Arizona Cardinals Get Ready to Face Buffalo Bills
By Scott Allen
Oct 7, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Bills 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
The Buffalo Bills have been in Phoenix all week. They’ve had a chance to acclimate to the weather. Too bad they will be playing indoors today against the 4-1 Arizona Cardinals. All this trip does is save them travel time. In my opinion, it will not have done much to help a team that has given up 90 points and 1200 yards in the last two weeks. The Card have been off 10 days since their loss to the St. Louis Rams. They should be ready.
The Cards haven’t exactly been lightly up the scoreboard, so the Bills might have a shot at keeping a team under 45 points. In fact, I will go out on a limb and say the Cards will not score 45 today, not even close. If they are on their game on both ends like they were three weeks ago against the Philadelphia Eagles, then I can see this team scoring 30, at best.
With Cards running back Ryan Williams out for the season, the bulk of the carries will be given to LaRod Stephens-Howling today. He is not an every down back, so it should be interesting to see how the Cards mix their offense.
As for the Bills, they are led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has 12 touchdown passes already, however he has eight interceptions to go along with them as well. The local Phoenix-area product has been ok at times and looked miserable at times, but much of what he has to do on offense is predicated by the defense.
The defense has to be the most worrisome part of the Bills team right now. They’ve given up 125 first downs. They’ve given up 1,388 passing yards and 859 rushing yards. They’ve allowed 23 touchdowns. In comparison, the Cards have allowed eight touchdowns. Not even in the same league.
Of course the Cards have been known to play down to their opponents level, so I don’t expect this to be the cake walk the San Francisco 49’ers had last week in a 45-3 beatdown. I will go with a little closer contest. I will take the Cardinals over the Bills 27-17.