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Week 13: Bills vs. Redskins
This game's outlook took a tragic turn with the shocking death of Redskins safety Sean Taylor. This is a very emotional week for Washington as their thoughts are obviously on much more than football. The Bills go into this game on a two game losing streak while the Redskins are on a three game losing streak of their own. Trent Edwards is back in the saddle at quarterback for the Bills as he tries to jumpstart a struggling offense.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (5-6) vs. Washington (5-6) |
| Place: |
FedEx Field |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots |
| Spread: |
Redskins by 5½ |
| Series: |
Bills lead 6-5 (Redskins 1-0 in Super Bowl) |
| Streak: |
Bills Won 4 |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 24-7 in Buffalo (2003) |
| Redskins Offense: |
Rush (6th); Pass (15th); overall (13th) |
| Redskins Defense: |
Rush (11th); Pass (13th); overall (9th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (18th); Pass (30th); overall (31st) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (23rd); Pass (29th); overall (31st) |
INJURY UPDATE
Just when it looked like the Bills were finally getting healthy for the first time all year another rash of injuries came in the loss to the Jaguars. Chris Kelsay, Langston Walker, Ryan Denney, Anthony Thomas, and Coy Wire all went down in the loss. Kelsay will miss the game with a sprained ankle. Denney is battling a bit with his surgically repaired foot. Walker will likely play with his elbow injury and they hope Thomas can go, he has a sprained calf muscle. If he can't go the team is in trouble at running back because it appears Marshawn Lynch will miss his third straight game with a high ankle sprain. 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.
For the Redskins they may be without Antwaan Randal-El who re-injured his troublesome hamstring injury in the loss to the Bucs this past Sunday. FB Mike Sellers missed last week's game with back spasms. OG Randy Thomas missed it with a triceps injury. WR James Thrash has an ankle injury and he missed the Bucs game as well. OG Todd Wade is out with a knee injury.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
RBs Anthony Thomas and Fred Jackson vs. LB London Fletcher:
As he did during his time in Buffalo, Fletcher is a tackling machine and he's bound to be extra fired up to play his former team. Fletcher leads the team with 95 tackles and will be the man to plug the holes in the running game. If Thomas and Lynch can't go, Jackson will get the majority of playing time. He has shown promise but he is very raw.
LB Angelo Crowell vs. RB Clinton Portis:
Crowell actually has two more tackles than Fletcher this year and will look to keep Portis at bay. If they can force the Redskins to throw more that could be good news for the Bills.
S Donte Whitner vs. TE Chris Cooley:
It's a rare feat when a tight end leads a team in catches but Cooley has 46 to lead Washington. Whitner will most likely draw Cooley in the passing game and if he can slow him down the Redskins passing game could be in trouble.
LT Jason Peters vs. RE Andre Carter:
Peters has held his own against top pass rushers and he gets another test this week against Carter who has eight sacks on the season.
DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Chris Samuels:
Schobel has had an off year and it gets tougher this week. The eight year veteran Samuels is a solid lineman. Schobel may have it harder if Chris Kelsay and/or Ryan Denney can't play. That means he has to play more snaps and will get more tired. The Bills may move him around more so the Redskins don't know where he's coming from.
WR Lee Evans vs. CB Fred Smoot:
Evans has also had an off year and needs a big game to help his rookie QB out. The Redskins have two solid corners so when Smoot isn't on Evans, Shawn Springs will be. A tough task for the struggling wideout.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: The Redskins have a balanced defensive attack and look for the Bills to mix in the run with the short passing game that Edwards runs effectively. Look for the crossing routes and passes to the tight ends and the backs to hopefully open up a big play or two.
When The Redskins Have The Ball: They will look to pound the ball with Portis, the best offensive weapon on either team. If Portis runs well that should open up some things for Jason Campbell in the passing game to make a big play in the air. Campbell will have to watch for whatever wrinkles Perry Fewell's troops throw at him to try and confuse him.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
I was all set to pick the Bills to win this game. I figure the Redskins are reeling worse than the Bills and there could be some juice on offense with Edwards playing now. The death of Taylor makes this an almost impossible game to pick. One school of thought says that the Redskins will have difficulty focusing on football (and who can blame them). They may have less preparation time as well. (They didn't practice Monday and may need time off to deal with the tragedy). This works against the Redskins. On the other hand they make use the emotions to their advantage. They will definitely be playing for Taylor and will feed off the home crowd in a very emotional situation. I think that will be enough to give them a victory this week:
Redskins 23, Bills 20
Season Prediction Record: (7-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-5)
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