Bills’ schedule looking bleak

The Buffalo Bills are entering a much-needed bye week to contemplate what has been a disappointing season.

Looming large in the minds of Buffalo faithful should be the potential for a winless year.  Judging by its upcoming schedule, this could become a reality.

A rude awakening will greet the Bills in week seven courtesy of the dangerous defensive system of the Baltimore Ravens.

Led by veteran Ray Lewis, Baltimore ranks third overall in total tackles. Buffalo will have its work cut out for them as the Ravens have only given up an average of 257.8 yards per game. Count this one as a loss.

After that, the Bills will take on the surprising Kansas City Chiefs, who are giving up a stingy 14.3 points per game.  With Buffalo’s struggling offence and a 3-1 record for the Chiefs, a loss can be expected.

So, with Buffalo now sitting at a projected 0-7, who’s up next?

A change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered as the Bills take their act to Rogers Centre.  The only problem is that it’s against the Chicago Bears. Sitting at 4-1 in the tough NFC North division, Chicago has proven so far it is a legit threat.

The Bears’ defence and its 14 total takeaways are tied for tops in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, so expect more of the same against Ryan Fitzpatrick and his receiving core.

Now week 10 may be promising for a potential win as the Lions are prime candidates for a season saver.

However, Detroit surprised the St. Louis Rams last week to the tune of a 44-6 drubbing. This is a tricky one to judge but consider it a possible win for Buffalo.

Rather than sifting through the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings (Buffalo’s next three opponents), week 14 also shows some promise for the Western New York squad.

The Cleveland Browns are the bottom dwellers in the tough AFC North with a 1-4 record having scored only 78 points in five games.  Buffalo will have home-field advantage for this one while Cleveland is 0-2 on the road.

Truth be told, if the Bills can’t get it done against Cleveland, a 0-3 finish is imminent.

After they take on the Miami Dolphins in week 15, the New England Patriots visit Ralph Wilson Stadium.  Tom Brady and his potent offence are fifth in the league in points for with 131.

Not to mention, the Bills’ defence has given up a league-worst 161 points.

Adding to that point, the New York Jets finish up their season against Buffalo, a team who is third in the league in total points.

It may only be week six on the NFL schedule, but the very real possibility of the Bills sitting beside the likes of the lowly 2008 Detroit Lions with an 0-16 season is on the horizon.

Either way, Bills fans may be able to look forward to the number one overall draft pick in 2011.

Terrible Start

Here’s why they’re sitting where they are.

Beginning 2010 at 0-5, Bills’ fans haven’t exactly had much to cheer about.

Well, except for a quarterback change from Trent Edwards to Fitzpatrick. But then again, since the switch was made after week two, Fitzpatrick hasn’t been able to lead his team into the win column.

In the three games since he was anointed the starting pivot, he has averaged a dismal 198.3 yards in the air. Yet his touchdown to interception ratio is a respectable 7:2, including three end zone connections last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Buffalo’s wide receivers haven’t seen much success either, with Lee Evans averaging three catches per game for a total of 181 yards. His numbers don’t exactly jump off the stat sheet for a guy who is looked upon as the big play threat.

Its running back committee has been abysmal as well, while the now-departed Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, and C.J. Spiller have no individual 100-yard rushing games between them.

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By: Rod Perry
Posted: Oct 15 2010 6:29 pm
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