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Week 16: Bills vs. Broncos
 at 
Sunday, Dec. 21st
4:05pm ET
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The Bills continue to play out the string as they travel to a place where they historically have struggled. The main challenge for Buffalo is getting past last week's devastating loss to the Jets in order to put up a respectable effort. The Broncos clinch their division title with a win or a San Diego loss at 1pm in Tampa Bay. Even if they take the field as division champions look for them to play hard to get the win.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (6-8) vs. Denver (8-6) |
| Place: |
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots |
| Spread: |
Broncos by 7 |
| Series: |
Bills lead 18-15-1 (Bills 1-0 in playoffs) |
| Streak: |
Broncos Won 5 |
| Last Meeting: |
Broncos 15-14 in Buffalo (2007) |
| Broncos Offense: |
Rush (16th); Pass (3rd); overall (2nd) |
| Broncos Defense: |
Rush (27th); Pass (27th); overall (28th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (15th); Pass (20th); overall (23rd) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (19th); Pass (11th); overall (13th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills will definitely be without Aaron Schobel and James Hardy for the game. Schobel is on IR and Hardy tore his ACL against the Jets. Trent Edwards will likely return to the lineup after missing two and a half games with a groin injury. Jabari Greer has been out with a knee injury and probably won't be ready to return yet. Dustin Fox also has a groin injury and missed last week's game.
The Broncos have a good amount of injuries as well. CB Champ Bailey did not play last week with a groin injury and is likely questionable this week. OG Chris Kuper broke his hand in the loss to Carolina last week and will likely be questionable depending on how he deals with a cast on his hand. FS Marlon McCree looks to try and return this week, he has an ankle injury. FB Spencer Larsen also has a groin injury but hopes to return this week.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
LT Jason Peters vs. DE Elvis Dumervil:
Peters just got selected to his second straight Pro Bowl and now needs to play like an all-pro. Dumervil leads the Broncos with five sacks and can cause some problems for the Bills QB and possibly force a turnover or two.
CB Terrence McGee vs. WR Brandon Marshall:
The Bills will lock up their best cover corner against Marshall who is heading to the Pro Bowl with 88 receptions for over 1,000 yards. He may be the best receiver in the game and will be a huge test for McGee.
CB Leodis McKelvin vs. WR Eddie Royal:
Royal is no slouch on the other side of the field as the rookie has 75 receptions of his own and he is closing in on 1,000 yards as well. This battle of rookies may be huge if Marshall and McGee battle to a draw.
WR Lee Evans vs. CB Dre' Bly:
Two veterans will go at it in this matchup. Evans looks to bounce back from a few sub par games in a row. Bly is the main corner with Bailey hobbled with a groin injury.
RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson vs. LBs Jamie Winborn and D.J. Williams:
The two linebackers lead the team in tackles as they both have over 80. They will be the guys trying to keep the Bills suddenly potent two pronged running attack at bay.
DE Chris Denney vs. LT Ryan Clady: Denney lines up against the rookie Clady. He needs to get some pressure on Jay Cutler or else it will be a long day for the Bills secondary covering the potent passing attack.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills should be able to pick how to attack a Broncos defense that is equally weak against the pass and run. The Bills have run the ball very well lately so they will likely try to correct the mistakes from the past two weeks and constantly feed the ball to Lynch and Jackson.
When The Broncos Have The Ball: The Broncos are a passing team, so weather permitting, they will take to the air early and often. Look for them to use a short passing game to methodically move down the field against a Bills defense that struggles with slant patterns as the defensive backs play way too far off the ball.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
After such a heartbreaking loss last week the Bills backs may be broken. They are likely looking towards next season while the Broncos are looking to wrap up the AFC West title at home with a win even if the Chargers lose earlier in the day. This game may be unwatchable very quickly as the Bills rarely perform well out west late in the year with nothing to play for:
Broncos 38, Bills 13
Season Prediction Record: (9-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (9-5)
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