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Week 13: Bills vs. Titans
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Sunday, Dec. 4th
1:00pm ET
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The Bills return to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the first time in almost two months. This matchup with the Titans is an intriguing one. Both teams have mediocre records and have many positives and negatives making this matchup a tough one to call.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (5-6) vs. Tennessee (6-5) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: CBS; DirecTV: 706; Sirius: 128 |
| Announcers: |
Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein |
| Spread: |
Bills by 1½ |
| Series: |
Titans lead 26-16 (Bills 2-1 in playoffs) |
| Streak: |
Titans Won 3 |
| Last Meeting: |
Titans 41-17 in Nashville (2009) |
| Titans Offense: |
Rush (30th); Pass (15th); overall (20th) |
| Titans Defense: |
Rush (22nd); Pass (13th); overall (17th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (9th); Pass (19th); overall (14th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (21st); Pass (22nd); overall (22nd) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills hope to get George Wilson, Naaman Roosevelt, and Demetrius Bell back this week. Wilson has been sidelined with a neck injury but hopes to practice before the week is over, he may be a week away from returning. Roosevelt is practicing and should play after missing a game with a shoulder injury. Bell is ready to return after missing seven games with a shoulder injury but likely won't start. Rian Lindell's bum shoulder will likely keep him sidelined another week. Leodis McKelvin has sore ribs after getting hurt against the Jets but has a good chance at playing.
The Titans are a bit banged up like every team this time of year. DE Derrick Morgan has been bothered all year by knee and ankle problems but continues to play through it. They likely will be without CB Tommie Campbell (shoulder) and LB Barrett Ruud (groin). OL Eugene Amano (hip flexor), David Stewart (calf), LB Colin McCarthy (knee) missed practice time but should play.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
CB Aaron Williams vs. WR Nate Washington:
Williams is looking to bounce back after what he called a bad rookie performance against the Jets. Washington leads the Titans in catches and yards. Williams needs to have a short memory and shutdown the Titans best receiver.
C Kraig Urbik vs. DT Jurrell Casey:
Urbik played well last week making his first start at center as his snaps were good but communication was tough. That should be easier at home as well as the matchup this week against a very young rookie in Casey.
LB Chris Kelsay vs. RT David Stewart:
The Bills desperately need a pass rush and Kelsay may be their best chance to get one. He will lineup against Stewart who is hobbled by a calf injury and may be able to be beat. QB Matt Hasselbeck doesn't get sacked much but they need to at least get pressure on him.
WR Stevie Johnson vs. CB Jason McCourty:
Johnson looks to put last week's drama behind him with a big game this week. McCourty is the only Titan with more than one interception (he has two). This will be a battle to watch, look for Johnson to bounce back nicely though.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Red Zone Efficiency: The Titans offense has the best red zone TD percentage in the league and the Bills defense has the 2nd worst. The Bills need to hold some of those TDs to FGs and need to get back to converting in the red zone on offense like they did early in the season when they led the league in that category.
2. Run & Stop CJ: The Bills need to have success running the ball with their CJ and stop the Titans CJ. If Spiller gets things going it will help keep the Bills offense balance. If they can stop Chris Johnson, who is really starting to come on as of late, than they can make the Titans one dimensional.
3. Get The Crowd Involved: The Bills haven't been home in a month but a lot has happened since then and none of it good. The stadium will not be soldout, it will be colder and the team is losing. They need to give the fans something to cheer for early to help recapture the magic they had at the Ralph early this season.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
This game could go either way, it really depends on which Bills team shows up. The one from earlier in the season that played very well or the one that has lost four straight? The offense seemed to get back on track last week and we hope a little home cooking keeps the train moving straight:
Bills 30, Titans 28
Season Prediction Record: (3-8)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-8)
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