Bills Keys: Limit Big Plays And Deforest Buckner
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
On paper, this weekend’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts looks like a walk in the park for the Buffalo Bills. After all, the Bills are 7-2, have won four games in a row, and take on a Colts team that is below .500. The Colts have benched their “franchise quarterback” for 39-year-old Joe Flacco, but that didn’t work last week as they lost to the Minnesota Vikings.
Even though it might look an easy eighth victory for the Bills, the Colts are better than their record might suggest, and if the Bills come into this game too confident, they will get knocked off. Let’s take a look at a couple of keys for the Bills, that if they accomplish, will lead them to their fifth straight win.
Limit the Big Plays, Especially in the Run Game
The biggest key for the Bill’s defense in this game is stopping the explosive plays from Jonathan Taylor and the Colt’s running game. Against the Vikings last week, Jonathan Taylor finished the game with 13 carries for 48 yards. His longest run was only 13 yards, and the Vikings won 21-13. Slowing down Jonathan Taylor doesn’t guarantee a win, but if his top rush is only 13 yards, I like their chances.
Early in the season, the Bills struggled to contain big runs, and in four of the first six games, they gave up a run of at least 20 yards. Even though the Bills’ defense wasn’t exactly elite against De’Von Achane and Rahmeem Mostert, the long was only 16 yards.
Always Know Where DeForest Buckner is
If there is one player that can wreck this game for the Buffalo Bills offense, it’s going to be DeForest Buckner. Buckner hasn’t played in five games this season, but when he’s healthy, he’s wrecked games. In the three complete games this year he has had 3.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits. The Colts have done a good job of moving him around the defensive line to try and get a favorable matchup. Josh Allen needs to have him identified before every snap and make sure he has the line shifted properly to make sure Buckner doesn’t wreck their day.
Take Advantage of What Buckner and the Colts Give Him
One of Josh Allen’s biggest weapons is his legs, and during the season, he has rushed 47 times for 211. He has done a better job of not risking his body and taking what the defense gives him, but this might be the perfect game to try to stretch out those legs and runs. If Allen can have a long run or two when Bucker tries to rush him, it could make Buckner a little more hesitant, and they could kill two birds with one stone.
Get Out to a Fast Start
The Colts might be 4-5, but this is a talented team, and they don’t want to give them any hope. Flacco might be 39 years old, but he has shown those flashes of still having it. This is also a road game, and they are going into Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts have a strong fan base, and they are still playing meaningful games. If the Colts get out to a fast start in this game, and the crowd gets behind them, that will make life even tougher, especially on Josh Allen and company. If the Bills can get out to a fast start and take the crowd out of them, life will be much easier.
The Bills are four-point favorites and this is a game they should win, if they can keep Taylor in check on the offense and Bucker in check on defense, the Bills should be heading into their big matchup with the Chiefs on a five-game winning streak. Speaking of the Chiefs, the Bills had better not be thinking about that game right now; let’s pick up this win first and then have their biggest game of the season next weekend.
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