With four days to go before playing a pivotal game on Sunday that is both the midseason finale before a bye, and an important AFC East matchup against the New York Jets, a chance to go into the halfway point above .500 is something Buffalo doesn’t take lightly.
“Absolutely, I think it’s huge getting a win before going into the bye especially against the Jets,” said wide receiver Chris Hogan. “It’s a divisional opponent. This would be a huge win for us.”
Despite a 2-1 record for the Bills since going to quarterback Kyle Orton, one prevailing issue has been the offensive line, especially the interior. On the season, Buffalo has allowed 19 sacks, tied for fifth-most in the NFL, and allowed six on Sunday to Minnesota, three coming from defensive tackles and the other three from defensive end Everson Griffin, who rushes both inside and outside.
With Eric Wood established at center, it has been the guard position that has been bad all season, whether it was the combination of Erik Pears and Chris Williams early in the season, to now with Pears and rookie Cyril Richardson. The interior has also been a part of a run game that has only averaged 4.1 yards per carry, ranking 16th in the NFL, despite some long runs during the season.
With Richardson’s youth and struggles, head coach Doug Marrone said that veteran Kraig Urbik “may” start at left guard. Marrone said that Urbik does bring “experience”, but he has to see “how he plays and practices”.
The Jets defensive line includes the talented duo of Muhammad Wilkerson (4 sacks) and Sheldon Richardson (3 sacks), a pair that can both rush the passer and play tough against the run, helping New York to the eighth-best run defense in the league (88 yards per game). Marrone thinks it will be a “great challenge” trying to make sure a defense that currently has 20 sacks on the season (tied for sixth-most in NFL) does not get to Orton.
“Assignments are key,” said Marrone. “That’s the first part of it, and then the next thing is that you actually have to actually block them, which is the biggest challenge. We’ve got to do a good job and we can’t have anyone running free and getting free hits on him.”
However, there will be opportunities to make plays in the passing game, as the Jets secondary has allowed a league-high 18 passing touchdowns, and is down to a four-cornerback depth chart of Darrin Walls, Phillip Adams, Kyle Wilson, and Antonio Allen. While Sammy Watkins was listed as having a groin injury, he fully participated in practice, and Marrone said he was not concerned with anything he saw in practice.
Watkins has met the “expectation” in terms of positive impact on the team, according to Marrone.
“He’s done everything he possibly can to be a good football player,” said Marrone. “He’s still a young player. He’s still growing. That’s how I see it. When you talk about potential and where he’s going, I really don’t know. He’s a good football player. It’ll get tougher for him each and every week. It’ll be our responsibility to put him in the positions where he can be part of it.”
With a new-look backfield of Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown, depending on Watkins could be something the Bills will have to do more. However, the rookie does not feel anymore of a burden.
“I’m just going out there, playing fast and just trying to be presentable when Kyle (Orton) comes to me,” said Watkins. “I know those guys are going to be down. We’re missing a lot of what they do with running the ball and getting them matched up on linebackers but I think for the most part, we’re going to have a great game plan. Boobie Dixon we’ll do a good job and the other running back, Bryce Brown. I think they will pick up the slack.”
Another player that could have a bigger role is Chris Hogan, as he has 10 catches on 12 targets for 135 yards and a touchdown the past two games. Orton likes Hogan’s ability to run “hard routes” and be “aggressive” toward the ball.
“He makes contested catches and is a smart player so he’s stepped in nice and has really seized his opportunity to get more playing time on the field,” said Orton.
If both Watkins and Hogan can continue their good play this weekend, it will be a huge step to overcoming some unanticipated depth issues at running back.
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