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I don’t think there can be any doubt in any Buffalo Bills’ fan’s mind that this team is trying its’ hardest each week to win a game, but after dropping another 3-point heartbreaker, 22-19, to the Chicago Bears, and falling to 0-8, the prospect of an 0-16 season is a harsh reality. The problem now is that the Bills will be facing a similar situation each week that an unbeaten team faces. Just as every opponent of an unbeaten team raises its’ level of play because they want the glory of beating that team, every Bills’ opponent from here on out will be highly motivated not to wind up in the embarrassing spot of  being the winless team’s first victim.  

As for Sunday’s game, the annual “home” game in Toronto’s Rogers Centre, the script was similar to the last 2 games, both overtime losses. On the positive side, the offense continued to be somewhat productive. They outgained the Bears, had more first downs, and converted 10 of 16 on third down against the Bears’ defense, which came into the game ranked #1 in the NFL in stopping opponents on 3rd down. The team isn’t lighting up the scoreboard like they did in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago, but they ARE scoring touchdowns, not settling for field goals like they often did in the Dick Jauron era, when they get opportunities. The defense again showed gradual improvement. On the line, Kyle Williams is playing at a Pro Bowl level, and Spencer Johnson made some plays also. Even the linebackers played better, as Chris Kelsay probably had his best game of the year, and youngsters Arthur Moats and Antonio Coleman made their presence felt.

On the negative side, the offense turned the ball over too many times once again, and those turnovers were the main reason the team lost this time. The running game was stuffed by the Bears’ defense, and usually reliable Fred Jackson contributed to the turnovers with a fumble. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is doing a good job of directing the attack for the most part, but if this team is going to win somewhere down the line, he HAS to eliminate the interceptions. The defense played better but at the same time, the Bears’ offensive line has been pathetic all season. They gave up 9 sacks in the first half, and got QB Jay Cutler knocked out with a concussion in a game against the Giants earlier in the season, and have struggled all year. Yet the Bills didn’t put much pressure on Cutler, and he had one of his better games of the year. The Bills blitzed a lot to try to get to him, but didn’t get there often. Bryan Scott, a player who I have always liked because he seems to make plays when he gets his chances to play, dropped 2 sure interceptions. Those missed opportunities usually are the difference between winning and losing with a team that has little margin for error like the Bills. On the other hand, it’s a positive that he was actually in position to make plays on the ball, something Bills’ defenders haven’t done much of this season.

Next up for Buffalo are the much-improved Detroit Lions, who almost upset the Jets on Sunday. Only 2 seasons ago they were in the position the Bills are now. They did the unthinkable and finished 0-16, and certainly will be in no mood to be the Bills’ first victim.

My week eight predictions produced a mediocre record of 7 correct choices and 6 wrong. The season record is now 67-49. The way the season has gone so far I’m happy to be above the .500 mark. Here are the picks for week 9:

Chicago vs. Buffalo (at Toronto) – the Bills have burned me every time I’ve picked them to win this year, but I’m going to pick them again this week. The Bears will be well rested coming off a bye, but I’m not buying into Jay Cutler as an elite NFL quarterback, and the Bills’ gradual improvement will pay off in their first win here.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta – this game will go a long way toward revealing which of these 2 teams is the real challenger to New Orleans in the NFC South. I believe at this point that team is the Falcons, and they will win this game at home.

Miami at Baltimore – this should be a defensive struggle, and the Dolphins have been road warriors this season, but the Ravens will protect their house and hand Miami their first road loss of the season. The Ravens need this game to keep pace with the Steelers in their division race.

New Orleans at Carolina – the Bills are 0-7, but the Panthers may be the worst team in the NFL. New Orleans hasn’t been the team that swept to a Super Bowl win last year, but their big win over Pittsburgh last week should jump start them. The Saints win this game handily.

New England at Cleveland – the Browns are improving, but there’s no way rookie Colt McCoy beats the Patriots. Tom Brady engineers a methodical win over Eric Mangini’s team.

New York Jets at Detroit – the Lions are reaching a point in the season where they are a dangerous opponent for anybody to face, especially at home. The Jets’ offense stumbled at home against Green Bay last week, and will struggle again against the Lions’ tough, young defense, which has been pressuring opposing quarterbacks and causing turnovers all season. I’ll pick Detroit to pull the upset.

San Diego at Houston – this game shapes up as a shootout so it’ll probably end in a 3-0 score. San Diego needs to get it going now that Kansas City and Oakland are emerging as contenders. Both quarterbacks, Phillip Rivers of the Chargers and Houston’s Matt Schaub, will light up the scoreboard in this one, and the Texans will win in the end.

Arizona at Minnesota – this is a get-well game at home for the Vikings. Derek Anderson returns as the Cardinals’ starting QB, and the Vikes will harrass him all day long. Despite all the soap opera distractions, this will be a big win for Minnesota, keeping them alive in the NFC North race.

New York Giants at Seattle – since they are playing at home, the Seahawks will keep the game close, but New York is a mentally and physically tougher team and their defense and running game will wear the Hawks down and give the Giants a big road win.

Kansas City at Oakland – this is a fierce rivalry dating back to the early AFL days, but both teams have been sad sacks in recent years. Suddenly, both are relevant again, locked in a tight race for the AFC West. I’ll pick the Raiders at home to win, tightening up the division race a little more.

Indianapolis at Philadelphia – the Colts are decimated with injuries on offense, but just keep plugging in new faces, and Peyton Manning just keeps rolling along. He’ll outduel Mike Vick in this one and give Indy an important road win.

Dallas at Green Bay – the Cowboys are crumbling fast, and even though Green Bay is hurting with numerous injuries, they have enough to knock off the totally disappointing Cowboys. Wade Phillips isn’t a strong enough personality to restore order in the Dallas locker room, and as the losses mount the finger-pointing and bickering will worsen, eventually costing Phillips his job. The one good thing about this matchup is that it stirs up memories of the famous “Ice Bowl” championship game in 1967, and that always makes me smile.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati – the Bengals’ complete sweep of their AFC North rivals last season, leading to a surprising division crown, was a total one-year fluke. They’ll compete hard in this game and keep it close, but the Steelers are a better team and will be looking to rebound from their loss to the Saints last week, and will win this game.