Before the first meeting between the Bills and Patriots this season, players from both sides were involved in a scuffle that resulted in fines for three Buffalo players. With these AFC East rivals set to play again on Sunday, the Bills aren't backing down, and are threatening violence again.
"Of course," Stephon Gilmore responded when asked if they'd retaliate. "We're not gonna let nobody push us around. You know what I'm saying? We're gonna play smart. We know them guys like to try to get under your skin and make you react a certain way. We're gonna try to take it in between the lines and play good football."
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Nickell Robey-Coleman, who was fined $9,115 for his involvement the first time, said he's willing to get fined again for the cause.
Buffalo's coach, Rex Ryan, seemed to side with his players as well when asked about it by the media:
Q: How much do you feel that the pregame scuffle galvanized you own team?
Ryan: It had nothing to do with our team that night. Absolutely nothing. You know, those things happen every now and then but it was no big deal. It did absolutely nothing for us.Q: Would you remind your team before this game to keep that to a minimum?
Ryan: No. I mean with us, just go out and warm up. That’s what you do but any of the extracurricular things, you know, there’s absolutely zero focus on that, and shouldn’t be any focus on that. It’s just about playing games. I mean if people want to show how tough they are, put the boxing gloves on and get in the ring or something. That might be more impressive.
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As for the Patriots, coach Bill Belichick didn't want to speak about scuffles: "I think what we need to do this week is go up there and play a good football game in all three phases of the game."
