This game might go unnoticed by most, but under the radar is a huge game for both the Bills and Redskins. These two teams have struggled to garner any form of respect in recent years and this game is one that could shift the arrow up or down on both team’s seasons.
The Bills are in an interesting position that if they win this game and the Steelers beat the Patriots; they will sit atop the AFC East. Even if that’s not the case, the Bills have built a pretty strong campaign as a potential wildcard team. It’s been since 1999 that the Bills have made the playoffs and this fan base is dying to get back there. That being said every game counts and when you’re playing the Washington Redskins without Hightower and Santana Moss not many excuses would go very far if they lost this game.
If I am the Bills defensive coordinator the first thing I’m pointing out is that John Beck is one of the worst starting QB’s in the league and there should be several opportunities for turnovers this game. The Bills D is very opportunistic with already 12 int’s and 4 recovered fumbles.
Some might view this game as a trap game for Bills who are playing a “home” game in Toronto. I have been to one of these games and I can assure it is in no way even comparable to the atmosphere of a Bills home game. You get 25% corporate Torontoans who couldn’t give a crap about the game and then 75% of fans who are just simply NFL fans without strong loyalties to the Bills.
Despite recent strong defensive play by the Skins, I expect to see a ton of Fred Jackson in the gameplan. Jackson, the leading RB in PPR, has almost been MVP worthy the way he has run the ball this year. Jackson is a dynamic RB surely due for a pay raise this offseason. Jackson presents similar value to that of Matt Forte in Chicago. The biggest difference is that the QB giving him the ball is better educated … and maybe just plain better, period.
The Bills can’t let their guard down and play down to a lesser opponent like they have in the past, losing to Cincinnati and the New York Giants in the last three weeks. Chan Gailey has done an excellent job coaching this year and I expect him to have his troops ready to go this round up north in Canada eh!
On the other side of the ball are the reeling Washington Redskins. After a quick start to the season, the Redskins like many thought have come back to reality. Last week they were tossed back to planet earth, at the hands or should I say legs of rookie sensation and former computer thief Cam Newton.
Washington’s defense is much-improved over last year’s bunch, with the loss of massive distraction Albert Haynesworth actually registering a positive impact on the unit’s overall performance.
However, the Redskins’ offense has been recently struck with the injury bug as now they have lost RB Tim Hightower and TE Chris Cooley for the year and Santana Moss for 4-6 weeks. It’s going to be interesting to see how the John Beck led offense will be able to compete with these glaring holes. Ryan Torain and Roy Helu provide effective replacements in the running game, but Moss’ and Cooley’s contributions to the passing game will be very hard to replace.
While the promising start had led many to believe this team was on its way back to the playoffs, my personal belief is you are going to see more of the same old Redskins, and around a #10th -12th overall draft pick next year.
The spread in this game has the Bills being a 6 point favorite which clearly indicates Vegas’ respect for the Bills.
I think the Bills cover this one in around a 24-14 win, in which the Canadian crowd will witness yet another boring game.
