Bills Mafia — #BillsMafia

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It is now week 16 in the NFL and the Bills are in a familiar situation, dead last in the division. This season was nothing short of a flop. With two games remaining, team morale is down, and it can be expected that the Bills will give a somewhat half-hearted effort as they did last week against the Seahawks. The Dolphins are still mathematically alive for a playoff birth, but the likelihood of that happening is close to zero.

What it Means

Essentially, this game will be a grudge match, with the Dolphins hoping to avenge their loss on Thursday Night Football earlier in the season. The Bills just hope to crush all Dolphin hopes of making the playoffs. However, there is no way for that to happen if they give a similar effort as they did against Seattle.

The Dolphins are still hoping to cling to a faint playoff dream, which would require them to win out and pretty much have every other team in front of them to lose out. It is still possible, but not likely.

Matchups to Watch

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Running Backs vs. Defenses

C.J. Spiller is one of the most explosive players in the NFL. His electrifying 6.5 yards per carry is the highest in NFL history for a non-quarterback. Spiller’s season is nothing short of spectacular. However, with less than mediocre coaching, Spiller is unable to make the impact he is capable of. He is getting the ball far less than he should, and if this continues, there will be a problem between the coaches and the fans. With Fred Jackson out, the Bills will have to lean heavily on Spiller. The Bills offensive line has still played tremendously well despite injuries. If C.J. can shake the Dolphins tacklers and get to the second and third levels, it will be safe to say that the Bills will be in good position to win (assuming the defense does its job). I believe that, although being held relatively in check in the first game, Spiller will go over 100 total yards.

Reggie Bush should be salivating over having the chance to go against the Bills 30th ranked run defense again. In the first meeting, Bush didn’t touch the ball more than ten times and was stuffed. However, Daniel Thomas is on the IR which means that Bush will be the workhorse. Against a demoralized defense, Bush should be able to break away for huge gains. Expect him to have a big game tomorrow.

(AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

The Bills Will Win If…

Chan Gailey gives the football to C.J. Spiller. This has been the same story all year. Spiller has gotten 9 carries, at the most, in the last few games. If this continues, the Bills offense will be unproductive as usual. Fitzpatrick also has to have a good game. Last time the Bills played the Dolphins, Spiller had a good game, but it was not enough to score many points (not that it was his fault). Fitzpatrick has to keep the ball safe and deliver strikes down the field. Defensively, if the Bills create the same amount of pressure they did the first game, Tannehill will struggle and turn the ball over.

The Dolphins Will Win If…

They play offense. The Bills defense was beyond atrocious last game and I don’t expect an already demoralized team to improve this week. Also, I don’t believe that Spiller will get the ball enough, which will be good news for the Dolphins. Another key point is to protect the football. Fitzpatrick is guaranteed to turn the ball over. He has turned it over 6 times in the last 4 games. As long as Tannehill doesn’t play catch with the Bills secondary, as Fitzpatrick loves doing, then the Dolphins should be in pretty good shape.

Prediction

Coming off a win last week against the Jaguars, I believe that Miami has far more momentum, as well as confidence, coming into this game. The Bills were just spanked last week, they have nothing to play for, and they have no confidence. That is a recipe for disaster. I don’t believe that the Bills have the will to play anymore this season. This game is also in Miami, which will definitely be an advantage to the Dolphins.

Dolphins win 27-16.

The NFL heads to Canada this weekend as the Bills take on the Seahawks. For the Bills, this will simply be about spoiling the Seahawks division title hopes while the Seahawks look to plow through the Bills in hope of winning a division title, securing a place in the playoffs.

What it Means

For the Bills, they are still mathematically in the hunt for clinching a wild card birth. Realistically, the Bills have no chance. Essentially, every team ahead of the Bills must lose out and the Bills win out for the team to make it to the playoffs.

The Seahawks on the other hand, must win this game to keep their division title hopes alive going into next week’s monstrous matchup against the 49ers. Despite the team’s awful road record of 2-5, the game in Toronto is a neutral field at best, which should be a little more consoling for Seahawks fans.

Matchups to Watch

(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Marshawn Lynch vs. Bills Defense

Stopping the run against top ten rushing attacks has been absolutely catastrophic for the Bills. Although the Bills have done better against the rush of late, they have not faced a top ten rushing attack since their loss at the Patriots. Lynch is second in the NFL with 1,266 yards. Since being traded from Buffalo to Seattle, Lynch has done nothing but run all over his opponents, and one should expect no less on Sunday. I do believe that the Bills have gotten better against the run, but I do not think that they will hold Lynch under 100 yards on the ground, not including reception yards. Look for Lynch to have a strong day.

C.J. Spiller vs. Seahawks Defense

Last week, the Seahawks defense laid down the law against the Cardinals by shutting them out 58-0. However, in the previous six games, the Seahawks were gashed for 907 rushing yards. Therefore, it is imperative that CJ GETS THE BALL! Spiller got the ball a whopping 7 times last week. The Bills only rushed the football 20 times for 61 yards against the run. However, The Bills plan to give the Seahawks defensive front a heavy dose of the run game. Especially with Jackson out, Spiller will definitely get the heavy load of the work. Don’t be surprised though if Tashard Choice takes over in the redzone because it does not seem as if scoring touchdowns is on the Bills priority list. Spiller still leads the league in yards per attempt, but if he doesn’t get the ball more, he will not make a significant difference in the game.

(Photo: Kevin Hoffman, US Presswire)

The Bills Will Win If…

The defense is able to stop Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has ravaged opposing defenses the entire season, and will most definitely make a huge effort to do the same against his former team. He has not played the Bills since being traded, so he will definitely look to make a statement. If the Bills can’t control Beast Mode, there is no stopping the Seahawks offense. They also have to apply pressure on Russell Wilson, who has struggled when not playing in front of the 12th Man. Offensively, the Bills have to get Spiller the football because having Fitzpatrick constantly throwing the ball will eventually lead to turnovers.

The Seahawks Will Win If…

Marshawn Lynch can have another big game. If Lynch can tire out the Bills defense and extend drives, the Seahawks will be able to put up points, making it harder for a struggling Buffalo offense to keep up. The Seahawks also have to keep Spiller and Johnson in check, otherwise they can cause severe damage.

Prediction

This game, being in Canada with fans who don’t really seem to care all that much, will give the Seahawks a huge advantage, for they struggle on the road. I believe that Chan Gailey will screw up the play calling yet again. He has proved time and time again that he is completely and utterly incompetent and should be fired. Pete Carroll on the other hand is an outgoing coach and knows what to do. I also believe that the Bills will have a hard time against Marshawn Lynch.

Seahawks win 27-14.

At first glance, this game may not seem like much, but this game may potentially launch a last minute playoff run for both the Bills (5-7) and the Rams (5-6-1).

What it Means

Despite a disappointing record at 5-7, the Bills still only sit two games out of the playoffs. With a win, the Bills can close the gap to potentially one game, if all teams we are chasing happen to lose. Anything can happen in this league, so saying the Bills still have a chance at making the playoffs is not too far-fetched.

The Rams are in a similar position as the Bills being only 1.5 games out of the final NFC Wild Card spot. With a win over the Bills, the Rams would improve to 6-6-1 with three games remaining against Minnesota, Tampa Bay, and Seattle, all of whom they are competing for the final wild card spot.

This game is very winnable for both teams, and each team needs this victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Matchups to Watch

Chris Long vs. Sam Young is a matchup to watch today. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Sam Young vs. Chris Long

With another devastating injury to Eric Wood, the Bills are forced to start rookie Sam Young in place of him. This will be Young’s first NFL start and it will be quite an arduous task going up against one of St. Louis’s best pass rushers Chris Long. Long is second on the Rams with 7 sacks and leads his team with 38 QB pressures and 20 knockdowns. This is a huge mismatch that the Rams will definitely exploit. If the Bills can’t help Young out, it will be a long day for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson vs. Rams Defense

Generally speaking, when Spiller and Jackson are rolling, the Bills offense is as well. These two, especially Spiller, are the heart and soul of this offense. Last week, it was Jackson who did most of the lifting — rushing the ball 25 times for 109 yards. According to Gailey, Spiller will have the ball most of the time. If Spiller and Jackson can keep up a solid run game, the Bills can throw some play-actions for big plays down the field. The Rams defense came off an impressive win against the 49ers last week, the Rams look to keep up the level of play and confidence they had last week.

The Bills Will Win If…

They are able to open up the run game. This has been the key to the Bills offensive success all year, and there is no reason to change it now. However, with a decimated offensive line, the Bills must be able to help out the rookie Sam Young, who will make his NFL debut tomorrow. The Bills defense must continue to assert pressure on Sam Bradford, whose offensive line is not one to brag about. Finally, the Bills defense has to stop Steven Jackson. He is extremely strong and difficult to tackle, but the Bills have to stop him because he is the bread and butter for the Rams lackluster offense.

The Rams Will Win If…

The defense can force the Bills to punt the football. The Bills have had troubles converting on third down this year, and the Bills are missing some key offensive linemen, so the Rams must pressure Fitzpatrick. It is also imperative that the Rams tackle Spiller and Jackson, both of whom can break tackles and make tacklers miss. Finally, the Rams offense has to be able to put up points, especially when they are in the redzone.

Prediction

This game is going to be a close and physical game, with both teams giving their all as they hope to cling to their faint playoff hopes. However, the Rams, being a dome team, will have to overcome the natural elements of Buffalo as it will be around 40 degrees with possible rain. I believe that this will give the Bills a bit of an advantage. I also believe that the Bills defense, especially Mario Williams and Kyle Williams, will have a strong day on Sunday.

Bills win 24-16. GO BILLS!!!

Last week, the Bills essentially kissed their playoff hopes goodbye when they fell to Andrew Luck and the Colts. This week, the Bills are playing the lowly Jaguars at home — in front of a crowd with 15,000 seats to spare, meaning the Bills have blacked out locally.

What it Means

This game may be meaningless for the AFC Wild Card race, but this game has many implications on the future of some players and coaches. The Bills have been nothing short of pathetic in a number of categories, especially play-calling. Players such as Fitzpatrick have also been under fire since the beginning of the season. If these players and coaches wish to keep their jobs, their level of play must be intensified, considering they are only facing one opponent over .500 (Seattle Seahawks) in their last 4 games.

The Jaguars have taken off in the last two games after Chad Henne entered the starting lineup. He was sensational in the loss in Houston, but lead his team to victory last week against the Titans. The offensive production from Justin Blackmon has also increased with Henne under center. For the Jaguars, this will be another game to see the potential of their team and weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Matchups to Watch

C.J. Spiller vs. Jaguars Defense

C.J. has consistently been one of the few bright spots for the Bills this season. Only being 170 yards shy of breaking 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, he will be extremely motivated to run all over the Jaguars. It may be somewhat consoling to know that the Jaguars rank 29th in the league for run defense allowing 136 yards per game. With a struggling defense, look for the Bills offensive line open up big holes for Spiller throughout the game.

Quarterbacks vs. Defense

Ryan Fitzpatrick has had another sub-par year, especially when it came time for him to make the big play to win the game. His decision-making in the beginning of the year was absolutely atrocious, but got better throughout the season. However, his accuracy is still very erratic. Last week against the Colts, he missed Spiller and Jones for wide open passes down field that would have resulted in touchdowns. This has been the story all year long, and if he continues to miss passes, the Bills could be in trouble tomorrow, and more importantly, he could lose his job.

Henne has been incredible since taking over for the injured Gabbert.

Chad Henne on the other hand, has been incredible since taking over for the injured Blaine Gabbert. To some Jaguars fans, Gabbert’s injury may be a blessing in disguise. Chad Henne made an incredible effort in his comeback against Houston, in which he just fell short. Last week, he defeated an AFC South rival, the Tennessee Titans. He has increased the number of touches Blackmon has gotten and has still given the ball to Cecil Shorts. The Jaguars have gained confidence offensively, but the Bills have gained some defensively as well. The Bills are still not able to get off the field on third down, so look for Chad Henne to expose the Bills on third down.

Williams is on pace to be the first Bill with a double-digit sack total since Schobel in 2009.

Mario Williams and Jason Babin vs. Offensive Lines

Last week, the Bills were finally able to see the type of play Mario Williams is capable of, recording 3 sacks. Since wrist surgery, Williams has had 5 sacks and is on pace to have at least 10 sacks, the first time a Bill will have double digit sacks since Aaron Schobel in 2009 with 10 sacks. The Jaguars have had leaky pass protection all year, and are not getting any better. Look for Mario Williams to explode off the line in order to prove to Buffalo that he is worth the $100 million.

After being placed on waivers this week, the Jaguars were quick to claim him to hopefully boost the worst defensive pass rush in the league. Although Babin only has 5 sacks this season, it is important to not overlook the fact that he had 18 sacks last season. He may not be having the best season right now, but the Jaguars are hoping that Babin can give them some sort of boost against a relatively stable offensive line in Buffalo.

The Bills Will Win If…

Chan Gailey places the ball in the hands of C.J. Spiller. Chan Gailey’s play calling has been everything from absurd, to awful, to incomprehensible. He has consistently not given the ball to Spiller this season, especially on third down and redzone situations. Quite frankly, it’s getting a little old. Spiller is the answer to the Bills offensive woes, but if he doesn’t get the football, then there is no answer. Defensively, the Bills have to apply pressure on the 28th ranked offensive line the Jaguars have, otherwise Chad Henne will pick apart the Bills secondary.

The Jaguars Will Win If…

Chad Henne can pick apart the Bills. He did it against the Texans, one of the best defenses in the NFL, meaning he can certainly do it against a below average Bills secondary. The Jaguars must stop Spiller. If Spiller can pick up large chunks of yards, then the Jaguars will not be able to stop the Bills offense.

Prediction

I believe that the Bills, who have disappointed many fans this season, will win this game. I believe that the Bills will be able to apply pressure on Chad Henne and Spiller will have a big game. Chan Gailey’s play-calling will still probably be questionable, but the Bills will still win.

Bills win 23-13. Go Bills!!!

This weekend, there will be serious AFC Wild Card implications when the Bills take on the Colts in Indianapolis. Both teams have a shot at making the playoffs, an idea that would have been mocked at the beginning of the season. In Week 12 in the NFL, anything seems possible, even the possibility that the Bills can still make the playoffs.

