Division Rival, Buffalo likely to struggle in next 4 games

Most of the media coverage has focused on the tragic cervical spine injury incurred by Buffalo's back-up TE K. Everett. Luckily the recent news has been positive and suggests the he will regain some function in both his upper and lower limbs. But from a football perspective the recent season-ending injuries to the starting safety (S K. Simpson) and starting CB (J. Webster) are far more important. In the context of a defensive unit that lost key talent during the off-season these additional loses will create opportunities for the opposing offenses.

The next 4 games for the Bills are against talented teams and we expect the Bills defense to struggle. An 0-5 start is becoming a real possibility and would effectively eliminate the team from division contention.

Sun 9/16	at Pittsburgh	1:00 pm
Sun 9/23	at New England	1:00 pm
Sun 9/30	NY Jets	1:00 pm
Mon 10/8	Dallas	8:30 pm

Week 2 - NY Jets at Baltimore

We expect QB K. Clemens to play this week against the Ravens. He does NOT have a strong arm, but his arm is clearly stronger than Pennington’s. His inexperience will be a major weakness, but if he can threaten the Ravens D by connecting on a few out patterns and downfield passes it may open up the middle of the field for the running plays, short-passes, and draw plays.

We expect the left-side of the offensive line to continue to struggle this week against a very physical and aggressive defense. Despite head coach Mangini's satisfaction with Ferguson's off-season and training camp performance the LT has looked very bad on multiple plays thru the preseason and week 1. Perhaps the absence of the savy veteran Kendall is making Ferguson hesitate or misread a situation. Whatever the reason I am sure the Ravens will find a way to attack the left-side and disrupt the flow of the offense. The Jets will likely need to counter by keeping a TE or RB in on pass protection.

Expect the Jets defense to play aggressive run-defense against the Ravens and force QB K. Boller to beat them thru the air. One on one coverage on the WRs could lead to some big plays for the Ravens if the pass rush doesn't improve from week 1.

Expect the Jets to be more conservative against the Ravens defense as they will have an inexperienced QB under center and are facing one of the best defensive coordinators in the game (Rex Ryan). Specifically, expect the Jets to use multiple screen plays and 3^rd down draws ala the Paul Hackett era.