NFL Game Of The Week #6: Bills at Giants

Buffalo Bills(4-1) at New York Giants(3-2) (Sun. Oct. 16^th, 2011 @ 1pm(EST.)

Stars Watch:
(Buffalo): RB Fred Jackson - Buffalo runs a spread offense using a lot of three wide receivers formations. Fred Jackson is the man who sets the table for the entire offense. This season so far he has 480 yards rushing at 5.3 yards per carry and 5 tds. His rushing has open up the passing game for fellow QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and WR Steve Johnson. He faces a New York Giants team who has allowed an average of 159.3 yards per game rushing over the last three weeks. Look for Jackson and the Bills to establish the ground game early and control the time of possession by keeping the Giants offense on the sideline.

(New York): QB Eli Manning - Eli is fourth in the league with a QB passer rating of 102.3. Sometimes he suffers with the Tony Romo disease of mental lapses and turning the ball over. He has thrown 5 interceptions this year but threw 3 ints in last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Overall, he has been very efficient in the passing game completing 63% of his passes with 11tds. He faces a Buffalo defensive secondary who has not been playing consistently and giving up big pass plays. Eli will look for his playmakers in WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and RB Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants offense is struggling running the ball and RB Brandon Jacobs is out with an injury, so look for Manning and mates to get it going with their passing attack establish a comfortable lead then pound Buffalo with their running game.

New York Offense vs. Buffalo Defense: The Giants have the talent and players to be a well balanced offense. QB Eli Manning has had some untimely turnovers, but for the most part has been very efficient with the ball. The one common thing that has hindered this offense is the injury bug. Receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham both have missed time due to various injuries. Offensive line has had to make adjustments every week because of key personnel being hurt such as center David Baas and right guard Chris Snee and recently RB Brandon Jacobs is out because of a MCL knee sprain. This is the main reason the Giants are only averaging about 3.2 yards per carry. Once they get everyone back in the next couple of weeks I expect the running game and the entire offense to hit its stride and be a major player come playoff time. Buffalo also have injury concerns of their own on the defensive side of the ball. They will probably be without defensive lineman Kyle Williams, OLB Shawn Merriman, DE Chris Kelsay, and CB Aaron Williams. The Bills have had troubles this year getting pressure on the other teams QB and defending the pass. That is a bad combination to have going against the Giants who can spread you out and attack you with the passing game.

New York Defense vs. Buffalo Offense: This will be the clash of the titans matchup and whomever gets the advantage here will increase their chances of coming out with the win. New York has been awful the last three games at defending the run giving up 159.3 yards per game. New York will want to stop Buffalo on early run situations and force them into 3rd and longs so they can unleash their gifted pass rushers of Osi Umenyiora(4 sacks) and Jason Pierre-Paul(6.5sacks). DE Justin Tuck is out with a groin injury. The Giants secondary will also get tested by the Bills receivers of Steve Johnson, David Nelson and TE Scott Chandler. The Giants safeties Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips will need to be alert and keep WR Steve Johnson from getting behind the defense. Buffalo will spread you out with their offense and then hand the ball off to one of the hottest running backs in the NFL Fred Jackson who is the 3rd leading rusher at 96.0 yards per game. One thing to keep an eye on is the injury to left tackle Demetrius Bell who will miss the game, not good when you are facing the pass rush of the Giants.