Buffalo Bills vs. Washington: first-half open thread

The Buffalo Bills host an NFC East team for the second consecutive week, as the Bills (5-2) look to defeat Washington (1-7) in the last of three straight home games. Buffalo has split its previous two match-ups against the NFC East this season, thumping the New York Giants on the road in Week 2 before taking a beating at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

Josh Allen looks to rebound after last week’s ugly performance in some horrendous weather. While the wind today is forecast to be high, gusting up to 25 miles per hour, it’s nothing like last weekend, which saw 50-mile-per-hour gusts and a persistent rain. Allen faces off against rookie Dwayne Haskins, who will make his first career NFL start. He takes the place of veteran Case Keenum, who suffered a concussion last week.

With Haskins starting his first game in a hostile environment, a heavy dose of running back Adrian Peterson is sure to follow. Since Bill Callahan took over for Jay Gruden in Week 6, Washington has run more plays out of “12” personnel (36) in three games than it did in five (35) under Gruden. Peterson has enjoyed a renaissance, as well, averaging 19 carries and 92 yards per game since Callahan became interim head coach.

Perhaps Washington will look to give Haskins some safe, easy throws on the team’s first drive—some “either/or” reads, if you will—to make him comfortable in his first start. He’ll need to hit on some completions early and avoid turning the ball over, as he has already thrown four interceptions in only 22 professional pass attempts.

Your first-half thread is here, ladies and gentlemen. Go Bills!