Gus Bradley vs. Josh Allen
Bradley’s defense has definitely been a pleasant surprise over the last few weeks, even if the offense is completely collapsing. My only reason for skepticisim about this turnaround is that his schemes usually work well against below-average quarterbacks, and roll over on their backs against the good ones, and Josh Allen is a really good one, with good running backs, and dangerous receivers. This will be perhaps the toughest test this defense will face all season, so I am eager to see whether the turnaround was legit or just a mirage.
Joe Flacco vs. Bills’ secondary
What a terrible outing for Flacco against the Vikings’ defense. The entire offense seemed to be having an off day, but when the team benches the quarterback of the future in your favour then the expectations are understandably higher. Flacco needs to be much better than he was against the Vikes, and it does not get any easier for him as he goes up against a solid Bills’ secondary.
Grover Stewart vs. Connor McGovern
Grover had himself a career game against the Vikings, and has really benefitted from having a player commanding so much attention on the inside in DeForest Buckner. He finished the game in Minnesota with two quarterback sacks and was all over the field. Bills’ center Connor McGovern has not been playing well this season, and pressuring Josh Allen from the inside will be vital if the Colts’ defense wants to contain their passing game. Also, not allowing close to 6 yards per carry on first down would help a lot.
Braden Smith vs. Greg Rousseau
Rousseau has been one of the NFL’s most productive pass-rushers this season, racking up 39 total pressures and five sacks thus far, while Smith has not been as solid this season, and has struggled even more in the abscence of right guard Will Fries. With Flacco not having nearly the same amount of escapability that AR does, keeping the edges contained will be really important for the passing game’s success.
Tannor Bortolini vs. Ed Oliver
Bortolini has been having himself an amazing rookie season stepping in several times in place of the injured Ryan Kelly, and he will have at least four weeks as the starting center after the veteran was placed on IR. He will have to deal with a pesky and physical Bills’ interior defensive line, spearheaded by veteran Ed Oliver, that already has 17 pressures this year.
