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Week 16: Bills vs. Giants
The Bills head into the final two weeks playing for just pride and to build towards next season. Their unlikely playoff run came to a sliding halt in the snow of Cleveland last week. The Giants could have clinched a playoff spot last week but lost to Washington and now need a win in one of their final two games to clinch a spot or get some help. Their best chance is this week as they play the Patriots to close out the season.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (7-7) vs. N.Y. Giants (9-5) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| Television: |
FOX |
| Announcers: |
Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, & Tony Siragusa |
| Spread: |
Giants by 3 |
| Series: |
Bills lead 6-4 (Giants 1-0 in Super Bowl) |
| Streak: |
Bills Won 3 |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 24-7 in New Jersey (2003) |
| Giants Offense: |
Rush (6th); Pass (17th); overall (17th) |
| Giants Defense: |
Rush (12th); Pass (11th); overall (7th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (16th); Pass (29th); overall (30th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (22nd); Pass (28th); overall (30th) |
INJURY UPDATE
Coy Wire has missed the past two games with a neck stinger. Copeland Bryan remains out with a knee injury. Brad Butler suffered an eye injury against Cleveland but returned to the game. The Bills have 14 players on injured reserve including George Wilson, Anthony Thomas, Matt Murphy, Kiwaukee Thomas, Derek Schouman, Peerless Price, Ko Simpson, Kevin Everett, Paul Pozluszny, Jason Whittle, and Jason Webster are among the long list on injured reserve.
The Giants suffered a big injury against Washington on Sunday night. They lost TE Jeremy Shockey to a broken fibula. WR Sinorice Moss missed last week's game with a back injury and may miss this game as well. FS James Butler has been out with a hamstring injury and is questionable at best for this week's game. SS Gibril Wilson missed the Redskins game with a knee injury but he expects to play this week.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
LT Jason Peters vs. DE Osi Umenyiora:
This is a battle of two Pro Bowlers. The whole offensive line has their hands full against a very good pressure team. Umenyiora leads the way with 12 sacks and Peters will likely have a one on one matchup with him most of the game.
RT Langston Walker vs. DEs Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck:
Walker will have his hands full on the other side against the veteran Strahan who has nine sacks and his backup Justin Tuck who has 10 sacks as a situational pass rusher.
LBs Angelo Crowell and John DiGiorgio vs. RB Brandon Jacobs:
The Bills struggled with Jamal Lewis last week and his north-south running style. They will have trouble again with a similar back in Jacobs. The difference is Jacobs is even bigger as he weighs in at about 260lbs.
DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT David Diehl:
Schobel is heating up with sacks in three straight games. They will need him to get pressure to keep the Giants passing game down. Diehl is the starting left tackle and will be in charge of blocking him but will likely get help from backs and tight ends.
RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson vs. LB Antonio Pierce:
The one-two punch at running back will look for a good day against the 12th rank run defense led by Pierce who has 89 tackles.
CB Jabari Greer vs. WR Plaxico Burress:
It doesn't get easier for Greer this week as he faces another towering receiver in the 6'5" Burress. He is the main offensive weapon especially with Shockey out of action.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: Look for them to pound the ball on the ground and take a few shots deep downfield to get the ball to Lee Evans. They may try to take advantage of the aggressive front four of the Giants with some short passes and screens to the running backs.
When The Giants Have The Ball: They will also likely pound the ball with their big back Jacobs. They also will try to take advantage of the big height advantage Burress has on the Bills smallish cornerbacks.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
This is tough to call since the Bills have been eliminated, almost all the luster is off this contest. The Bills are a team of high character and they likely will not run for the bus. They want to finish with a winning record and that should keep them motivated. The Giants are a desperate team that needs the win but I don't believe they are as good as their record. I think the Bills will find a way to show their resiliency one more time and sent the hometown fans home happy for the final time of the season:
Bills 27, Giants 21
Season Prediction Record: (8-6)
Season Record Against The Spread: (8-6)
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