SCHEDULE RELEASED

by Coast

Today the 2007 NFL schedule was released and here it is for the Buffalo Bills.

Sun. 9/9 DENVER BRONCOS 1:00 PM
Sun. 9/16 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 PM
Sun. 9/23 @ New England Patriots 1:00 PM
Sun. 9/30 NEW YORK JETS 1:00 PM
Mon. 10/8 DALLAS COWBOYS 8:30 PM
BYE 10/14
Sun. 10/21 BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00 PM
Sun. 10/28 @ New York Jets 4:05 PM
Sun. 11/4 CINCINNATI BENGALS 1:00 PM
Sun. 11/11 @ Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM
Sun. 11/18 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:00 PM
Sun. 11/25 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 PM
Sun. 12/2 @ Washington Redskins 1:00 PM
Sun. 12/9 MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00 PM
Sun. 12/16 @ Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM
Sun. 12/23 NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00 PM
Sun. 12/30 @ Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 PM

Breakdown

September: Perhaps one of the hardest opening months in the entire national football league. The Bills open at home against the Broncos who should be much improved this year. Cutler has experience and they have a proven runner in Travis Henry. Remember, this team went to the AFC championship just 2 years ago. In Week 2, the Bills have to travel to Pittsburgh for their home opener. This should be a very tough test. The Steelers finished strong and had a better offseason with Roethlisberger not getting into any motorcycle accidents. This team is just 2 years removed from a championship and will look to rebound this year. In week 3, the Bills have to go to New England and we all know this story. The Bills will battle and lose late like they normally do in the first meeting vs. New England. All told, the Bills are 1-11 in the past 12 and there is no reason to believe that that will change, especially since New England is improved after nearly making it to the Super Bowl last year. In week 4 the Bills host the Jets, perhaps the most overrated team in 2006 but all in all they did make the playoffs. This is the easiest of the 4 games by far.
Prediction: Win vs. Denver, Loss at Pitts., Loss at New England, Win vs. Jets (2-2)

October: The Bills only have 3 October games including their first Monday night home game in ages. It will come against another playoff team from a year ago in the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas made the playoffs because of the weak NFC and the Bills crowd will be raucus for this event. After the BYE, the Bills will host the Ravens in their 3rd consecutive home game. This is the one most Bills fans have marked on their calendars. Willis McGahee will make his return to his beloved Buffalo and again expect the fans to attend the Ralph in large numbers. The atmosphere in Orchard Park could remind us of what it was like when the Bills actually won games. This is another game against a team that has experienced recent success in going 12-4 a year ago. In the final game of the Month the Bills will take on the Jets in New Jersey. Again, the Jets are not as good as their record was. They are a mediocre team and Buffalo proved they can go into the Meadowlands and man handle them. This might be the easiest month for the Bills even though they are playing 3 playoff teams from a year ago.
Prediction: Win vs. Dallas, Win vs. Baltimore, Win at Jets (3-0, 5-2 overall)

November: The Bills have 4 games in November and 3 of the 4 are against teams that have made the playoffs in one of the past 2 years (every Bills opponent thus far through 11 games has been to the playoffs in one of the past 2 years except the Dolphins). The Bills kick off the month by hosting the Bengals. This will be a very tough test. Cincinnati will look to rebound after underachieving last season. If Buffalo has a strong October, they could have a good home field advantage down the stretch. Furthermore, the Bengals haven't beaten the Bills since 1988. Next, Buffalo will travel to Miami, a team they have been able to get the better off lately. The Dolphins could improve but probably won't with Culpepper still not right. Also, it won't be too hot in Miami in November. Next comes the all to familiar 2nd meeting with the Patriots and again for the third year in a row at least, this game comes right after New England's bye week. The Bills have lost the 2nd meeting against New England in the past 6 years by an average of 26 points per game or something ridiculous. Again, I don't see the pattern changing although I don't think it will be quite as lopsided as in past years. It is complete bullshit that the Bills come after the BYE each and every single year for New England. Belichick always gets an extra week to prepare for this team and its just...wow. To close out the month, the Bills will travel to Jacksonville. This will be a very tough test since Jacksonville is a completely different team at home than they are on the road. Jacksonville can play with anyone at All Tel Stadium, it is when they travel that they are mediocre.
Prediction: Win vs. Cincinatti, Win at Miami, Loss vs. New England, Loss at Jacksonville (2-2, 7-4 overall)

December: The Bills have 5 December games and 3 are on the road. The Bills finish the season with 4 of 6 road games because of the early season home games to enhance attendance. The Bills will travel to Washington on the 2nd to face their old teammate London Fletcher. Washington's offense is abysmal and I don't see it improving much this year. This game is huge for the Bills to start the final month on the right foot. Buffalo will follow this up with a home outing versus the Dolphins. Miami will be struggling and the snow and cold that should appear in Buffalo (hopefully) will make things even more difficult. What is better than a snowy December Bills Dolphins game, especially when the Dolphins are vulnerable. Buffalo then travels to Cleveland, another team that should struggle this year. This is the Bills last conference game and very well could be a must win game for Buffalo's wild card hopes. 2 days before Christmas, the Bills will host the Giants. Eli Manning might be the 4th best QB of the '04 class and without Tiki Barber, the Giants could have a down year. Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns at running back is a major downgrade. Finally, the Bills will close out the season by traveling to Philadelphia to face former linebacker Takeo Spikes. It is very possible that this game could determing the NFC East since it is always so tight, so the 'Link' could be rocking. Hopefully the Bills are resting starters for the playoffs. Also a flex option via NBC is a possibility for this game giving the Bills another prime time game at the Ralph.
Prediction: Win at Washington, Win vs. Miami, Win at Cleveland, Win vs. Giants, Loss at Philadelphia (4-1, 11-5 overall)

The Bills will face some tests this season but when the schedule is dissected, it appears that Buffalo could make a push for the playoffs. Of course, this all hinges on the Bills getting a running back and a linebacker, but I am assuming that Marv will bust some moves come draft day.