The Lions (3-1-0) went to 3-1 after a 24-17 road win over the New York Jets in Week 4 meaning this is the second consecutive season that the team has opened up 3-1 or better. This is also the first time this has happened since 1970-72 when the Lions had a 3-1 or better record in three consecutive seasons.
This week, Detroit welcomes in the Buffalo (2-2-0) and their former head coach Jim Schwartz who now resides as the defensive coordinator for the Bills. Under Schwartz the Bills have the 10th ranked defense in terms of total yards per game (337.8) while also being the only NFL team to not allow a rushing touchdown in the 2014 season.
Buffalo though has lost back-to-back games since opening up the season 2-0. During their first two weeks the Bills averaged 26.0 points while seeing a drop off to 13.5 over the past two weeks. Because of this Buffalo opted to bench former first round pick EJ Manuel in favor of veteran Kyle Orton.
Kickoff: 1PM ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Kickoff Forecast: Indoors
Tailgate Forecast: 51 degrees and partly cloudy with winds out of the WSW at 15 mph. Chance of rain is one percent.
Spread: Buffalo +6.5, T:43.0
TV: FOX
Radio: 97.1FM The Ticket (click for affiliates)
Follow: Follow the game on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Last Meeting with the Bills
This is the first regular season meeting between these two teams since November 14, 2010 when the Bills pulled off a 14-12 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium. In that game Shaun Hill for the Lions who was playing in place of the injured Matthew Stafford was 29/50 for 323 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Jahvid Best was Detroit’s leading rusher running for 35 yards on 17 attempts while Calvin Johnson had 10 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Why the Lions will win
Matthew Stafford takes advantage of an abysmal Buffalo pass defense
Despite having the 10th overall defense in terms of total yards per game, much of that success resides on the Bills’ ability to stop the run. When it comes to the passing game Buffalo comes in at 25 meaning Matthew Stafford should get some good looks downfield to his wide receivers. It’s not going to be totally easy though, Calvin Johnson will play with another hurt ankle while Golden Tate was also a little banged up this past week.
They’re playing Kyle Orton
After two straight losses the Bills benched former first round pick EJ Manuel for Kyle Orton this weekend. Orton was a late signing for the Bills and has yet to take a snap this season. With little success as an NFL journeyman, Orton will have very little to work with through the air as Sammy Watkins has shown flashes but is still pretty inconsistent. Look for a dump offs in the backfield from the Buffalo signal caller.
The defensive continues to shine
The Lions defense has been a pleasant surprise this year ranking No. 1 in total defense so far this young season. This week they’re not going up against a bunch of world beaters on offense however the Bills do have some weapons in their offensive arsenal, notably in the backfield with CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson. If Detroit can shut down Spiller and Jackson things will look really good for the Lions moving to 4-1 on the year.
Why the Lions will lose
Too much pressure on Matthew Stafford
The Bills are 5th in the NFL for sacks with 11 where of which Mario Williams is a huge contributor to those numbers. LaAdrian Waddle makes his way back for the Lions this week however if that Bills defensive line forces Stafford to force a dump off or make an errant pass things will look very good for Buffalo escaping Detroit with a win.
Buffalo gets the running game going
The Lions had trouble stopping the Jets’ up-tempo running game last weekend but still came out with a win. Spiller and Jackson very well could provide more headaches for the Lions’ run defense this week despite Detroit still having respectable numbers in defending against the rush.
Buffalo totally shuts down the Lions running game
Much of Buffalo’s top 10 defensive numbers reside with their ability to stop the run. The Lions are also a little banged up in the offensive backfield with Joique Bell and Theo Riddick both being out for today’s match up. Reggie Bush has the ability to pull off big plays by himself however he’s no longer a 20-carry back while the jury is still out on George Winn.
Lions Players to Watch
Golden Tate – WR
With Calvin Johnson hurt but still playing, Golden Tate should continue to see his role increased this week. This too is coming off an 8 catch game last Sunday for 116 yards. That weak Buffalo secondary should also play well into Tate’s game plan.
Reggie Bush – RB
With Bell and Riddick out this week, much of the carries will reside with Reggie Bush especially considering George Winn will be playing in his first regular season game. Given Buffalo’s ability to stop the run expect a lot of short dump off’s for Bush who will look to get plenty space out on the corners.
Eric Ebron – TE
With Megatron banged up, the Lions suffering injuries in the offensive backfield, Buffalo’s ability to stop the run and Buffalo’s inability to stop the pass I’d expect the Lions’ first round pick to continue to have an increased role today against the Bills. Look for Ebron to go out for the quick check down or screen pass especially when Buffalo dials up the blitz.
Carolina Players to Watch
Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller – QB
The Bills’ biggest offensive threat definitely resonates with what Jackson and Spiller can do in the backfield. With Kyle Orton starting at QB both Jackson and Spiller should get plenty of touches today.
Mario Williams – DE
With Stafford having plenty of weapons at his disposal, it’s going to be extremely vital for the Bills to limit his time in the pocket. It will be Williams’ job to have that picket collapse around Stafford forcing the Lions’ QB to roll out and make those difficult and quick looks down field.
Buffalo Injuries
K. Williams (DT) – Doubtful (knee)
C. Williams (G) – Out (back)
N. Bradham (LB) – Doubtful (knee)
R. Brooks (CB) – Probable (shoulder)
M. Goodwin (WR) – Probable (concussion)
M. Easley (WR) – Out (knee)
R. Johnson (LB) – Probable (knee)
S. Watkins (WR) – Probable (ribs)
J. Meeks (S) – IR (neck)
M. Butler (CB) – IR (ankle)
S. Sylvester (LB) – IR (torn patellar tendon)
Detroit Lions Injuries
C. Johnson (WR) – Questionable (ankle)
D. Carey (S) – Probable (hamstring)
T. Lewis (LB) – Out (quadriceps)
D. Taylor (DE) – Probable (knee)
N. Fairley (DT) – Probable (knee)
C. Vaughn (CB) – Doubtful (knee)
L. Waddle (T) – Probable (calf)
J. Fauria (TE) – Out (ankle)
T. Riddick (RB) – Out (hamstring)
G. Tate (WR) – Probable (hamstring)
J. Bell (RB) – Out (concussion)
M. Owens (RB) – IR (hamstring)
S. Tulloch (LB) – IR (torn left ACL)
N. Lawson (CB) – IR (foot)
C. Hilliard (T) – IR (foot)
B. Bentley (CB) – IR (torn ACL)
K. Van Noy (LB) – IR DFR (sports hernia surgery)
D. Gorrer (CB) – IR (undisclosed)
Predictions
Detroit’s probably going to want to forget about the run this week but you know what, that won’t even be a problem for the Lions going up against Buffalo’s anemic pass defense. I always get a little hesitant when the Lions are giving so many points however they’re at home and going up against Kyle Orton. We’ve seen the Lions lose these types of games before but I’ll go ahead and predict a large victory for Detroit at home.
Detroit 31, Buffalo 17