ORCHARD PARK, N. Boris Diaw Jersey .Y. -- Kyle Williams would prefer seeing far more consistency before declaring the Buffalo Bills defense being much improved over last season.We played decent Week 1. Bad Week 2. Better last week, the veteran defensive tackle said. You cant have missing weeks in there.The dud Williams referred to was a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2, when Buffalo allowed 493 yards and four touchdowns.On the bright side, the defense opened the season allowing 308 yards in a 13-7 loss at Baltimore. And the Bills bounced back from their loss to the Jets by forcing five takeaways and getting five sacks in a 33-18 win over Arizona last weekend.This is no time for the up-and-down trend to continue with Buffalo (1-2) facing a key early season matchup at AFC East rival New England (3-0) on Sunday.If the Bills are going to back up coach Rex Ryans offseason vow that his prized defense will overcome its struggles last season, theres no more opportune time than against a Patriots opponent dealing with questions at quarterback .Tom Brady, who has a 25-3 record against Buffalo, is out serving the fourth and final game of his Deflategate suspension.Backup Jimmy Garoppolo has a sprained shoulder and rookie third-stringer Jacoby Brissett hurt the thumb on his throwing hand. Though both practiced this week, there remains a possibility of receiver Julian Edelman -- who last played quarterback at Kent State in 2008 -- taking snaps behind center.Rather than concerning himself with the uncertainty of which quarterback will play, Ryan is confident in his defenses ability to contain the Patriots because Buffalo wont be facing Brady.Ill say thats a true statement, Ryan said. These guys are good, but I dont know if theyll rank quite up there with Tom Brady.Aside from the loss to the Jets, the Bills defense has shown promising signs of being better than the high-priced unit which underachieved during Ryans first season.Buffalo finished 19th in yards allowed -- the worst finish by a Ryan-coached defense in his 11 seasons as coach or coordinator. And it managed 21 sacks, a franchise-low for a 16-game season, and a season after the Bills led the league with 54.The Bills already have 10 sacks this season, the most through the first three weeks of a season since Buffalo had 11 in 2006, and theyre tied for fifth with seven takeaways (four interceptions and three fumbles).The production is occurring despite Buffalo missing several key players.Star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy. Buffalos top two draft picks and projected starters, linebackers Shaq Lawson (shoulder surgery) and Reggie Ragland (left knee), are sidelined. And dont forget the Bills cut their top pass-rushing threat, Mario Williams, in March.Ryan disputes the notion his defense is doing more with less.I like the talent that we have here, he said.Ryan will acknowledge the unit is playing with more cohesion.Safety Aaron Williams agrees.The biggest thing is communication, Williams said. Were all on the same page.Thats a difference from last season when the defense, at times, didnt appear to be reading the same book.Led by Mario Williams, several players publicly questioned whether they fit Ryans system. Ryan also acknowledged he made the mistake of attempting to combine his philosophies with those of Jim Schwartz, Buffalos defensive coordinator the previous season.I think were playing smarter and that could be a combination of a lot of things, Ryan said. And thats why I think well be a better defense this year.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Dennis Johnson Jersey . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Armen Gilliam Jersey . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. https://www.cheapsunsonline.com/449z-jas...ersey-suns.html . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. CHICAGO -- The Latest on fan reaction to Chicago Cubs advancing to the World Series (all times local):3:30 p.m.President Barack Obama is giving it up for the Chicago Cubs.Obama posted a message of Holy Cow and congratulations Sunday on Twitter, adding: Even this White Sox fan was happy to see Wrigley rocking last night.Obama is a well-known fan of the Cubs crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox.First lady Michelle Obama beat the president to it earlier Sunday with her own tweet celebrating the Cubs pennant win.---1:45 p.m.Police say the celebration of the Chicago Cubs winning the National League championship was nearly trouble-free.Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says it was a very safe and enjoyable celebration Saturday night. He says officers made only six misdemeanor arrests in a crowd they estimated at 300,000.Arrestees were cited for unlawful sale of tickets, obstructing traffic, disorderly conduct and other misdemeanors.---This item has been corrected to show there were an estimated 300,000 people, not 30,000.---12:15 p.m.Loyal Chicago Cubs fans as far south as San Antonio, Texas, are thrilled to see their team headed to the World Series for the first time in 71 years.Chicago native Jimmy Tingas owns Wrigleyville Grill in San Antonio where he caters to homesick former Chicagoans still craving hot dogs and Italian beef. The 47-year-old restaurant owner says his customers enjoy sharing their memories of blizzards, basketball championships and two Mayor Daleys.On Saturday, Tingas and his Wrigleyville Grill patrons watched the Cubs win Game 6 of the NL Championship Series. He says people were going nuts and many shed tears.Tingas says fans are shaking off superstition like the infamous billy goat curse. But as he puts it: When we win the World Series were going to have roasted goat, Ill tell you that.---11 a.m.Dorothy Farrells face is familiar to anyone who watched the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the World Series: Shes the 90-year-old season-ticket holder who was beaming with jubilation in a front-row seat.Fox Sports interviewed Farrell after the Cubs won Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Saturday night in Chicago. She says shes not worried about the Cleveland Indians, who the Cubs will face Tuesday in Game 1.As Farrell put it, I just wished wish my brothers were alive to see this ... They loved the Cubs. And my father did too. But theyre all dead now. This old ladys still living.When asked how she would celebrate the win, she said: Ill probably have a Jagermeister.---10:20 a.. Don Buse Jersey. .m.The victorious Chicago Cubs are earning cheers from their crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox.The White Sox posted its congratulations to the National League champions on Twitter. The White Sox most recent World Series win was in 2005.The citys other professional sports teams are also adding their praise. Tweets from the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Fire are saluting the Cubs.The Cubs face the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 on Tuesday.---9:45 a.m.First lady Michelle Obama is congratulating her hometown Chicago Cubs after the team clinched an appearance in the World Series.The Chicago native on Sunday morning tweeted: Way to go Cubs!! She then recalled her father, saying My Dad is the reason Im a true Cubs fans. Hed be so proud!She signed off on the tweet from her (at)FLOTUS account with her personal signature, -mo, meaning she wrote the message herself.President Barack Obama is a well-known fan of the Cubs crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox.---9 a.m.Chicago Cubs fans are waking up to a new reality: Their team is headed to the World Series for the first time in 71 years.Many still-stunned fans took to social media Sunday morning to ask if theyd been dreaming and to catch up on the posts from famous Cubs fans.Comedian and actor Bob Newhart posted a photo of himself, his grandchildren and the W flag they made for him.Actor John Cusack posted two words last night along with a photo of the team celebrating at Wrigley Field. As he put it: Its. Done.Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a statement Saturday night celebrating the pennant win. He says: The fun continues in Cleveland on Tuesday night.The Cubs face the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 on Tuesday.---1 a.m.Chicago Cubs fans are turning their attention to the World Series for the first time in 71 years.Large crowds of people hit the streets outside Wrigley Field on Saturday night after the Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series and advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1945.A majority of the fans celebrated peacefully, with many taking selfies in front of the stadium. Police say one person was arrested after climbing a traffic pole.Longtime fan Brian Dusza was at the game. He says he never thought hed see such a win, adding: I cant even describe what Im feeling.Chicago faces the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday. ' ' '