A battle of legitimate contenders opens up our Sunday slate of early games when the New Orleans Saints (6-2) travel to New Era Field to take on the Buffalo Bills (5-3).
The game will be broadcast into your home by the folks at the FOX network and your local station at 1 p.m.
The Game: New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills (+3)
O/U: 46.5
The History
The Bills and Saints have played just 10 times since 1973, with New Orleans holding a 6-4 advantage in the all time series.
The Saints have won the last four match ups, beginning with a 24-6 victory on September 9, 2001 at Ralph Wilson Stadium until their last game, a 35-17 win at Mercedes-Benz stadium on October 27, 2013.
In that 2013 victory, Drew Brees outdueled the Bills’ Thaddeus Lewis with a 26 of 34 day for 332 yards and five touchdowns. Lewis is currently out of the NFL after spending the first part of the season with the Baltimore Ravens.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-2)
The Saints roll into this game after a workman like effort in a 30-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drew Brees put up his normal stellar numbers, completing 22 of 27 for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Alvin Kamara was his most effective target, catching six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Michael Thomas caught eight passes for 65 yards.
New Orleans continues to use Mark Inrgam and Kamara effectively in the same backfield. Ingram finished with 16 carries for 77 yards. Kamara had 10 carries for 68 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Defensively, the Saints forced two turnovers, sacked Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick four times and got seven stops in the backfield.
Kenny Vaccaro and Terron Armstead haven’t practiced this week, but they have no official designation yet. Armstead is the bigger loss if he can’t suit up as the Bills can put up a decent pass rush. The key for New Orleans is to not waste opportunities and screw around. They need to get into Buffalo territory and come away with points, especially early. A solid lead forcing the Bills to get away from the running game will wrap this one up quick.
BUFFALO BILLS (5-3)
For the Bills, it looks like they’ll have another week without their own best offensive tackle, Cordy Glenn. He’s not practiced this Wednesday or Thursday with an ankle injury. Rookie wide receiver Zay Jones has also been held out of practice with an ankle of his own. Neither guy is officially out yet, but I don’t expect them to play.
The good news for Buffalo on the injury front is they should have tight end Charles Clay back from his knee injury. Not only that, but cornerback E.J. Gaines has practiced all week in spite of his hamstring issues. They’ll both be a big help facing off against New Orleans.
I complain about the Bills pretty much every week because I’ve not been able to figure them out. My first inclination was to think they just stumbled onto an easier than expected schedule early, but then they knocked off a desperate Oakland Raiders team 34-14. I was convinced, then, that this Buffalo squad might be for real. They promptly lost 34-21 to the New York Jets. So I’m back inside the Mystery Machine.
But the Bills aren’t getting away with it this time, regardless of any help I get from some meddling kids and their talking dog. I won’t be fooled by Tyrod Taylor’s stat line against New York, completing 29 of 40 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Instead, I’ll look at their 6-of-16 on third downs (against the Jets) and just 26:30 of possession time.
LeSean McCoy carried the ball 12 times for just 25 yards. There should be more opportunities against this Saints defense and the Bills can’t squander any of them.
The Pick
I’ve had it with the Bills. I don’t give a shit if I’m wrong, I’m not picking them in a game like this. New Orleans should be able to pick this defense apart. Reality has to set in for Buffalo at some point. Saints 27, Bills 20
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 11-2
Season
Straight up: 78-54
Against the spread: 69-62
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