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Intriguing Game- NFL, Week 12
Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles
Bills: I can’t defend them anymore. This is a better football team than the 6-5 record implies and that’s a fact. They have one of the better Quarterbacks in the league, an elite Wide Receiver and the defense is strong for the most part. I’ve been asked as of late what’s the issue with the Buffalo Bills and it’s several things I answer with. The first is the turnovers from Josh Allen and this is exactly what happens when you press. Whenever a team asks a player to do too much, they tend to overdo it unfortunately and that’s when passes turn into interceptions and opportunities for the other team and this is exactly when a running game comes into the picture which is what they don’t have. If the Bills had somewhat of a ground attack, they wouldn’t ask Josh to do everything which is why he’s burned out by playoff time. Injuries have also decimated the defense. Losing Tre’Davious White and Matt Milano is huge which is why they went and acquired Rasul Douglas from the Green Bay Packers. Sunday may have been the best I’ve seen them look since week four when they beat up on the Miami Dolphins. Although they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Miami, they are still looking up to them in the AFC East. Their stretch run of games isn’t easy, but this time of the year shows you who’s real and who isn’t. On Sunday afternoon, they will make their way to South Philadelphia to face the team with the best record in our league.
Eagles: It hasn’t looked pretty nor has it been the best results on the field, but they have found a way to persevere through any obstacle thrown in their way and that’s what makes a football team great. It’s the ability to blow teams out and win the closely contested games and they’ve done just that this year. They are 9-1 for the second consecutive season and for the first time in 20 seasons, we will more than likely have a repeat division winner. I was able to call the Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs and I left watching the game impressed because they came out sluggish in the first half and in the second half, they made those key adjustments and found ways to move the ball down the field. Monday was also the best I’ve seen the Eagles defense play all year and when you play the Chiefs, what’s first in the plan of attack in beating them? Eliminating Travis Kelce and forcing Mahomes to beat you with the other weapons and that is exactly what the Eagles did because every time Travis broke out of his route, two Eagles were there to completely take him away and neutralized him. I understand the offense didn’t look the best, but Jalen Hurts made key passes when it mattered the most. A.J. Brown was a non-factor, but Devonta Smith stepped up and made key catches down the stretch. The Eagles not only have the best record in the NFC, but in all of the NFL and it’s not as sexy as it was last year, but they still find that way regardless. They return home on Sunday for a showdown with the Buffalo Bills of the AFC East.
Bills X-Factor: Ed Oliver– I remember following Ed during his days at Houston in college. He had a breakout year in 2021 and has continued to climb the ladder as a football player. Ed has always had elite athletic abilities from the interior of the defensive line and has made several big plays for the Buffalo defense. He’s strong in stopping the run and can rush the passer with an elite first step and quickness. Ed transitioned from speed to power which helped him get home even more to the passer.
Eagles X-Factor: D’Andre Swift– The Eagles offense flows more when they feed D’Andre the football because he helps open up the field for the passing game. Look at Monday night in Kansas City. D’Andre ran up, down, through and all around a Chiefs defense that’s been very good this season. I like the shiftiness he displays on the field because he makes it look effortless to make people miss in the open field. I was excited for the Eagles when they acquired him and he’s been another consistent weapon next to A.J. Brown of course.
Final Thoughts: I can’t believe it’s week 12. It’s all winding down now. Each game here on out is a must win for the Bills while the Eagles look to further establish themselves more at the top of the NFC. This is also the first meeting between Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. Josh was able to rediscover his form last Sunday, but can he do it again? That’s been the issue with him, consistency. The key matchup in this game will be the Buffalo secondary against these Eagles receivers which will be a challenge because Buffalo’s secondary is injured and they will have their hands full with DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Buffalo will also look to pressure and get after Hurts who has won his last 13 games against teams with a winning record. The Eagles have one of the best run defenses in the league and they will do all they can to make the Bills a pass-heavy team. This should be an entertaining game with no shortage of chunk plays. The Eagles will become the first team to ten wins on the season. I like them to be victorious in this one.
Prediction: Eagles 30, Bills 24
