I was pleased to be joined by Matt from Buffalo Rumblings, our Buffalo Bills affiliate, to preview Sunday's game. Matt talks about just how bad the Bills' run defense is, whether running back C.J. Spiller should be getting more playing time, the weather conditions expected for this Sunday's game, and more.
Chris: "Earlier this season, it seemed like Ryan Fitzpatrick was putting up huge points for the Bills. Besides a breakout against the Bengals though, Buffalo has been averaging about 14 points per game. Why has the Bills' offense fallen off a little?"
Matt: "The biggest reason is they've been playing tougher defenses. They were held in check by the Steelers and Vikings who both got great push from rushing just four defenders, especially the Vikings. Ryan Fitzpatrick was hounded all day by Jared Allen and company. Against the Steelers, the Bills held the ball for under ten minutes of the first half, and despite going deep into overtime, they held the ball for under thirty minutes."
Chris: "While Fred Jackson has played great again this season, are fans wishing that C.J. Spiller would receive more reps, or are they content with his limited role?"
Matt: "Content isn't the term they would use. Jackson is a fan favorite so you won't see any negativity directed towards him. His story is so blue-collar that no one would really give him any grief. Fans are wishing C.J. Spiller would do something. He was out for two weeks with a hamstring injury and his role in the offense hasn't materialized yet. Local media members are starting to call him a disappointing pick but he is having a big adjustment period as he figures out he can't make everyone miss and he needs to pass block."
Chris: "The Browns will no doubt try to pound Peyton Hillis on the ground this week. How has Buffalo done at defending running backs this year?"
Matt: "I think "not good" is too kind. They are giving up 25 yards per game more than the next closest team in the NFL. They are averaging over 170 yards rushing allowed per game. Peyton Hillis is going to slice and dice through this run defense. Dwan Edwards and three of our linebackers who have started a game this year are on injured reserve so it doesn't look like it's going to get any better."
Chris: "I was intrigued by how the Bills were able to keep the Steelers' offense in check a couple of weeks ago. Was that a case of Pittsburgh struggling, or the Bills' defense being at the top of their game?"
Matt: "Probably best to sum it up in a name: Kyle Williams. Williams had one of the three highest grades Pro Football Focus has ever given a DT that Sunday. He sacked Big Ben twice and broke his foot. He was in the backfield blowing up running plays. He just had an awesome game and created havoc. He should be a lock for the Pro Bowl but on a two-win team that is last in run defense it's kind of a hard sell. After Roethlisberger got hurt in the first half he wasn't really the same again."
Chris: "Is there expected to be a lot of snow for this week's game? It seems like it is either very cold or a whiteout any time these two teams meet."
Matt: "Buffalo has been getting pounded with lake effect snow for the better part of the last week and a half. Schools have been closed and major highways shut down for portions of that time, as well. As of now the weather forecast is for a wintry mix. Cleveland folks should know what that is but for clarity it's gonna be 34 degrees and rain/slush/ice/snow precipitation. Winds are going to be swirling too with 12-18 MPH predicted. Good weather for Peyton Hillis and Fred Jackson."
Once again, I'd like to thank Matt for taking the time to answer these questions.
0 recs | 111 comments
I’d love to answer questions from you guys, too.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
We can talk about other stuff than football, too. The Walking Dead is a great show. The Office is having a helluva year. I mean my team is a two-win team. Whatever, guys. :-)
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
Community is tops now.
dgcambridge - December 10, 2010
Oh hell yeah.
Adrock2099 - December 10, 2010
There needs to be more episodes of The Walking Dead. Right now.
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
THIS
North Coast Flea - December 10, 2010
Amazing show!
Heavysoviet - December 10, 2010
I’m personally waiting for the new Parks and Recreation season, as well as catching up on 30 Rock.
notthatnoise - December 10, 2010
Parks and Rec. Now we’re talking.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
One of the best shows on tv.
Onyx Lightning - December 10, 2010 via mobile
Do you watch Dexter? and if so, is it worth watching this season?
bross09 - December 10, 2010
I don’t get Showtime so I couldn’t tell ya.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
Ok. I honestly don’t either, I just started watching it online this year. I really want to check out that show Walking Dead though (just need to get through this next week)
bross09 - December 10, 2010
Walking Dead is awesome and my friends have said this season of Dexter might be one of the best.
Always down for a little The League and Always Sunny … best hour block of television I think.
jsneides - December 10, 2010
I totally agree on the latter.
I watched the first half of the season of dexter and gave up. I was actually getting a bit bored this season…it seemed to have no suspense for the first half of the season. I stopped and just started reading reviews. While it seems like it got better, the reviews for the most recent one were resoundly mediocre. From what I have been hearing from reviews and from my friends that watch it is it may be the weakest season.
There is certainly no way it can beat the first in my book anyways, because the first 6 episodes of that one were great.
bross09 - December 10, 2010
Always Sunny has become completely unwatchable to me.
Bernie19Kosar - December 11, 2010
you didn’t like Lethal Weapon 5?
bross09 - December 11, 2010
Nope. Too bad, the show used to be appointment TV.
Bernie19Kosar - December 12, 2010
Good not great
Roger Dorn - December 10, 2010
how was the most recent episode (heard a lot of mixed reviews on that one)
bross09 - December 10, 2010
A little slow at the beginning but better as it moved along.
rufio - December 10, 2010
It has been down this year a little, IMO.
rufio - December 10, 2010
Walking Dead is one of the best shows on TV.
North Coast Flea - December 10, 2010
Thanks for the comments and best of luck to you and the Bills on all days except this Sunday.
realmccoy - December 10, 2010
Some of the best NFL highlight films ever were OJ Simpson going apeshit on some defense. Do Bills fans still reminisce?
elsandito - December 10, 2010
I’ll say yes but most of the guys that post on our blog are younger and never saw OJ, including me. We think back to the early 90s more than anything.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
Wait… /b/rother?
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
Somehow, I’m not at all surprised by this.
Simmsinns - December 10, 2010
Muhaha. Are you as well?
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
I’ve lurked in the past, not so much anymore. It can be incredible amusing at times, but I never really bought into the broader mantra, for lack of a better term.
Simmsinns - December 10, 2010
Indeed, all I do is lurk and troll as well.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
Should I start Fred Jackson? I want to know how he will do against a solid run D like the browns.
Also what should i expect now from Steve Johnson?
bross09 - December 10, 2010
Johnson has been down for a few weeks now. he had a huge week in Cincy but for the two games before and after has been dropping tons of passes.
Jackson is the driving force behind the offense. He’ll get his touches but he’s on my bench behind Blount and MJD.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
Ah. I don’t have backs like Blount or MJD. If I don’t go with Fred Jackson, I will end up going with Ronnie Brown…
I would probably end up starting Jackson out of necessity…possibly the same with Stevie Johnson. All I have left at WR is Garcon and Knox.
bross09 - December 10, 2010
How do Bills fans feel about Ryan Fitzpatrick? Do you guys think he is your QB of the future, or would most of you guys still like to pick one up in next years draft?
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
Depends on how future you are talking.
I think he’s the starting QB for next season and the backup for probably as long as he wants after that. I really hope they add another QB next year to groom. Fitzpatrick is adequate but he’s not a top-flight QB.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
What’s the feeling about the games in Toronto? Have they been enjoyable to attend for the diehard Bills fan?
Technically speaking, do the season-ticket holders get tickets to these games?
As for the game, which Bill should we expect to see get the treat of a pick-6 from Jake?
Spidey - December 10, 2010 via mobile
Most Bills fans don’t go. Opponent jerseys usually dominate the crowd and anecdotal evidence from this season’s two games there bear that out. The tailgating sucks, the prices are high, and it’s an hour drive. Even most Canadian Bills fans would prefer to see the Bills in Buffalo. Smart fans recognize the monetary importance of the deal. They make more from one game in Toronto than they make the rest of the year for home games if I’m not mistaken.
They are not part of the season ticket package.
Jairus Byrd picked him off twice last season when we played the Panthers. He’s the best guess for an INT but a pick-six is probably Leodis McKelvin. He gambles a lot and was burned by Minnesota last week so the Browns may target him. If he guesses right he can take it all the way easy.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
I’ve just moved to Toronto (yeah I know, it’s confusing) and I’m quite keen on the Toronto series- as a Cleveland fan. For one thing I think it means we’ll get the Bills-Browns game on Rodgers TV.
