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Week 14: Bills vs. Broncos
 at 
Sunday, Dec. 7th
4:05pm ET
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The Bills hit the road and go to the worst place to play west of New England as they battle the high flying Broncos. Denver is more mortal away from home and just deadly in the Mile High air as they are undefeated and have scored more than 31 points in all but one of their home contests on the year. Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning has thrown just two interceptions in six home games. That makes this a near impossible game for the Bills and a loss will severely damage their fragile playoff hopes. Kyle Orton is at least familiar enough with the stadium as he had some success as the Broncos quarterback in 2009 and 2010.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (7-5) vs. Denver (9-3) |
| Place: |
Sports Authority Field at Mile High |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: CBS; DirecTV: 715; Sirius: 113 |
| Announcers: |
Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon |
| Spread: |
Broncos by 10 |
| Series: |
Bills Lead 20-15-1 (Bills 1-0 in playoffs) |
| Streak: |
Bills Won 2 |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 40-14 in Buffalo (2011) |
| Broncos Offense: |
Rush (18th); Pass (2nd); overall (5th) |
| Broncos Defense: |
Rush (2nd); Pass (10th); overall (3rd) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (24th); Pass (21st); overall (24th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (7th); Pass (5th); overall (5th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills are without Chris Gragg and Jairus Wynn who are sidelined with knee injuries. Marcell Dareus and Sammy Watkins suffered hip injuries against the Browns which is limiting their practice time this week but they should be ready to go. Bacarri Rambo is battling back from a hamstring injury but may need another week.
The Broncos should get two huge weapons back in this game. CB Aquib Tabib missed last week's game with a hamstring injury but has a good chance at playing this week. Same with TE Julius Thomas who missed last week with an ankle injury suffered against Miami. WR Julius Thomas injured an ankle in practice on Wednesday but should play. RBs Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman remain sidelined. CB Kayvon Webster (Shoulder), S Quinton Carter (Knee), and TE Jacob Tamme (Ribs) missed practice on Wednesday.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
RB Fred Jackson vs. LB Brandon Marshall:
Not that Brandon Marshall, the other one who leads the Broncos in tackles. Jackson is looking to become the team's first 100 yard rusher on the season.
WR Sammy Watkins vs. CB Aquib Tabib:
Watkins had an awful November and it won't get any easier if Tabib returns from injury as expected. If he's near 100% he will give Watkins fits all day long.
DE Mario Williams vs. RT Louis Vasquez:
Super Mario is having his best year in a Buffalo uniform. He goes up against a converted guard in Vasquez who is the third starter at the position this year for Denver.
LB Brandon Spikes vs. RB C.J. Anderson:
The Bills have enough to worry about with Peyton Manning but now they have a new worry in Anderson who has had two huge games in a row. He had 168 yards rushing against Kansas City last week and 167 yards on the ground the week before against Miami. Spikes may be busier than he thought he would be since Anderson has elevated the Broncos running attack.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Pressure Manning Without Blitzing: Manning will pick apart a blitz so the Bills need to get pressure on Manning with the front four. They have done this successfully all year but don't expect a litany of sacks. Manning gets rid of the ball very fast so the key will be to get pressure on him to hopefully force him into mistakes like he did against St. Louis.
2. Play Physical Defense: Even if they get pressure on Manning he will get the ball out with short passes over the middle. The secondary and linebackers need to play very physical to make the receivers hesitate while roaming the defensive backfield.
3. Touchdowns Not Field Goals: Even though the Bills have a great defense the Broncos will score their points so the offense will need to produce much better than they have the past month. That means getting touchdowns in the red zone, field goals will not cut it if they have any chance at a big win.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
If the Bills could pull off this upset it will be the biggest win in ages for this organization. Unfortunately I don't see a way for this to happen on the road in the Mile High city:
Broncos 38, Bills 23
Season Prediction Record: (3-9)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-9)
Bills Blitz - Coming Sunday Night!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Night or Monday Morning!
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