1 - Brown knows importance of affecting Brees
The New Orleans Saints have successfully protected quarterback Drew Brees during their six-game winning streak. Bills linebacker, Preston Brown, knows the defense will have to get creative in order to baffle Brees.
"Definitely. I mean tipped balls can lead to interceptions, touchdowns. We have to find a way to affect him [Brees] any way we can," Brown said. "If it's moving his feet, making him throw around hands, making him change the trajectory of the ball. Any way we can affect him we have to try and do it."
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Brown's the quarterback of Buffalo's defense. He communicates the plays to the guys up front and on the back end. In the process of being the leader on defense he's putting up notable numbers. Brown leads the team in tackles with 64. The next closest player is Lorenzo Alexander with 47. His 60-plus tackles ranks 13th in the NFL in that category.
Brown doesn't take plays off, literally. Through eight games he's played all 541 of the defensive snaps. Micah Hyde has also played 100-percent of the snaps on defense. Brown and Hyde will be a huge part of any success the defense has against the Saints.
"We're trying to get the ball back to the offense any way we can, the fastest way," Brown said. "If it's getting a takeaway, a three-and-out, or they go all the way down and kick a field goal. That's fine we just have to make sure they're not scoring touchdowns. We have to get better at that and get back to what we were doing early in the season."
2 - McCoy on pace to hit 10k mark this season
This season, LeSean McCoy could become the 30th player in NFL history to surpass 10,000 rushing yards. If he replicates his numbers from the first eight games this season he'll accomplish that feat.
McCoy has rushed for 9,500 yards in his career. This season he has tallied 546 yards, if he keeps that up he'll have 10,000 yards rushing by the end of the year. It will take 62.5 yards per game to hit his highly anticipated mark.
The second half of the season kicks off at New Era Field against the New Orleans Saints. It will be a good opportunity for McCoy to put up some large numbers, as he fares better at home. Both of his 100-yard games this year came in Orchard Park and he's averaging 93 yards per game at home.
"Just, I think the environment, it's crazy here, Buffalo fans really help us out," McCoy said. "They come out, they get it rocking. They really do."
One player poses the threat of reaching 10,000 yards before McCoy. It's Matt Forte of the New York Jets. He's currently at 9,656 yards for his career. Forte only has 241 yards on the ground this season. If he puts up those same numbers in the final eight games he won't reach the 10,000 mark this season.
McCoy's most recent game at New Era Field he rushed for 151 yards. He'll be looking for another stellar showing to defend their dirt and to inch closer to the rushing achievement.
"Something about being at home; you don't want another team coming into your own home and disrespecting you," McCoy said. "For the fans, we've had that same mentality. That's something that Sean [McDermott] really preaches, and we believe in it. You've got to protect your home field, that's major."
3 - Antowain Smith leading the charge against the Saints
Former Bills running back, Antowain Smith, will be leading the charge when the team takes the field against the New Orleans Saints. Buffalo's first-round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft is excited to return to Orchard Park.
Smith joined The John Murphy Show on Thursday to discuss football, life, and much more.
"I am. I played for both teams," he said. "Get a chance to go out there and see faces I haven't seen in a while. I'm looking forward to just leading them out there."
Smith spent his first four seasons in Buffalo. After that he was a member of the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and the New Orleans Saints where he spent his final season in the league. Smith won a Super Bowl in 2002 with the Patriots.
He now resides in Houston, Texas, where he's into real estate. Smith is still involved with football, as he holds a speed and agility camp for kids.
Smith's last team he played for was the Saints. But don't worry Bills fans, he won't let you down.
"I'm going to have on the blue and red man," he said. "I'm going to have on a Bills jersey."
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