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Week 5: Bills vs. Cowboys
For the first time since the glory years the Bills will host a Monday Night Football game. The last time they were home for a game that wasn't on the weekend was in 1994, a win over the Broncos who ironically had Wade Phillips as their head coach for that game. The last time they played on Monday at all was in 2000. So it will be a special night at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The enthusiastic crowd will be pumped for this one as the so-called "America's Team" comes to town and the fans are pumped about the rookie QB that led them to their first win of the season last week. The Cowboys meanwhile are steamrolling through the NFL as the Bills face another undefeated powerhouse.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (1-3) vs. Dallas (4-0) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| Television: |
ESPN |
| Announcers: |
Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, & Tony Kornheiser |
| Spread: |
Cowboys by 10 |
| Series: |
Cowboys lead 6-3 (Cowboys 2-0 in playoffs) |
| Streak: |
Cowboys Won 1 |
| Last Meeting: |
Cowboys 10-6 in Dallas (2003) |
| Cowboys Offense: |
Rush (6th); Pass (3rd); overall (1st) |
| Cowboys Defense: |
Rush (7th); Pass (15th); overall (8th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (18th); Pass (31st); overall (31st) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (27th); Pass (32nd); overall (32nd) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills lost three more defensive players to injury against the Jets. Kevin Harrison is out for the year with a knee injury. Ashton Youboty will likely miss the game with a sprained ankle and Jim Leonhard is out with a calf injury. Some good news, Coy Wire and Keith Ellison are both closing in on returning, one may be back this week, the other after the bye. Ryan Denney and J.P. Losman should also return after the bye. Ko Simpson, Kevin Everett, Paul Pozluszny, Jason Whittle, and Jason Webster are on injured reserve.
The Cowboys have CB Anthony Henry out with an Achillies injury. S Courtney Brown is out with a biceps injury. SS Keith Davis may miss his second straight game with a pectoral injury. FB Oliver Hoyte may return after missing last week's game with a stinger. WR Terry Glenn remains out indefinitely. LB Greg Ellis returned to action and had two sacks last week against St. Louis.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
FS Bryan Scott vs. QB Tony Romo:
Scott will likely get the start as the quarterback in the deep zone. Romo is on fire and must be licking his chops facing a banged up Bills secondary. A big play or two by Scott, or stopping a big play or two may go a long way in keeping the Bills in the game.
CB Terrence McGee vs. WR Terrell Owens :
Talk about your tough matchups! Owens looks like a giant next to McGee and should have a big game.
DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Flozell Adams:
The Bills only chance to slow down the Cowboys passing attack is getting a pass rush, Schobel needs to step up his game against the talented Adams.
WR Lee Evans vs. CB Terence Newman:
Evans needs to build on his good game last week to give the offense a chance to keep up with the Cowboys high powered attack. Newman is a solid corner who will give Evans a hard time.
RB Marshawn Lynch vs. SS Roy Williams:
Lynch needs to help move the chains on the ground and Williams may play up in the box to prevent that from happening.
RT Langston Walker vs. LB Greg Ellis:
Walker has to watch for Ellis off the edge. He came back from injury like a man possessed last week and could make the going tough for Trent Edwards.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: Look for them to spread it out some but not as much as last week. They need to keep the Cowboys offense off the field, that means a heavy dose of Lynch. Look for the team to use some screen passes to keep the Cowboys from being overly aggressive.
When The Cowboys Have The Ball: Look for them to continue to open up the attack with a wide open passing game that will allow them to pick up yards in big chunks.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
The team is confident after beating the Jets last week but the Cowboys are a whole different story. Look for the Cowboys to take advantage of the banged up Bills secondary for big gains. The fans and the enthusiasm of the Monday night battle will keep them in the game for a while but it will be all Cowboys in the end:
Cowboys 34, Bills 17
Season Prediction Record: (2-2)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-1)
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