This week I caught up with Joe of Buffalo Wins on the Bloguin network for ten questions on the game. Make sure you check out their blog, it's good stuff. Here's what he had to say:
The Saints Nation: Jeff Teul, Thad Lewis, Matt Flynn… are you even sure who will start against the Saints? Does it matter?
Buffalo Wins: It will be Thad Lewis. No question. He's been decent so far for the Bills. At least when you consider that the other options are terrible and Thad has held his own over the last 2 games. He has a QB rating of 85.3 and has 3TDs (2 Passing and 1 Running). He's also been really good against the blitz, as he has a QB rating of 154.9 while completing 73% of his passes for 203 yards (Half of his passing yards). He's a classic game manager. Does he have some deficiencies so far? Of course. He doesn't exactly have pocket presence, runs into the rush too many times and his intermediate throws need work on. But for a practice squad guy? He's overachieved.
Obviously the QB situation is a mess with EJ Manuel out. But what are your thoughts about how he's performed prior to the injury? Do you feel he could be a franchise guy that leads you back to the playoffs?
Too early to tell. He's had some good moments (Carolina game) and some really bad moments (Jets game). He's pretty much what you'd expect for a guy who has started just 5 games. Again, he's got a good arm and has a lot of poise in the pocket. He reminds me of a little of Big Ben with his size and allusiveness. He does have to work on his short passes and learn to slide when running.
The Bills are fourth in the entire league in sacks. That's terrifying because if the Saints have a weakness, it's their offensive line. How worried should I be about your boys hitting Brees?
I actually thought your line was pretty good. I remember a few years back Brees threw like 600 passes and was only sacked in the teens. It is tough to tell with the Bills. They blitz a ton and really like for their CBs to be on islands. I think you'd have to start with Mario Williams. He's been hot as of late. He has the most sacks in Bills history through 7 games. That's better than Bruce Smith mind you. He also has 19 sacks in his last 17 games. Pettine loves to move him around and you'll either see him in a 3 point stance or standing up as a OLB. You also have to worry about Marcell Dareus, who has the 2nd most sacks by a defensive tackle since the start of the 2011 season. So, worry about your tackle and inside guys. Also, the Bills love to mix it up with whether they bring the house or drop back in coverage. You guys should know, as Mike Pettine is their defense coordinator and he learned under Rex Ryan who is obviously related to your DC. So, you are kind of looking in a mirror with our defense.
The Bills are 3rd in the NFL in rushing. Safe to say if you stop Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller on the ground, you completely neutralize this offense?
You would think that, but over the last few games, the Bills rushing attack has struggled a bit because CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson have been playing hurt. The Bills do love to rush the football as they are first in rushing attempts, but they are only averaging 4.1 yards a carry which ranks 12th. Good, but it shows that the rushing stats can be a tad skewered. Anyways, I think you have to respect what Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods can do to you guys. Stevie was targeted 13 times last year and is one of the best route runners in the league. Again, don't sleep on Thad Lewis. I'm not saying he's going to get 300 yards, but he'll make some nice throws.
As a kid growing up I watched the Bills fans endure a ton of mocking. Which is kind of insane when you consider 4 Super Bowl trips, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Lofton, Andre Reed… so many legends. But always losing the big game will do that. Those Bills teams were sick. It's not like the Saints, where the mocking was completely deserved. How bitter are you about that? I know I would be.
Bitter? Not at all. I mean I wish they would have won the big game, but those teams are the biggest reason why I'm fan to this day. You couldn't find a better group of "losers". There are a lot of great memories about those teams and they set the standard for what we want with Buffalo teams…Tough, determined and relentless. I assure you, no team will ever make it back to 4-straight SBs.
If you're the Saints, how do you go about attacking this Bills team? How do you beat them?
On offense, I think you have to stop CJ/Jackson. As I said earlier, the Bills love to rush the football. I'd also try putting pressure at the guard positions. Kraig Urbik is decent, but Doug Legursky is kind of meh. Also, I think you guys can attack our right tackle Erik Pears as he's given up the most QB hurries on the team with 11. Overall, the Bills have given up 22 sacks in their last 5 games. Why? I think it is a combination of having a new QB and those weakness I've mentioned. As for your offense, I think you have to take deep shots on the Bills defense. They have allowed the 7th most passing yards in the league, 25 plays of 20+ yards passing (5th most), and 10 plays of 40+ yards passing (2nd most). They are also tied for first in TD passes given up with 15. Id say you wanna attack either Aaron Williams if he's playing CB or Stephon Gilmore, who while he's our best CB, he's sporting a giant cast on his hand that makes it hard for him to make plays.
A lot of people are talking up Kiko Alonso as the rookie of the year. That came out of nowhere. Granted he was a 2nd round pick, but what has made him so much more special than pretty much every rookie in the NFL?
Kiko has been awesome so far this year. It is cliche, but he has a nose for the ball and has great instincts. His 4 INTs are tops for NFL LBs and he may even win the tackles title. He's decent in coverage (Allowed 89 yards this year in coverage) and has really helped the Bills out in terms of getting better at defending the TE. He should have been a 1st round pick, but there were some character issues about him (Got arrested for being a bad drunk in essence while in College)
Score prediction please?
Thanks man!! Yeah..You guys are just too damn good. Also, coming off a bye doesn't exactly work in our benefit. However, you guys had some issues with New England and we held our own against them. I just think our offense won't be able to keep up with Brees. Saints win, 33-21.
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