Buffalo Bills: Regular Season Breakdown, Weeks 1-4

Many times we try to predict how our favorite team will fare in the upcoming season. We seek out experts' and analysts' opinions and thoughts.

They often provide great inside information, but sometimes we would like to know how our team stacks up against their opponents. Whose receivers are better? Who wins the battle of the lines? Which running attack is more explosive?

Let's dissect the first four opponents for the Buffalo Bills in 2009, and figure out how the teams compare.

Weeks 1-4

New England Patriots

We're all well aware of the Bills/Patriots tilt to kickoff the AFL's 50th anniversary. Terrell Owens' mega-hyped debut is being "outbuzzed" by Tom Brady's return to the pocket, the comfy place he calls home in Foxboro.

Pats' Offense

The Patriots head into the Week One contest with more firepower than Buffalo. It can be put that simply. Tom Brady seems to be back to his old tricks, and he'll have the same props with which to perform those tricks this year.

Randy Moss has stayed relatively quiet this offseason, as has his nimble counterpart Wes Welker, but they aren't fooling any defensive coordinators with their silence.

These two are probably the most deadly one-two punch in the AFC at the wideout spot, and late-round pick Julian Edelman looks like another diamond in the rough uncovered by the Patriots' front office.

The running attack features Laurence Maroney, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Fred Taylor, so if there were to be a year when New England gains respect on the ground, this should be the one.

Add everything together and you've got a dream offensive cast.

How Buffalo Matches Up

The Bills didn't make any major moves on the defensive side of the ball. They're relying on added experience to bolster a youthful defense.

Paul Posluszny has the weight of this defense on his shoulders, along with the plays in his radio helmet, and his improvement from year one to year two as the starting MLB will be critical in the Bills' success stopping the Pats.

The secondary looks to be the deepest facet of the team, still with a lot of youth. Many guys will look to veteran Terrence McGee for guidance throughout the grueling season.

Because of the quantity of quality corners the Bills boast, they line up considerably better with the Patriots' pass-happy offense than many other teams.

I don't think someone like Drayton Florence covers Wes Welker well all game, but keeping the secondary fresh will be the key to stopping, I mean slowing down, the Patriots, and the Bills have the personnel to do it.

EDGE: Patriots.Their offensive line will allow Brady to call Gisele before he throws each pass. Not sold on Bills' pass rush yet.

The offenses however, on paper, are a lot closer than they've been in a while.

Bills' Offense

Above I stated that the Welker/Moss duo is the best of it's kind in the AFC. At season's end that will most likely still be true. 

But you can't blame the Bills for trying to squeeze into that conversation with their signing of Terrell Owens.

He and Lee Evans form a dynamic, big play, deep-threat tandem unseen in the rest of the conference, and the Bills' run game isn't lacking electricity either.

Though Marshawn Lynch will be suspended for the Bills' first matchup against the Pats, he, Fred Jackson, and Dominic Rhodes make for a talented three-headed monster in Buffalo's backfield.

How New England Matches Up

It's not hard to find household names on the Patriots' defense.

Adalius Thomas is a two-time Pro-Bowler, and is the pioneer as the "hybrid" outside-linebacker/defensive end.

Richard Seymour had a career-high eight sacks last season, and believe it or not, he's only 29 years old. Expect more from one of the most underrated ends in the NFL.

Vince Wilfork will benefit from monster Ron Brace on the defensive line's interior this fall, something every running back should fear.

The Bills' young, and unproven offensive line will have some problems running the ball up the middle against this beefy D-line.

The only reason for worry in New England is the fact that their putting a lot of faith in rookies and second-year players on defense. Darius Butler, Patrick Chung, Brandon Meriweather, Terrence Weatley, Shawn Crable, Jerod Mayo, and Brace all are slated as starters entering the first week. This is something we haven't seen from the normal veteran-laden Patriots' defense.

I don't see the likes of Evans, Reed, Parrish, and Owens having any semblance of trouble beating the Patriots' youthful secondary consistently. But remember, the Bills are starting rookies on the offensive line as well.

EDGE: Bills. Almost push, but homerism slid my decision Buffalo's way. For the first time in a while, I guess since 2003, the Bills are more experienced offensively than the Patriots are defensively.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bills will either head home like they usually do after they play the Patriots, with a disappointing, embarrassing loss at the front of their minds, or they'll be on top of the football world.

Regardless, they can't look past their opponent in the home opener. The Buccaneers have been a staple of consistency in the NFC for the past decade.

They went on a Clueless-like shopping spree during the offseason, but this did include the firing of longtime tenured coach Jon Gruden.

Bucs' Offense

The Bucs, are again in flux at the quarterback position. They drafted Kansas State underclassman Josh Freeman in the first round, and he's familiar with new head coach Raheem Morris, but he hasn't been announced as the starter yet.

Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown look to be the early favorites for that job.

The Tampa Bay front office added former Earth, Wind, and Fire member Derrick Ward to their backfield, and brought in the controversial, yet extremely talented, Kellen Winslow to solidify their tight end position.

Antonio Bryant had a breakout season in 2008 but remains very underrated. His supreme size and athletic ability can not go unnoticed. The quarterback play will be the rise or demise of the Bucs this year.

How Buffalo Matches Up

Outside of Bryant and Winslow, the Bucs' passing attack isn't anything to write home about.

Michael Clayton is deceptively fast, but deals with injuries often, and as mentioned, the quarterback controversy will have negative effects on any and all receivers.

The Bills shouldn't have too much trouble bottling up the Bucs' passing attack, although Antonio Bryant and Kellen Winslow are matchup nightmares.

In terms of the run game, Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward formulate an interesting, yet somewhat underachieving, backfield. Tampa Bay's line will need to be more consistent in run blocking because this will need to be a bigger aspect of the Buccaneers offense in 2009.

The run pluggers for Buffalo, Marcus Stroud and Kyle Williams, aren't completely overmatched by the Bucs' line. John McCargo's resurgence will play a prominent role in the Bills stopping not only the Buccaneers on the ground, but every other team they face this season.

EDGE: Bills. Barely. It's hard to predict how Bucs' running game will be. I like Buffalo's corners against any quarterback on Tampa's roster.

How Bucs' Defense Matches Up

No point to reiterate Buffalo's offensive plans and personnel, but the Bucs' defense has been the most proud aspect of their team for what seems like ages. Until this year.

They released many veterans including Derrick Brooks, in a youth movement that had many people scratching their heads. Brooks can still play.

They did, however, keep cagey vet Ronde Barber, who's ball hawking skills are second only to Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens. I don't envision Buffalo having a tough time running the ball and still like the corp of receivers to have a good enough day to lead Buffalo to victory. (Promise, no more game predictions)

EDGE: Bills. This is not the same Tampa Bay defense we've grown accustomed to.

New Orleans Saints

Is Drew Brees great to watch or what? He's not a big, menacing quarterback, but he sure looks like he's having fun doing his job. And boy does he do it well. Reggie Bush is back, Deuce McAllister is gone. Hmmm. 

Saints' Offense

Fireworks. It's like Mardi Gras every time the Saints offense takes the field.

Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey; if I'm an offensive coordinator, I'm licking my chops at how I can feast on defenses with those guys.

Reggie Bush needs to have a big year to brush away any whispers of bust surrounding his name.

They're the NFC's most dangerous offense; every snap can turn to a TD in the blink of an eye. Watch for some untimely INT's from Brees, and some odd play calls from Sean Payton.

How Buffalo Matches Up

Not good. No one does. Perry Fewells' "bend not break" defense doesn't work against a team that tries to break you on every play. Stopping the run won't be out of the question, but New Orleans won't be handing off much.

Their offensive line gives Brees enough time, and even with a deep Bills secondary, they can't win this track meet. Only hope is for some freak play turnovers.

EDGE: Saints. They're not the 'Aints anymore.

How Saints' Defense Matches Up

The Bills will play their second straight week against a former player (Angelo Crowell with Bucs) when Lee Evans is pressed by Jabari Greer.

Sedrick Ellis and Jonathon Vilma are solid anchors on a team that hasn't ever been known for its defense.

With rookie Malcolm Jenkins matching up either on Owens, Reed, or Evans, I like the Bills chances throwing the ball, and the Saints gave up a whopping 25 points per game last season.

Again, the Bills' offensive line will be huge in this contest.

EDGE: Bills. Still not enough big names on a usually less than stellar defense.

Miami Dolphins

Oh, the fish. How we love them so. After an eye-popping turnaround last season, the Dolphins have targets squarely on their backs.

Dolphins' Offense

You've got to give offensive coordinator Dan Henning some credit, along with head coach Tony Sparano. They call up some nifty plays on offense. They know what they've got and run with it.

Chad Pennington gets the job done with quick slants and other underneath routes.

Ted Ginn Jr. occasionally can stretch the field and Ronnie Brown is the Pro-Bowl back to rely on. Sounds perfect.

The uncorking of the Wildcat offense last season caught many by surprise. Not this year. They'll need more contribution from Ginn Jr. and other wide receivers or the passing game will struggle.

How Buffalo Matches Up

Ginn Jr. ate a hobbling Terrence McGee for lunch last season in Miami, but as mentioned numerous times, the Bills secondary is unquestionably better with more bodies.

The Bills aren't great at recovering after misdirection plays and the Dolphins will surely throw many of those Buffalo's way.

The couplet of Brown and Ricky Williams will be dangerous when facing Buffalo. The Dolphins call many sweeps, and their tackles and guards are agile enough to contain defensive ends and outside linebackers from reaching the outside.

How Kawika Mitchell and Paul Posluszny play will determine the outcome of this rivalry game in Week Four.

How Dolphins Defense Matches Up

The Allens, Will and Jason, were surprisingly thorns in the Bills' side last season.

Yeremiah Bell contributed more to a more aggressive second line that still lacks a big name.

Their secondary is physical enough now with Vonte Davis to give the Bills' wideouts trouble.

Jason Ferguson, Jason Taylor, and Joey Porter should have Trent Edwards' a little worried.

EDGE: Dolphins. Like their defensive balance. Though not overly dominant.

It's all yours. The Bills and how they matchup against their first four opponents. Next installment of Weeks 5-8 coming next week....