What it Means

The Bills, who have simply made their chances of making the playoffs significantly more difficult by losing games they should have won, will have yet another chance to prove to the league that they can compete and win games. It will be difficult playing in a hostile environment, but the Bills must win, otherwise they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

For the Colts, a win would strengthen their hold on a Wild Card spot, as they compete with the Steelers for the fifth spot. However, a loss could be catastrophic, possibly resulting in the loss of a Wild Card position.

This is virtually a must win game for both teams. Each team has an equal chance of winning this game, but it will simply come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes and who can capitalize on their opportunities.

Matchups to Watch

Reggie Wayne vs. Bills Secondary

Simply said, Reggie Wayne’s season has been nothing short of spectacular. Having only played ten games, Wayne already has over 1,000 receiving yards. He is Andrew Luck’s favorite target and will be targeted numerous times throughout the game. The Bills secondary has had its issues. They are constantly susceptible to the big play down field, usually due to blown coverages. Stephon Gilmore and the other corners must play a physical game with Wayne to offset his timing with Luck. However, when dealing with Reggie Wayne, it is important to be careful of other wide receivers such as T.Y. Hilton, who will use Wayne as a decoy to get open down the field. Look for Reggie Wayne to constantly be shifting in the formations to get favorable matchups and create confusion in the secondary.

Bills Defensive Line vs. Colts Offensive Line

Last week against the Dolphins, the Bills front 4 came ready to play. They dominated a very physical offensive line and were able to create penetration. The Colts like to play a down-field passing game, which will greatly benefit the front four. The Colts offensive line has struggled, and the Bills must take advantage of this. If Andrew Luck is given too much time in the pocket, he will be able to find receivers down the field. If the Bills can create pressure, Luck will be susceptible to throwing interceptions.

The Bills have one of the best rushing duos in the NFL with Spiller and Jackson.

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson vs. Colts Defense

The Bills have one of the best rushing duos in the NFL with Spiller and Jackson — and the Colts have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. The Bills have decided to start Spiller while Jackson is still nursing the concussion he got against the Patriots. Spiller has proven time and time again that he can make the big play on the ground, as well as through the air. With Jackson playing, Bills fans won’t have to worry about giving the ball to Tashard Choice in the redzone. If they get started early, the Bills will find offensive success. Look for both of them to have huge days tomorrow.

The Bills Will Win If…

THEY SCORE TOUCHDOWNS!!! Against a high powered Colts offense, the Bills will not be able to compete by kicking field goals, especially when they are in the redzone. The Bills will have to run the ball on the Colts defense, which doesn’t seem like too daunting of a task. Finally, the Bills have to create turnovers. Andrew Luck has many INT’s this season. He is still a rookie; if the Bills get pressure on him, he will make mistakes.

If the Luck-Wayne connection is found early, the Bills could be in trouble. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Colts Will Win If…

Andrew Luck has a perfect game. The Colts practically have no defense, ranking near dead last in every category. Luck will have to compensate for this lack of defense by being able to stretch the field and find holes in a vulnerable Bills secondary. If the Luck-Wayne connection is found early, the Bills could be in trouble. However, Luck cannot and will not be able to single-handedly win this game. The defense has to be able to limit Spiller and Jackson when they have the ball, otherwise the defense will be on the field a long time. Finally, the fans have to be loud and into the game. The Colts have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in the Luck era, so they need to help their team out, especially the defense.

Prediction

I believe that this game will be a shootout. Both of these teams have strong offenses but struggle on the defensive side of the ball. However, the Bills have started to improve over the last few weeks while the Colts are at a standstill on defense.

I think that the Bills, whose defense has improved, and with Fred Jackson back will win. Despite being at home I believe that the Colts defense will not be able to support Andrew Luck and the offense.

Bills win 35-30. GO BILLS!!!

Primetime at the Ralph!

Bills fans, this is the moment we have been waiting for for years; the Bills will play a primetime game in Buffalo tomorrow night. The last time the Bills played a primetime game was back in 2009 against the Jets in Toronto. We lost. The last time the Bills hosted a primetime game was on Monday night in 2008, which we lost 29-27. Losing in primetime seems to be a Bills specialty. They have lost 11 straight primetime games, one of which was against Ricky Williams and the Dolphins (who were ironically coached by none other than Dave Wannestedt). The last time the Bills won a primetime game goes all the way back to 2001 against the Jaguars on Thursday night.

What It Means

The Bills not only have a chance to end this awful streak, but keep their meek playoff hopes alive. This is an actual must win game. If the Bills lose, they will play 6 meaningless games to end the season. The Dolphins, on the other hand, are currently at second in the AFC East and can close the gap to one game behind the Patriots if New England loses. They are also currently ranked eight overall in the conference, behind the seventh ranked Chargers and the sixth ranked Steelers, who have the final spot in the Wild Card Race right now.

