RB Lynch is third in rushing in AFC (buffalobills.com)

Attention, Buffalo Bills coaching staff.

See that young man pictured at the top right of this story? Dons the number 23, your colors, wears dreads and gold teeth, and is, quite simply, the hardest-running running back in the NFL? His name is Marshawn Lynch, alias "Beast Mode", and you guys might consider using him more often.

Despite losing a fumble at the end of the first half which directly led to 3 of the San Francisco 49ers' 10 points on Sunday, Lynch enjoyed the best game of his career. Through three quarters, Lynch had carried the ball 15 times, amassed a whopping 133 yards, and was the only Bills offense weapon making plays on the day. Then the fourth quarter rolled around, and with the Bills trailing by just a touchdown, Lynch was primed to put his lackluster team on his shoulders and grind them through to a key win. It's not like he hadn't done it before; trailing 10-2 in Miami in 2007, Lynch scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game before the Bills won it. This game had exactly the same feel.

His fourth quarter stat line? 1 carry, 1 yard; 1 catch, 1 yard.

Bills head coach Dick Jauron on Monday said he wished, obviously, that Lynch had touched the ball more. Add Jauron's name to the masses who screamed it all day Sunday from various locales. I don't know what this coaching staff's fascination with spread formations is, but in case you haven't heard, that offense doesn't work in a Buffalo winter. Nor do I know what this coaching staff's fascination with Fred Jackson in short yardage situations is, but for all of the value that Jackson and his versatility bring to this team, he is not a short yardage back. Lynch is your money maker; your chain mover. He's the heartbeat of this Bills team. If there's one thing above all that can be considered the most unacceptable statistic from Sunday's loss, it's the fact that Lynch touched the ball twice with the game on the line. Pathetic.

News flash: the Bills need to win four straight games if they plan on delivering on Donte Whitner's playoff guarantee - and they'll need plenty of help beyond that, as well. You want to increase your chances of winning these games? Scrap the offense. Give it to Lynch, and work the play-action from there. That attack produced 54 points in Kansas City; why that attack went away for the Niners game can be added to the "mysteries of the universe" pile. Lynch is a player that wins football games. Right now, Trent Edwards clearly isn't.

News and Notes

  Biggest shock of your Tuesday morning? Jerry Sullivan wants Dick Jauron fired. What? That's not a surprise? Whoops. My bad.

  Ted Rogers, CEO of Rogers Communications and one of two men behind the Bills in Toronto Series, passed away yesterday at the age of 75. WGR 550 has a nice piece on his legacy, which is far brighter than his famous press conference with our very own Ralph Wilson.

  Jason Peters still isn't a very popular guy, despite the fact that he's returned to his dominant form over the past three games. What if I told you that he wanted to run it more, too? Would you like him then?

  Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News takes an in-depth look at Buffalo's red zone woes, possession by possession. Bring Tums if you're reading.

  Bills fans did naughty things to players as they left the field following Sunday's debacle. Shame on us, naughty Bills fans.

  The prognosis on QB Trent Edwards' groin injury: it's very sore, but he might practice Wednesday. Trent has been struggling, and clearly, he needs to keep playing. Experience is everything for this kid. Here's to the Bills numbing Trent Edwards' groin.

  Matty I from The Phinsider will be here for the rest of the week answering questions about the Dolphins in preparation for this weekend's game. If you feel like defending your Bills in front of a bunch of lunatic Dolphin fans, click here. Just don't go if you can't handle Toronto jokes.

Hey Phinsiders.

So, yeah.  Brian from Buffalo Rumblings here.  Let's get a few things out of the way, shall we?

- The Bills suck.  They're 1-5 in their last six.
- No, I don't know how we lost to the 49ers on our home turf.
- I fully expect this thread to set an Internet record for number of Toronto jokes.  Go!
- Yes, I still hate the Dolphins, but for the first time in a while, it's due to jealousy.  Excuse me while I vomit.

If you've got questions about the Bills, fire away.  Let the ribbing begin!

