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Buffalo Bills: Keys to victory and final score prediction for Week 1

By Kendall Mirsky

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills in action against Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Bills defeated the Jets 17-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills in action against Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Bills defeated the Jets 17-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 29: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets carries the ball during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New York defeats Buffalo 13-6. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Neutralize Le’Veon Bell

Although Le’Veon Bell had an underwhelming year in 2019 with only 789 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, Bell is still the focal point of the Jets offense. He also adds a threat the Bills defense must account for through the air as he contributed 66 receptions out of the backfield for 461 yards and one touchdown last season, which he happened to score against the Bills in Week 1.

Normally, it isn’t such an issue to expect the Bills defense to come through when called on to do so, but this particular area should be concerning to fans. While the Bills defense finished last season in the upper tier of the league, it was mostly because of their production defending the pass. Against the run, Buffalo showed some glaring weaknesses a few times during the year with difficulties stopping power runs between the tackles.

The Buffalo Bills defense is primarily successful because of how versatile and athletic the roster is, not necessarily because of their strength and stoutness. With Star Lotulelei deciding to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season, Harrison Phillips and Vernon Butler will be responsible for a majority of Bell’s success or failure on the ground in this matchup. With Phillips in the middle eating up most of the double team blocks and doing the dirty work, this should free up Ed Oliver to penetrate the Jets offensive line and make more of the one on one tackles on Bell.

Additionally, Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds will likely be most responsible for guarding Bell as he leaks out of the backfield on pass plays. However, don’t be surprised if Bell lines up out wide as a receiver and forces Buffalo to use safeties Jordan Poyer or Micah Hyde to cover him in man defensive concepts. If the Bills defense can collectively slow down Le’Veon Bell, it will go a long way towards winning this game against the Jets in week one.

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