Week 10: Bills vs. Titans
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Sunday, Nov. 15th
1:00pm ET
The Bills come back from the bye week to face the Titans in Tennessee. The Bills have won all three games following bye weeks in the Dick Jauron era. The Titans are back on track with two straight wins after starting the season with six losses in a row.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (3-5) vs. Tennessee (2-6)
Place: LP Field
Television: CBS
Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
Spread: Titans by 6½
Series: Titans lead 25-16 (Bills 2-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Titans Won 2
Last Meeting: Titans 30-29 in Buffalo (2006)
Titans Offense: Rush (2nd); Pass (26th); overall (20th)
Titans Defense: Rush (18th); Pass (32nd); overall (31st)
Bills Offense: Rush (19th); Pass (30th); overall (29th)
Bills Defense: Rush (32nd); Pass (10th); overall (25th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills used the week off to get healthier but they are still bitten by the injury bug. They have one new injury to worry about as Terrell Owens has a hip strain and may not be able to go. Trent Edwards, Shawn Nelson, Bryan Scott, Shawn Nelson, and Jonathan Scott are ready to return from injuries. Kyle Williams and Keith Ellison remain sidelined with knee and quad injuries respectively. Corey McIntyre has an ankle injury that will likely keep him sidelined. Donte Whitner is trying to get back from a high ankle sprain but may be a week away from returning but he is working towards playing this week. Terrence McGee had knee surgery during the bye meaning he likely will miss this week's game but he does have an outside chance at playing. Jairus Byrd is expected to play but is battling a groin problem associated with offseason hernia surgery. James Hardy is coming off the PUP list and is ready to play after suffering a torn ACL late last season. Kawika Mitchell, Marcus Buggs, Leodis McKelvin, Derek Schouman, and Brad Butler are all on injured reserve.

The Titans will be without OL David Stewart with a hamstring injury. LB David Thornton is battling a hip injury. RB Javon Ringer and WR Justin Gage are battling back injuries and may not be ready to go. CB Cortland Finnegan is not practicing with a hamstring injury.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

DT Marcus Stroud vs. RB Chris Johnson:
Stroud will need to clog up the middle to allow the linebackers to keep the NFL's leading rusher at bay. This will be harder to handle with Williams and Ellison likely out. Stroud leads all NFL defensive tackles in tackles with 36. It could be easy for Johnson to run wild which could make it a long day for the Bills.

RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson vs. LBs Stephen Tulloch and Keith Bulluck:
Tulloch and Bulluck lead the team in tackles and will look to keep Lynch and Jackson bottled up. The Bills need to find a way to get both backs carries and in rhythm. That is something they haven't been able to do since Lynch came back from suspension.

DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Michael Roos:
Schobel is having a solid season and he needs to get pressure on Vince Young but more importantly he needs to keep him contained from getting outside and getting big gains. Roos is a five year veteran who has started every game of his career.

WR Lee Evans vs. CB Jason McCourty:
Evans could have an advantage here especially if Finnegan is unavailable at the other corner spot. Evans needs to get a big play or two to offset the Titans running attack.

DE Chris Kelsay vs. RT Troy Kropog:
With Stewart out for the Titans Kelsay gets to face his backup at right tackle. Kelsay is having a good year and needs to put pressure on Young to keep him from getting comfortable.



GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: They need to make enough plays on third downs to keep the offense on the field. If they are successful doing that they likely will try to get as many carries as possible for both running backs. They will likely mix it up and test a Titans secondary that is dead last in pass defense.

When The Titans Have The Ball: Run, run, and run some more. Why would they do anything else? The Bills run defense is dead last and approaching historic lows. The Titans running game is near the top of the league and they must be licking their chops for a big game on the ground from Johnson and Young.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills should be motivated to get the second half of the season off to a good start and put any changes they made over the bye week in place. The Titans are flying high right now and have more confidence now that Vince Young is their starting quarterback. He gives the Bills problems since they struggle staying in their gaps on defense. Couple that with a great running attack against the woeful Bills run defense and I don't see how the Bills win a game in a tough road venue:
Titans 23, Bills 10

Season Prediction Record: (3-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-5)

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