For both clubs, this game is extremely important. Neither of these teams want to get humiliated on national television and they are both fighting to earn a spot in the playoffs. Look for high energy from the players and a raucous crowd.

Matchup to Watch…

#FreeCJ
(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Running Backs vs. Defenses

With Fred Jackson out with a concussion, Bills fans will finally get to see what we have called for, C.J. Spiller being the workhorse. Last game, C.J. Spiller ran for 80 yards on 9 carries averaging 7.8 yards per carry. This game, there is no reason C.J. shouldn’t get the ball more often. However, Spiller will have a more difficult time running against the 5th ranked run defense in the league. Despite their strong run defense, the Dolphins have an atrocious pass defense ranking 28th in the league. Spiller has proven time and time again, that he can make huge plays through the air. All Buffalo has to do is give C.J. the ball and let him do his thing. If he can make it to the second level of the defense and make tacklers miss, the Bills will have great success on offense.

It is equally as important for the Dolphins to contain Spiller as it is for the Bills to contain Reggie Bush. Bush can be extremely explosive, causing great damage when he is out in the open field. Both Spiller and Bush have very similar running styles; make tacklers miss and get in the open field. Although the Dolphins only rank 19th in the running game, Reggie Bush is going against the 32nd ranked defense. If the Bills want to contain Reggie Bush, it is imperative to get penetration on the offensive line and keep Bush from getting to the outside. Otherwise, the Bills will have another long, defensive day.

The Bills Will Win If…

It’s plain and simple; the defense needs to step up. Dave Wannestedt clearly has ZERO IDEA what he is doing. However, that does not excuse Mario Williams from not producing, or the defense letting up the big play. That is on the defense. They must contain Reggie Bush, otherwise he will hurt this defense and keep the offense off the field. Secondly, the Bills offensive line has to win the battle against the physical Dolphins defense. The Bills offensive line needs to step it up to protect Fitzpatrick and make holes for C.J. to explode through. Finally, Fitzpatrick can not blow the game with a stupid mistake. He has done it twice so far, but he has to stop.

Look for the Dolphins to try and get Reggie Bush going early. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

The Dolphins Will Win If…

They forget about last week. They were completely embarrassed against the Titans in all aspects of the game. The defense has to win the battle against the Bills offensive line. If they can cause penetration in the backfield and stunt the rushing attack, they will be in a good position. As a whole, the offense has to get in sync. Last week, they looked completely dysfunctional. Reggie Bush has to get going early and Tannehill has to establish the passing attack.

Prediction

This is the first primetime game at the Ralph in 4 years. The Dolphins will be coming in to an exceptionally hostile crowd playing an angry Buffalo team. The Bills offense really stepped up against the Patriots defense. However, the defense is still transparent. I believe that tomorrow, the Bills will finally snap that dreadful 11 game losing streak on primetime. There is no way the Bills will blow another primetime game, especially at the Ralph, and also because they are still clinging to the faint hope of a playoff spot.

The Bills Win 38-28. Go Bills!!!

The Bills (3-5) and Patriots (5-3) will clash in another huge AFC East divisional matchup in Foxboro at 1:00 p.m. The Bills are still clinging to hope of their first playoff appearance since 1999. The Patriots, on the other hand, look to strengthen their hold over the AFC East. The last time these two teams met in Week 4 at the Ralph, the Patriots scored six straight touchdowns on a seemingly non-existent defense in the second half, erasing a 21-7 deficit. Hopefully, the only memory the Bills have from that game is the dominant first half.

What it Means

The Patriots can pretty much destroy any chances or hopes the Bills have about making the playoffs this year, making them drop to 3-6. With a win, the Patriots can strengthen their lead on the AFC East. With a Dolphins loss, the Patriots can take a two game lead over second place.

For the Bills, a win can be a huge momentum shifter for the start of the second half of the second season. A win over a division rival, and the Patriots at that, can greatly increase the confidence in the locker room, and most importantly, in Chan Gailey. To me, it seems as if Chan Gailey needs some confidence in his team to play to win games, not to play to lose them.

It may seem like a daunting task for the Bills to go into Foxboro and come out with a win, but it is a necessity if the Bills plan on making the post-season.

Matchups to Watch

Running Backs vs. Defense

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson constitute one of the most dynamic running back duos in the NFL. In order for the Bills to have offensive success, both of these running backs must touch the football. Last game, Spiller and Jackson combined to touch the football only 19 times. Spiller, the best offensive player on the team only touched the ball 6 TIMES! What kind of play calling is that? Look for Spiller and Jackson to get the ball more and make big plays.

