Bills' 2008 Schedule Announced

by Brian Galliford on Apr 15, 2008 2:28 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

The Buffalo Bills' 2008 schedule has been announced, with the Bills' return to Monday Night Football the highlight. The Bills will host the Cleveland Browns on MNF, the second straight season the Bills will host a Monday Night game. The team will also play its regular season matchup against the Dolphins on December 7th in Toronto. The full schedule (once again, big ups to Sean Yuille of Pride of Detroit for coding up another beauty):

PRESEASON
Wk.	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)	TV
1	August 7	at Washington Redskins	FedEx Field	7:00 PM	WKBW
2	August 14	vs Pittsburgh Steelers	Ralph Wilson Stadium	7:30 PM	WKBW
3	August 24	at Indianapolis Colts	Lucas Oil Stadium	8:00 PM	NFLN
4	August 28	vs Detroit Lions	Ralph Wilson Stadium	6:30 PM	WKBW
REGULAR SEASON
Wk.	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)	TV
1	September 7	vs Seattle Seahawks	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	TBA
2	September 14	at Jacksonville Jaguars	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
3	September 21	vs Oakland Raiders	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
4	September 28	at St. Louis Rams	Edward Jones Dome	4:05 PM	TBA
5	October 5	at Arizona Cardinals	U. of Phoenix Stadium	4:15 PM	TBA
6	October 12	---BYE WEEK---
7	October 19	vs San Diego Chargers	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
8	October 26	at Miami Dolphins	Dolphin Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
9	November 2	vs New York Jets	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
10	November 9	at New England Patriots	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
11	November 17	vs Cleveland Browns*	Ralph Wilson Stadium	8:30 PM	ESPN
12	November 23	at Kansas City Chiefs	Arrowhead Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
13	November 30	vs San Francisco 49ers	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	TBA
14	December 7	vs Miami Dolphins*	Rogers Centre (Toronto)	4:05 PM	CBS
15	December 14	at New York Jets	The Meadowlands	1:00 PM	CBS
16	December 21	at Denver Broncos	Invesco Field	4:05 PM	CBS
17	December 28	vs New England Patriots	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
*Played on MNF/Nationally Televised ¤ Flex Scheduling from Weeks 11-17

Let me be the first to announce my displeasure that the Bills are playing the Dolphins in Toronto. What is the international appeal with that franchise in the first place? Not to mention the fact that watching the Bills pound our biggest rivals into submission is one of the better home games of the season - and it's happened exactly that way for a few years now. Why the NFL exported a division game, I'll never know. Exporting the Oakland or San Diego games makes a whole lot more sense to me. But maybe it's just me. I'll miss watching our defense torch John Beck, though (live anyways).

One positive: the Bills will not play the Patriots coming off of their bye week this year. The Pats' bye is in Week 5, and they face the 49ers in Week Six. The NFL finally caught themselves there (or realized we'd caught them).

Thoughts on the schedule?

Tweet Comment 50 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A deliberate slap

There is simply no reasonable explanation that the league would move the Bills' principal rivalry game to Toronto other than as a deliberate attempt to antagonize the Buffalo fan base out of sheer contempt. It would be like moving the Skins-Cowboys game to Richmond or the Jets-Patriots game to Montréal. There is no way that this move can possibly be unintentional. The NFL wants the Bills to fail in order to make a move more attractive.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

MLB equivalent

Sorry for following up on my own post.

This move sounds exactly like what happened when Major League Baseball decided to move the Canada Day rivalry series between the Expos and the Blue Jays to Puerto Rico. The league wanted lower attendance and moving the most attractive games on the schedule out of the country got them exactly that.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't go that far

I don't think that their moving the chief rivalry game out of town is some sort of conspiracy. Dumb, yes; conspiracy, no. For whatever reason, the NFL seems to want to market the Dolphins on an international level (see: Giants/Dolphins last year in London); that's what the move is about. It's irritating, but there's no conspiracy here.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 15, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think there is conspiracy

But I do think the move shows a great deal of contempt for and hostility towards the Buffalo fans by the league. The league would have never even considered moving the Skins-Cowboys game or the Bears-Packers game out of the country or even out of those immediate areas. To them doing it to Buffalo is, for a lack of a better work, okay. It's Buffalo, who will care but us? We're the laughingstock. Belittling us is almost second nature.

The Bills have been in the top ten in the league in attendance four out of the last five seasons despite not having been in the playoffs since the Music City Miracle game and despite playing in the league's second smallest market. Really, it seems like the Bills would have to perform twice as well as their competitors to be even considered half as good.

The Colts haven't been out of the bottom 10 in attendance for as long as they've been there. Move one of their home games.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

1-15 team being showcased?

I'll bet the demand for tickets decreased just a little bit, but I am sure we still have no chance of getting tickets without spending a small fortune. It should have been Seattle, San Francisco or Cleveland with the Bills getting a division rival in the home opener. Playing the Jets in week 1 would have been he best scenario.

by JTM1023 on Apr 15, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to agree

that I was angry to lose the Fins game, but now ...not so much. The rivalry between the Bills and Fins is not like it was in the 70s- 80s. I think the MNF match-up vs the Browns makes up for it. Both teams are on the rise and this could be the new rivalry of the decade.

by Joe P. on Apr 15, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

right on

You are right on Joe. The Browns-Bills game this year is the second reiteration of a rivalry that will last the decade. I was in Cleveland with my Bills hat on and man do they hate us.

It's not delivery, It's DiGiorgio!

by poz on Apr 15, 2008 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

Check out this headline.

by Zumone on Apr 15, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool

It's fun to pretend that your city owns an NFL team, isn't it?

Man... I love the Geneseo Bills.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 15, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

We sort of do own them

After all, our county and state taxes pay for the Ralph. When the Bills leave it will be just a worthless boondoggle on the corner of Southwestern and Abbott that we still have to pay for but can no longer get any significant income out of. Do you think DCI performances will make up for the Bills?

Who knows, maybe it will go back to being a dairy farm like it was in 1971.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice call on the dairy farm.

You're probably as old if not older than I am. Nice..

by krytime on Apr 15, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I do remember

I grew up in Orchard Park during the '70s. Ron Pitts and Ron Wolfley were my classmates at OPHS in the Class of '81 (although Wolfley illegally transfered to Frontier during his senior year) and Craig Wolfley and Jim Burt were seniors when I was a freshman. I remember what it was like.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

My uncle would go over to Jim Burt's house

when he was teenager. He said his mother was in the kitchen all day long. She was like a short order cook for all the boys in the family.

by jj24 on Apr 15, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Burt and Burt

I didn't know Jim Burt well but I did know his younger brother Dana. We couldn't stand each other and got into fights more than once. As I was very small then (I weighed 128 when I got out of Basic Training), I usually came out on the short end of the stick in a fight against a football player. :}

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

no reasonable expanation?

I have one:

The Bills have been unable to or have needed corporate help to sell out 2 of the last 3 Dolphins games.

by kaisertown on Apr 15, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Hold on to that comment for a second.

That had more to do with Buffalo having a hard time selling out games late in the season, when the weather isn't so nice.

I for one am extremely disppointed that the Dolphins game is in Toronto. I've been a season ticket holder off and on over the last twenty some years, and have always looked forward to the Miami games.

I think the NFL goofed on this one. Poor choice to say the least.

by krytime on Apr 15, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Nobody panic but...

Those first two games could be a doosie. I wouldn't be surprised to see our Bills start 0-2. That said the rest looks manageable, but I don't want any loyal Rumblers jumping in front of buses or anything.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Apr 15, 2008 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Sieric

no predictions! Let us enjoy the schedule, the draft and training camp before the negativity sets in!

Our off-season is like our playoffs since we never make it there!

Having Seattle come to our place is fine. Its just can we finish the game unlike the DENVER game last year

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Apr 15, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry, you're right

16-0 baby, this schedule is cake.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Apr 15, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry again

Dammit thats a prediction.

