(Photo: DAZN)
AFC Game Of The WeekÂ
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions
Bills: Entering the game last weekend against the Los Angeles Rams, they were one of the hottest teams in the league as winners of eight in a row and they won their fifth AFC East division title along with becoming the first team to clinch their division this season. Prior to the game, I called the showdown with the Rams a trap and they showed exactly why I said that. A defense that’s been strong for the most part this year decided to play zone and Matthew Stafford made them pay. You can’t play zone against a veteran Quarterback because that’s basically asking him to nickel and dime you throughout the game. When the defense needed to make a stop or get off the field on third down, they failed to do so. However, what did keep them in the game was their offense, and even in a losing effort, Josh Allen accounted for six touchdowns, you read that correctly. He threw for three and ran for three. I know the easy thing to do is blame the Quarterback when things don’t go your way, but you can’t blame him for this one and I always say I didn’t know Josh played defense. At 10-3, the Buffalo Bills have one of the best records in the league and they’ve been one of the three best teams in the AFC with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. This team was counted out after losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. When I recorded a phone call for Monday Evening Quarterback months ago, I said that this team reminded me a lot of the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams traded away their star Wide Receiver and both Quarterbacks are MVP candidates with Patrick Mahomes winning it that year and Josh Allen being in the driver’s seat to win his first. Today, the Bills will look to bounce back in Motown.
Lions: The adage is that bad teams find ways to lose and that’s very true. Well, what about the good football teams find ways to win their games? That’s been the moniker of the Kansas City Chiefs all year long. In the last few games, the same can be applied to this group under Dan Campbell. Throughout their winning streak, I’ve seen them destroy their opponents, I’m talking about starting early and keeping their foot on the gas which a lot of teams struggle to do when building up a big lead. In other words, when they have you down, they keep you down and find ways to further dominate. Look at the game against the Dallas Cowboys earlier. Once the Lions got started, they continued to embarrass the opponent. On the other hand, they can also escape with close victories, and at this point, it doesn’t matter what happens or how they win, just as long as you win. Against the Bears, they got all they could handle and the same could be said against the Green Bay Packers last Thursday night. The Detroit Lions are 12-1, who could’ve imagined? I’m just glad they’re showing that last season wasn’t a fluke after winning their first-ever NFC North division title and being a game away from the Super Bowl. If everything continues to remain in place, the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC will travel through Ford Field in January. If you had told me they’d be the top seed in their conference up to this point, I’d give you my look and walk away. But, things change and here we are now. The Lions will welcome the winners of the AFC East to town for a huge showdown today in Detroit.
Bills X-Factor: Amari Cooper– I feel he’s one of the more underrated Wide Receivers in the National Football League today. He’s smooth off his release and is one of the best route runners in the business. Earlier in the year, I often said the Bills had that number one receiver by committee meaning each week, it was a different guy. Respectfully, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, and Keon Coleman don’t scare a secondary, having that number one threat is crucial come December and January. Josh targeted Amari 14 times last weekend against the Rams and caught six of them. When the Lions focus on Amari, it will open the field up for Khalil Shakir who has been the most productive receiver on the team.
Lions X-Factor: Za’Darius Smith– When Aidan Hutchinson went down with his leg injury, I was wondering what they’d do to replace his production. Za’Darius was acquired by the Lions at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Browns and has been a major factor in their pass rush. Since joining the Lions, Za’Darius has recorded 20 Quarterback pressures, which is ranked fourth on the team and he also has three sacks. He can line up on either side, so expect Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown to see their fair share of him today.
Final Thoughts: I’ve been waiting to release this preview! These two teams enter with a combined record of 22-4 and both of these offenses are the two best-scoring offenses in the league. I remember when they last met in 2022 on Thanksgiving Day and the Bills escaped with a three-point victory. These are contrasting styles of football with the Bills wanting to play balanced, yet fast and the Lions pride themselves on playing bully ball which means they want to run the football right at you and will do so until you stop it. When I saw the Bills struggle to stop the run against the Rams last weekend, I immediately said if they struggled against L.A., just imagine what would happen when they face the Lions. It’ll be tough for the Bills’ defense today because Detroit can move the football with the run and they use play action with Goff to pass it. Whichever team can establish the tempo of the game in their favor will have success today. Preparing for Buffalo means containing Josh Allen and making him beat you from the pocket. His best efforts are with his feet extending the play or rushing himself. If I’m the Bills, I want Jared Goff throwing the ball as he can and he’s throwing the ball over the top. This should be close throughout and I like the Lions in a close one at home today.
Prediction: Lions 33, Bills 31.
