Buffalo @ Denver - 8/20

by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 18, 2011 9:19 AM EDT

As you are all aware, our beloved Buffalo Bills are playing the Denver Broncos in their second preseason game this Saturday. This matchup in Denver will present the Bills with different challenges than they faced in Chicago and should be another great barometer of the teams prospects for 2011. Some of the match-ups I'm most eager to see are listed after the jump.

Bills running game vs. Broncos run defense

The Broncos struggled almost as much as the Bills did last season when it came to defending the run. With John Fox changing the defense back to a base 4-3, the Broncos went into (and came out of) the draft with a huge need at DT. They addressed this by adding Ty Warren (Patriots) and Broderick Bunkley (Eagles) in Free Agency. Only one of those additions will be playing on Saturday as Warren might be out for the season with a torn triceps (incumbent DT Marcus Thomas is probably out for the remainder of the preseason with a pectoral injury as well).

The way I see it: If the Bills can't establish a solid running game against the Broncos defense, it won't bode well for their prospects of doing so against anyone else.

Stevie Johnson vs. Champ Bailey

I know that Bailey might be getting up in years as an NFL DB but in my humble opinion, he is still an elite corner. I'm eager to see what Stevie (and by extension Fitz) can do when matched up Mano y Mano with a player like Bailey.

The way I see it: With a good performance, Stevie can alleviate a lot of the fears that the FO made a big mistake by trading Lee Evans.

Shawn Merriman vs. Ryan Clady

Clady was a Pro-Bowl LT before injuring his knee last offseason. Many people in Denver believe that he was rushed back last year and never fully healed. Well, the consensus now is that he is back and will return to Pro Bowl form this year. Merriman's performance against the Bears last week makes this the matchup that I am most excited about.

The way I see it: You think people went crazy after Merriman dominated Webb and the rest of the left side of Chicago's offensive line, just imagine what people would say if he notched a sack or more against an elite tackle like Clady.

Broncos running game vs. Bills run defense

John Fox offenses pound the rock. In their opening drive last week, Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee (ugh) combined for 40 yds on 6 carries against the Cowboys. That's a 6.5 yd/carry average - sound familiar?

The way I see it: The Bills are only going to prove they can stop the run by actually doing it. The Broncos are going to give them the opportunity to do so on Saturday.

Other Things to Watch For:

Safety and Corner blitzes from the Donkeys, err... Broncos.

Brandon Lloyd - He's pretty damn good

Chris Kelsay - He should OWN rookie RT Orlando Franklin... right?

Tim Tebow - You can't talk about the Broncos and not mention him can you?

What are you all looking for?

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

I wonder how many snaps

the lead singer of “Mumford & Sons” will take against us.

by NordicBillsfan on Aug 18, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

I'm looking for minimal injuries

The are showing promise on the defensive side of the ball, so lets hope they stay around to play games that count.

The offense needs to show they can move the ball and actually score this week. I know the game is meaningless, but if they see what scoring a TD feels like, they may get even hungrier for it come regular games.

"Does this look as bad as it looks?" -Archer

by JTM1023 on Aug 18, 2011 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

in addition to yours, which are very good, i want to see

1. one deep threat to emerge between jones, easley or davis.

2. the offensive line give fitz a bit more time and fitz throw deeper than 5 yards and complete…

3. also our tackles vs elvis dumervil and von miller… but they did good against peppers so this is not the most important thing i am looking for…

by statcruncher on Aug 18, 2011 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

from what i have seen i dont think any of them are deep threats

and number 3 is a biggie how does pears hold up against miller

Calling anybody a "career Redskin" when Dan Snyder is the owner is laughable. That dude make moves like he's some kid trading football cards. -greenwood1921

by Gpluehri on Aug 18, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t Miller their ROLB? I don’t know their roster but my impression is that is where he would line up.

by AP22 on Aug 18, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

yes but at times he will line up with his hand in the dirt and rush the passer

Calling anybody a "career Redskin" when Dan Snyder is the owner is laughable. That dude make moves like he's some kid trading football cards. -greenwood1921

by Gpluehri on Aug 18, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

LOLB

Calling anybody a "career Redskin" when Dan Snyder is the owner is laughable. That dude make moves like he's some kid trading football cards. -greenwood1921

by Gpluehri on Aug 18, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's remember that last year we were pretty poor in quite a few areas.

