NFL: Undefeated showdown … in Buffalo?

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 24, 2011

Associated Press
Thereís a meeting of undefeateds on this weekís schedule. In Buffalo, of all places.
Thatís right, the Patriots, who almost always seem to start 2-0, face the spotless Bills, who rarely sniff such rarefied air. Itís one of eight games featuring division matchups, and perhaps the most enticing one.
ěThis is the greatest opportunity weíll have,î Bills running back Fred Jackson said of ending a 15-game losing streak against New England that dates to 2003. ěTheyíre a great team, but we feel like weíre a great team. … It will be a good test for us.î
Everyone gets measured against the Patriots, who havenít lost in the regular season since last Nov. 7, a span of 10 games. Their offense has been unstoppable thus far with Tom Brady throwing for 940 yards and seven TDs as New England put up 73 points ó second only to … Buffalo.
One group not quite sold on the Bills: the bookmakers, who have New England a 9-point favorite.
ěI can honestly tell you I never even look at it. When the game starts itís 0-0,î Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. ěThereís no favorite. Thereís no underdog.î
Well, after 15 straight wins over a team, thatís hardly accurate.

The other divisional games have Green Bay at Chicago and Detroit at Minnesota in the NFC North; the New York Giants at Philadelphia and Washington at Dallas (Monday night) in the NFC East; Atlanta at Tampa Bay in the NFC South; Kansas City at San Diego in the AFC West; and Arizona at Seattle in the NFC West.
Also Sunday, itís Houston at New Orleans; Pittsburgh at Indianapolis; Baltimore at St. Louis; the New York Jets at Oakland; Jacksonville at Carolina; San Francisco at Cincinnati; Denver at Tennessee; and Miami at Cleveland.