Not sure there were many prognosticators who expected the Week 3 Patriots-Bills duel to feature two undefeated clubs, but that's the reality. Buffalo's 2-0 after a dramatic come-from-behind win over Oakland in Orchard Park yesterday, which is where the Patriots are headed this coming weekend.
Before then, though, we have plenty of work to do around Foxborough, starting today. Head coach Bill Belichick will entertain media questions around 2 o'clock before the locker room interview period begins about an hour later. Tuesday is the players' day off, but there are a few conference calls that could generate some news, and, of course, the patriots.com radio lineup in the afternoon.
Wednesday through Friday are on a normal schedule at this point. Bill conducts his in-person pressers on Wednesday and Friday, we have limited practice access all three days, as well as locker room interviews, and patriots.com radio Wednesday and Thursday. Saturday is travel day (no media access to the team), and it's a short turnaround this week, as kickoff is at a rare 1 o'clock for New England this season.
Keep a couple browser windows open for our blog and Twitter feeds to get updates from PFW throughout the week and into the weekend. Andy and Paul will hold down the fort here at Gillette, hosting the Pre-Game Social on the Patriots Facebook page from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. So, join those guys for a little Sunday brunch, while Fred and I will shuffle off to Buffalo with the team to give you immediate analysis, reaction, and info direct from the press box and visitors locker room.
New England has quite a win streak going against their AFC East rivals in western New York. The Patriots haven't lost to the Bills in Buffalo since the 2003 season opener. But the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led Bills, in their new throwback-style uniforms (thank God they upgraded), are playing some good football this month, and the Patriots are beginning to get banged up. Our colleague Shalise Manza Young from The Boston Globe reported this morning that tight end Aaron Hernandez has a sprained MCL (looked like his left knee, which he clearly tweaked but continued to play on for one series) and could miss the next two games.
Should be an exciting game Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