I’d sooner it was the Bengals doing it to increase the chances of getting a no-stress Browns game in as a bonus.
But overall now I’m at least on the correct continent having NFL in town albeit once a year is just a bonus.
LondonBrown - December 10, 2010
Wow! I didn’t know the Toronto game meant that much money to the team. Having been to Rogers Centre I see what you mean about the tailgating and high prices. And if there is one team I would not want to play in a neutral city it would be the Jets – the fans are unbearable.
Come to think of it, here is my list of teams I would not enjoy playing in a neutral city:
Jets
Red Sox
Steelers
Redskins
Lakers
Red Wings
Duke
Spidey - December 10, 2010 via mobile
You should add Eagles fans to that list. Literally the most unbearable fans in sports (and I’ve lived in Boston).
Onyx Lightning - December 10, 2010 via mobile
They were on my list, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Philly, and some of my good friends are Eagles fans. But if not for that, they would be near the top of the list. The thing about Philly fans is that they know their @&!& stinks (and stinks real bad). Boston fans think theirs smells like roses.
Spidey - December 11, 2010 via mobile
This is the one week that I won´t offer how we can win. All odds against us in favor of high stakes for the win. I don´t want to end the season being spoilers versus winners and draft spot pushers against losers.
mooncamping - December 10, 2010
Which of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s legs is meatier? Shaun Rogers is hungry.
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
I’d be a little nervous if Matt had ever been that familiar with Fitzpatrick’s body.
elsandito - December 10, 2010
Big-time ROFL!
Spidey - December 10, 2010 via mobile
Kind of an unkind pic there, Chris :)
BuenosAires_Dawg - December 10, 2010
Go root for Buffalo!
Villeslgr - December 10, 2010
Are we going to use that joke on every thread?
BuenosAires_Dawg - December 10, 2010
I think the answer is obvious.
notthatnoise - December 10, 2010
i don’t use it, but i figured since it was a thread about Buffalo it was pretty obvious and appropriate
Villeslgr - December 10, 2010
Sometimes it’s not a joke.
rufio - December 10, 2010
I view it as common parlance on this site.
Dawg Nuts - December 11, 2010
My favorite all time memory of Cleveland v. Buffalo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu0ihzhCkkk
CW78 - December 10, 2010
I remember that one!
Beebe was on a programme about Holmgren’s packer years- him & Favre went trick & treating on Holmgrens doorstep.
LondonBrown - December 10, 2010
I remember that play well.
MattRichWarren - December 10, 2010
i was at that game. it was awesome.
DontCallMeJoey - December 10, 2010
I LOVE CJ SPILLER! The end.
emily522 - December 10, 2010
Cool story, Bro. Very suspenseful.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
Thanks, I know. And don’t call me bro haha.
emily522 - December 10, 2010
ok whatever, homie.
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
Home slice.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
This is one doodle that can’t be undid, home skillet.
Simmsinns - December 10, 2010
I love you, man.
I love you, too, bud.
I love you, dude.
I love you, Bro Montana.
I love you, holmes.
I love you, Broseph Goebbels.
I love you, muchacha.
I love you, Tycho Brohe.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
damn it, you literally beat me to that by one sentence
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
Is it possible none of us have anything better to do today?
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
WWWAAAASSSSSUUUUPPPP!
I think that answers your question. LOL
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
You must have that picture saved nearby don’t you? That was an awfully fast post…
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
Sadly, I can’t see the image…but I’m sure its hilarious.
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
Oh Noes!
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
I was right. LMFAO
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
Oh Noes!
bross09 - December 10, 2010
I don’t want to spam this board with picture, so I’ll just leave this HERE.
Simmsinns - December 10, 2010
This shall now be an epic thread.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
HERE.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
W. O. W.
Thats pretty much epic.
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
OK, this is probably a dumb question, but how do you get links up with the words “HERE” in there?
