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Buffalo Bills: Keys to victory and final score prediction for Week 7

By Kendall Mirsky

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass during a game against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Jets 27-17. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass during a game against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Jets 27-17. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills intercepts a pass intended for Jamison Crowder #82 of the New York Jets during the first half at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills intercepts a pass intended for Jamison Crowder #82 of the New York Jets during the first half at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Right the ship on defense

This final key to victory is more about sustainable winning the rest of the season as it is about just winning this one game. In the past two games, the Bills have been punched in the mouth in regards to their defensive performance, and it can’t always be up to the offense and Josh Allen to outscore the opponent. Football games are won on all three phases, offense, defense, and special teams. Right now the Buffalo Bills are primarily relying on the offense to bail out the defense for their lack of ability to get stops, force turnovers, and limit the opposing team points.

The past two weeks have shown that this is not the formula for sustainable success throughout the season. Therefore, the Bills’ defense needs to use this week to gain confidence on the defensive side of the ball. In their first matchup, the Bills did a great job containing the Jets offense in the first half, but eventually let the Jets back into the game a little bit.

As for Week 7, the Bills need to take this opportunity against a weaker opponent to establish confidence in their defense. For instance, Tremaine Edmunds has been performing below expectations in terms of his development process. This would be a great game to let him rely on his instincts to make plays because so far this season it has appeared that Edmunds has been hesitant to attack the ballcarrier, almost as if he is afraid to make a mistake. More times than not, this kind of play from Edmunds has led to him making a mistake, especially against the run.

Although the Jets offense is still capable of scoring points and shouldn’t be taken lightly, they are undoubtedly the worst team in the league for a reason. That makes this Week 7 matchup the perfect opportunity to allow Edmunds and others on the defense to play with a little less of a concern for making mistakes. Hopefully, this will allow the defense to play more aggressively and give them the confidence to play that way moving forward.

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