In week 4, Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden both rushed for over 100 yards and totaled for 247 yards on the ground. The Bills defense, who improved last week, only allowing 111 yards for Arian Foster, is still extremely vulnerable. They are ranked 31st overall, allowing 140.8 yards on the ground per game. If Ridley and Bolden can find holes in the Buffalo defense, we will be in for a long afternoon.

Rob Gronkowski vs. Bills Secondary

Rob Gronkowski, a Buffalo native, consistently gashes the Bills defense each time these teams play. The Bills pass defense, which allows 202.6 yards per game, struggles when it comes time to cover the 6-6 265 pound monster. In week 4 against the Bills, Gronkowski did struggle in the first half, but exploded in the second half after a Buffalo defensive collapse. In total, Gronkowski had 5 receptions for 104 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Bills Will Win If…

The defense steps up. The Bills have to get pressure on Tom Brady, but also have to be wary of the run game. The Bills also have to keep up with the Patriots no huddle offense, which ultimately lead to the demise of the defense in the first matchup. Another factor is Spiller must have the football in his hands MORE THAN 6 TIMES! The Bills can not allow the Patriots to have good field position, putting the defense into a difficult situation. Lastly, the Bills must win the possession game. If the Patriots offense is on the field for too long, the defense will not be able to hold up, resulting in Patriots points.

The Patriots Will Win If…

They consistently run the football. They exploited the Bills run defense in their first meeting, and they will certainly go after them again. Tom Brady always seems to find favorable matchups against the Bills, especially with Rob Gronkowski. If Brady is able to identify these mismatches, then the Patriots will win.

Prediction

Realistically speaking, this game does not favor the Bills yet again. The Patriots are better both offensively and defensively. Overall, the Patriots do have more talent than the Bills do. Therefore, I believe that it will be difficult for the Bills to come away with a win.

I believe that the Bills will give Spiller the ball more, resulting in more offensive production. The Bills defense did a lot better last week against the Texans, but are going up against a totally different Patriots offense. I think the Bills can keep it close up to halftime, but look for a tired Buffalo defense towards the end of the second half.

The Patriots will most likely keep rolling. Look for them to exploit the Bills run defense and run a number of play action fakes as a result of their offensive success.

All in all, this game will come down to which defense plays better. Whoever can take the defensive edge and give their offense more opportunities will be the team to win the game. However, the offense must be able to capitalize on their opportunities.

Because this game is against the Patriots, and in Foxboro, I give the game to the Patriots.

Patriots win 45-21. I hope I’m wrong. Go Bills!!!

With both the Bills (3-4) and the Texans (6-1) coming off a bye week last week, it is almost inevitable that Sunday’s game will be packed with energy and both teams will put forth their best effort. With the playoff picture starting to form, this game is essential to these teams.

What It Means

The Texans hold a one game lead over the Ravens in the race to clinch the number one seed overall in the AFC and have a two game lead on the Colts in the AFC South. In order to maintain their status as number one overall in the conference, the Texans need to keep their heads in the game and win on Sunday with a monster road game against the Chicago Bears in Week 10.

The Bills, on the other hand, have dug themselves into a bit of a hole with a loss at the hands of the Titans. However, the Bills can change their fortunes if they can sneak a win away from Houston in an upset. As shocking as this may sound, the Bills are only one place out of the playoff picture in the lousy AFC.

And how could I forget, Mario Williams is going home for the first time.

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Matchups to Watch

Mario Williams vs. Derek Newton

Mario Williams going home has been the biggest headline going into this weekend’s game. In Houston, people have been talking about this since the schedule was first released. Hopefully, the 100 million dollar man doesn’t get too overwhelmed by the 7th round rookie offensive lineman, Derek Newton. Williams did have surgery last Tuesday to “clean out” his wrist and has already talked about his improved mobility. For a Bills fan, that seems promising.

Derek Newton has been a little shaky in the run game this year, but has been more stable in the pass game. He knows that Williams has an arsenal of tricks up his sleeve.

The Texans will most likely run some play action bootlegs to keep Williams’ pressure on Matt Schaub to a minimum.

Mario, you finally have the chance to prove to the Texans that it was a mistake letting you go. Don’t blow it, please!

Running Backs vs. Defenses

Arian Foster is one of the league’s most dangerous rushers and is going against the league’s worst run defense. That spells trouble for the Bills. The Texans probably watched what Chris Johnson did to us, so expect a similar attack, especially stretch plays to the outside.

The Bills, however, rank 3rd overall for the run game. Their dual threat of C.J. Spiller, who leads the league in average yards per carry (7.3), and Fred Jackson have recovered from their injuries and will both be in the lineup on Sunday, healthy. They will have an arduous task going against the third ranked run defense and J.J. Watt.

