ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson kicked off the opening week of the NFL season on Monday with a bold prediction about his own play.
Asked why the Bills feel they can compete against the New England Patriots, who have finished on top of the AFC East in nine of the past 10 seasons, in their opener on Sunday, Johnson did not hold back.
"Because I'm here," he said. "I don't think they have anybody to stop me. For real. I think we have guys in the receiver room that are as good as I am, if not better. I just have that confidence in my teammates and in myself."
Johnson was then asked to give a scouting report of the Patriots' secondary, first noting that he has not played against cornerback Aqib Talib, who was acquired by New England in a trade last November.
"[He's] long, athletic, tries to play with vision," he said. "I have a lot of respect for [Patrick] Chung. I know him personally. [Devin] McCourty: he's a Pro Bowl player."
Chung, a safety, is no longer with the Patriots, having signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason.
Johnson did offer some praise for the Patriots in his comments.
"I give a lot of credit to the Patriots. They play as one unit. ... They're aggressive. It's going to be a test. It's going to be a challenge," he said. "But I still think we can take advantage of their defense. ... I'll still ride with my boys over their guys."
The Bills are 3-23 against the Patriots since 2000.
"We know the story with these Patriots," Johnson said. "We just have to stay on top of them."