Week 10 Bills @ Colts

No McGahee, no problem this weekend for the Buffalo Bills. Yesterday I was borderline suicidal over the McGahee issue, but after much deliberation I realized that the Colts run defense is absolutely terrible. In fact, Indianapolis ranks dead last in the NFL in run defense, allowing 165.4 yards per contest. Therefore, I think the A Train should have no problem shredding the colts undersized defense.

Are the Indianapolis Colts invincible? Far from it. The Colts have struggled this season at times, including against two mediocre teams at best. Let's take a look at those two specific games.

1. Week 4: Colts at Jets, the Colts hang on to win 31-28 on a late touchdown. Manning was far from superman in this game. He threw for only 217 yards and 1 touchdown. Losman on the other hand, scorched the Jets for over 300 yards. Furthermore, the Colts special teams was questionable. They gave up a touchdown return off of a kickoff. Also, Vinatieri has not been automatic lately like he usually is. The Colts barely won this game even with the Jets 3 turnovers and their none. The Colts were definitely beatable on this day.
2. Week 5: Titans at Colts, the Colts rally to beat the lowly Titans 14-13. Manning threw for an anemic 166 and a pick in this one. The defense got scorched by Travis Henry on the ground for over 6 a pop while allowing 214 on the ground total on the day. The Colts turned the football over 2 times compared to the Titans 1. Also, the special teams allowed some long kick returns. The Colts looked mediocre on this day also.

SO, whose to say the Colts won't have a game like this on Sunday. They are coming off two great wins on the road against playoff teams in Denver and New England, so this is a typical let down game for them. In fact, with the Colts go to Texas stadium in week 11, they could be looking past the Bills.

So what are the keys to victory for the 12.5 point underdog Buffalo Bills? Well it's simple, keep the Colts offense off the field.

1. We all know how potent the Colts offense is. So what better way to beat them than by keeping Manning and company on the sideline. Therefore, the Bills must run the football and pound the small Colt defense. The run to pass ratio in this football game should be no less than 2-1 even without McGahee in there. Thomas is a big back and can carry the football 30 times if needed. Also, the Colts are ranked third in the NFL against the pass so why pass? Especially since our QB Lostman is brainless and locks onto guys. Run to set up play actions. Keep is simple for JP, if the Bills turn the ball over at all the score will be lopsided after 7 minutes.
2. Force the Colts to run with Joseph Addai. Manning will be able to pick the Bills apart with the passing game so i think the Bills need to take a page from the Giants playbook in Super Bowl 25. 2 down lineman, invite the Colts to run the football. I don't know about you but I am not scared of Joseph Addai at all. And if the Colts do run a lot, they will be using more clock and therefore they will have less chances to score points. Also, the Bills need to play very physical with Wayne and Harrison. These guys aren't big. When they catch the ball the Bills need to light them up. Make them scared to go over the middle. Manning also loves the comebacker to Wayne near the sideline. McGee needs to jump that rout. Also, I don't want to see any 10 yard cushions on the outside. Manning will be salivating at the sight of that.
3. The Colts have given up some long returns this year, so if the Bills want a chance to win, they need to have 2 long ones from McGee at least and 1 for a td. The Bills need to set up points on special teams this game, be it on punts or kickoffs.
4. The Bills defense can't expect the colts to give the ball away carelessly like the Packers did. The Bills need to be opportunistic and aggressive and try to force the action and create turnovers.

So, will the Bills win the ball game? Well the answer is no, unless everything i stated above happens. And will that happen? NO. The Colts are too good. Manning vs Losman is as big of a mismatch as the Royals vs the Yankees in the bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka. Colts win 34-13 because Jauron will abandon the run when it is 7-0.

GO BILLS