X-Era
11-19-2005, 02:37 PM
To a fan, this weeks game aginst the Chargers would seem to be just another game. And considering our road record and another start by our youngster QB, many would say its a sure thing that we will get zapped by the Bolts high charged offense. But a deeper look shows us that this game isnt just another game, but rather a preview to our playoff potential and a look at our potential for our future.
There are some key matchups in this game that will give the hopelessly hopeful Bills fans a look at whether they need to rebury their heads in the sand or start circling the wagons.
JP Losman is set to start on the surface due to an injury to Kelly Holcomb. Quietly many fans, and the media are wondering if the recently productive Losman could have won just as many if not more than Holcomb. The San Diego game would seem to not mean much as far as our future in concerned at QB. But in the immortal words or Lee Corso, "not so fast". JP is coming off a game where he rallied the team and threw 2 long bombs to his early favorite Lee Evans. Furthermore, JP will be showcasing hismelf to 450 of his local friends and family. JP has admitted that he is angry and embarrassed since being benched in favor of the vet Holcomb. He commented that his recent play is a reflection of getting back to the cocky attitude that he used to excel above the rest in backyard ball. JP plans to keep that attitude as a badge of honor and courage moving forward. Quietly he is lobbying to get back his job and many fans want to see the young QB with potential do just that. San Diego is hurting on passing defense, ranked 30th in the league coming into this game. However, they rank 1st in run defense. So, with a young QB trying to earn his job back, coming off success, and armored with the attitude that he will prove his doubters wrong, you can see a possibility for a breakout game. If JP plays well he may just earn himself his job back for good. His main target has something to prove as well.
Since the days when Losman first started for this team in practices, the preseason, and in the early season games, he has been drawn to throw toward Evans. Many would say this is a mistake that Moulds is the best WR and one of the Bills best players. But Moulds has noticeably lost a step. Furthermore, he has shown that he can get the dropsy hiccups in a few games. Yet many have said that the fastest Bill and the player with the best hands is Evans. Lee's rookie year seemed to demonstrate that they wouldnt be too far off the mark. He streaked for long TD's several times that year. This year the Bills offense has been stagnant overall ranking 30th in passing O. Also, the long throws for TD's have been missing since last year. Until now. Last week, JP threw to Evans for 2 long TD's and opened up a confused offense that was unable to run the ball. Coming into this game with Evans being JP's favorite target and the long TD option, Moulds may be the odd man out. Is this a look to the future? It just might be. Moulds carries a hefty salary with ever reducing play. If Losman proves he is the starter and continues to get better, and Evans benefits from being his primary target, Moulds may find himself as the number 2 and may be asked for a big pay cut. This weeks game might give us a real glimpse into this possibility.
The Bills defense has been picked on all this year making journeymen backups like Lamont Jordan look like elite RB. The problem has festered through the drop off of play since the departure of Pat Williams and the loss of Takeo Spikes. London Fletcher has looked overwhelmed at times. Now, Angelo Crowell has stepped in and has played admirably. Is it possible that Crowell has earned himself a starting job? Probably not yet, but this game may go a long way to doing just that. Tomlinson is an all world RB, l;ets get that out of the way right now. But Tomlinson is noted more for his running around the ends and receiving yards than he is as a up the middle, pound-it-down-your-throat runner. The Chargers with one of the best offenses in the league will look to take advantage of the Bills injury bug and try to establish the run early. What they may not do is rush Tomlinson away from what he does best. So, look for Crowell to get heavily picked on. Angelo will have to prove against one of the leagues best that he is capable of tackling an elite RB out in the open field where LT will certainly be catching and running for yards. If Angelo puts up a great fight and makes some plays, you may see them take a chance on Crowell as the weak or strongside starting LB in 2006. Maybe the Bilsl would save some cap cash and let there very early pickup in FA, Jeff Posey walk in favor of the youngster who has been making a case to start. It would seem to not fit where Angelo gives up 3 inches in height and 6 pounds in weight to Posey. But Derrick Brooks has proved that you can play well regardless of size, as has another Bill London Fletcher.
So, will the Bills pull of a seemingly shocking win against the Chargers in their house? It just might happen. Furthermore, it might just give us Bills fans some hopes for our chances this year as well as next. Look for the Bills to pull a suprise, bend but not break on D, and seemingly out of no where get there long ball passing offense back into the gameplan.
Prediction: Bills 27, San Diego 24
There are some key matchups in this game that will give the hopelessly hopeful Bills fans a look at whether they need to rebury their heads in the sand or start circling the wagons.
JP Losman is set to start on the surface due to an injury to Kelly Holcomb. Quietly many fans, and the media are wondering if the recently productive Losman could have won just as many if not more than Holcomb. The San Diego game would seem to not mean much as far as our future in concerned at QB. But in the immortal words or Lee Corso, "not so fast". JP is coming off a game where he rallied the team and threw 2 long bombs to his early favorite Lee Evans. Furthermore, JP will be showcasing hismelf to 450 of his local friends and family. JP has admitted that he is angry and embarrassed since being benched in favor of the vet Holcomb. He commented that his recent play is a reflection of getting back to the cocky attitude that he used to excel above the rest in backyard ball. JP plans to keep that attitude as a badge of honor and courage moving forward. Quietly he is lobbying to get back his job and many fans want to see the young QB with potential do just that. San Diego is hurting on passing defense, ranked 30th in the league coming into this game. However, they rank 1st in run defense. So, with a young QB trying to earn his job back, coming off success, and armored with the attitude that he will prove his doubters wrong, you can see a possibility for a breakout game. If JP plays well he may just earn himself his job back for good. His main target has something to prove as well.
Since the days when Losman first started for this team in practices, the preseason, and in the early season games, he has been drawn to throw toward Evans. Many would say this is a mistake that Moulds is the best WR and one of the Bills best players. But Moulds has noticeably lost a step. Furthermore, he has shown that he can get the dropsy hiccups in a few games. Yet many have said that the fastest Bill and the player with the best hands is Evans. Lee's rookie year seemed to demonstrate that they wouldnt be too far off the mark. He streaked for long TD's several times that year. This year the Bills offense has been stagnant overall ranking 30th in passing O. Also, the long throws for TD's have been missing since last year. Until now. Last week, JP threw to Evans for 2 long TD's and opened up a confused offense that was unable to run the ball. Coming into this game with Evans being JP's favorite target and the long TD option, Moulds may be the odd man out. Is this a look to the future? It just might be. Moulds carries a hefty salary with ever reducing play. If Losman proves he is the starter and continues to get better, and Evans benefits from being his primary target, Moulds may find himself as the number 2 and may be asked for a big pay cut. This weeks game might give us a real glimpse into this possibility.
The Bills defense has been picked on all this year making journeymen backups like Lamont Jordan look like elite RB. The problem has festered through the drop off of play since the departure of Pat Williams and the loss of Takeo Spikes. London Fletcher has looked overwhelmed at times. Now, Angelo Crowell has stepped in and has played admirably. Is it possible that Crowell has earned himself a starting job? Probably not yet, but this game may go a long way to doing just that. Tomlinson is an all world RB, l;ets get that out of the way right now. But Tomlinson is noted more for his running around the ends and receiving yards than he is as a up the middle, pound-it-down-your-throat runner. The Chargers with one of the best offenses in the league will look to take advantage of the Bills injury bug and try to establish the run early. What they may not do is rush Tomlinson away from what he does best. So, look for Crowell to get heavily picked on. Angelo will have to prove against one of the leagues best that he is capable of tackling an elite RB out in the open field where LT will certainly be catching and running for yards. If Angelo puts up a great fight and makes some plays, you may see them take a chance on Crowell as the weak or strongside starting LB in 2006. Maybe the Bilsl would save some cap cash and let there very early pickup in FA, Jeff Posey walk in favor of the youngster who has been making a case to start. It would seem to not fit where Angelo gives up 3 inches in height and 6 pounds in weight to Posey. But Derrick Brooks has proved that you can play well regardless of size, as has another Bill London Fletcher.
So, will the Bills pull of a seemingly shocking win against the Chargers in their house? It just might happen. Furthermore, it might just give us Bills fans some hopes for our chances this year as well as next. Look for the Bills to pull a suprise, bend but not break on D, and seemingly out of no where get there long ball passing offense back into the gameplan.
Prediction: Bills 27, San Diego 24