The Buffalo Bills’ Week 2 home opener against Kansas City is a game most fans had circled as a win before the season.
How quickly things change.
It’s only one week into the season and the Bills have the same record as teams like the Giants, Saints and Packers right now, but there’s not a lot from last week to build on. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw passes like his ribs were still broken, Mario Williams blitzed like he had all $100 million of his salary in quarters strapped on his back and two offensive starters were lost to injury.
Chan Gailey and the Bills have plenty of time to right the ship on the 2012 season, but nothing they did last week would indicate they can win Sunday by at least a field goal. I could see the Bills pulling out a close one, but until I see further evidence, I’m taking the points.
Statistical odds and ends:
–This Bills are accomplishing the rare right now of leading the NFL in both rushing yards per game and points allowed. That’s including the early game this week.
–Yes, the Bills beat the Chiefs last year 41-7. That’s means … very little. If calling up past success was that easy, the Bills would be 1-0 after Fitzpatrick led the attack over the Jets last week.
–Storyline to watch in this game is Eric Berry on Stevie Johnson. Johnson ended Berry’s season last year on a run block. I’m willing to bet Berry hasn’t forgotten about that.
Kansas City (+3) at Bills — Chiefs
Tampa Bay (+7) at Giants — Giants
Arizona (+13½) at New England — Pats
Minnesota at Indianapolis (+1½) — Vikings (Andrew Luck’s third down passer rating was 0.0 last week!)
New Orleans at Carolina (+2½) — Saints
Baltimore (+2½) at Philadelphia — Ravens
Oakland at Miami (+2½) — Raiders
Cleveland (+7) at Cincinnati — Bengals
Houston at Jacksonville (+7) — Texans
Dallas at Seattle (+3) — Cowboys*
Washington at St. Louis (+3) — Rams
Jets (+5) at Pittsburgh — Jets
Tennessee (+6) at San Diego — Titans
Detroit (+6½) at San Francisco — 49ers
Denver (+3) at Atlanta — Broncos
Largest line of the season: Arizona +13.5 at New England (Week 2)
Last week: Gaughan 3-12, Skurski 7-8, Graham 6-9, Sullivan 6-9, DiCesare 8-7, Northrop 6-9, IAGS 4-11. Rough starts all around. We learn. We adjust.
Overall:
DiCesare 8-7
Skurski 7-8
Northrop, Graham, Sullivan 6-9
IAGS 4-11
Gaughan 3-12
Best Bets:
Gaughan, Skurski, Sullivan, DiCesare, IAGS: 1-0
Graham, Northrop 0-1
Last week:
Bills +2.5 at New Jersey Jets — Bills.
Jets 48-28. Loss
Indianapolis +9.5 at Chicago — Colts
Bears 41-21. Loss
Philadelphia at Cleveland +8.5 — Eagles
Eagles 17-16. Loss
Washington +7 at New Orleans — Redskins
Redskins 40-32. Win
New England +5.5 at Tennessee — Patriots*
Pats 34-13. Win
Jacksonville +4 at Minnesota — Vikings
Vikings 26-23. Loss
Miami +12 at Houston — Dolphins
Texans 30-10. Loss
St. Louis +7 at Detroit — Lions
Lions 27-23. Loss
Atlanta at Kansas City +3 — Chiefs
Falcons 40-24. Loss
San Francisco +5 at Green Bay — 49ers
49ers 30-22. Win
Carolina at Tampa Bay +2.5 — Panthers
Bucs 16-10. Loss
Seattle at Arizona +2.5 — Seahawks
Cardinals 20-16. Loss
Pittsburgh +1.5 at Denver — Broncos
Broncos 31-19. Win
Cincinnati +6 at Baltimore — Bengals
Ravens 44-13. Loss
San Diego +1 at Oakland — Raiders
Chargers 22-14. Loss
4-11, 1-0
*Best bet