The Bills Will Win If…

They are touched by the hand of an angel. With the bye week, the “revamped” defense had time to gel with one another. Their defense, especially Mario Williams, must show up to play and apply serious pressure. If they can’t bottle up Foster, this game can get out of hand really quickly. The Bills have also proven that they can create turnovers; they must continue this trend to keep the Texans high-powered offense off the field. Their defensive performance, in the end, will come down to Dave Wannestedt’s play calling. Will it be the same lackluster play calling, or will he have figured out how to coach a defense? Offensively, the Bills must win the possession game, refrain from mistakes, and need big plays from C.J. Spiller.

Essentially, every player has to have their best game to win. It’s a bit of a long-shot, but it’s possible.

The Texans Will Win If…

They show up focused. It may seem easy for the Texans to come in with an arrogant attitude, but the Bills have a pretty talented offense that flies under the radar due to defensive woes. With the talent on the Texans defense, it seems like they can handle the Bills offense. Offensively, the Texans just have to feed the ball to Arian Foster and let him do his thing.

Prediction

Unfortunately, this matchup is not very favorable to the Bills. The Bills will definitely come out of this bye-week looking stronger and faster both offensively and defensively, but asking them to take down the best team in the AFC might be a stretch. Look for the Texans defense to give up a few more points than usual, but I think that this game goes to the Texans.

Texans win 35-17.

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Each team has to be pumped about playing this weekend. In a very average AFC, it seems as if any team can make the playoffs. The Bills and Titans are two average teams that could possibly be fighting to clinch one of the wild card spots. The Bills are looking to improve to 4-3, trying to break the four-way tie in the AFC East. Meanwhile, the Titans are looking to improve to 3-4, hopefully making their way to the top of the AFC South.

What it Means

With a win, the Titans can use this as a momentum-shifter moving into the second quarter of the season. Jake Locker, who will miss todayʼs game, will also have more confidence in his team when they play the Colts at home next week.

The Bills are currently in a four-way tie in the ever so unpredictable AFC East. With a win against the Titans, they will have a two game winning streak going into the bye week. This will definitely boost team morale, as well as confidence. As a Bills fan, I donʼt think there is anything better than knowing we have a winning record going into the bye week.

For both teams, this is a very winnable game. Because the AFC seems as if any average team can make the playoffs, each team needs this game if they want to make the postseason.

Matchups to Watch:

Running Backs vs. Defense

C.J. Spiller is one of the best all around running backs in the NFL right now. Before his injury, he led the NFL in yards per carry as well as total rushing yards. We know he can make the big play that can change the game. If the offensive line can open up holes in the Tennessee defensive line, C.J. can (and hopefully will) make the linebackers miss tackles. For Bills fans, it is reassuring to know that Akeem Ayers and Will Witherspoon are near the bottom of the league for tackling percentage. However, if the defense can tackle Spiller cleanly, the Bills will struggle.

The only way to describe Chris Johnson’s season thus far is mediocre. The Titans have the worst run offense in the league. The Bills have the worst run defense in the league, but have proved that they can apply pressure on the offensive line. Last year, Chris Johnson was the Billsʼ nemesis during the game, ending our tiny chance at the playoffs. If Johnson can maintain the All-Pro style that he occasionally flashes, the Titans will not have to worry about putting the ball in Matt Hasslebeckʼs hands too often.

Titans Wide Receivers vs. Bills Secondary

The Bills have consistently given up big plays through the air. They have been hijacked for over 256 pass yards per game. With talented wide receivers like Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, it will prove to be a test for the defense.

The Bills Will Win If…

Ryan Fitzpatrick plays a consistent game and refrains from making bad decisions. Last year, we saw what Fitz was capable of; leading the Bills to the number one offense through the first five games. However, after signing that dreaded contract extension, he has only won five games. We all know what bad mistakes do to a team. He needs to give the receivers a chance to catch the ball. Lastly, the offensive line has to open up holes for C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson to eat up the clock.

The Titans will Win If…

They keep the chains moving on offense. Chris Johnson needs to return to his All-Pro form. The Bills defense has proven to be vulnerable, so the Titans must take advantage of this. If they make plays, they will take a step towards becoming the team they hope to be.

Prediction

Both of these teams have great weaknesses on both sides of the ball. The Bills are vulnerable to the big play on defense.
The Titans have the potential for the big play, especially if Chris Johnson returns to form.

I think that the Bills defense will definitely step up. They will build upon the momentum they created last week. Look for Spiller and Jackson to make significant contributions.

As always, this game will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes and who can capitalize on their opportunities. I see this being a close game; the Bills win with the Bills Mafia behind them.

Bills win 27-23. Go Bills!!!

We probably bit off more than we could chew when we set real expectations on NFL preseason Week One. With the Redskins and Robert Griffin III rolling into Orchard Park last week, with the national media looking on, Bills fans at the Ralph were in a feverish pitch right up until the first play from scrimmage where Ryan Fitzpatrick got downed. From there it only got worse en route to a 7-6 loss for the home team. That game resulted in thousands of Buffalo fans spending all week taking deep breaths reminding themselves it’s just a meaningless preseason game. They didn’t even run the ball with the starters for crying out loud! And this wasn’t the only barn“burner doused by a cold shower. The Pats and Saints played a defensive stinker. The Cowboys and Raiders put up three points combined. It happens. We’re good. Let’s move on to Week Two before we talk ourselves into something crazy.

