Game 12: Bills vs. Giants

at Sunday, Nov. 30th 1:00pm ET Stats Matchup

This is a battle of two teams that are in identical predicaments. Both teams were though of highly going into the season but they are both floundering terribly. Both teams are 4-7, the Giants have lost three straight and the Bills have lost four straight. They are both very disappointed with their seasons and there is a chance that one or both teams will pack it in. Both coaches are most likely going to be fired in the off season, so some players may feel they don't have to give it their all for their leader.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup:	Buffalo (4-7) vs. Giants (4-7)
Place:	Giants Stadium
Television:	CBS
Announcers:	Gus Johnson and Brent Jones
Spread:	Giants by 3
Series:	Bills 5-4 (Bills 0-1 in playoffs)
Last Meeting:	Giants 19-17 in Buffalo (1999)
Giants Off:	Rush (20th); Pass (4th); overall (5th)
Giants Def:	Rush (15th); Pass (19th); overall (20th)
Bills Offense:	Rush (t-26th); Pass (26th); overall (29th)
Bills Defense:	Rush (11th); Pass (t-4th); overall (3rd)

INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are hurting on the injury front. Eric Moulds remains bothered by a groin tear that has plagued him the last six games and now has a hamstring twinge to deal with. He will be held out of practice most of this week. Travis Henry continues to gut it out with a hairline fracture in his fibula. Both players will play and are not on the injury report. LB Jeff Posey has a knee sprain. S Izell Reese missed last week's game with a concussion both are questionable. The entire starting offensive line is nicked up, but all of them should be able to play with the possible exception of Mike Pucillo who is questionable with turf toe. Sam Aiken may be lost for the year with a knee injury, he is officially out for the game. On Thursday, Drew Bledsoe was added to the injury report as probable with a concussion. He does expect to play. Willis McGahee remains inactive with his knee injury although he is on the active roster he is closing in on a return date.

The Giants have been without DE Kenny Holmes who has a knee injury and is on injured reserve along with S Shaun Williams. TE Jeremy Shockey has been out with a knee injury as well but he is expected to play against the Bills. CB Ralph Brown remain out for New York as well.

Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

RT Mike Williams vs. DE Michael Strahan:
Strahan is one of the best pass rushers in the league and Williams is fighting off a terrible sophomore slump. If Strahan is in Drew Bledsoe's face all day, the Bills are in trouble.

S Lawyer Milloy vs. TE Jeremy Shockey:
Shockey is chomping at the bit to get back into action. If he returns as expected this week than Milloy and whoever else lines up against him will have their hands full.

RB Travis Henry vs. MLB Mike Barrow:
Henry has played with heart this year, fighting through injuries. Henry will need to carry the Bills to victory and he will have to watch out for Barrow who already is in triple digits in tackles.

CB Nate Clements vs. WR Amani Toomer:
Toomer is their big play threat, Clements it the Bills big play threat on defense. If either makes a big play that can turn the tide of this game.

DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Luke Petitgout:
Petitgout is the best of a poor group of linemen. If Schobel can get pressure on Collins it may open the floodgates for the Bills front seven. If that happens it may take away the effectiveness of the Giants highly ranked passing attack.

WR Josh Reed vs. CB Will Allen:
The Bills passing game is MIA. Reed needs to finally step up and be the number one threat with Moulds hurting. Allen is a tough corner but he can be beat. A big play by Reed would be nice for a change.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: Now that the offense has finally scored a touchdown, look for them to try and move the football against a mediocre Giants defense. With the weather getting colder the team should try to ride their best horse and that is Henry. The passing game has been too weak to rely on, and with Moulds hampered by injury they need to run the ball.

When The Giants Have The Ball: The Giants have the fourth ranked passing game in the league and look for them to take a page out of the Colts playbook this week. They should use the pass to setup the running game, that is formidable with Tiki Barber. A balanced attack will keep the Bills defenders on their toes and give them some success.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

This is a tough game to predict. The Bills show no signs of mailing it in down the stretch but neither do the Giants. Who ever tries harder will probably win this game. I think the Bills will show up but there troubles on the road will haunt them once again:
Giants 20, Bills 13

Season Prediction Record: (6-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (7-3-1)

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