Someone’s got to win; Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills preview
Both the Lions and the Bills will play hard on Sunday. That’s the one guarantee for this game. Perhaps no other teams in the league put in more effort in every game than the 2-6 Lions and the 0-8 Bills each week. Yet both teams continue finding ways to lose
regularly. Part of that reason is their inability to close out games in the fourth quarter. This Sunday, one of those teams will find a way to come out with the victory, but who?
The Lions are coming off an overtime loss, in which they blew a 10-point lead in the final four minutes. The Bills are coming off a narrow 22-19 loss in which they blew a fourth-quarter lead as well.
Detroit will be without Matthew Stafford, as the second-year quarterback suffered his second shoulder separation of the season last week. Shaun Hill returns as the starter just four weeks after fracturing his left forearm. Hill will play with a cast and try
to keep the Bills winless.
Ryan Fitzpatrick remains the starter for the Bills, as the Bills do not have many other options at quarterback. While Fitzpatrick has played respectably well for Buffalo, he has not made the necessary plays to close out games. He still gives the Bills their
best chance to win, but if the opportunity arises this Sunday, he has to find a way to put the game away.
Another problem for the Bills is their porous defence. They are dead last in the league in points allowed, with 29.1 per game. They’re also last against the run with 178.2 yards allowed per game. While running the football has not been a strength of the Lions
this season, as they’re ranked 30th in that category, maybe this is the week to turn to Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith. With their second-string quarterback coming off an injury and the weather conditions in Orchard Park, NY, the Lions have to find a way to run
the ball.
The Bills’ defence has fared much better against the pass. They are ranked sixth in that category, allowing just 193.4 yards per game. Amazingly, the Bills just have one interception all season to show for it. With the Lions ranked seventh in the league in
points scored (25.4 per game), and Detroit’s underrated defence, the Bills will have to force turnovers to get their first win.
Detroit has their share of weapons on offence. On top of the explosive rookie running back Best, they have Calvin Johnson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The Lions’ skilled players are really starting to gel, as the Lions future starts to shine brighter.
The Lions’ defence is also starting to come together. Anchored by their ferocious defensive line led by Kyle Vanden Bosch and Ndamukong Suh, the Lions have been able to force 12 fumbles this season. They’ve also collected nine interceptions, led by Alphonso
Smith with five.
This game will really come down to the turnover battle Both defences give up a lot of yards, but the defence that comes up with the big plays will get the win for their team. That leans toward the Lions, who have shown more playmaking ability on both sides
of the ball than the Bills have. Expect a very close game with the Lions’ explosive offence getting the edge late.
Kickoff is at 1:00 pm from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Tags: