ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- With 7:20 remaining in the first quarter, we have yet to see a pass thrown in breezy (to put it mildly --winds are blowing consistently at 40 mph, and gusting much higher) Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Bills have run the ball nine times in a row, making one first down. Their first punt into the wind covered 13 yards. The second was a booming 35 yards -- the equivalent of at least 60, on a normal day.

The Patriots ran the ball three times on their first possession, and started their second with a run, as well. The Pats finally put the ball in the air on second down, Matt Cassel dumping a short toss to fullback Heath Evans that gained 19 yards, to the Buffalo 44.

-- JIM DONALDSON