Who are the x-factors for the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 against the Packers?
The Buffalo Bills top players, like Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Von Miller, love playing in primetime and usually have their best games when the lights are the brightest. However, against the Green Bay Packers, there are a couple of players who the Bills are going to need big performances from if they hope to secure the victory.
These are the top x-factor for the Bills’ offense and defense in Week 8 against the Packers.
Buffalo Bills offensive x-factor: David Quessenberry
On the offensive side of the ball the x-factor this week has to be David Quessenberry, who will get his first start of the season. The veteran tackle was signed as a free agent but has primarily been a backup during the regular season behind Spencer Brown.
However, the Bills have already ruled out Brown for this game due to an ankle injury and Quessenberry will now get the start. He will have a tough challenge ahead of him as the Packers will almost certainly test him with Rashan Gary if he is active. The edge rusher already has six sacks on the season but is questionable for this game.
If Quessenberry can win this battle and give Josh Allen time in the pocket, the Bills offense should find success against this Packers’ defense.
Buffalo Bills defensive x-factor: Jordan Phillips
On the defensive side of the ball, the x-factor for the Buffalo Bills has to be Jordan Phillips. He returned to Buffalo this offseason after two down years with the Arizona Cardinals and appeared to pick right back up to what he was doing in 2019 with Buffalo when he had a career year.
He would have 1.5 sacks in his first game of the season but a hamstring injury in Week 2 would cost him a few games. Phillips returned in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and while he may not have had the stats in those games, he was making an impact by pressuring the quarterback and getting into the backfield.
This week, Phillips has a good chance to get back into the sack total as the Packers’ struggled to block defensive tackles two weeks ago against the New York Jets and gave up three sacks. This should be a big game for the veteran defensive tackle and he will have an impact in Week 8.
