|
|
 |
Week 14: Bills vs. Rams
 at 
Sunday, Dec. 9th
1:00pm ET
|
The Bills remain home for a second straight week as they get ready for back to back games against NFC opponents. The Rams come to town on the fringe of the playoff race like the Bills. The banged up Bills offensive line goes up against a talented front four this week but the dome team needs to play outside in the December elements of Western New York.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (5-7) vs. St. Louis (5-6-1) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: FOX; DirecTV: 704; Sirius: 112 |
| Announcers: |
Ron Pitts and Mike Martz |
| Spread: |
Bills by 3 |
| Series: |
Bills lead 6-4 |
| Streak: |
Bills Won 2 |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 31-14 in St. Louis (2008) |
| Rams Offense: |
Rush (13th); Pass (22nd); overall (25th) |
| Rams Defense: |
Rush (13th); Pass (12th); overall (12th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (4th); Pass (26th); overall (17th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (30th); Pass (13th); overall (24th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills were hit hard by the injury bug in their win over Jacksonville. Eric Wood partially tore his MCL and Chris Hairston suffered a deep bruise to his ankle, neither will play this week. Leodis McKelvin hurt his back before the Jaguars game and Stevie Johnson is suffering from a tight hamstring. They both should be ready for this game. Donald Jones is expected to return from a calf injury. Aaron Williams has a chance at being ready to play this week but will be questionable. He has been sidelined with a knee injury along with Mark Anderson who remains out. Chris Kelsay has been placed on injured reserve with his neck injury.
The Rams may be without WR Danny Amendola who missed last week's game with a foot injury. He has missed practice time this week along with RB Stephen Jackson who also has a foot injury but is expected to play. Former Bill Mario Haggan has been sidelined with an Elbow injury and will likely miss the game. TE Mike McNeill has a thigh injury and C Scott Wells has a knee injury both will likely be questionable this week.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
RT Sam Young vs. LDE Chris Long:
Young gets his first start and goes against one of many talented defensive linemen that the Rams have. Long has 7 sacks on the season.
RBs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson vs. MLB James Laurinatis:
The great front four of St. Louis allows Laurinatis to roam free and pile up tackles as he has 116 on the season. If he can keep the Bills dynamic duo in check, Buffalo could be in serious trouble.
LDE Mario Williams vs. RT Barry Richardson:
Super Mario has been on a tear since his bye week wrist surgery. He looks to continue his hot streak against the three year starter who is in his first season in St. Louis.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. CB Janoris Jenkins:
Fitz has to watch for the rookie sensation who has three interceptions on the season, two were returned for scores, both against Arizona two weeks ago.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Overcome OL Injuries: This will not be easy as the Bills will be shuffling the line around with Wood and Hairston out. They may need to alter their gameplan to more of a running game tilted to the healthy left side of the line. All passes will need to come out quick which could eliminate the already sporadic downfield passing attack.
2. Use The Weather Advantage: The biggest edge the Bills will have in this game will be taking the team out of their warm and cozy dome and bringing them outside in the cold rain and wind. The Bills will practice outside some like they did last week and will need to show they can play in the elements better to win the game like they did against Jacksonville.
3. Stop Their Jackson: If weather is a factor the Rams will look to grind it out on the ground and they have a running back to do that with. Stephen Jackson has been rejuvenated in recent weeks and is running like the Jackson of old. If the Bills can continue their solid play against the run it will make it hard for the Rams to beat them in the air without favorable weather conditions.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
The Rams match up well with the Bills and are coming off a big win over San Francisco. The Bills have to overcome their injuries to fend off a solid defensive team. The Rams have struggled on the road against non division foes and bringing them outside in December is a huge advantage for the Bills. That will be the difference I think as the Bills will continue their longshot run to the postseason:
Bills 24, Rams 20
Season Prediction Record: (8-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-6)
Bills Blitz - Coming Late Sunday Night!
Gameday Grades - Coming Late Sunday Night or Monday Morning!
Gameday Homepage
|
|
