Week 4: Bills vs. Giants
at
Sunday, Oct. 4th
1:00pm ET
The Bills return to Orchard Park to take on the other team from New Jersey as the Giants come to town for the first time since 2007. The Bills are looking to raise their record to 3-1 while the Giants are looking to get back to .500 after winning their first game last week. They have had 10 days to prepare after last playing a Thursday night game against Washington.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (2-1) vs. N.Y. Giants (1-2)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: FOX; DirecTV: 709; Sirius: 81; XM 229
Announcers: Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston
Spread: Bills by 6
Series: Series tied 6-6 (Bills 0-1 in Super Bowl)
Streak: Giants Won 2
Last Meeting: Giants 27-24 in New Jersey (2011)
Giants Offense: Rush (21st); Pass (14th); overall (17th)
Giants Defense: Rush (2nd); Pass (32nd); overall (31st)
Bills Offense: Rush (1st); Pass (24th); overall (11th)
Bills Defense: Rush (1st); Pass (31st); overall (30th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills will almost certainly be without LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins. McCoy is likely going to be shutdown to allow his hamstring to heal. Watkins hurt his calf muscle last week. Aaron Williams may miss another game as he recovers from a scary neck injury suffered against New England two weeks ago. Marquise Goodwin is hoping to finally be ready after breaking a couple of ribs in the preseason but he also may need another week. John Miller could miss the game with a groin injury.

The Giants have been excited and targeting this game to get Victor Cruz back in the lineup after being sidelined with a serious calf injury. He suffered a setback in practice on Wednesday and now he won't play. The Giants are hurting with tight end depth as both backups have missed practice time this week. Jerome Cunningham has a knee injury while Daniel Fells has an ankle problem. LT Ereck Flowers missed last week's game with an ankle injury and should play but is still hobbled.

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

KEY MATCHUPS

CBs Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby vs. WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Reuben Randle:
This is a huge matchup the Bills talented corners go up against a very talented duo. They got a break when Victor Cruz suffered a setback in his battle to return from a serious calf injury. Randle is also very talented however making this a tough matchup still for Buffalo.

WR Percy Harvin vs. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie:
Harvin is developing into Tyrod Taylor's go to guy and this week he will be even more important with Watkins likely out. Rodgers-Cromartie is a solid eight year vet who will be watching Harvin very closely.

DE Jerry Hughes vs. LT Ereck Flowers:
Hughes is having a great start to the season and will matchup with the ninth overall pick in this year's draft in Flowers. This is likely the toughest matchup in his very young career for Flowers and he is slowed by an ankle injury that cost him last week's game. Hughes has been very disruptive in the offensive backfield through three games.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Win Turnover Battle: This is always important but this week it may be more important since the Bills and Giants are tied for second in the league with a +5 turnover ratio. Eli Manning is one of only three starting QBs without an interception this year. He has been known to throw picks in the past so the odds may be in the Bills favor to get an interception or two.

2. Get Tyrod Moving: The Bills did very well offensively last week by moving Taylor around and had him throw on the run very successfully. They should try to do the same to keep the Giants defense guessing.

3. Overcome Injuries: The Bills have some big time injuries but this year, more than any other this millennium, they have more depth and it will need to come out to get the win they expect.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

If the Bills are going to take the next step this is a game they have to win. They are at home against a decent, but on paper inferior, opponent. If they lose all the goodwill from last week's blowout win will go out the window. I think Rex Ryan will have his team prepared and ready to go but it won't be easy:
Bills 27, Giants 23

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

Bills Blitz - Coming Sunday Night!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Night!
Gameday Homepage