For the first time in almost four years Bills Head Coach, Rex Ryan, is actually feeling confident going into this week versus the New England Patriots. Ryan and the Bills have reason too, since they are coming off a 33-18 upset win over the reeling Arizona Cardinals, who managed to turn the ball over five times last Sunday. Ryan has also gone back to his ingenious ways by trying to impersonate Bill Belichick during press conferences in hopes that he can one day lead his team to a championship. Unlike Belichick, Ryan is usually blunt during his press conferences and he takes shots at Patriots players for no apparent reason. Regardless, this week it seems like he turned over a new leaf by not revealing any injury information to the media, just like Belichick. During his news conference on Monday afternoon he seemed certain that the Bills could create pressure on the Patriots quarterback, whomever it may be come Sunday.
Despite Ryan’s upbeat and confident demeanor, a lot of NFL analysts and players believe that the Patriots will send the Bills running back to upstate New York. Julian Edelman, a New England Patriots receiver, was pranked called by Ryan during his conference call with members of the Bills media. Ryan even had the balls to ask Edelman who the Patriots quarterback would be this weekend and Edelman gave him the good ol’ Patriots response. Edelman stated that, "I’m going to do whatever the coaches ask me to do. If they ask me to go out and get them a glass of water on the sideline, I’m going to do that with a smile on my face to help my team win.”
I don’t think Edelman will be handing water out on the sidelines this Sunday, he’s not quite as skilled as Adam Sandler in the Waterboy. In spite of Edelman’s claim, the Patriots will reportedly have both of their quarterbacks ready to go in this Sunday’s tilt with the Bills. Patriots rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who injured his thumb last week, had a solid outing against the Texans, but he had a lot of help from his elite defense.
In spite of his stellar performance against the Texans, Brissett has been practicing on a limited basis this week and he should be ready to go on Sunday. Jimmy Garoppolo, on the other hand, suffered an AC joint sprain against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago and he has been receiving treatment. The treatment has helped a bit but Garoppolo still does not have full mobility in his throwing shoulder and he has lost some zip on his deep throws.
We will have to wait and see who is under center this Sunday against the Bills but my best bet is that it will both quarterbacks, even though they will take part in different situations. Bill Belichick has a knack for confusing opponents with sophisticated formations and making coaches accuse him of cheating. Either way Brady is coming back next Monday and the revenge tour will officially begin. Go Patriots!
