Will The Bills Find A New Way To Lose? They Will If They Don’t Let Jackson Run

As the Bills gear up to face the Browns today I cannot help but already reflect on what has happened this season.  As the season began the Buffalo Bills were a team that showed promise.  This team was able to play with the big boys like the Patriots and the Saints, when other teams have been blown out by them.  The Bills had shown against the Patriots and Bucs that they could execute on offense.  Against those two teams and against the Saints the Bills showed they could play a tough defense with an effective pass rush.  But with each game that has passed, the excitement with Buffalo has just masked the actual problems.  I have gone into each issue at great length and what would be the point of doing it again.

Yes, they can’t execute on offense.  Yes, they can’t make good personnel decisions as they let go of most of their offensive line from last year and also have decided it is a good idea to take carries away from a running back who is only putting up a dream season thus far.  Jackson ranks third in receiving yards by a running back with 160, he also ranks sixth in rushing yards even though last game he had to split carries with the ineffective Marshawn Lynch.  Jackson has amassed more yards combined than every other running back with the exception of Tennessee’s Chris Johnson.  His only weakness is his a lack of touchdowns which is less of his fault and more the fault of circumstance.  

When the Bills go into this game with the Browns, the biggest fear I have is that a solid win against this inept team will make Buffalo forget how bad they have been.  It is easy to beat up the bad teams (o.k. hard for Buffalo as they lost to Miami).  The Bills should win this game, but obviously I am not letting some major secret out.  But, there is a chance that Buffalo could lose this game.  Some “experts” are calling for Marshawn Lynch to have a breakout game.  Here is the problem, Lynch has proven he is not a top tier running back, he isn’t even the best running back on this team.  What this comment suggest is that Lynch will see more carries, this will be bad news for the Bills.  Contrary to popular belief, Lynch does not have big play ability, I would challenge anyone to prove me wrong (I read a report that actually said Lynch has better big play ability than Jackson, to think people get paid to research this stuff…how do you still get it wrong?  Way to go Yahoo, how about basing things on facts like NFL production and not fiction like college production and how it SHOULD translate to the NFL).  By splitting carries they are stifling their own home run threat Fred Jackson, ultimately taking one of their more feared weapons out of the game.  

Although the Browns secondary is questionable at best, they do like to take chances.  What this means for Buffalo, is that if Trent Edwards isn’t on his ‘A’ game, he will throw some interceptions today.  If he throws the ball the same way he did against the Dolphins and the Saints, Buffalo will be in for a long day.  Obviously corners who take chances can be beat, but it is up to the quarterback to have enough precision and accuracy to do so.  The Bills defense is showing signs that they are good, but they are not good enough to win the game, so the offense will need to find ways to move the ball.

The Bills also are at a disadvantage, even though they are facing the ‘great’ Mangenius, the Bills also have a plethora of inept coaches, and 4 inept coaches is worse than just one big inept coach.  Dick Jauron seems to find new ways to lose games, but lately it hasn’t been all his fault.  I love Bobby April.  When I say that, I mean it in a one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-league-and-should-be-respected-by-all kind of way.  But lately his special teams have been making key mistakes that are leading to game changing plays for the opposition.  Coach April is an intense and fiery individual so I do not see this trend continuing, but be aware, they haven’t looked good thus far, so be prepared for more of the same until they prove otherwise.

Basically the Bills can lose against the Browns, and if they do they will sink to a new low in…well…sucking.  Edwards cannot take this team lightly and will need to make his throws and be accurate.  The coaching needs to be on the ball and coach to improve the consistent issues with this team.  Lastly, if the Bills ARE trying to find new ways to lose than let Marshawn carry or split the load.  Marshawn could break out, but the problem with that is it again masks the problem that Marshawn is typically ineffective, kind of like when J.P. Losman would suck for several games and then play well for one, he just bought himself more time even though Buffalo should have moved on.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, well, for Fantasy Owners.  I am going to start Buffalo’s defense this week.  I think they have shown a decent pass rush and have the tools to force some turnovers.  Although Buffalo’s special teams have not bee what they usually are, it shouldn’t be enough to take away from what the Bills defense can do.  The Browns do have weapons, but they are all unproven weapons that can be thrown off their game.  Look for Buffalo to sack the Browns Qb often as well as force possibly two turnovers.  The score should also be very low unless they have decided not to learn from their mistakes against the Patriots in week one.

Tags: Bobby April, Buffalo Bills, Chris Johnson, Dick Jauron, Fred Jackson, J.P. Losman, Marshawn Lynch, Trent Edwards