO BILLS.

 
Buffalo Bills (1-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)
8:00 PM ET, Lambeau Field
SB Nation's Packers coverage: Acme Packing Company

The Buffalo Bills are in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at the famous Lambeau Field, to take on the Green Bay Packers in their third pre-season game of the year.  Though the team will be without two of its biggest names in WR Terrell Owens and DE Aaron Maybin, there is still plenty for Bills fans to pay attention to this evening.

This is going to be a good test for the Bills' starters on both sides of the ball.  Green Bay features a potent offense with a strong aerial attack and a solid offensive line.  Their 3-4 defense, orchestrated by Dom Capers, is aggressive and blitz-happy.  The Packers are going to be a very good team in 2009, so this should be a nice measuring stick for the Bills, particularly since the starters will get at least a quarters' worth of work.

This is your open thread for tonight's game.  Enjoy, and GO BILLS!

  
Buffalo Bills (0-1) vs Chicago Bears (0-0)
7:00 PM, Ralph Wilson Stadium
SB Nation's Bears coverage: Windy City Gridiron

The Buffalo Bills are set to square off against the Chicago Bears in a half-hours' time at Ralph Wilson Stadium.  Though the team will be without star WR Terrell Owens on Kid's Night at the stadium, there's still plenty for hardcore fans to pay attention to.

This is your open thread for tonight's action.  Enjoy yourselves, stay relaxed, and GO BILLS!