Even with talents like RB Lynch, Bills start slowly (buffalobills.com)

It's a mantra in the NFL for good reason: starting fast sets the tone for a given game. How many times have good teams scraped by bad ones because the bad ones got off to a hot start in a game? How many times have great teams beaten upstart teams with momentum because of a quick 10-0 lead? It happens all the time. The best teams in the league impose their will and grab the lead early in the game; that's just how it works. It's a part of the game at which the Buffalo Bills fail miserably.

Once upon a time - i.e. 2006, Dick Jauron's first year as head coach of this franchise - the Bills actually excelled at drawing first blood. Buffalo scored first in 10 of 16 games played, a pretty solid statistic considering how deprived of talent that particular Bills team was. The Bills were 6-4 in games in which they drew first blood and 1-5 otherwise.

In 2007, things shifted slightly for the worse. The Bills played half of their season - eight games - with an early deficit, slightly up from the six in 2006. The Bills in 2007 were 5-3 in games in which they scored first, and 2-6 otherwise.

This season, however, has been a complete reversal from the first two seasons of Jauron's tenure. Through 12 games, the Bills have scored first in just four of them. Opponents have drawn first blood in six consecutive games. The Bills are 4-0 this season in games where they scored first, and 2-6 in the rest.

Add it up! The Bills have played 44 games under Dick Jauron. In exactly half of them, the Bills scored first. They're 15-7 in those games; suffice it to say that a .682 winning percentage would be welcome in these parts. In the other half of games - games in which they're attempting to climb out of an early deficit - they're 5-17 (.227). You do the math. It's important everywhere, but based on the numbers, fast starts are of the utmost importance in Buffalo. And the Bills, week after week, can't start fast.

Blame it on whatever you want. Lack of preparation; awful play-calling; deferring on the opening kickoff; there are plenty of opportunities to find blame. All I know is this: Buffalo has got to start finding a way to take some leads, rather than play from behind. We do it far too often, and it's become a mini-curse for this young team. If the Bills hope to win out and miraculously grab that mythical playoff berth, they'd better learn how to grab an early lead, and fast.

Jauron on the fan base's hot seat (Associated Press)

Before everyone gets all up in arms about this article, a quick disclaimer: anyone who has read this blog for more than a week knows that I'm a pretty fervent supporter of Dick Jauron.  This piece has very little to do with that opinion.  I'm not going to publicly defend Jauron right now, because frankly, the team he and his staff is fielding doesn't qualify for public defending.  Plus, he's a big boy, and can take the heat.  He doesn't need me to sing his praises or proclaim that the sun shines out of his every orifice.  It doesn't.  I'm not going to rip him, either, however, because well, you're going to see enough of that elsewhere over the next several months, probably including right here.  But not today.  Today's a different piece.

Several times as I've defended Jauron over the past two months - again, make your own opinions on the man, if you don't have them already - I've repeatedly heard a version of the following argument about Jauron's coaching style, his decision-making, and his personnel activity:

"Brian, the definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!"

Sure.  That's one way to put it, and it fits with the current situation the Buffalo Bills are facing.  If we submit that definition as law, then firing Jauron would be insane.  The Bills have tried the whole "let's fire the coach and gut the roster" bit.  Wade Phillips was ousted despite a winning record.  Gregg Williams was fired because of his terrible record.  Mike Mularkey resigned after two years, despite a vote of confidence from then-newbie GM Marv Levy.  By firing Jauron, the Bills would just be making one more move to classify the franchise as "insane".

Big change is bad change
I know what you're thinking.  Galliford's gone off his rocker and thinks that the status quo is OK, that he accepts mediocrity, is OK with losing, and that all change is bad.  Trust me, I've heard it all before.  I've been called pretty much everything in the book, with the phrase "Jauron cronie" topping the list.  Apparently, if you're a fan of the coach, your skin needs to be as thick as the skin of said coach.

Let me assure you that I'm not down with the status quo.  The team has lost six of their last seven games.  Clearly, a lot needs to change; it's foolish to argue against that point after witnessing the past two months of "football".  But if you see me defend Jauron or, in this case, warn against wishing him fired, don't make the mistake of thinking that I'm fine with the current direction of the franchise.  I'm definitely not.  Neither is anybody else who makes the same argument.

But not all change is good change.  Personnel change?  Happens every year, and the Bills very obviously need a lot of it at several key positions.  Scheme change?  That would be welcome; it sincerely bothers me that the Bills aren't successful at home, where the weather and the crowd should be decisive factors week in and week out.  Schematic change would be welcome as well.  Staff change?  Turk Schonert isn't a popular guy, and though he's probably not going anywhere, he could stand to steal a page or two out of the rushing section of the Giants' or Steelers' playbooks.  Head coaching change?  That's where things get hairy.  Change the head coach, and you move from tweaking to gutting.  We've seen enough gutting.  It's time to break the insanity mold.

The remainder of 2008
At 6-6, the Bills inexplicably remain just two games out of the division lead in what still remains one of the tightest divisional races in the entire league.  There are three divisional games to go.  Hey, I've seen crazier things happen.  Buffalo suddenly bucking their latest trend, waking up and winning out?  That would rank as the craziest.

Considering the way the Bills have played over the past two months, 2008 is essentially a wash.  No, the team won't quit, but they're likely not going to win, either.  What this team needs more than anything - yes, more than a playoff berth itself - is some momentum heading into 2009.  In his first two seasons on the job in Buffalo, Jauron's Bills have tallied a record of 3-5 (combined) over the final quarter of the season - 2-2 in '06 and 1-3 last season.  Neither qualifies as momentum, in my book, when you consider the Bills ended 2006 with two straight losses and 2007 with three straight.  3-0 turned into 0-5.  Sounds a lot like this season, eh?  With momentum, however, 2009 looks a lot more promising.  Confidence would mean a lot to Buffalo's young roster, as well as to the embattled coaching staff and fan base.

We know where the Bills need to improve on the field.  I implore you, Bills fans, to recognize that while the coaching needs improvement as well, if Jauron's regime is ousted, this franchise will be set back once again.  That fits in with our definition of insanity.  Showing some patience while rooting for a young team?  That doesn't.

QB Edwards watches from the sideline with groin injury (AP)

Is it April yet?

With slim playoff hopes on the line, exactly one half of your 2008 Buffalo Bills showed up for today's contest with the San Francisco 49ers - plus Marshawn Lynch.  Despite a borderline dominant defensive performance and a 16-carry, 134-yard performance from its top back, the Bills ended Sunday's game with just a field goal to their names in an absolutely embarrassing 10-3 loss to the visiting 49ers.

The standings will say 6-6, but if you're savvy, you'll realize that these Bills are 2-6.  They've lost six of eight games, with this one the crappy icing on the cake.  With four very difficult games to finish the season approaching, including three against division opponents, the Bills are once again staring a losing record in the face.

Don't Blame the Defense
Despite giving up a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, Buffalo's defense once again accomplished more than enough to put a victory up on the board.  After that initial drive, the Bills surrendered just 123 yards, forced four fumbles, registered three sacks and surrendered just one more field goal.  Problem was, that initial touchdown was all the Niners would need to notch their fourth win of the season.

There isn't much more a defense can do for your team.  10 points surrendered at home should be enough to win handily.  On this day, it wasn't.

Buffalo's opponents have now drawn first blood in six consecutive games, and the slow starts collectively rank as a big reason the team has won just one of those six contests.  Add it up, and the Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Browns, Chiefs and 49ers have thrown up 50 points on us before we've countered.  You're not going to win a lot of ballgames when you're buried early.

That's Mister Lynch if you're nasty
Exactly one offensive player showed up today, and it's not shocking that that man was Lynch.  San Francisco had no answer for Lynch, as the second-year back piled up 134 rushing yards, averaging 8.4 yards per rush.  This was his best game as a pro.

Unfortunately, Turk Schonert didn't realize it.  Despite the fact that Buffalo never trailed by more than 10 points, Schonert reverted to his old ways, dialing up 38 throws as compared to just 21 rushes between Lynch and Fred Jackson.  It didn't matter who was playing quarterback; Trent Edwards (with his injured groin) and J.P. Losman were equally ineffective on a terrible day for the passing offense.  Receivers weren't open.  The trickle-down effect was coverage pressure and 3 points.  If Schonert can't figure out how to beat eight-deep coverage, the Bills are staring 6-10 squarely in the face.

Long story short: I'm not sure what energies Lynch channels prior to each game, but he needs to share the mojo.  The rest of the group was terrible.  Lynch is an absolute pleasure to watch week in and week out; no other Bill can make that claim.

Lindell's woes continue
And that's really all that needs to be said about that.  The special teams unit wasn't great, and Lindell's two misses were the highlights.  Moving on.

Game balls
I'm too indifferent about this team at the moment to consider myself "nasty", so Mr. Lynch, this game ball's for you.  The rest of you can take a hike.

Roll call
Thanks to Ron and K for keeping the game threads going while I was storming out of The Ralph early.  42 of y'all made 1374 comments, with the three least surprising guys - norcaliangelsfan, WABillsfan and Kurupt - leading the way with 200+ comments apiece.  A special thanks to the 42 of you commiserating together, as listed below:

twoeightnine, norcaliangelsfan, WABillsfan, Kurupt, D.O., BuffCrunch, ccthemovieman, savedbychrist, SebastianPruiti, jj24, kaisertown, rjamesd08, macfresh, Ron From NM, geno227, Thronsen, Cinga, Memphisbillsfan, keuka121, Tatunka, Zumone, NJBill, LeClaireBill, BuffaloBrewed, NJBillsfan, Hassanali181, silverstreak3k, thejamootz, williamherbert, BillsNorth, StuckInNJ, McDole72, chaosthepitbull, mavadjdj, Dyl, Gino Parilli, aranearum, billsfor4, jdol1568, spavery, SSreporters, MARVelous

I'll repeat the question at the top: is it April yet?

   
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
1PM EST, Ralph Wilson Stadium
Keys to Victory :: Key Matchups :: Niners Nation :: Video Preview
BUF Injury Report :: SF Injury Report
Bills inactives: TE Royal, DE Schobel, LB Lehman, CB Greer, S Whitner, OT Bell, DE Bryan, 3rd QB Hamdan.

OK, Rumblers.  Y'all know the drill.  The Buffalo Bills are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers today in a must-win game, and if you're not joining me to cheer on the Bills at The Ralph, then this is the spot you'll want to be to chat during the game.  I don't need to tell you that if the Bills can't find a way to win this one, the season is all but over - at least in all the meaningful ways.  It's a big one; get jacked up.  The team's going to need it.

If you have an account, have fun.  If you don't have an account, create one, then have fun.  GO BILLS!

   
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
Sunday, November 30, 2008, 1PM EST
SB Nation's 49ers coverage: Niners Nation

The Buffalo Bills ended a four-game losing streak and revived their slim playoff chances with a 54-31 drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend.  This week, the Bills return home to face the San Francisco 49ers in another game the Bills should win.  Take care of business, and the playoffs remain a possibility.  Lose; well, you can kiss your season goodbye.  It's really as simple as that.

What does Buffalo need to do to win?  Just a few things...

START FAST: Not since their Week 7 victory over San Diego has Buffalo opened the scoring in a game.  That means in five straight games, Bills opponents have drawn first blood, to the tune of 40 points in those five contests.  That means the Bills, on average, are battling from an 8-0 deficit right out of the gate.  They're 1-4 in those games.  It's getting old.  Start fast, Buffalo, and you immediately sap the energy out of a young 49ers team with nothing to lose.

KEEP ON RUNNING: Buffalo's two most consistent offensive players - running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson - have combined to touch the ball 81 times over the past two games.  That, folks, is ideal.  The team's new-found commitment to getting these two involved has yielded 67 points in the past two games; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Expect these two to push 40 touches combined.

USE YOUR WEAPONS: This goes beyond Lynch and Jackson, and it even goes beyond Buffalo's offensive unit.  Simply put, Buffalo is an average team with a few potentially elite playmakers.  Those playmakers need to be involved.  Kurupt mentions Lee Evans every week; he makes this list.  The team's two return men, Leodis McKelvin and Roscoe Parrish, make the list as well.  This trio hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities in recent weeks, particularly Evans and Parrish.  These guys are difference-makers.  Get the ball in their hands, by any means necessary.

JUST TACKLE: This one's for you, Kawika Mitchell.  The veteran linebacker was put in position by Buffalo's coaching staff to have the game of his life; instead, he missed several tackles, whiffed on a potential safety, and got burned for a long touchdown pass early in the game.  It extends past Mitchell, obviously - Buffalo needs to tackle well every week - but the Niners have players who can make plays after contact, specifically Frank Gore.  Those types of plays need to be severely limited.

GORE THE SETUP MAN: Buffalo's run defense has struggled in recent weeks, giving up plenty of big gainers on the ground.  The 49ers are going to use Gore a lot this week; we should be resigned to the fact that he's going to get his yardage.  Buffalo needs to stay disciplined when (if?) that happens, because if Gore's running well, you can bet Mike Martz will try to take advantage of it through deep passes.  Stay disciplined, Buffalo, and you'll force Gore himself to beat you.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: This one is basic to the DNA of any win in the NFL.  The Bills were able to pile on 54 points in Kansas City because the Chiefs handed them the ball 5 times.  They didn't give the Chiefs such pleasure, not even once.  They lost four straight because they lost this battle.  Seems simple enough to me.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: After starting the season 3-0 at home with wins over Seattle, Oakland and San Diego, the Bills have lost two straight to the Jets and Cleveland.  Buffalo only has two more games at Ralph Wilson Stadium this season - this Niners game, as well as the season finale against the Patriots.  Protect your home turf is a golden rule in the NFL, and it especially holds true against an inferior opponent.

SENSE OF URGENCY: Even in winning 54-31 on the road, Buffalo didn't look overly desperate last weekend.  Perhaps that's a good thing - they're not panicking with their backs against the wall - but I'd like to see them playing for the playoffs, particularly in the early parts of games.  This is game that the Bills have to win.  They'd better play as if they're supremely aware of that fact.

***

This list is short, sweet and simple, and honestly, these keys shouldn't be overly difficult to fulfill.  If the Bills start fast and score first, it'll make their lives easier.  The Bills are favored, and rightfully so, but they still need to take care of business.  Go get 'em, Buffalo.  Your playoff hopes are at stake.

  
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
November 30, 2008, 1PM EST
SB Nation's 49ers coverage: Niners Nation

The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers are set to square off in Week 13 NFL action in just over two days' time.  In anticipation of the matchup, Fooch of Niners Nation and yours truly have gotten together for a little cage match debate surrounding four of the game's key personnel matchups.

Which blogger - and by extension, which community - is right?  Take a gander, gather your thoughts, and let's duke it out in a Bills/49ers blogger cage match.

MATCHUP #1: Bills C Duke Preston vs 49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin
Fooch: You could probably stick me at center and at worst the matchup would be a push.  That term (push) is fitting because Aubrayo Franklin gets none.  As big a guy as he is, his technique is simply insufficient as a starter.  The nose tackle in the 3-4 needs to get some push off the snap to open up holes for the pass rushers.  If the 49ers decide to stick with the 3-4 next season, I really would like to see them draft the big Alabama nose tackle, Terrence "Mount" Cody.  The pass rush has been a huge weakness for the 49ers because it affects every aspect of the defense.  As long as they aren't getting much form their nose tackle, it will remain a problem.  Advantage: Bills

Brian Galliford: Fooch says that Franklin gets no push; I'll retaliate with the fact that Preston doesn't get push, either.  This is the battle of the stoppable force and the moveable object, folks.  I like the way that Buffalo has been running of late, so I feel comfortable with this matchup, but due to the mediocrity of these two players, I'm betting that both fan bases will be remarking how their respective guy will have just had their best game of the season after this one.  Advantage: Bills

MATCHUP #2: 49ers CB Nate Clements vs Bills WR Lee Evans
Brian Galliford: There isn't a team this year that has given Evans single coverage - and he's still averaging nearly 20 yards per reception.  He is, quite clearly, the best pure deep threat in the league.  Lately, teams have tried to take Evans out of the game to force Buffalo to beat them elsewhere, but I can see things going differently this week with Nate coming back to Buffalo.  If the Niners think that Nate can take Lee one-on-one all day, Evans is going to put up big numbers.  I pray Nate is singled up on this guy, particularly early in the game.  Advantage: Bills

Fooch: In a straight man-to-man battle, Clements would be able to contain Evans.  He's shut down the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson and I think he can do the same with Evans.  Clements had a bad day last week against the Cowboys, but a lot of his problems were in the support he was supposed to get from the safeties.  If the 49ers coaches are smart (no sure bet), I would hope that they would realize Clements should just cover his man 1-on-1 and avoid any cutesy over the top help from Mark Roman or Michael Lewis.  If they let Clements just cover his man straight up I think he'll be fine.  The same can't be said for Walt Harris... Advantage: 49ers

MATCHUP #3: Bills LB Paul Posluszny vs 49ers RB Frank Gore
Fooch: Gore is coming off an ugly game against the Cowboys in which he was clearly frustrated with his role.  Mike Singletary called this a "black and blue" game and I'd like to think this means a heavy dose of Gore.  Gore is not one to have back-to-back poor performances, and I'd hope that standard holds.  Part of the problem in the poor performances has been his offensive line.  Gore can make things happen, but if the line gets no push at all, it makes life a lot more difficult.  I think my prediction is based more on expecting an improved o-line performance.  Advantage: 49ers

Brian Galliford: First thing's first - anybody who thinks that Posluszny has disappeared over the past couple of games is mistaken.  With 9 tackles in the past two games, statistically, yes, he's been largely absent.  But Cleveland spent a large amount of time getting blockers on Buffalo's best run defender, and Kansas City ran the ball a whopping 13 times.  Poz is still Poz, folks.  With that said, Buffalo's run defense is suddenly a concern again, and Gore is precisely the type of back that Buffalo struggles with most.  Advantage: 49ers

MATCHUP #4: 49ers RG Chilo Rachal vs Bills DT Marcus Stroud
Brian Galliford: Stroud has really returned to form over the past three games, even though the Chiefs gashed Buffalo last week on the ground.  He's back to his near-dominant form, and he's going to pose big problems for the vastly inexperienced, yet highly talented Rachal.  Stroud should do well against the run, and when Shaun Hill drops back to pass, the Bills are going to run a lot of stunts in an attempt to get defenders clean past the rookie right guard.  Advantage: Bills

Fooch: The 49ers inserted the rookie Rachal into the starting lineup this past week.  Although he didn't get any penalties, Coach Singletary was quick to point out that he "played like a rookie."  However, they're going to keep running him out there and get him acclimated to the league.  Most people thought he came out too early after his junior season.  Unfortunately, his mother and father have some medical issues and he felt he had to leave at the point he did.  It's a shame, but he's shown that he's not completely out of his element.  At the same time, a veteran like Stroud will prove a strong test for him.  I'd imagine he'll struggle against a seasoned veteran like Stroud, but hopefully he'll show improvement over the course of the morning (well afternoon for you guys).  Advantage: Bills

***

OK, Bills and 49ers fans.  Respect is the name of the game, but trash talk is a must (unless, of course, you're too down on your team to get cocky).  Who's right?  Who's just a "homer"?  Time for you to sound off on these matchups and the game in general.