Week 3: Bills vs. Saints
at
Sunday, Sept. 27th
4:05pm ET
The Bills come into this game feeling pretty good after getting a win in their home opener. If it wasn't for their collapse on Monday night in Foxboro they would be two undefeated teams going at it. The Bills defense has to be on high alert as the high flying Saints come to town having scored 93 points in two games.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (1-1) vs. New Orleans (2-0)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
Television: FOX
Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
Spread: Saints by 5½
Series: Series Tied 4-4
Streak: Saints Won 2
Last Meeting: Saints 19-7 in San Antonio (2005)
Saints Offense: Rush (8th); Pass (2nd); overall (1st)
Saints Defense: Rush (5th); Pass (28th); overall (21st)
Bills Offense: Rush (6th); Pass (20th); overall (14th)
Bills Defense: Rush (9th); Pass (31st); overall (28th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills were hit with the injury bug in the win over the Bucs. They lost Derek Schouman and Brad Butler for the year with knee injuries. Leodis McKelvin suffered an ankle injury but is practicing. Geoff Hangartner and Josh Reed did not practice on Wednesday but should be ok for the game. Shawn Nelson has a banged up shoulder but should be ready to go. Drayton Florence missed the first two games as he recovers from a knee injury. He is ready this week.

The Saints are swapping healthy running backs this week. Out is Mike Bell who started the first two games but now will likely not play with a knee injury. In is Pierre Thomas who has recovered from a knee injury and played sparingly last week. He was projected as the starter before his injury. WR Lance Moore left last week's game with a tight hamstring his availability, he is questionable at best. DT Kendrick Clancy missed last week's game with a knee injury. TE Darnell Dinkins has been out with a foot injury.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

WR Lee Evans vs. CB Jabari Greer:
A battle of two former teammates who battled very hard in practice and training camps each and every day. They know each other well so it will be interesting to watch. Greer is still very popular in the Bills locker room.

CB Leodis McKelvin vs. WR Devery Henderson:
McKelvin may not be 100% as he has a hurt leg but he needs to be close because Henderson has been the big play receiver from the Saints as he's averaging over 21 yards per catch.

CB Terrence McGee vs. WR Marques Colston:
While Henderson is the big play guy, Colston is an excellent possession receiver. He has 11 catches and will likely get McGee on him in which should be an even battle.

SS Bryan Scott vs. TE Jeremy Shockey:
The Bills may use Keith Ellison to take on Shockey as well, but Scott does a better job against good tight ends and Shockey is good.

RB Fred Jackson vs. MLB Jonathan Vilma:
Jackson has one more audition to convince the coaches he should remain the starter next week when Lynch returns. He will leave it all out on the field as he knows this could be his last start. He has taken full advantage of the opportunity the first two weeks and will likely do so again. Vilma is the man in the middle but he's third on the team in tackles.

QB Trent Edwards vs. FS Darren Sharper:
Edwards needs to keep an eye on the center fielder of the Saints defense. Sharper already has three interceptions this season and the Bills can't afford to turn the ball over to the great Saints offense.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: Look for them to slow down the no huddle attack to try and eat up some time to keep the Saints high powered offense off the field. Look for them to move the ball with the short passing game, screen passes, and plenty of running from Jackson.

When The Saints Have The Ball: Throw, throw, and throw some more. Drew Brees loves to put the ball up in the air and look for him to throw early and often. He will take many shots downfield as the offense has a lot of big play ability.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Saints will put up points. The Bills D have given up many yards in the passing game but haven't broken so much as their bend but don't break philosophy has been somewhat successful. I doubt that will be the case against the league's most high powered offense. The Bills will have success on offense as well as the Saints defense isn't very strong. It has all the makings of a good old fashion shootout:
Saints 52, Bills 33

Season Prediction Record: (2-0)
Season Record Against The Spread: (1-1)

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