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Week 8: Bills vs. Saints
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Sunday, Oct. 27th
1:00pm ET
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It doesn't get any tougher than this. The Bills travel to the Big Easy this week but there will be nothing easy about this assignment. The big bad Saints await the Bills in what looks like a very long uphill battle to even their record on the season. Bills Daily will be at the game to witness this one personally.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (3-4) vs. New Orleans (5-1) |
| Place: |
Mercedes-Benz Superdome |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: CBS; DirecTV: 709; Sirius: 134 |
| Announcers: |
Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf |
| Spread: |
Saints by 12½ |
| Series: |
Saints lead 5-4 |
| Streak: |
Saints Won 3 |
| Last Meeting: |
Saints 27-7 in Buffalo (2009) |
| Saints Offense: |
Rush (22nd); Pass (2nd); overall (6th) |
| Saints Defense: |
Rush (22nd); Pass (9th); overall (11th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (5th); Pass (30th); overall (18th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (28th); Pass (21st); overall (24th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills are banged up at running back with both Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller hurting but playing through injuries. Jackson has a sprained MCL which he re-aggravated twice against the Dolphins. Spiller continues to be hampered and severely limited by a sprained ankle. Jackson is expected to play and a decision on Spiller will be made later in the week. Manny Lawson is battling a hamstring injury but is expected to play. EJ Manuel remains sidelined with a LCL sprain.
The Saints are well rested coming off a bye and are healthier now as well. Their big injury is to stud TE Jimmy Graham who is questionable with at best with a foot injury. Other key injuries are to RB Mark Ingram and DE Cameron Jordan. They are among a handful of players who have missed practice time this week.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
LT Cordy Glenn vs. DE Cameron Jordan:
Glenn lines up against the three year veteran who leads the Saints with five sacks.
WR Stevie Johnson vs. CB Jabari Greer:
Johnson will likely line up against the former Bill Greer who has had a nice run in New Orleans.
DE Mario Williams vs. LT Charles Brown:
Williams takes his 10 sacks to the Big Easy and goes up against the four year veteran who is a full time starter for the first time this year.
DB Stephon Gilmore vs. WR Marques Colston:
Gilmore should have a smaller club on his injured wrist which should allow him to increase his playing time as he goes up against the veteran Colston.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Believe They Can Win: This team has been the underdog in every game this year and has won almost half so they do believe in themselves. The question is when things start going south will they wilt against one of the best teams in the league in a very tough environment to play in?
2. Protect The Football: It will be tough enough to pull off the monumental upset. It will be just about impossible to do it if they turn the ball over.
3. Take Chances: They have to play like they have nothing to lose. They have to ditch the conservative game plan and take chances like throwing deep a lot, going for it on fourth down, maybe pull off a trick play or two.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
The Bills are playing better than expected this year especially considering the injury situation. There is no scenario that allows me to think they will beat the Saints. They have yet to be blown out this year as they have been in every game in the fourth quarter. This week may end that streak:
Saints 34, Bills 14
Season Prediction Record: (4-3)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-4)
Bills Blitz - Will Not Publish This Week Only
Gameday Grades - Will Not Publish This Week Only
Gameday Homepage
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