Say Cheese

Playing on the road against Peyton Manning is bad enough, now the Bills must face their second straight future hall-of-famer in Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.  The Packers come in to this matchup as arguably the hottest/best team in the league.  The explosive Green Bay offense is led at receiver by Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb and by Eddie Lacy at running back.  Lacy is questionable for today's game, so if he can't go, UB product James Starks should receive a lot of carries.  With the Bills stout defense, this figures to be a big matchup of heavyweights.  The Green Bay Packers have a very average defense based on the numbers.  Their main offseason acquisition was defensive end Julius Peppers and along with Clay Matthews, they have a very solid front seven.  The secondary is where they can be exploited, like what Atlanta showed on Monday Night Football last week.  Kyle Orton needs to show great improvement and get the ball out of his hands early if the Bills want to have a chance.  Woods, Watkins, and Hogan should be able to find openings in that porous Packers secondary.  

With the Packers trying to put a strangle hold on the NFC North division, the Bills are teetering on the edge of the playoff picture with just three weeks to go.  Here are my three keys to the game.

1. Apply Pressure With Four:  Aaron Rodgers not only can beat a defense with his arm, but he can do so with his feet.  The Bills defensive line failed to bring Manning to the ground at all last week, so in order to keep the Green Bay offense on the sideline, Buffalo must get to Rodgers without having to blitz.  

2.  Take Some Deep Shots:  Green Bay throws more 20+ yard passes than any other team in the NFL.  The Bills should take a similar approach to last week and establish the run, then take a shot off of play action.  Keeping Rodgers and that offense off the field is the best way to beat Green Bay.  

3. Special Teams: The Packers have a clear offensive advantage and the Bills have a clear defensive advantage.  Whoever can gain an edge in field position, get a big punt return, or win the turnover margin could be the difference in this one.  

My Prediction:  

The Bills are 3-0 this year against the NFC North, but the Packers are the class of this division.  The hottest team in the NFL should continue to roll offensively even on the road, ending any possibility of Buffalo reaching the postseason.  

Green Bay 31  Buffalo 20