Rex Ryan against a rookie quarterback is usually an easy call. In his time with the New York Jets, Ryan went 9-2 in games when facing rookie signal callers for the first time.
NFL picks and predictions, Bills vs. Titans 2015: Buffalo slight favorite on the road
Two flailing teams will try to keep pace in the AFC.
But in his first year with the Buffalo Bills, Ryan's defense has failed to live up to expectations. Football Outsiders has Buffalo's defense as the 11th-best in the NFL, but the unit is surrendering 376 yards and 23 points per game. And despite being loaded with pass rushers, the Bills have only sacked opposing quarterbacks seven times.
This week the Bills will take on Marcus Mariota, the early front runner for Rookie of the Year. Mariota is completing 63.5 percent of his passes and has thrown eight touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. But the Tennessee Titans, after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, are riding a two-game losing streak and coming off a heartbreaking 35-33 loss to the Colts where Mariota had two passes picked off and returned for touchdowns. But they also got a bye week to get the bad taste from that defeat out of their mouths.
The 2-2 Bills are coming off an ugly 24-10 home loss to the Giants. Making matters worse is that both LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and backup running back Karlos Williams (concussion) are unlikely to suit up on Sunday. This week Buffalo signed former Colts RB Dan Herron, who ran for 351 yards and one touchdown last season.
Ryan, for his part, was in full Rex Ryan mode in the lead up to this game.
“I don’t think the kid is going to have his way with us,” Ryan said. “I don’t think that is going to happen.” Ryan did go on to praise Mariota, but it’s clear he expects his defense to dominate on Sunday.
The experts aren’t quite as certain as Ryan. Although the Bills are big favorites at ESPN, the team at CBS Sports is sticking with the home team by a 5-3 margin.
There’s no consensus at SB Nation either. Five of our guys are picking the Bills to win on the road, while the other three think Mariota will make Ryan eat his words.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark Computer | |
| BUF @ TEN | BUF | BUF | TEN | BUF | BUF | TEN | TEN | BUF |
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