Sep 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) before a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Today’s game between the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions sure doesn’t lack for storylines. That doesn’t necessarily guarantee an action-packed game, but here are some interesting angles to keep in mind as you watch the game.
Jim Schwartz vs. Matt Stafford and the Lions
Bills Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz spent the past five seasons as the Detroit Lions Head Coach and should know key players like Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford as well as anyone. Is there any chance he has critical insight to stopping Stafford the Bills can leverage today?
Schwartz’ unit will be without Kyle Williams but one would hope they’d be able to have success against an offensive unit Schwartz helped build. One would expect Schwartz to bring lots of pressure and focus on keeping the game close against Stafford (who doesn’t excel in 4th quarters) to give his team the best chance to win the game.
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Sammy Watkins vs. Eric Ebron
There is a large contingent of Bills fans that would have drafted Eric Ebron over Sammy Watkins even if there was no trade for next year’s draft pick involved. The Bills have lacked a dynamic tight end for years and definitely could have stayed put at the 9th spot in the draft and selected Ebron.
After a rough week which brought team management into question for its decision with E.J. Manuel over the past two seasons, it would be great for Watkins to outshine Ebron in every way possible and rack up a few TDs in a Bills win.
Kyle Orton. Kyle Orton.
Win or lose, today’s all about Kyle Orton. The Bills have made the move to Orton because they feel he can help a team on the rise get to the playoffs. Orton needs to play well today to justify the move. It would be great to see a win, but given that the Bills are on the road, even a strong performance from Orton will energize fans that their beloved team may be able to overtake the struggling Patriots this year and end the playoff drought.
Orton needs to get the ball to his receivers – Watkins, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin – to open up the running game and turn this offense loose.
These are three key storylines heading into the game. If the Bills can dominate these storylines, they just might be coming back to Buffalo with a new QB, a 3-2 record and sole possession of first place in the AFC East.