Edwards

FOXBORO –– The late and great former NFL coach Bill Walsh once compared Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former 49ers All-Pro Joe Montana.

For Edwards, just 25 and in his second year as a starter, that was the ultimate compliment.

Montana was known for his uncanny ability to bring a team back from the brink of defeat with a resounding fourth-quarter rally.

Edwards, who will make his 18th career NFL start on Sunday against the Patriots, has certainly been successful so far this season in the fourth quarter.

He ranks first in the AFC in fourth-quarter passer-rating (99.0), and has led the Bills to comeback victories over Jacksonville, Oakland and St. Louis. His fourth-quarter comeback victory over St. Louis on Sept. 28 was his fourth final-quarter comeback victory in his first 13 starts. He became only the second player in Buffalo history (Jim Kelly 1990) to accomplish that elusive feat in his first 13 starts.

In the eyes of the Patriots, Edwards has grown by leaps and bounds from last season to this one.

“He is a good football player,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of Edwards. “He is accurate, makes good decisions and has a good feel for the position. Of course he came from a good passing background but he has good field vision, sees things well, reads coverages, goes to the place where the guy has light coverage and he is also working with some very good receivers, so I am sure that helps the passing game as well. He has been very efficient. Even last year when he stepped in he seemed to have a good presence on the field and good command of the offense.”

Edwards has completed 68 percent of his passes and he has already surpassed his passing yards (1,630 yards) from last season with 1,725 yards this season. He also boasts a 90.8 quarterback rating, up from last year’s 70.4 rating.

“I would say he has improved in every area, I really would,” Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said of Edwards. “I give him a lot of credit; he’s worked awfully hard in the offseason in every way: on the field, off the field, in the weight room, with his nutrition. Every way he’s done everything that he can possibility do to give us the best chance to win and to give himself the best chance to win.”

Edwards has completed 70 percent of his passes (70-for-100) for 777 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions over his last three games. He owns the best career completion percentage in team history (61.51 percent).

“He’s making all of the right calls and making the right passes and doing the right things at the right time,” Patriots defensive back Ellis Hobbs said, adding that the Patriots need to contain him if they are to be successful on the defensive side of the ball on Sunday.

The Bills have suffered two straight losses but Edwards is confident they can get back on track against New England.

“You have to beat the champs if you want to be the champs,” Edwards said. “[The Patriots] obviously had a great season last year. They’re off to a great start this year and in order to be on top you have to beat the guys that have been there most recently. This is obviously going to be a big game and our last game of the season up here in Buffalo against them is going to be a big game too.”

roblee@projo.com