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Archive for the ‘Coutdown to Kickoff’

Countdown to Kickoff: Bills D vs. Radiers Running Game

September 18, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: AFC East, AFC West, Aaron Schobel, Buffalo Bills, Coutdown to Kickoff, Darren McFadden, Kawika Mitchell, Keith Ellison, Marcus Stroud, Michael Bush, NFL, Oakland, Paul Posluszny, Raiders No Comments →

Hello and welcome back to the site Bills fans. Only a little more than 3 days left before the Oakland Raiders take on the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson stadium. I know you guys out there are just as excited about the game that I am so let’s get into one of the big match ups that will decide the winner of the game, the Bills rush defense against the Radiers Running game. BUFFALO BILLS The Bills rush defense has looked much improved so far this season, especially compared with last season where they were in the bottom half of the league. This is not the same team that it was last year though. Newcomers Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell have made sure to that. Second year linebacker, Paul Poz, who missed all but the first 3 games due to injury has also stepped right back in where he left off. Stroud has been a force in the first 2 weeks so far. He is deffienty the player that the Bills thought they were trading for in the offseason and even more. He is so big and powerful. He just pushes the offensive line the other way. He also draws double teams that open up the field for everyone on the defense to make plays. It let’s the linebackers roam free and it also takes some of the focus off of the Bills defensive ends. Stroud has had 7 tackles this year to go along with 2 sacks. Pro Bowl DE Aaron Schobel has 6 tackles with 1 sack, while linebackers Paul Poz has 12 tackles, Mitchell has 7 and 1 sack, and former backup now starter Keith Ellison has 4 tackles. Just one person can make the world of difference. The Bills rush defense has been rock solid so far. They have only let up 91.5 yards a game on the ground while holding one of the top runningback duos in the league last game to under 70 yards. If the Bills want to win this game, that will have to continue. OAKLAND RAIDERS The Bills caught a little bit of a break with top Raiders runningback Justin Fargas not being able to play this week due to a servere groin injury. That is going to put the workload on top rookie Darren McFadden and 2nd year man Michael Bush. The Raiders rushed for 300 yards last week against the Kansas City Cheifs and 164 of those yards came from McFadden. They don’t need 300 yards, but they need to keep control of the ball and take time off the clock. If the running game doesn’t get going the Raiders will lose this game. I guarnteed it. WINNER of this Match Up I got to go with the Bills on this one. Their front 7 has looked so good and they have a very capable saftey in Donte Whitner to come up and make the stop if needed. All the Bills really need to do is focus on the run. If they can stop the Raiders backs, they will win this game. Oakland certainly can’t pass the ball to try to stay in it.