The Vikings game poses a fun new element to Friday’s game because A) Bills fans get to watch the game on TV and B) we get to see our boys on the road. I think we can expect to see a better effort simply based on that. This team looks a little tight at home sometimes and playing on the road against what will likely be a lax preseason crowd should help these guys focus a little quicker, and show a little more on offense. With that in mind, let’s look at a few things we should root for in the limited time we have with our starters, and a few other things for afterwards.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a good mix of Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller on Friday. (Photo by John Kucko, WROC-TV)

Hand-offs:

Last week the Bills surprised fans by not running the ball for a single play in the starting unit. I honestly thought it was a great move. The Bills know they can rely on their running game. A run here and there in one preseason game isn’t what puts a pro like Fred Jackson over the top. It’s the passing game that needs more work. But the Bills are best when they feed Fred the rock early and set the tone with a bruising running game. The Vikings have a great pass rush led by Jared Allen, and the best way to counter that is to back them up with the run. I would not be surprised if we see the Dr. Jekyll to last week’s Mr. Hyde and see a good mix of bruising Jackson runs up the middle and draws to the sideline with CJ Spiller. Ultimately what we need to see in either the second or third preseason game is a sign that the Bills can still dominate with their running game. They did it for big portions of last season, but when they didn’t the rest of the offense tanked hard. Let’s get that train warmed up now so it’s ready come regular season.

Debilitating Defense:

Christian Ponder showed some promise last year as a rookie, but ultimately he was only a rookie and the Vikings were a pretty rough squad. Vikes fans are counting on Ponder to make some leaps and bounds, and it’s safe to say the kid has been working double time in the offseason to make the leap as soon as possible. In this league, a first round QB only has so much time to make a mark and one can expect Ponder to come out hungry in the preseason. The Bills first team defense looked pretty good last week against the Redskins, but watching Griffin drive down against a D that looked helpless at times certainly brought back old painful memories of a defense that can’t get a stop when they need it. I want to see our first team defense smother Ponder and never give him a chance. With Adrian Peterson out, the Vikings will have to rely on tough runs from Toby Gerhart and Ponder’s passing game. Let’s hope neither of them gets off the turf unless it’s to jog to the sideline afterwards.

Jairus Byrd has become the most valuable Bills defender not planted on the defensive line. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ball Hawking:

Jairus Byrd seems to get better with every snap he plays in any situation. He went from a gangly kid with great ball instincts to the best open field tackler on the team and the most valuable Bills defender not planted on the defensive line. Now it’s time to see which corner can play best without the Byrd blanket on his side. Stephon Gilmore had some plays last week that reminded us he’s still a rookie, but the kid’s still a hit. Let’s hope he or Aaron Williams can make a play on the ball a la Ron Brooks last week. Or better yet, let’s see Ron Brooks make another play on the ball so we can start hyping him up to unrealistic standards. I want to be proclaiming this guy has ten picks in him in 2012 after Friday’s game.

Can a kicker get a table dance?

Check it out, check it out, woo! 2 Live Crew? No one? Yikes, am I getting old? How about this punter race? I never saw it coming. I guess I’ve just assumed Brian Moorman would be our punter until he’s fifty, but here this Powell guy is kicking just as far. Unfortunately he chose the wrong team to excel for at the P. Has there been a better, more consistent Bill over the last decade than Moorman? If anyone needs elaboration on how rough the last twelve years have been, just tell them that tidbit. Anyways, apparently we have a number of strong legs on camp. I’m all for it. I think it is worth the extra roster spot to have a kicker, a punter, and a kickoff specialist. Pinning the other team at their twenty after every kickoff is a nice boost, and it’s something the Bills don’t have right now. Since we could never let Lindell or Moorman go, I’m rooting for John Potter to make the squad as the third leg. So I guess you should hope there’s lots of points so we can watch those kickoffs real closely. Can you tell we’re already running out of things to watch for?

Mafia Members:

How about our fellow Bills fans? Is anyone making the trip out to Minnesota? Let’s see some members of the Mafia kicking their heels and shouting in the dome. I will most definitely be watching for that as well. Going to the game? Tweet me @TheBuckMopsHere to boast and offer Bills banter.

Well there’s a few things to watch for now. Obviously if we don’t see them against Minnesota, there is still no need to panic. The third preseason game is the one where everything gets ratcheted up a little more so we can always find what we’re looking for in that game. Until then Bills Mafia, keep the faith and keep Billieving.

Cory Buck
Bills Mafia Blog