Buffalo Bills: Week 4 Madden 19 preview vs. the Green Bay Packers
By Matt Karas
Can the Buffalo Bills go into Green Bay to defeat the talented Packers? Let’s see what Madden 19 has to say.
Last week’s Madden 19 score: Buffalo 20, Minnesota 17
Last week’s real-life score: Buffalo 27, Minnesota 6
Overall Madden 19 prediction record: 3 for 3 (100%)
Supposedly, there is a “Madden curse” for players who don the front cover of EA Sports’ yearly rendition of its Madden series. However, such a curse has not been present for Madden’s ability to predict future outcomes. As it stands, the video game is three-for-three in choosing the victor of each of the Buffalo Bills‘ games, including last week’s monumental upset over the Minnesota Vikings.
Let’s see if Madden 19 thinks the Bills can execute another upset – this time against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
GREEN BAY, WI (Sep 30) – Overcast skies coupled with light rain are in the cards for this pivotal Week 4 altercation. A light smattering of Bills jerseys are present at the legendary Lambeau Field for the team’s first visit to Green Bay since 2010. The game will mark the first time this season that the Bills decide to go into battle wearing their away blue pants to combat Green Bay’s historic alternate outfit.
The first quarter sees scintillating rookie quarterback Josh Allen develop chemistry with much maligned wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The Bills move the sticks at ease on two consecutive drives, only to hit a brick wall just outside of field goal range. Fortunately, the Bills defense also deploys a similar bend, but don’t break defense to keep Rodgers & co. at bay. End of first quarter score: Green Bay 10, Buffalo 0.
The second frame sees Allen and the Bills offense continue to rip into the Packers secondary with the aid of some creative play-calling from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Despite this aerial assault, the Bills rookie signal caller makes an incorrect read in the red zone and has a fullback flat patter aimed at Patrick DiMarco picked by star pass rusher Clay Matthews.
The Packers are seemingly galvanized by the turnover and are able to parlay it into 10 quick points, highlighted by a seven-yard touchdown to tight end Jimmy Graham on a simple hitch pattern. End of second quarter score: Green Bay 10, Buffalo 0.
Allen is able to shake off his earlier miscue by starting to incorporate tight end Charles Clay into the Bills offense with multiple crossing patterns that render healthy chunks of yardage. The rookie from Wyoming is on the precipice of entering very foreign territory for Bills quarterbacks in recent history – a 300-yard passing game. The end result is two chip shot field goals from Steven Hauschka to cut into Green Bay’s lead. End of third quarter score: Green Bay 10, Buffalo 6.
As was the case last week, Jerry Hughes is wreaking havoc on the opposing team’s offense. Hughes registers a sack, coupled with several hurries and three tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Unlike Hughes, star running back LeSean McCoy is unable to make much of an impact on the game. This is highlighted by a lost fumble in Bills territory early in the fourth quarter. As has been the case for the entire game, the team’s defense is able to contain the Packers to a field goal.
With a shade over five minutes left on the clock, Allen hits Benjamin on a post route that goes for 54 yards. The quarterback is now well over the magical 300-yard benchmark. The drive culminates in a gorgeous 18-yard strike to sophomore receiver Zay Jones to tie the game up at 13 apiece.
The Bills are able to shut down Rodgers’ attempt at a game-winning drive by forcing a punt with a little under two minutes left in the game. Allen is poised to notch his first comeback win. He hits Benjamin on three consecutive occasions to give the physically imposing receiver double-digit receptions and the Bills in favorable field position to win the game with three seconds left on the clock.
“Hausch Money” is unphased by coach Mike McCarthy’s attempt to ice the kicker with a last second timeout, as he proceeds to drill a 40-yard field goal with zero time left on the clock. Bills win. Final score: Buffalo 16, Green Bay 13.
Player of the game: Kelvin Benjamin – 11 catches for 173 yards.