Go Bills.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Apr 15, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

We can win 4 out of first 5

Seattle will be feeling out offense w/o Shaun Alexander and don't have scary WR's.

On the road vs. Jags is scary - that's the loss.

Raiders - Jamarcus feeling his way still

St. Louis - Defense scares nobody

Arizona - No running game to speak of.

We have to bank 4 wins early! 2-0 at home, 2-1 OTR

by freddyjj on Apr 15, 2008 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

if you think about it

we could be 7-1... with better playcalling and a more quick-strike passing game (we need WRs) we can be 7-1 (cross fingers).

btw: arizona will have Rashard Mendenhall, who is an NFL ready RB... but we'll still take that game me thinks.

by osmanBAE on Apr 15, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

No AFC East until week 8

Interesting that all the AFC East opponents are in the 2nd half of the season.

And is it a good omen that we finish at home with the Patriots? Or maybe the question is, will we play or sit our starters?

by Zumone on Apr 15, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

Great Monday Nighter

This, as has been said, is the rivalry to begin. While we should be in a division with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Indianapolis as the AFC North, that is another story.
That will be the litmus test for this team on the big stage/
Also, expect the Toronto game to be put on Sunday night.

The Bills can win every game

by killascript on Apr 15, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

Stillers

I wouldn't consider the Steelers, Browns or Colts bigger rivals than any of the Pats, Fish or Schwets....

by Harris on Apr 15, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I think moving the Miami game to Toronto is great!

What better way to make sure the Toronto games are a sucess that putting our most bitter rival as our opponent?

It is the quickest way to assimilate the new Toronto (Canadian) fans to the team - by seeing the passion beating the crap out of Miami gives Bills Fans! (If we could actually beat N. England that would be better) but imagine half a stadium full of Torontonians watching their first game with a stadium half full of Die-Hard Bills fans screaming Squish the Fish!!! - It'll be AWESOME!!!

Think of it this way - if your trying to build your fan base up, would you bring a newbiee to a game like Ohio State vs. Youngstown, or Ohio State vs. Michigan???

I think putting Miami V. Buffalo in Toronto is smart as hell, and shows a real commitment by the Bills and the NFL to helping make Pro Football Succeed in Buffalo!!! Along with a Monday night game!!! (That's two automatic Sell-Outs!!!)

by DC Fan on Apr 15, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Conflicted

because, it does kinda make sense if you want to stretch the fan base outside of buffalo, throw them a big rivalry game.

But on the other hand, its the dolphins, and having the dolphins play late in the year in buffalo is always a big draw.

I dont think its any kind of conspiracy, i mean after all we dont have to play NE right after their bye on national TV again, thats always good. And we also get a huge monday night game by two potential playoff teams....at home. all in all, not a bad schedule.

and about going 0-2, we always play JAX hard, last years final score didnt fully reflect how close that game was. one taylor running play and we were within points of having the lead that entire game until the 4th, and then losman couldnt hit the broad side of a barn. either way, im excited that they play JAX on opening day in jax, and i get to go.

Still waiting on the next Kelly....

by silverstreak3k on Apr 15, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

Not really

If you wanted to stretch the fan base, you would have given them a credible opponent but one that that the team does not have a history with, much as the NHL did when they scheduled a game in Rochester between the Sabres and the then-defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Seattle would have been the optimum choice for an opponent in Toronto. They're a good team and one that the Bills don't have any particular history with other than John Leypoldt winning their first ever game for them by kicking five field goals. Instead, Toronto NFL fans who don't care much about the rivalry will see that the NFL is throwing them the worst team in the league. So, it could be considered a slap at Toronto because they're not good enough to get a decent opponent and a slap at Buffalo because they're taking away a rivalry game.

Seriously, out of all of the teams on the schedule this was the absolute worst choice of opponent both from a Buffalo point of view and from a Toronto point of view.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Toronto game

I wonder if they made the schedule first, and then decided which game to move to Toronto? Because if you already create the schedule, the Miami game makes sense to move. It has to be in December to be after the Argos games, and the last game of the season isn't good to move - it either doesn't matter, or has huge significance. So the only choice is the Dec 7 game...

by Krenn on Apr 15, 2008 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

and Toronto wants a football team?

check this out

The Buffalo Bills may not be taking on one of the strongest teams in the NFL when they kick off their regular-season era in Toronto, but they will meet one of their fiercest rivals at Rogers Centre.

The Bills will face the Miami Dolphins here on Dec. 7 in the first regular-season NFL game to be played in Canada.

The Dolphins, who are now led by NFL veteran Bill Parcells were the worst team in the league in 2007 finishing with just one win in 16 contests.

The game is one of eight in the partnership between the Bills and the Toronto group led by Rogers Communications and Larry Tanenbaum over the next five seasons. The first will be a pre-season date with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 14.

Tickets are expected to go on sale next month with Toronto Argonauts season-ticket holders getting first priority. Bills season-ticket holders will also receive an allotment with the remainder going to NFL fans who have registered at wwww.billsintoronto.com.

The NFL season opens on Thursday, Sept. 4 when the Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins play host to the New York Giants.

OUCH!!

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 15, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

November and beyond/ Testing Trent

Looks like there's no love for Trent af far as the weather goes.(not to mention all the other players) All of our indoor/ warm weather road games are earlier in the schedule. From November on its likely to be cold, lousy weather. I hope Trent's a little more prepared for the cold, the wind, and elements this year. He won't be seeing too much warm weather or sunshine in the second half of the season.

by jj24 on Apr 15, 2008 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

Bills email

Just got my email from the Bills announcing the schedule. While they make significant mention of the MNF game against the Browns (calling it the rematch of the Snowstorm game) and the season opener against the Seahawks, there is no mention whatsoever in the text of the letter about the Dolphins game in Toronto. To find it you have to go all the way down to the bottom to the BillsClipsToday.com headlines links.

Do you think they're so embarrassed by the situation that they can't even bring themselves to mention it in their own advertising?

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

RE: Bills email

"Do you think they're so embarrassed by the situation that they can't even bring themselves to mention it in their own advertising?"

Uh, yeah.

by krytime on Apr 15, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Is the Rogers Centre a dome?

I hope it's not. Nothing better than freezing the fish 21-0 and 38-17.

Limas would be a Sweed pick at 11. :) So would Harvey.

by Kumario! on Apr 15, 2008 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Both

Its a dome but it has a retractable roof

It's not delivery, It's DiGiorgio!

by poz on Apr 15, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate to say this...

But it's not a bad place...

by krytime on Apr 15, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Us old people...

...still call it SkyDome.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

7-9

Looks like another 7 and 9 season to me guys. I actually wouldn't be disappointed with that. I just don't think we are there yet. Basically only two upgrades during the off season with Stroud and Mitchell. Poz coming back will obviously help also, but I think not addressing the TE and WR positions will be enough to keep us out of the playoffs. Hopefully the draft will help us get there next year, and we just get better this year despite having the same record.

by Buffalonian by the Grace of God on Apr 15, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

You assume

upgrades don't just come from without. Trent Edwards, Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson will all be in their second season (yes I count Fred as a rookie from last year) and the offensive coordinators will know how to use them better and they will play smarter, plus Trent has put on some muscle. The coaching staff seems high on Youboty and I would count McCargo as an addition because he will get a chance to play a lot next year. We may also find a way to get Roscoe the ball more after we draft a suitable #2 receiver. As you mentioned Poz is back and we'll see if Ko comes back angry and ready to reclaim his job. Evans and Trent have a whole off-season to create chemistry now that Lee knows who his QB is. With a proper draft I see a 10-6 season, I'm not just being optimistic, I really do.

It's not delivery, It's DiGiorgio!

by poz on Apr 15, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

The key...

