Week 7: Bills vs. Redskins

at Sunday, Oct. 19th 4:15pm ET Stats Matchup

This week the Bills and Redskins both try to break out of recent slumps. Washington has lost their last two while the Bills have lost three of their last four. Both teams want to turn it around before it gets any later into the season. There is major intrigue in this game as Bruce Smith returns to Buffalo for the first time since leaving the team. He also comes to Buffalo 1 1/2 sacks away from the NFL record. He would love to set it at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Rob Johnson also makes his first visit to Western New York since leaving the Bills, he is the backup QB to Patrick Ramsey.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup:	Buffalo (3-3) vs. Washington (3-3)
Place:	Ralph Wilson Stadium
Television:	FOX
Announcers:	Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston
Spread:	Bills by 2 1/2
Series:	Tied 5-5 (Bills 0-1 in Super Bowl)
Last Meeting:	Bills 34-17 in Washington (1999)
Redskins Off:	Rush (16th); Pass (7th); overall (12th)
Redskins Def:	Rush (15th); Pass (18th); overall (15th)
Bills Offense:	Rush (32nd); Pass (18th); overall (32nd)
Bills Defense:	Rush (23rd); Pass (2nd); overall (6th)

INJURY UPDATE

The Bills remain a banged up team. Eric Moulds, Sam Adams, and Ron Edwards all missed last week's game against the Jets. All of them look to practice this week as does Sammy Morris who has missed three games after undergoing hernia surgery. OT Jonas Jennings suffered a hip flexor against the Jets but should play this week. Willis McGahee returns to practice this week but will not be ready to play by Sunday.

The Redskins have numerous injuries. TE Robert Royal suffered a fractured hip against Tampa Bay last week and will miss six weeks. He will be replaced by Byron Chamberlain in the starting lineup. CB Fred Smoot has a sprained clavicle and will miss a few games. RB Trung Candidate will be re-evaluated later in the week after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Bucs but is doubtful along with LG Dave Fiore who has missed three straight games with a right knee injury.
Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

LT Jonas Jennings vs. DE Bruce Smith:
Smith will be fired up for his first visit back to Orchard Park as a member of the Redskins. He will be even more excited as he smells the all-time sack record. What better place for him to do it then the place he had the majority of his sacks?

Bills Special Teams vs. KR Chad Morton:
Morton had two returns for touchdowns on opening day last year against the Bills. The coverage teams are coming off an awful day in New Jersey and will need to step it up against the potent Morton.

CB Antoine Winfield vs. WR Laveranues Coles:
Coles is the biggest playmaker on the Redskins, he will likely be matched up with the Bills best corner most of the time. This could be an epic battle with the winner giving his team the best chance at victory.

RB Travis Henry vs. Redskins Linebacker:
One of these days the Bills will actually commit to the run. The Redskins run defense is in the middle of the back but the trio of LaVar Arrington, Jessie Armstead, and Jeremiah Trotter are tackling machines, they may be the guys that keep Henry at bay.

WR Josh Reed vs. CB Champ Bailey:
With Moulds hobbled for Buffalo and Smoot out for the Redskins their premier cornerback is Bailey and he will be lined up most of the time with the underachieving Reed. It is time for last year's 2nd round pick to step up his game, especially if Moulds doesn't return this week.

DE Aaron Schobel vs LT Chris Samuels:
Schobel needs to lead the Bills charge to pressure Ramsey. Samuels is as solid as they come and Schobel need to beat him early to give Ramsey something to think about.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: Will they finally run it? The Bills need to do something as they have sunk to the absolute bottom of the league offensively. Dare I say it? Look for them to come out with a power, physical running game. After much soul searching all parties have to be on board with that philosophy.

When The Redskins Have The Ball: With their best back hobbled by injury, and the Bills being 2nd in the league against the pass it may be hard for the Redskins to move the ball. Look for them to still try and attack the middle of the Bills defense on the ground even if Canidate can't go, Ladell Betts has shown a spark this year.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

Who knows if the Bills will ever show up again? One thing is for sure Bruce Smith will be ready to play this game. We are holding out hope that the Bills will look themselves in the mirror and show some heart and desire this week. We expect them to go to the physical offensive game that we've been promised all year and be successful on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Smith will get his sack record in Buffalo like it should be, but the Bills will get the victory:
Bills 27, Redskins 23

Season Prediction Record: (4-2)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-2)

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