Buffalo Bills vs the Philadelphia Eagles: What to watch for

Today the 3-1 Buffalo Bills will host the 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles in the, “isn’t this supposed to be the other way?” game of the day. The Eagles have struggled along their offensive and defensive lines while the Bills have beat up on the hapless A.F.C. West (the Chiefs and Raiders, though I actually think the Raiders are pretty good) and turned four picks on Tom Brady into an upset of the New England Patriots. The Eagles will be coming into this game looking to save their season, if the Eagles start their season 1-4 with 5 division games left and games vs New England, Chicago, and the Jets, the Eagles could find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoff picture. The Bills need this game to show the world that they were no flash in the pan the first three weeks of the season.

As always we’ll focus on the critical matchups that involve the young guys.But when you talk about the Eagles you realize there aren’t a ton of young guys (rookies and second year players) getting a lot of snaps, as this is becoming a veteran win now team.

Eagles injuries: Out: Trent Cole, Jason Peters

Bills injuries: Out: Chris Kelsay, Aaron Williams, Demetrius Bell, Torrel Troup, Chris White

Marcell Dareus vs Todd Herrmans and Kyle Williams vs Jason Kelce

Each team will have a rookie that has a tough battle ahead of him tomorrow. No one denies Marcell Dareus’s talents, even though he hasn’t put up the huge numbers this year (11 tackles and 1 sack). He has shown that he is an absolute load to move. The Bills don’t have a great pass rush (one could even say abysmal-4 sacks in 4 games), so they will need Dareus to be in the backfield a lot to help control (or at least slow down) LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick.

On the other hand the Eagles will start Jason Kelce who has been impressive at center, but he will be going up against last year’s Bills sensation Kyle Williams. Williams had an All-pro type of year last year and has been pretty good this year as well. This will be the best player Kelce has faced this season, will he able to handle the excellent Williams, or will Williams create havoc in Vick’s face?

Jamar Chaney and Casey Matthews vs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller

To say that Chaney and Matthews have struggled this year would be an injustice to the plight of Eagles fans everywhere. Matthews and Chaney have been bad to really bad at times this year. Today, they will face the most underrated running back in the league in Fred Jackson. Jackson has managed to have 1,000 yard seasons in Buffalo who perennially have the worst offensive line in the league. This year Jackson is off to a fast start 369 yards rushing and another 147 yards receiving. Jackson is a patient runner who will destroy the Eagles if they over pursue. Can Chaney and Matthews step up and have their best game of the season?

David Nelson/Donald Jones/Naaman Roosevelt vs Eagles secondary

It’s crazy to think that the bills are one of the best offenses in the league this year when their veteran WR is now the 4th year Stevie Johnson. Roosevelt, Nelson, and Jones are all in their second year and have flashed really good things. This week they go up against a very talented secondary that will show them a lot of looks. Will Asante Samuel be able to bait Fitzpatrick into a bad throw?

C.J. Spiller vs Barely Touching the Ball

People who drafted C.J. Spiller are already abandoning ship on the talented second year player. Spiller has looked good this year when he’s carried the ball (averaging 7.4 yards per carry) but the team has been feeding Fred Jackson instead. The Eagles are 30th in the league vs the run will Spiller finally have his breakout game?

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