Detroit, Mich. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills will look to bounce-back from last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams when they face the Detroit Lions this week at Ford Field.
To do that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Match the physicality
The Bills were out-muscled up front in Los Angeles. They didn’t run the ball well enough, and certainly didn’t control the line of scrimmage from the defensive side.
That has to change Sunday against one of the more physical teams in the NFL.
The Lions will, no doubt, look to run right at the Bills with their excellent tandem of running backs. The Bills' front-seven has to be up to the challenge, and show immediately they won’t be giving in.
The same is true for the Bills' offensive line, which has to be able to establish an ability to run the ball and control the clock, something they were unable to do against the Rams.
2.) Get buttoned up
There were just for too many mistakes by the Bills last week. From missed tackles to blown assignments, to even having only nine men on the field on the final punt/play of the game.
Those kinds of mistakes are far too tough to overcome against any team, and they face, arguably, the best team in the league in Detroit on Sunday.
From the coaching staff to the players, there needs to be better attention to detail all around. Little mistakes add up to big issues, which result in losses.
3.) Run the ball better
The Lions have an excellent defense, and there isn’t much they don’t do extremely well. But one area they’ve been a bit vulnerable lately is run defense.
Over the last three games, the Lions have given up an average of 4.55 yards per-run, including 5.2 yards per-rush to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.
The Bills have run the ball well most of this season, but didn’t last week. James Cook was the only running back to get a carry against the Rams, and that was only six times for just 20 yards.
Rookie Ray Davis needs to be incorporated more into the running game Sunday, and the Bills need to run it better overall.
NOTES AND STATS:
