The Gold Sheet

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
*NEW ENGLAND 28 - Buffalo 10—In Buffalo’s minicamps, the Bills said they
loved the team’s new, no-huddle offense. However, the first team generated
zero TDs in the preseason. QB Trent Edwards was being called “Trent-ative” &
“Captain Checkdown.” Some players were questioning their coaches, and
offensive coordinator Turk Schonert was given his walking papers, later ripping
HC Dick Jauron in the media. The presence of two rookies in the Buffalo OL is
not an early-season positive, and RB Marshawn Lynch is suspended. Worse
yet, the Pats have won 11 straight in the series (9-2 vs. the spread), and
veterans Fred Taylor & Joey Galloway have been added to Tom Brady’s
supporting cast. CABLE TV—ESPN
(08-N. ENG. 20-Buf. 10...N.24-10 N.43/144 B.18/60 N.23/34/0/226 B.13/23/2/108 N.1 B.0)
(08-N. Eng. 13-BUF. 0...N.16-15 N.47/168 B.35/161 B.14/25/0/115 N.6/8/0/73 N.0 B.1)
(08-NEW ENGLAND -3' 20-10, New England -6 13-0...SR: New England 57-40-1)

*San Diego 31 - OAKLAND 17—This second opening-week Monday nighter
also features series domination, with the Chargers having won 12 straight
overall vs. the Raiders, covering 11 of those, and San Diego owning 7 straight
covers in Oakland. In order to avoid the slow starts that have plagued the
Chargers the last two years, former Raiders’ mentor Norv Turner has given his
starters more playing time in the preseason. A fast S.D. start would be bad
news for Oakland, who hardly need any more. Both teams in the headlines last
weekend, with intimidating Charger OLB Shawne Merriman arrested, and the
Patriots picking off the Raiders’ No. 1 pick for past-his-peak, free-agent-to-be
DE Richard Seymour. CABLE TV—ESPN
(08-S.Diego 28-OAK. 18...S.18-15 S.30/141 O.23/72 O.22/37/1/251 S.14/25/2/154 S.0 O.1)
(08-S. DIEGO 34-Oak. 7...S.17-9 S.46/158 O.16/54 S.10/22/0/214 O.17/30/3/109 S.1 O.1
(08-San Diego -8 28-18, SAN DIEGO -10 34-7...SR: Oakland 55-42-2)