Time for Bills to embrace "The New Era"

This isn’t the 1960’s anymore.  The NFL is a passing football league and it’s time the Bills follow suit.  Throwing for 111 yards in a 60 minute game is laughable to everybody other than Western New Yorkers.  It doesn’t matter if Sammy Watkins is in a wheelchair, he should be getting more than six targets per game! Okay, there.  I’ve made my point so I’ll step off my soap box and talk about week two.  

Thursday night’s home opener is such an enormous game for both the Bills and Jets that it could be looked at as a de facto elimination game. I’m not going to call it a must win but as both teams sit at 0-1 heading into this primetime matchup, picking up a win is huge due to the fact that it counts as a conference win and a divisional win (which is huge for tiebreakers).  Between the action on the field, and the special halftime ceremony for Bruce Smith, Thursday will be a big night in Buffalo.  Let’s take a look at Buffalo’s week two opponent: the New York Jets.

New York Jets (0-1)

The Jets lost both games in 2015 to Buffalo by identical 22-17 score lines.  Under new coach Todd Bowles, the Jets barely missed out on last year’s playoffs (thanks to the Bills win week 17).  The Jets offense returns many of its regulars including former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and stand out receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.  The big offseason acquisition was running back Matt Forte.  Forte led the team in receiving and rushing against Cincinnati last week with 155 all purpose yards. Even though they fell to the Bengals 23-22, the Jets looked more impressive than Buffalo on offense.  

When looking at the defense, the natural instinct is to gravitate right to cornerback Darrelle Revis.  Arguably one of the best who’s ever played the position, Revis got torched last week against Bengals receiver A.J. Green.  Green went for 12 catches, 180 yards and one touchdown.  With all of the talk about Sammy Watkins and his health, this is a matchup to keep an eye on.  Sammy abused Revis and opposite corner Buster Skrine in last year’s finale and with the struggles in Buffalo’s passing game, he will probably be asked to have another monster receiving day.  

The Jets front seven is very strong and spearheaded by defensive ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.  If New York can take something out of Baltimore’s playbook and get pressure in the Bills backfield, then points might be at a premium once again.  

Buffalo Bills (0-1)

Going into the season, fans figured it would be the offense that carried the 2016 Buffalo Bills.  It’s still only one game into the season, but after that unit scored only 7 points against the Ravens, fans are rightfully concerned.  The road doesn’t get any easier facing the Jets, a defense that many see as a better group than the Ravens.  Tyrod Taylor had arguably his worst game in a Bills uniform last Sunday as he barely eclipsed the 100 yard plateau.  It’s almost as if, Trent Edwards a.k.a. “Captain Check Down” was out there instead of the Bills current # 5.  The quarterback wasn’t the only problem.  The other Bills playmakers were non-factors all game.  Charles Clay, Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and LeSean McCoy all need to show up in a big way for Buffalo to pick up a win Thursday.  

If there is a positive from week one, it’s with the defense.  With the absence of Marcell Dareus, Jerry Hughes was called upon to step up and boy did he ever.  Two sacks, countless hurries, and one big play in coverage on 4th & 1 highlight Jerry’s day.  Linebackers Preston Brown and Zack Brown looked impressive in the middle of the field all game.  Surprisingly enough, it was the secondary that was the weak link.  Gilmore struggled at times, Darby dropped a potential pick-six, and Duke Williams…. Ugh Duke Williams! The 66 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace was tough to watch as Williams got toasted bad on the play.  

Overall, if Buffalo’s defense can bring the same aggressiveness and use the noise from the New Era crowd, they should be able to hold Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense in check.  Here are my three keys to the game.

Three keys to week 2: New York Jets (0-1) v.s. Buffalo Bills (0-1)

1. Sammy Watkins v.s. Darrelle Revis:  I touched on this matchup earlier in the article but this is a big key to the game.  After a Jets reporter exaggerated Watkins’ playing status earlier in the week, he will in fact play Thursday.  After a subpar offensive performance, Rex Ryan would likely make a concerted effort to get #14 the ball.
2. Can another receiver please stand up?  Hey Robert Woods are you there? Marquise Goodwin? Greg Salas, Hello?  Sammy can’t do everything.  Surely, Charles Clay, LeSean McCoy and even Reggie Bush will be options for Tyrod, but one of those receivers needs to step up.  Woods has had big games against New York in the past and with a lot of attention surely going to Watkins, I expect Woods to go for 100+ yards Thursday.  
3. Protect Tyrod Taylor:  The Jets are very capable of stopping the running game.  By stopping the run, you force a lot of 3rd and long plays and we saw what happened last week.  The Bills offensive line is as good as it has been in at least five years even without Cordy Glenn.  They need to put last week behind them and give a solid effort against New York.  Taylor did play very poorly, but he did take a number of big hits throughout the game.  Cyrus Kouandjio will step in to replace Cordy Glenn this week so look for his impact in this one.  