So let the list look something like this:

1.) Stellar run defense
2.) Stellar pass coverage on Tight ends and RB’s out of the flat.
3.) Stellar pass rush, Orton can pick us apart if he has time.
4.) Improved run game by offense.
5.) Minimal penalties
6.) solid special team coverage/stops.
7) Oh luck 7, Let’s see some TOUCHDOWNS. Offensive.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 18, 2011 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

I love our D

But——The offensive line is a joke. Not enough attention was given to our current players, draft eligible players or FA. It appears OBD is more concerned about size on the OL than talent.

by Winnie33 on Aug 18, 2011 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

I'll be there

and focused on our D-line for the most part. The Donkey’s O-line should be more of a test for our D than Chicago’s.

Not sure I want to watch OUR O-line tho! :)

by dgrid on Aug 18, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

what im now looking forward to is the “lets trade for tebow” thread that is sure to come up afterward if he makes so much as 1 play in the game

by boomsauce on Aug 18, 2011 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Lets Trade for Tebow!

Sorry, boomsauce – couldn’t resist!

dnvrbillsfan – nice post. We need you to bring your smartphone to the game and text into the open thread for that night. Can you do that? I think that would be great!

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 18, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

I’d like to man but I’ll be watching on TV just like the good folks in Buffalo…

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 18, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I probably can

That is if I’m close enough to see anything. Damn Bronco tickets are expensive even for pre-season!

by buffaloparks on Aug 19, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I know man, I was hoping to get visitors sideline but they’re going for $100 per ticket… I’m saving my money for Sunday Ticket.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 19, 2011 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

$100 per ticket

For a preseason game? Are they nuts?

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 19, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

check stubhub

I got my 38th row tix for around $50 each. higher sectiosn are real cheap

by dgrid on Aug 19, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think I would ever pay more than $10 for a preseason game — I like your moxy but still can’t believe that pricing.

by crooked5 on Aug 20, 2011 5:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Well it’s my only chance this yr to see the bills, preseason or not

by dgrid on Aug 20, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen to that!

Wound up getting 7th Row, 38 yard line behind the Bronco bench for $50 each.

by buffaloparks on Aug 21, 2011 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice Post....

Great observations.

Run and stop the run for me……score touchdowns and win!

gobills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Aug 18, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Dude that is awesome. The Bills just changed their page that leads to the main page. They definitely have been paying attention to what the fans are saying and are using it in their marketing plan.

by AP22 on Aug 18, 2011 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

a group sack dance? Williams need to get into that too

by dgrid on Aug 18, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Good write up. I agree. This game should tell us a lot more about this team. I can’t wait until Saturday.

by AP22 on Aug 18, 2011 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

"mano a mano"

mano-y-mano means hand-and-hand. Sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine because everyone says it. ;)

by Parijp on Aug 18, 2011 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

Now that I have thought about it, I am not too sure that Merriman will be playing Saturday. He has been held out the last two days with, I presume, tightness in his right leg. Now if we also take into account Gailey’s assertion throughout training camp that they want him for September 11th……I don’t think that he plays on Saturday.

by AP22 on Aug 18, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

I think it would be a good idea to keep Merriman out. Lets see who else we’ve got.

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 18, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I am extremely disappointed right now. Hopefully the stories aren’t correct or he has a good reason for it. And please don’t go rubbing it in now.

by AP22 on Aug 18, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Chan already said that he and Roscoe will not be playing.

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 18, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I wasn’t referring to Merriman playing in the post that you responded to. I was talking about the steroids rumor. I said at about 3:30 that I didn’t think Merriman would play and Gailey confirmed that later.

by AP22 on Aug 18, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Very disappointing if it’s true…

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 18, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Marcel

I’m going to watching big #99 a lot. I’m sure I’ll be able to see him no matter where I’m sitting! Also the Bills OL, especially the Tackles. Denver has Miller and Dumerville, so it’ll be good to see if those guys can be contained.

by buffaloparks on Aug 19, 2011 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

Is this game going to be on TV? my preseason live says it’s blacked out… again

Harooo

by Robot Nixon on Aug 20, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

It’s on local (Denver and Buffalo) and if you purchased the NFL Preseason package it should be available there too.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 20, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

humm

Thanks for the info… i am 45 min south of Rochester and game was blacked out via preseason live last week and says it is again. customer service here i come.

Harooo

by Robot Nixon on Aug 20, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Apparently due to the fact that I am in the local broadcasting area it’s blacked out for me. Forget the fact that I paid for the service because I dont have a TV capable if receiving a digital signal. On top of that they “don’t have a record” of the email I sent last week requesting a refund. Awesome simply awesome.

Harooo

by Robot Nixon on Aug 20, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions