Dan Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 1:00pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Marv Albert and Rich Gannon DirecTV: 710 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Joe Buscaglia (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - Sportsnet 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WTKW (99.5/WTKV 105.5) Sirius: 117 ================================================================= Game Preview: While Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is looking for something to turn around his team's disappointing season, the Buffalo Bills hope rookie quarterback EJ Manuel is healthy enough to help them get back on track. Both teams will be trying to avoid a third straight defeat when the Steelers look to continue their dominance over the visiting Bills on Sunday. Buffalo has dropped four straight and eight of nine to the Steelers, including playoffs. The Bills, who last played in Pittsburgh in 2007, are 2-9 there and have been outscored 136-40 during a five-game regular-season and playoff road skid in the series. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scouting Report: Week 10 (from Buffalo Bills.com Chris Brown) NFL.com Video Preview Tunch's Keys to Steelers vs Bills NFL.com Game Center Teams Stats: Bills Steelers Total Yds/Game.... 344.7 341.8 Total Rush.............145.8 73.6 Total Pass............. 198.9 268.1 Points/Game.......... 21.0 19.5 Time of Poss.......... 28.0 30.4 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 362.1 341.2 Rush Yards........... 115.2 131.2 Pass Yards........... 246.9 210.0 Points Allowed........ 26.2 26.0 Source: NFL.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Goodwin, Marquise WR Hamstring DNP LP FP Probable Lawson, Manny LB Non-injury related - - DNP Questionable Lewis, Thad QB Ribs FP FP FP Probable Manuel, EJ QB Knee FP FP FP Probable Williams, Kyle DL Achilles DNP FP FP Probable Woods, Robert WR Ankle DNP DNP DNP Doubtful Source: BuffaloBills.com Pittsburgh Steelers NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Adams, Mike OT Ribs - - DNP Questionable Beachum, Kelvin OG Knee LP LP FP Probable DeCastro, David OG Ankle FP FP FP Probable Gilbert, Marcus T Ankle LP LP LP Questionable Heyward, Cameron DE Knee FP FP FP Probable Miller, Heath TE Not injury related LP FP FP Probable Taylor, Ike CB Concussion DNP FP FP Probable Velasco, Fernando C/G Thigh LP FP FP Probable Wheaton, Markus WR Finger FP FP FP Probable Williams, Vince LB Concussion DNP LP FP Probable Source: Steelers.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Steelers -3 even Over/Under: 43.5 Source: The Linemakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Take on the Matchup: Finally, we get an "easy" game. The Steelers are 2-6, for a reason. They rank pretty low in all the key offensive and defensive categories. The 2 teams actually stack up pretty similar, just as our records indicate. The primary difference being in the running and passing games. The Steelers pass better than they run, while the Bills run better than they pass. This week, hopefully, the match up favors Buffalo with EJ getting back in the lineup and CJ being as healthy as he has all season. If we can continue our season average on the ground while stepping up the passing game, the game might be a good one for us. Assuming EJ can do that, the key to this game, therefore, becomes turnovers and red zone efficiency. We simply have to win the turn over battle. As good as the defense played last week, they didn't generate any turnovers. This week, we need to force a couple. Also, when/if we get down inside the 10 yard line, we need touch downs. Not FGs and certainly not turnovers. With that in mind, I'll be watching: 1. Red Zone play calling. Marrone said this week they need to make changes in this part of their game. Will they? Will we see more creative play calls. 2. EJ Manuel. He's the big question mark. I'm sure his knee will be fine. But, will his play be an improvement over Thad's? Thad and Tuel, even, connected on some deep balls, can EJ? The last time I remember seeing him throw deep, it was all sideline passes 5 yards out of bounds. Will he actually look better than he did in week 4? Or did the time off set his development back? It's gonna be exciting to see how this kid looks. 3. Marcus Easley. With Woods injured, will he finally get some significant playing time? If so, can he out play Hogan, like so many people here think he will. 4. Our defensive line. The Steelers line is not good at all which should make for a good game for Mario, Kyle and the boys. Hopefully, they're pumped and steamroll Big Ben on the way to a dominating performance. 5. Kickoffs. Is it just me, or are the Bills the only team in the league that can't consistently kick the ball through the end zone? Are they purposely kicking it short? I don't get it at all. Go Bills!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KikO M G Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Kid gloves come off for Manuel today. Hopefully he's continued to develop mentally as an NFL QB even while missing out on the on-field development. Because the Bills need him to play like a rookie with 9 starts under his belt - not 5 - if they are going to be able to make some noise in the AFC in the remaining games this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I think the field is going to be an issue today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I think the field is going to be an issue today. Windy day too. Field goals may be an adventure at the open end of the stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I think the field is going to be an issue today. Agree but that field always seems to be a mess. Reminds me of the Rockpile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Agree but that field always seems to be a mess. Reminds me of the Rockpile. There was a college game played on it yesterday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) I think the field is going to be an issue today. Bad news for a team like us that likes to play fast. Works well for a team like the Steelers who are big and physical and slow. Home field advantage for them Edited November 10, 2013 by kdiggz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 As always, much thanks to you, Dan! 1. I heard Marrone talk about changing some things up in the Red Zone. I agree some tweaks may be in order, but my impression is that in the Red Zone, the same "problem" exists on the other 80 yards of the field: execution. That said, I don't want them to miss opportunities because they're running something that hasn't been practiced enough or where the players aren't sure of what they're doing because it's completely novel. EJ's biggest issue when he was in was trying to force things rather than take what the defense was giving. Simply put, "Don't get cute, exeCUTE!" lol 2. See above: EJ needs to see the field better than he has. Yes, those deep throws were off target, but on many of them, Woods or another receiver was breaking free over the middle for an easier throw. I know he hasn't gotten a lot of live reps, but hopefully his time in the booth has allowed him a valuable perspective on where he can anticipate WRs coming open. 3. I'd also love to see Easley get on the field more. He's more of an outside guy, so I don't think he's necessarily in direct competition with Hogan for snaps, but Hogan is essentially worthless IMO. If they do line him up inside, I want to see them try to use his size and speed to exploit the seam. 4. Agreed. The entire front seven should reap the benefits. Kiko should have a clear path to the ball carrier, in addition to the front four getting after the QB. 5. I think they might be designing the kickoffs to be fielded just shy of the goal line. With the short field, perhaps the Bills think that if they make the returner field the ball in play, they can get to him before he gets to the twenty. Not a bad strategy if they can execute. WIth ball being kicked from the 35, it's not unreasonable to expect your coverage team to get there in time, they just have to execute. I'm not a fan of Crossman, and I'd rather play it safe and just give them a touchback, but maybe that's a nod to analytics. As far as the field conditions, even if it slows down the Bills speedsters, the advantage still goes to the offense. I'm hoping Hackett takes the field into consideration and dials up some play action or pump and gos to exploit the DBs who should have trouble changing direction and/or recovering from an initial misstep. GO BILLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfanfrom83 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 It's going to be a good day of football starting with a 31-10 bills victory GO BILLS!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Re: the field conditions, this picture was taken ten minutes ago Doesn't look too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KikO M G Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Manuel never had Goodwin to take shots down field. Now he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Re: the field conditions, this picture was taken ten minutes ago Doesn't look too bad. makeup works wonders, hope it's close to how it looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Money line no good today...not enough incentive to not take the points. So Biils plus is the bet today. BTW, I will almost guarantee a spread formation with a QB sneak if we are first and goal and less than 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Money line no good today...not enough incentive to not take the points. So Biils plus is the bet today. BTW, I will almost guarantee a spread formation with a QB sneak if we are first and goal and less than 2 halfback pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26TrapDraw Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I have to tell you that last weeks formula minus Fuel being a complete bag will win 9 out of 10 games. Good run game and great D. Think Marrone and Company will try to do the same with EJ this week. We can and will be dominant in our run game today. My prediction for Pitt today in their house?........PAIN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KikO M G Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I have to tell you that last weeks formula minus Fuel being a complete bag will win 9 out of 10 games. Good run game and great D. Think Marrone and Company will try to do the same with EJ this week. We can and will be dominant in our run game today. My prediction for Pitt today in their house?........PAIN. This. I hope the coaching staff realizes (I'm sure they do) how thoroughly the Bills dominated the KC game on both ends. Minus two bonehead turnovers and we win that game easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Ian Rapoport is reporting that Big Ben doesn't like the direction of the Steelers, not just Todd Haley at OC, and will be seeking a trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Run the ball. Early middle and late. Get 300 yards rushing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Re: the field conditions, this picture was taken ten minutes ago Doesn't look too bad. makeup works wonders, hope it's close to how it looks. Spray painted grass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Daddy Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Go Bills, still have a shot at playoffs, must stay healthy, limit giveaways and dumb penalties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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