The Denver Broncos showcased why they’re the class of AFC West with their 29-16 dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills kept their postseason hopes alive with a convincing win over the Cleveland Browns earlier in the day. The two meet in another crucial AFC showdown with playoff implications. Will the Bills’ top-ranked pass defense be enough to slow down the Broncos? Or will a trip to Mile High be too much for Buffalo?
For more on AFC’s interdivisional matchups, check out our preview for the Patriots vs. Chargers and Colts vs. Browns games.
[sc:Football ]Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos Preview
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
When: Sunday, December 7, 4:05 PM ET
Line: Buffalo Bills (+10.5) at Denver Broncos (-10.5); total: 48.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo’s defense and special teams had a big day as they chased Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer off the field and fended off a late Johnny Manziel surge to escape with a 26-10 win over Cleveland on Sunday. Safety Da’Norris Searcy had two interceptions, one of which set up a 34-yard field goal. Meanwhile, kicker Dan Carpenter converted four field goal attempts in the fourth quarter to help power the Bills to a win.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Searcy leads a tight Buffalo pass defense which could limit Denver’s vaunted passing offense. The Bills have allowed 216.1 passing yards per game this season, fifth-best in the league. Buffalo also has a devastating blitz at its disposal led by defensive linemen Mario Williams (12 sacks) and Marcell Dareus (10 sacks) that could force Denver quarterback Peyton Manning into some hurried passes.
On the other side of the ball, Bills quarterback Kyle Orton may have some success against a Denver pass defense which has allowed 24 passing touchdowns (the fourth-most in the league), despite limiting opponents to an average of 229.7 passing yards per game.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who leads the team with a team-high of 684 yards receiving and five touchdowns, will be Orton’s main weapon. However, Watkins has struggled in the past four games, catching only 13 passes of 31 passes for 105 yards. If Watkins continues to struggle, expect fellow receiver Robert Woods to pick up the slack. Woods has caught 13 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown in the past two games, both Buffalo wins.
The total has gone under in Buffalo’s last four games.
Betting on the Denver Broncos
Despite throwing for a season-low 50 percent completion rate, Manning finished with 179 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Broncos to a 29-16 win over the Chiefs Sunday night. The win kept the Broncos atop the AFC West standings.
Running back C.J. Anderson has proven difficult to stop after adding 168 rushing yards and a 15-yard scoring catch for the Broncos, while wide receiver Demaryius Thomas finished with 63 yards receiving and a score.
Much like how they were limited at Kansas City, Manning and his receiving corps may not rack up the yards and light up the scoreboard as they go up against a Bills pass defense which is one of the best in the league. However, the Broncos are different animals at home as Manning has thrown for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three home games.
Anderson may also be limited on the ground against Buffalo’s tough front seven. The Bills are ranked seventh in stopping the run, allowing 96.3 rushing yards per game. With one less thing to worry about, the Bills may focus most of their efforts on pressuring Manning.
On the other side of the ball, coverage from safeties Rahim Moore and T.J. Ward as well as cornerbacks Chris Harris and Bradley Roby should have Buffalo’s Orton holding on to the ball waiting for an open passing lane. However, the Broncos may still miss Aqib Talib after the starting cornerback sat out Sunday night due to a left hamstring injury.
With Orton taking time to find an open man, the Broncos’ pass rush unit led by linebacker Von Miller (11.5 sacks) and defensive end DeMarcus Ware (10 sacks) should have enough time to get their hands on the Buffalo quarterback, who has been sacked 22 times in eight games this season.
The Broncos are on a seven-game home win streak.
Writer’s Prediction
The Broncos (-10.5) win by a blowout at home. Create a betting account now and get yourself deep into all the exciting NFL action.
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