Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons - Open Game Thread

Hopefully I can lead some insightful discussion here, and hopefully someone who has television access can describe to me what the heck is going on.

See you all tonight right back here.

Brian made some really good points about what he's watching for at the game tonight.  (Have fun Brian, your opinion will be missed)

Anything additional that you guys are looking for from the Bills tonight?

Also, Vick (obviously), Dunn, and Crumpler are all out for the Falcons, so hopefully we won't have a repeat of last week's first quarter defense.

Duke Preston will start at center for Fowler, and Coy Wire will start for Angelo Crowell.

Atlanta is also without second-year RB Jerrious Norwood, and LB Demorrio Williams.

Both teams are pretty banged up at this point it seems, though I'm sure many of the inactives are simply cautionary.

Poz's name came up a lot on that drive (listening on the radio).  Seems like he is looking good so far.  

Looking forward to seeing (read: hearing about) Marshawn Lynch on this drive.

Offensive line picked up a blitz nicely (with Lynch's help).

Encouraging.

Ryan Denney was hurt on the opening kickoff.  It's his lower leg.  No word officially yet.

38 yard return, too.

Hopefully McGee steps up his cornerback play this year, that would be huge.

Inexcusable to come up point-less on that possession.  Losman missed receivers twice and had a bad shotgun snap get over his head.

Lindell missed a 55 yarder with a lot of wind blowing at the Ralph, can't really blame him.

1. Posluszny has been all over the field so far.
2. Big plays made by Evans and Terrence McGee are promising.
3. Losman has been his usual inconsistent self.
4. The defense has tightened up after that first goal line stand.
5. Still haven't gotten a sufficient dose of Marshawn.

have been changed to

Leonhard, Wilson, Greer, and Youboty.

I'd like to see something from Ashton in this game.

Lindell hits from 48.

Has made some plays against the Bills as well so far.

I love the big, tough receiver mold, but somehow they often get overlooked (see: Colston, Marques).

Wouldn't it be funny (in an evil sort of way) if, after all those first round receiver picks, Robinson ends up being the one that pans out.

Marshawn is out, but the starting O-Line is in with Fred Jackson.

We got a decent look at Marshawn Lynch, and he seemed to be living up to the billing.

Losman played the whole half, but did not play particularly well.  Never really got any good drives going at all. Only got three points on two turnovers.

The defense was up and down, as the Falcons racked up some good yardage, but only managed two FG's.

Edwards is in there, I guess Nall doesn't need any work.  They ran no-huddle on that drive. I guess they wanted to see his poise in a no-huddle offense.

Lynch: B+

WR's: Not enough info to grade.

O-Line: B

D-Line: A-

LB's: A

Secondary: A-

YES! The D is making some plays, and I like it!

Nice to see Trent scramble around a bit, and obviously if you give Roscoe some time he's going to get open with his speed.

The choice:

Samuel Adams Summer Ale - great stuff.

"Edwards made chicken salad out of....something a lot worse than that."

Brilliant Murphy, just brilliant.

They are at Buffalo's 24 yard line.

I guess Harrington and Redman, two failed first rounders, seem like better options.  

1st and goal from the 1 now.

13-10 Falcons with 2:38 to play.

Trent Edwards is 18-21 in his two preseason games so far.  We need him to lead a drive here.

So, Buffalo loses this one.

Plus marks go to:
Marshawn Lynch, Trent Edwards, Paul Posluszny, Defensive Line, Defensive Playmaking

Minus marks go to:
JP Losman, Offensive Line

No really glaring minuses tonight, but JP was inconsistent and the Falcons seemed to be getting a pretty good pass rush.

Overall, I give Buffalo a 6.447 out of 10.

It has been a pleasure filling in for Brian G, and although turnout was short in the first quarter, we picked it up in the second half.

Go Bills!