...is not going to be any of the players specifically. The season will be determined by how successful Schonert is in revamping the offense and if the types of players that the Bills have work well in his offense. We saw last season how dreadful play calling affected the team. If Schonert expresses his ideas well and the players execute them well, the team will be successful. If he does not then we're looking at another losing season.

If Schonert fails, the team fails regardless of their talent and how they draft. If he succeeds, these people are going to be in the playoffs.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 15, 2008 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree 100%

It really will make all the difference in the world what playcalling and attitude we take on offense. Here's hoping Schonert learned what not to do from watching us last year.

It's not delivery, It's DiGiorgio!

by poz on Apr 16, 2008 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

Schonert will have an impact at some level, but our receiving corp is at best, poor. I just don't think we have enough offense to win 10 games, nor a dominant enough defense to win 10 games. That is why I think a more realistic expectation is 7-8 wins, which wouldn't be bad considering this team is not littered with talent, getting there, but not yet.

by Buffalonian by the Grace of God on Apr 16, 2008 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Wait a minute...

... we win 7 games with bottom-feeding offense and defense, but we can't win one more game with an improved defense, a more experienced QB/RB combo, another healthy draft class, the return of many injured players, and a top-5 easy schedule? I understand realism, but anything less than 9 wins this year would be a colossal disappointment. 9, at a minimum, seems achievable. The playoffs are an entirely different question altogether.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 16, 2008 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Colossal disappointment

That's sort of drastic for you Brian. It's way to early to start counting your chickens, my friend. I'm saying we could win 12 games or we could lose 12 games.

There hasn't been a draft, training camp, or preseason, yet. When those are over can we start with talks of who we're better than and diappointments.

by jj24 on Apr 16, 2008 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you have forgotten

that we grossly overachieved last year. We were flat out awful. Yes, we got a little better in the off season and the return of injured players will help. We beat the odds last year with a horrific run defense and an embarrassing inept offense. To say that we will automatically do better than that for the reason's you gave is not taking into account we really had no business going 7-9 last year. So based on that premise, I believe if we go 7-9 this year the law of averages will work out, and it won't necessarily mean a disappointing season, to me.

by Buffalonian by the Grace of God on Apr 16, 2008 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think we overachieved at all

I think we beat the teams we were supposed to beat:

Miami (2)
NY Jets (2)
Baltimore (1)
Washington (1)
Cincinnati (1)

Where are the games we were supposed to lose there? Maybe Washington. Maybe Cincinnati. At the time we played those two teams, they were dealing with struggles, whether on the field or emotionally. We won the games we were supposed to win. That's not overachieving, it's doing your job.

We're better. We'll be better after the draft. We're healthier and more experienced. Our schedule is weaker. If we win the games we're supposed to win - like we did last year - then our record will improve.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 16, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

agree to disagree

I appreciate your optimism, but your argument is so subjective and you act like it is a certainty. We were an absolute terrible team last year, and we are a little better this year. How you can say it is practically a given that this team will have a better record this year is real reach. I hope they win them all.

by Buffalonian by the Grace of God on Apr 16, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate subject lines

If we win the games we're supposed to win - like we did last year - then our record will improve.

"If" does not imply certainty. I never said it was a certainty our record would improve. I said if we did what we're expected to do, aka beat the teams we're supposed to beat, then 9 wins can be easily achievable. I'm not a palm reader, and don't pretend to be, so I'm not going to predict a record. I'm just saying that to say "we're only marginally better, and the law of averages means we'll be 7-9 again" is just as flawed as my argument was to you.

So yes... agree to disagree. The advice of Ron Burgundy reigns supreme everywhere... :)

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 16, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Will the Toronto game be played in the cold?

One of the main reasons we can always wreck Miami late in the season, besides them being a bad team, is that they simply can't play in the bad weather like we can, if they keep the roof open we'll still have the same type of advantage we always have over them late in the season at home

"Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"

by ArenZimm on Apr 15, 2008 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

Miami in the cold.

We don't wreck Miami because we play better in the "cold." It has to do with being the better team. As a reference, check out the Fins 70's record against the Bills....

by krytime on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions