The Genius does it again!

For the 10th straight time, Bill Belichick's Patriots whipped their favorite patsy, the Buffalo Bills. The score was more respectable than other recent slaughter, a mere 20-10 win. However, this may be the most impressive victory that Belichick has had against the Bills in quite some time.

The reason? Key injuries at key positions. Yes, the Bills also have key injuries, but they don't overcome them like the Patriots. To the Bills, the injuries are their exuse. For Belichick's Pats, injuries are never used as an excuse.

Belichick has been hit by some serious injuries this year, mainly to his main man, Tom Brady at quarterback. With Brady out for the season, Belichick has had to plug that huge hole. He has put in Matt Cassel and hoped that the rest of the team that was 16-0 can support him. Cassel has been average, but the Pats have been able to get back into the race. Cassel did just enough on Sunday to beat the Bills. He completed  23 of 34 passes for 234 yards, no picks and ran for the Pats first touchdown.

Same old story

Can Bills fans expect anything different? Going into the Patriots game Sunday, no one really expected the Bills to pull off their first win against the Pats in 10 games. The final score had the teams separated by 10 points, so maybe this can be considered a moral victory of sorts by keeping the score somewhat respectable. However, the Bills didn't do much to put any fear into Belichick and his Pats.

Bills out-coached again

Dick Jauron just signed a new 3-year extension with the Bills. He should give them his money back for this season as he isn't earning his current pay.

On the opening Pats drive, there was an obvious situation for a challenge, and Jauron wasn't up to the challenge. He hesitated in throwing the red flag and eventually dropped it at his feet, hoping that the refs would see it. Instead, the Pats hurried up to the line and ran the next play and Bills fans were wondering why their head coach was so timid in challenging the play. If you are to challenge, run out on the field and throw the flag in the ref's face BEFORE the play, so he knows that you are challenging it.

That wasn't the only blunder that Jauron and staff made Sunday. They also wasted a precious timeout right before a punt, and the play calling left a lot to be desired. On the other side of the field, Belichick was enjoying a rather pleasant day. He didn't have to bring out any of his champion chess moves in order to beat the Bills.

While Trent Edwards is getting his share of criticism, the coaching staff should take a major hit on the loss.

"I've said all along, this is a team sport," related Edwards after the game. "The media likes to focus on individuals. That's their job. I don't like accepting individual accolades or the criticism. It's tough on the quarterback position, because you're going to get all the credit when you win and all the blame when you lose."

Copyright © 2008 Bills Thunder & Rick Anderson, all rights reserved.