Week 1 Preview: Buffalo Bills v.s. Chicago Bears

Football is finally back! Week one for the Buffalo Bills features a road contest against a very formidable opponent in the Chicago Bears.  The Bears missed out on the playoffs by one game last season and bring in one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.  Star Quarterback Jay Cutler rounded out by Matt Forte at RB, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey at WR, and Martellus Bennett at TE.  Forte was 2nd in rushing last season while Marshall and Jeffrey are two of the top Wide Receivers in the NFL.  A very "tall" task for a young Buffalo Defense that looked really good in the pre season.  Jeffrey, Marshall, and Bennett are all 6'4 or taller making them a matchup nightmare for just about anyone.  On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears struggle.  30th in overall defense, and last overall against the run should make it easy for the Bills backs to find holes and have huge games.  The Bears did add star DE Jared Allen who will take place of Julius Peppers who is now with Green Bay.  Allen has been a sacking machine throughout his career so it is important for Buffalo's young O-line to contain him as much as possible.  

Now let's get to Buffalo.  The Bills have had a turbulent off-season to say the least.  Between the on going sale of the team, to Jim Kelly battling through cancer, and finally to the horrid performances they displayed this preseason.  There was a lot of optimism going into training camp and for good reason.  For the first time in 15 years, our front office has made big moves to put this team in a position to do big things (something you didn't really see in Ralph's later years).  All of that optimism has gone south as of late because of how inept the offense looked throughout the entire preseason.  The defense looked very good at times but the offense is clearly what is holding back this team.  EJ simply must play better if Buffalo even has a shot at a postseason birth.  

Buffalo has never won at Soldier field and in their last meeting there, Chicago came away with a 40-7 win.  In order for Buffalo to avoid a similar result today they are going to have to run, run, run, run, run all over the Bears.  This has the potential to be a shootout with how easy it is for Chicago to put up points so look for Buffalo to ground and pound which will hopefully set up the play action pass.  Another huge key is pressure.  Buffalo must get to Cutler early and often if they want to stop them.  With one of the best D-lines in the league, the Bills can certainly do that.  The secondary is going to be feeling pressure all day with that outstanding receiving core, so that front 7 is the key to this game.  Lastly, the turnover margin.  It always plays a huge factor but on the road it is even bigger.  You lose it on the road and you almost certainly won't come away with a win.  That being said, EJ just needs to manage the game and that will give the Bills a good chance in this one.  Is this Buffalo's year? Is the playoff drought finally going to end? We will find out soon enough, enjoy the first week of games everyone!