ORCHARD PARK, N. Custom Houston Rockets Jerseys .Y. -- Mario Williams accepted his second AFC defensive player of the week honour much like he did his first one of the season. He shrugged. "Just another day to me," the Buffalo defensive end said Wednesday. Williams production has been anything but routine this season for someone finally beginning to play to the "Super Mario" expectations that came with the six-year $100 million contract he signed in March 2012. With 10 sacks through seven games, hes tied for second in the NFL and one short of surpassing his season total of last year. Calling it "progress," Williams acknowledged this is the best hes felt both mentally and physically since breaking into the NFL in 2006, when he was drafted first overall by Houston. "I think maybe its time," Williams said. "I dont know, maybe this is as good a time for me in general as far as my career." Putting aside the frustrations and criticism that came with his inconsistent production last year, Williams finds himself benefiting from his new multi-purpose role in first-year co-ordinator Mike Pettines attacking style of defence. Its one that has allowed Williams to become a difference-maker in helping Buffalo (3-4) get off to a better-than-expected start in preparing to play at New Orleans (5-1) on Sunday. Williams has played a key role in two victories. He had career-best 4 1/2 sacks in a 24-23 win over Carolina on Sept. 15. Last weekend, Williams had two sacks, his second forcing a fumble that set up Dan Carpenters game-winning 31-yard field goal with 33 seconds left in a 23-21 win at Miami. Former safety Rodney Harrison, who is now a broadcaster, has altered his tune on Williams. "When hes healthy, he is a different player," said Harrison, who criticized Williams for blaming a wrist injury for hindering his performance last year. On Monday, Dolphins offensive co-ordinator Mike Sherman was so impressed by Williams dominant day that he was began referring to him as a future Hall of Famer. That might be premature, but Williams has already nudged his way ahead of Bills Hall of Famer Bruce Smith -- the NFLs all-time sacks leader -- in a few categories. Williams 4 1/2 sacks against Carolina broke Smiths team record. And his 10 sacks through seven games are one more than Smiths best start in 1997. "Bruce, to be mentioned in the same sentence is obviously a great feeling," Williams said. "But for myself, my biggest thing is not really counting the sacks I got, its focusing on the ones I didnt get." By Williams count, he should be at 15 or 16 by now. The ones he has gotten have helped transform the identity of what had previously been a stale and porous defence in Buffalo. The Bills 23 sacks match the teams second-highest total through seven games. The pass-rush also is paying off in other ways by generating turnovers. The Bills have a league-leading 12 interceptions, and are tied for third with 15 takeaways. This is a defence that hasnt averaged more than two sacks a game since totalling 40 in 2006. And this was a defence that was so bad under former co-ordinator Dave Wannstedt last year that it allowed a combined 97 points and 1,101 yards in consecutive losses to New England and San Francisco. Williams credits the off-season arrival of Pettine, who was lured to Buffalo after spending the previous four seasons in the same job with the New York Jets. Pettines defence relies on players lining up at various positions -- including Williams -- to keep opposing offences guessing on who might be blitzing. Thats a big switch from last year, when Williams traditionally lined up opposite the left tackle. "It all started with the mentality, just (Pettine) coming in and pretty much wiping the slate clean," Williams said. Coach Doug Marrone said its a combination of the defence and Williams. "I think its a little bit more difficult when you have a player that moves around," Marrone said. "But hes an outstanding player. I mean, I think you could put him anywhere and hell be productive." Defensive tackle Alan Branch has been impressed no matter who deserves the credit. "I dont know if its the scheme," Branch said. "I just feel bad for the offensive linemen going against him just because hes a monster when he goes out there." Kelvin Cato Jersey . The NFL says Wednesday that the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions at Wembley on Oct. 26 will start at 1:30 p. Matt Maloney Jersey .C. -- Kurt Busch put his chances at "70 per cent" at running the Indianapolis 500 this year because of recent developments that have pushed a potential program along.CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks felt the repercussions of Brent Seabrooks hit on David Backes again on Sunday. How it affects the rest of their playoff series against the St. Louis Blues remains to be seen. Seabrook was suspended for three games by the NHL on his 29th birthday for his elbow to Backes head late in the third period of St. Louis 4-3 overtime win in Game 2. Now Chicago has to dig out of a 2-0 hole without one of its best defencemen in a rocky start to its Stanley Cup title defence. "You need his size, you need his presence and experience and his leadership," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said before Seabrooks suspension was announced. "Hes got the big shot on the point and hes on our power play as well. He kills penalties, so he plays all important minutes." Seabrook received a five-minute major and game misconduct penalty after he wiped out Backes at 15:09 of the third, and the Blues used the resulting power play to score the tying goal with 6.4 seconds left in regulation on Vladimir Tarasenkos long wrist shot. Backes had to be helped off the ice and did not return. The captains status for Monday nights Game 3 is up in the air. "All I know is hes upright, and thats about it right now," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said Sunday. "We dont have any further information and probably wont have until late tomorrow." Backes and Seabrook were not made available to the media on the day off, but much of the talk centred on the hit anyway. The TV broadcast picked up someone taunting Backes in the aftermath of the big blow, but it was unclear if it was coming from the ice or the crowd in the corner where the play occurred. "I saw them talking to him. It makes it a little more gutless," Blues forward Ryan Reaves said. "I dont think theres any need for that. He doesnt even know where he really is. I think if they want to start getting into that battle, we can play the same way. Well see where it takes us." Quenneville said he did not see or hear any players taunting Backes after he went down. In addition to the hit by Seabrook, Hitchcock also was upset by Bryan Bickells knee-on-knee collision with Blues centre Vladimir Sobotka in the third. He said the Blackhawks forward was involved in a similar play with defenceman Alex Pietrangelo in the first. "That part bothers me more than the hit on David, a hit that went array," Hitchcock said. "The hit on Sobotka was a continuation of what happened to Petro in the first period." Here are five things to watch in Game 3 of thiis increasingly testy series: HOME SWEET HOME: The Blackhawks went 11-2 at home in the playoffs last year, outscoring the Wild, Red Wings, Kings and Bruins by a combined score of 41-23. Rick Barry Jersey. They went 27-7-7 at the United Center this season, including a 2-0-1 mark against the Blues. "You just feed off of it," Quenneville said. "Itll be exciting to get back here, get some of the positive vibes off it and look to turn this thing around." VLADIMIR THE GREAT: Tarasenko missed the last 15 games of the regular season with a broken right thumb. But the 22-year-old Russian forward caused all sorts of headaches for the Blackhawks in the first two games of the series. The speedy Tarasenko had a first-period goal in the playoff opener, and then had the tying power-play score in Saturdays victory. With Seabrook out for the next three games and Backes status in question, Tarasenko could take on a more prominent role for the rest of the series. SO MANY PENALTIES: The Blues and Blackhawks combined for 17 penalties and 61 penalty minutes in Game 2. The defending Stanley Cup champions were responsible for 11 of those penalties and 41 penalty minutes, both season highs. It looked as if the Blackhawks wanted to match the physicality of the Blues, and it took them out of their puck possession game at times. "I think a little bit we might have played into their hands, but weve got to get back to our hockey, because when were playing that way we do a good job and thats how we win," Chicago forward Brandon Saad said. BEEN HERE BEFORE: St. Louis began last years playoffs with a pair of 2-1 victories over Los Angeles at home, including an overtime win in the opener. The Blues then lost the next four games against the Kings. "We played the best game all year Game 3 in Los Angeles and lost," Hitchcock said. "This is going to be a very long series and were going to have to be better than weve been if we expect to win a game in Chicago." ABOUT THOSE GOALTENDERS: Blues goalie Ryan Miller has been solid since Chicagos three-goal first period in Game 1. He had 25 saves in Saturdays win, and all three of the Blackhawks goals came with traffic in front of the net. Corey Crawford made 48 saves for Chicago in the triple-overtime opener, but he was disappointed with his 27-save performance in Game 2. "He said he needs to be better, and he needs to be better," Quenneville said. ___ AP Sports Writer R.B. Fallstrom in St. Louis contributed to this report. ___ Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '