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Week 3 - Washington Commanders (2-0) vs. Buffalo Bills (1-1)
Nuts & Bolts
Date: September 24, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
How to Watch: CBS
Matchup History: Buffalo leads all-time series 10-5
Last Meeting: Buffalo def. Washington 24-9 on 10/3/19
Betting Lines: Via DraftKings
Spread: Washington +6.5
Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Washington 26, Buffalo 24
Official Game Notes: HERE
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Head Coach: Ron Rivera (4th season, 24-27-1 record in Washington)
Record: 2-0 (0-0, T-2nd in NFC East)
Last Time Out: Def. Denver 35-33 on 9/17
Highlights HERE
Player to Watch: Brian Robinson
For the first time since 2011, the Washington Commanders are 2-0. Following a gutty Week 1 win over Arizona, Washington traveled to Denver and overcame an 18-point first half deficit to defeat the Broncos 35-33.
On Sunday, the team faces its greatest test yet: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Through two weeks, the Washington defense is tied for 1st in sacks with 10 on the year. Defensive End Montez Sweat is tied for 3rd in the league in sacks with 3 through two games.
Bills Quarterback Josh Allen has taken the 9th most sacks of anyone in the league.
The Washington offense, however, has been just middle of the pack in terms of total yards and turnover margin (+1) and faces a Buffalo group that is by far the best defense they’ve seen to this point.
Quarterback Sam Howell will need to take care of the ball and get rid of it quickly. It’s been a quiet first two weeks for second-year receiver Jahan Dotson, who has just 8 catches for 62 yards through two games. I expect him to break out on Sunday for the first time in 2023 along with another steady performance from RB Brian Robinson, who racked up 129 yards on 20 total touches and 2 rushing touchdowns in the win over Denver.
Head Coach: Sean McDermott (7th season, 63-36 record in Buffalo)
Record: 1-1 (0-1, T-3rd AFC East)
Last Time Out: Def. Las Vegas 38-10 on 9/17
Highlights HERE
Player to Watch: Josh Allen
Following a brutal Week 1 loss on Monday Night Football against the Jets, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills bounced back in a big way in Week 2, dominating Las Vegas 38-10 thanks to 3 touchdown passes from the Bills QB.
In the Week 1 loss, Allen turned the ball over 4 times and was effectively the reason Buffalo fell to a depleted Jets team which lost QB Aaron Rodgers in the opening minutes.
Against Las Vegas, Allen did not turn the ball over while leading five touchdown drives while completing passes to nine different receivers.
This week, Allen will be charged to get the ball out quickly against a dominant Washington front. He’s done that well this year, leading the NFL in completion percentage through the first two weeks. The Bills have thrived on big plays in the past, but have just 3 passing plays of 20+ yards so far this season, the 4th lowest mark in the league.
Where Buffalo has thrived in the first two weeks is the rushing attack. Through two weeks, the Bills are tied for 4th in yards per carry (4.9) and 7th in total rushing yards (280) with fewer attempts than the six teams ranked above them.
The three-headed rushing attack of James Cook, Damien Harris, and Latavius Murray has proved to be tough to stop, but they have not faced a front like Washington’s yet this season.
This is truly a game that will be won in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Whichever team controls the line of scrimmage throughout will have the advantage on Sunday.
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