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
you can highlight the word/letter/sentence/etc before you click link or you can type it in between the >< at the end of the link
Villeslgr - December 10, 2010
HERE
I know, the print is kinda small…
bross09 - December 10, 2010
That is excellent.
emily522 - December 10, 2010
There’s one of him yelling that says, “I WANT TO BE A TOYS R US KID!”
emily522 - December 10, 2010
And is that Herm Edwards?
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
HA! Kind of looks like him. Gotta love google
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
You thought that too?!
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
Emily, any posts from you in the game day thread regarding CJ Spiller play will be closely monitored.
Phrases such as “wow, nice move by Spiller” will be allowed (lets say up to a maximum of 3 such posts).
However…
If there are any exclamation marks in the post, you will be flagged.
Phrases such as “GO CJ” – you will be flagged (in fact please avoid all caps or you will risk being flagged).
If you celebrate a CJ Spiller touchdown…. lets just say you will suffer consequences.
burntorangeandbrown - December 10, 2010
they will never be the same
Villeslgr - December 10, 2010
(just teasing emily – I hope you know that…)
burntorangeandbrown - December 10, 2010
Ha I know. He probably won’t do much in the game, though. He’s been pretty disappointing so far.
emily522 - December 11, 2010
What happened to Aaron Maybin? He seemed like a raw but athletic prospect coming out of Penn St…did he just stop working to get better? Injuries?
rufio - December 10, 2010
His rap career is currently more important.
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
The other guys were better in run support and he didn’t do enough in pass rush to warrant a spot on the active roster. So he didn’t play for a while. He’s getting his chance now with all the injuries at OLB.
MattRichWarren - December 11, 2010
Can’t wait for this game. Buddy of mine is a Bills fan, and we’ve been hyping this game since the year started. I love playing a fellow struggling team, especially in the northern United States.
Heavysoviet - December 10, 2010
Must see TV. If you haven´t seen the Rob Ryan press conference go to Clevelandbrowns.com right now. Absolutely hillarious. Will miss him when he goes to Denver.
realmccoy - December 10, 2010
You want Must see TV? Watch the Steinbach video. That stache will carry us to the playoffs.
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
I saw his stache on SC. IT WAS SO FRICKEN’ AWESOME!
JOE NEEDS A FUMANCHU!
SpecialBrownie - December 10, 2010
Don´t you think it crossed over into the ultimate “Cheesy Porn Guy Stache”? Thankfully Mack is so good at center – if not I´m sure Steinbach would ask for a position change just for the opportunity to get Colt´s hands on his cheesy porn arse.
realmccoy - December 11, 2010
Bills vs Browns.
no wonder this thread went all Special-Olympics.
discoinferno083 - December 10, 2010
You know it’s bad when the Bills guy wants to talk about tv shows.
Brownie's Year - December 11, 2010
Give him a break. Can you imagine watching a worse product than the Browns for the past decade? The fact he can write a coherent sentence is amazing.
realmccoy - December 11, 2010
rec
Brownie's Year - December 11, 2010
Special Edition: Getting to Know the Enemy and the Television Preferences of Their Fans
Why do I have the feeling that finding a stream of this game online might prove more challenging than usual?
RelapsingDawgCatcher - December 11, 2010
I wrote something like 30 articles this week about the Browns vs. Bills over at Buffalo Rumblings. We can talk about the game if you want. I just thought this might be more interesting. :-)
MattRichWarren - December 11, 2010
Haha, I was joking.
Brownie's Year - December 11, 2010
no, you shouldn’t be joking.
i’d like to hear football discussions on this week’s game.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
Fantasy HELP
I can only play 2 of these 3 players ( Peyton Hillis (CLE), Steven Jackson (STL), Fred Jackson (BUF) ) who do I play? Cleveland playes Buffalo, and St. Louis play Saints. Do I go with Hillis and Jackson in the same game?
champion64 - December 11, 2010
i probably would go w/ Fred jackson and hillis.
the rams might get behind and have to throw often.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
Hillis and Fred. Gotta think it’s going to be mostly a rushing game in the snow for both teams.
notthatnoise - December 11, 2010
seems like they’re just calling for rain now. it’ll be a mess.
Dawg Nuts - December 11, 2010
Thanks all. Playoff Fantasy TIME!
champion64 - December 12, 2010
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