|
|
 |
Week 10: Bills vs. Colts
The Bills are riding high after a victory over Green Bay last week snapped a three game losing streak. They will come crashing down this week however as they take on the last undefeated team in Indianapolis. The Colts are coming off a huge 27-20 win in New England, a team they never play well.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (3-5) vs. Indianapolis (8-0) |
| Place: |
RCA Dome |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Dick Enberg and Randy Cross |
| Spread: |
Colts by 11½ |
| Series: |
Bills lead 34-29-1 |
| Streak: |
Colts Won 5 |
| Last Meeting: |
Colts 17-14 in Buffalo (2003) |
| Colts Offense: |
Rush (21st); Pass (1st); overall (2nd) |
| Colts Defense: |
Rush (32nd); Pass (3rd); overall (20th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (22nd); Pass (31st); overall (30th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (19th); Pass (19th); overall (18th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills suffered two major injuries in the win over Green Bay. Don't expect to see Willis McGahee or Josh Reed at all against the Colts. McGahee has a broken 9th rib that is very painful near the lungs, that will surely keep him out. Reed suffered a bruised kidney that had him hospitalized for two days, that will keep him sidelined for sure as the team will be very cautious. Sam Aiken missed the Packers game with a hamstring injury and Tutan Reyes has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. He should be healthy enough to play if needed.
The Colts have been without WR Brandon Stokley since week 6 with a knee injury but he may be ready to return this week. They are really banged up at the linebacker position. Rob Morris should return this week, he has been battling a hamstring injury but Keith O'Neil and Gary Brackett remain out. Brackett has a hamstring injury and O'Neil has a foot injury. SS Matt Giordano has a calf injury that makes him iffy this week.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
RB Anthony Thomas vs. DT Anthony McFarland:
Thomas will be a key player for the Bills filling in for Willis McGahee. He could have a good game against the league's worst run defense. McFarland was brought over from Tampa Bay to shore up the unit but hasn't made an impact yet. Hopefully for the Bills this won't be his breakout week.
CB Nate Clements vs. WR Reggie Wayne:
Clements had his best game of the season against Green Bay and will need to continue his momentum against perhaps the best number two receiver in the league. Wayne has actually been the go to guy of Peyton Manning for a lot of the season.
CB Terrence McGee vs. WR Marvin Harrison:
The way McGee has played this year, this is a major mismatch. Harrison could have a field day against the underachieving corner.
LT Jason Peters vs. RDE Dwight Freeney:
Peters performed well in his first start at left tackle but draws another tough assignment this week. Freeney hasn't been a huge impact this year like year's past but he's still very dangerous. Peters needs to keep him away from J.P. Losman's blind side and still open up holes for the running game.
RT Terrence Pennington vs. LDE Robert Mathis:
With Freeney getting all the attention, Mathis has quietly led the team in sacks with 4½. If he can put pressure on Losman it can be another long day for the Bills passing attack. Look for Pennington to get plenty of help from the tight ends and guards.
RDE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Tarik Glenn:
This should be an epic battle. Schobel is very streaky and he's on a hot streak right now. Glenn is one of the better tackles in the game, and with Manning's quick release it will be very tough for Schobel to get to the QB.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: They will have to attack the one weak point of the Colts, the run defense. Unfortunately for the Bills they will have to do it without their top running back. Fortunately for them Thomas is a quality backup. Look for them to pound the ball on the ground all day to take pressure off of Losman and to keep the ball out of Mannings' hands.
When The Colts Have The Ball: They are a far better passing team then running team. Look for Manning to pick apart the Bills secondary that likes to play off the receivers. He'll dink and dunk down the field and setup the big play to beat the young safeties. It won't be pretty when Indy has the ball.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
There is no way the Bills have a chance this week. Let's face it, the Colts are awesome and the Bills struggled mightily even in victory last week. The only glimmer of hope is that Miami went into Chicago and beat the Bears, proving anything can happen in the NFL. The Bills can only hope that the Colts have a huge letdown game after last week's huge victory. They also need to win the turnover margin by a wide margin to have any chance. It won't happen, they may play well early but the Colts will pull away for an easy win:
Colts 41, Bills 14
Season Prediction Record: (4-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-4)
Complete Gameday Review - Coming Sunday Evening!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Evening!
Gameday Homepage
|
|
