Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills will look to remain unbeaten to start the season, while also keeping the New Orleans Saints winless when the two teams meet Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
In order to to that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Get downfield passing game going
There's been a lot made about the Bills' lack of downfield passing, even though they've won every game to this point. But this may be the game where it has to be used, and successfully.
The Saints have allowed 7.08 yards per-pass attempt this season, that's the ninth-highest rate in the NFL. The Bills should have chances to push the ball downfield, and need to capitalize when that happens.
2.) Fool a young quarterback
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is 0-9 as a starter in the NFL. To get him to 0-10, the Bills defense needs to get him to question what he's seeing, and even trick him into think he's seeing something he's not.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott is known to disguise coverages against young signal-callers, including moving safeties around before the snap.
If they can fool Rattler pre-snap, it may lead to big post-snap opportunities on the football.
3.) Take advantage of Saints special teams
New Orleans had a terrible day last week on special teams against the Seattle Seahawks. They allowed a punt return for a touchdown, a 60-yard kickoff return, and had a punt blocked.
They rank second-to-last in both average yards per-punt return allowed (20.7) and average per-kickoff return allowed (30.3).
No doubt the Saints will be looking to get more buttoned-up on special teams, but the Bills should have chances to make a big play or two that could go a long way to winning the game.
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