My Prediction:  Bills 17 Jets 14

The defense will have to carry the Bills yet again this week and I think they are up for the task. Fitz is bound to throw at least one interception.  If the game is tight late, and he has the ball, usually good things happen for the opposition.  That, the impact of the crowd, and just enough offense from Tyrod Taylor and co. should carry Buffalo in this one.  

Fun Fact: This is the 112th meeting all-time for the Jets and Bills.  Buffalo leads the series 60-51 and they have taken five straight and six of the last 10 against Gang Green.  

Tyrod's Return to Baltimore

Week one is finally here! After a tumultuous offseason that saw countless suspensions, injuries, and other distractions, the 2016 Buffalo Bills are ready to try and end their 16 year playoff drought.  For quarterback Tyrod Taylor, it's his first game against his old team on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.  Taylor was the back up for Joe Flacco for four seasons including the Ravens Super Bowl championship back in 2013.  Getting off to a 1-0 start is crucial for two teams who figure to be big players in the AFC playoff picture.  So without further or do, lets take a look at Buffalo's week one opponent.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are coming off a very disappointing 5-11 campaign in 2015.  In large part, that five win season was due to a number of injuries at key positions.  Joe Flacco had offseason ACL surgery, and number one wide receiver Steve Smith missed most off the season along with outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. Coming into 2016, most of the team is healthy with the exception of Elvis Dumervil who will sit out of this game.  

It is a team that is expected to be in a tough AFC North race along with the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.  Both the offense and defense should be very average by NFL standards.  Flacco is surrounding by very solid weapons, but they certainly aren't great.  His wideouts include Smith, newly acquired Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman who sat out his whole rookie season, and Kamar Aiken.  Justin Forsett is the starting running back with Terrance West serving as his back up.  Dennis Pitta also returns from injury and will be the starting tight end.  It's an offense that shouldn't kill the Bills, but if they fail to stop the run, Baltimore has the potential to put up 30 plus points.  

As for the defense, the Ravens are a team that was near the bottom of the league last year in getting pressure to the quarterback.  Another thing they struggled with was defending the pass so that can be an area in which the Bills look to attack.  

Buffalo Bills

As the Bills enter year two under Rex Ryan, the sense is that communication has improved at One Bills Drive.  Another year to play with Ryan's defensive schemes should help big time.  Plus, the additions of Rob Ryan and Ed Reed are huge for that defense.  This is also year two for Tyrod Taylor.  The quarterback got paid this offseason and will make $9 million this season. If all goes well and Taylor improves on his 2015 output, he will get paid franchise QB money in the seasons to come.  Even though top draft picks Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland will miss much of this season, the defense should improve on its 19th overall ranking in 2015.  

Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy are fully healthy to start the season and if they can keep it that way, it gives Buffalo a realistic playoff chance.  Tight end Charles Clay is someone who needs to be used more in this offense.  Robert Woods comes back once again as the number two receiver with Marquise Goodwin and Greg Salas as the next ones in line.  

This team will have no problem running the football, but their main focus needs to be protecting Tyrod Taylor and keep him away from big hits.  

Three Keys to the game

1. Ronnie Stanley v.s. Jerry Hughes   Stanley is a rookie defensive tackle and he is faced with quite the challenge in his first NFL game.  Hughes is Buffalo's best end rusher so if Hughes is able to get to the quarterback, it could be a long day for Flacco and the Ravens offense.  The battle at the line of scrimmage is always crucial, but this is a match up that should favor the Bills.  

2. Reggie Bush: X Factor   Make no mistake: Mike Gillislee is the back up running back with Bush as the No. 3.  However, with Bush likely serving as punt/kick returner, he has the potential to make a major impact on this game.  Bush will also receive looks in the passing game as well.  A few explosive plays from him can make the difference in a game that I expect to be decided by one possession.  

3. Middle of the Field   A major criticism of Tyrod Taylor from last year was how he refused to throw the ball over the middle of the field.  It's an area of his game he has addressed and showed improvement on in the preseason.  With Sammy Watkins expected to receive the bulk of the attention from the defense, I expect Charles Clay, Robert Woods, and Marquise Goodwin to get many looks over the middle of the field.  If Taylor is able to do this, it will open up the possibility of taking a shot deep (something Taylor really excels in).  

My Prediction

Bills 24         Ravens 17

In the end, the defenses are very similar in this match up, but I like Buffalo's playmakers better than Baltimore.  M and T Bank Stadium is a tough place to play, but I expect LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins to have huge games to open the year.  

Season Prediction: 8-8

If everything goes right, there's no reason this team can't win 10-11 games.  If everything goes wrong, then 6-10 looks very realistic.  I don't see either of these scenarios taking place so I'll split the gap and say .500 football.

Fun Facts: 

-The Baltimore Ravens have never had back-to-back losing seasons in franchise history. 

-Bills Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman is undefeated as an NFL coordinator in Week One games