The Lions have not lost a game since Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite facing maybe the toughest team of the season.
The Buffalo Bills will seek to rebound this week when they face the Detroit Lions. The Lions have not lost a game since Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite facing maybe the toughest team of the season. So, what do the Bills need to do to hand Detroit their second loss? It’s not as easy as it seems. In fact, there may be more reservations than confidence going into this one.
With injuries all over the place, not to mention sections of the defense failing late in games, Buffalo will struggle against a Lions club that appears to have everything going for it. So, what are some of the issues that Bills fans should be concerned about?
The secondary
As the season comes to a close, what has been the defense’s strongest point is fraying. This week’s injury list includes safeties Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and cornerback Rasul Douglas, all of whom suffered injuries in Week 14. Buffalo has gotten a healthy level of productivity from all three players this season, and they will need all three to contribute in a challenging matchup like this one. If one or more are unable to attend, the Bills will suffer a loss. Cole Bishop and Cam Lewis are the sole backup safety on the roster, with Micah Hyde (a recent arrival and longtime buddy), Kareem Jackson (a veteran), and Lewis Cine on the practice squad.
If Douglas is unable to play, there will be many questions at cornerback. Ja’Marcus Ingram is definitely the next man up, but how much do we see from former first-round pick Kaiir Elam? Elam is slipping down the depth chart, and Buffalo has scarcely put him on the field for defense. This may be the Ja’Marcus Ingram and Christian Benford show, as Buffalo confronts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, who have 1,573 yards and 13 touchdowns combined.
The run game
This may sound like a broken record, but every Bills fan wants to see James Cook and company run the ball well. Buffalo may need to control the clock in this game and keep Detroit’s strong offense off the field. According to Fox Sports, the Lions’ running defense is ranked fifth, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady and the coaching staff will have to gameplan around it. Buffalo may try to throw 37 times, like they did last week, but the offensive has always been most effective when it runs efficiently.
Buffalo’s top three running backs have carried for 1,210 yards this season, with decent performance behind James Cook. Whoever they look to this week, one thing is clear. The Bills must control the ground game and dominate the time of possession.
Leave a Reply