New England Patriots Week Two Game Preview: Battling the Buffalo Bills
By Hal Bent
OFFENSIVE LINE, BUT NOT THE ONE YOU THINK:
Dec 29, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Buffalo Bills tackle Cordy Glenn (77) blocks New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
With all the talk in the media about the Patriots’ offensive line, the Buffalo Bills have more than a few question marks on their side. Left tackle Cordy Glenn looked like a future All-Pro after a breakout 2013 season. Last year his strong start fizzled down the stretch and last week he had trouble against veteran outside linebacker Trent Cole and rookie defensive end Henry Anderson in the running game.
Aug 29, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills center Richie Incognito (64) against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
The much-maligned Richie Incognito–who is gathering support in New England as the inadequacies of an investigation by Ted Wells has come to light here–was the best performer on the line. Rather than looking rusty, the 32-year old Nebraska product looked like his old self as he threw Colts interior linemen around all game long.
Center Eric Wood is solid, but rookie guard John Miller was the weak spot in the pass blocking as he and second-year right tackle Seantrel Henderson struggled with the Colts’ inferior defensive linemen. Tight end Charles Clay is well known to the Patriots as a receiver, but the Bills are in trouble if they expect the finesse tight end to contribute as a blocker.
LeSean McCoy struggled at running back, primarily because the offensive line did not give him room to run. Rookie Karlos Williams had better luck running the ball, but he was at his best with fullback Jerome Felton and former New England Patriots tight end Matthew Mulligan expanding the number of blockers in the jumbo packages.
The Bills are suspect on the offensive line and the Colts just were not the team to exploit them. The Patriots need to get defensive end Chandler Jones on track after a quiet week one. Rob Ninkovich struggled as well and Jabaal Sheard may get more playing time on Sunday. An appearance by Rufus Johnson or Trey Flowers (if either are activated) to boost the pass rush would be helpful as well.
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