Latest / Alex Brasky: Unfiltered / Bills vs. Lions Preview and Prediction: First game at Highmark Stadium

Transcript

Bills vs. Lions Preview and Prediction: First game at Highmark Stadium · Alex Brasky: Unfiltered

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: From the heart of Bill's mafia, this is Alex Grassy Unfiltered, Buffalo's most polarizing football show.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: No hot takes for flicks, no sugar coating, just bold opinions, insider perspective, and unfiltered Bill's talk.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Let's go.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: Hello, everybody, and welcome back by Popular Demand.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: This is Alex Brasky Unfiltered, your first stop for raw, honest takes on the Buffalo Bills and more.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Please like, share, rate, and subscribe to the podcast, and also leave a comment on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: All right, a quick preview here this afternoon as I get ready to make the trek to Orchard Park for the home opener, the first game inside the new High Mark Stadium.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of pomp and circumstance surrounding tonight's matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: And before we get to the game breakdown, I just want to give my thoughts on how far this franchise has come in such a short amount of time leading into this glorious night that Buffalo football fans everywhere will enjoy for sure on Thursday.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills playoff drought ended in 2017, and nine years later, already we have a new stadium being built in Orchard Park.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: And the biggest takeaway I have from the new stadium being built is this keeps the team in Buffalo for the extended future.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: There's no more question about it.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: While Josh Allen's presence on the team leads you to believe that this team is sticking around, the fact that they put up billions of dollars to build this new stadium in Buffalo.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: None of us Bills fans, with friends who were fans of other teams, have to listen to jokes about the Bills moving to Canada, the Bills moving down south, the Bills moving anywhere but Buffalo.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: No more.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills are here to stay.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: We all dealt with those jokes growing up.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: It seemed like I had more friends who were not Bills fans than Bills fans, total geeks, by the way.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: But what a time to be a Buffalo sports fan.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: It really can't get any better.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: Sabres training camp starting today after a year where they win the division and head to the playoffs for the first time in quite some time.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: And now the Bills opening this new stadium, a celebration for Buffalo sports fans for sure.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: And hey, this one's for Bon Jovi.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Weather report for tonight's game between the Bills and Lions.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: A perfect night for football inside the stadium.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Temperatures mid to lower 60s, some light wind, less than 10% chance of precipitation at kickoff.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: There might be some rain at tailgating time.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: So you might have to dodge a few showers or some mist leading up to kickoff and when the gates open.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: But come kickoff time, the football gods will be smiling down on the Bills and Lions and all the fans inside the Bills' new stadium.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: They have had two preseason games and two open practices inside that stadium, but there's going to be a few more bells and whistles added for the regular season, I'm sure.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: One of which are the new red end zones, which have been freshly painted this week.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: And that was via a fan vote, as COO Pete Gwele put it out to the fans.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: What color would they want the end zones?
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: And for years, Bills fans have been claiming for the red.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: So far and away, that won the poll.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: And now for the home opener, the Bills will play with those red end zones painted at high mark stadium.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: As far as an injury update for tonight's game on the Bills side, Cole Bishop is questionable with knee slash groin injuries.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: He missed a brief amount of time during the Texans game, but he did return and finish the game, battled through whatever he was dealing with, but he was limited on Tuesday, limited on Wednesday, both walkthroughs for the Bills.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: And due to it being a short week and another tough matchup coming up next week at the Los Angeles Chargers, despite how they looked in week one, I still think that's going to be a tough matchup.
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: I think Bishop is going to sit in this game.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I wouldn't put it past him to play.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: If this were Sean McDermott's team still, I would almost put it at a 100% certainty that Bishop would not play in this game.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_00: But Brady has dealt with injuries a little bit differently.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: And maybe whereas with McDermott, he needed to see you on the practice field before you got out there for the game.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: That might not be the case with Brady.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: I think we'll find out a little bit more about that today.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: It's only week two.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: You want to keep Bishop healthy throughout the long haul.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: He's such a critical piece to this defense.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: You cannot afford to lose him for weeks at a time, especially with some key conference games coming up on the schedule, namely that game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and then followed by a matchup with the divisional rival New England Patriots in week four.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: So you might have to, I'm not saying if you don't have Bishop, you automatically lose, but for the lack of a better phrase, you might have to lose the battle to win the war with Bishop in order to keep him healthy for that long haul.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: But like I said, we'll see what Joe Brady and the Bills strength and conditioning staff decide to do tonight, Thursday night, as the Bills take on the Lions.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: If Bishop cannot play, much to the chagrin of Bills fans everywhere, it will likely be Damar Hamlin getting the call in the Bills starting lineup.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Hamlin won a roster spot over free agent edition Geno Stone this offseason.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: And I thought he earned the spot.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: He played better than Stone during training camp.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: He came away with an interception during the preseason.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: So Hamlin deserved the roster spot, but it's kind of an indictment on what this Bill's safety group has looked like for the past several years that he is third in line for playing time in the pecking order.
• 5:47
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm not saying Hamlin is a horrible player, but lacks the athleticism needed to really give top-tier play in the secondary.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm not so sure Bills fans will want to see him out there.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: And I think the Bills will also do whatever they can to avoid putting Hamlin out there for a full game against this vaunted Detroit Lions offense that scored 31 points, albeit in overtime against the Saints last week.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: Elsewhere on the Bills injury report, running back Ty Johnson, questionable with a hamstring injury.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: Johnson's been out, although he did return to practice last week.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_00: He's been out since August 8th, missed last week's game.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: He was big in the last matchup with the Lions in 2024.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: Five receptions, 114 yards.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: He led all Bills receivers in that game.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: He's also a key member of the Bills Path Protection Unit, which did a phenomenal job against the Houston Texans without him last week.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_00: Frank Gore Jr.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: got the elevation from the practice squad, got a few carries, not many snaps in Johnson's stead.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: But if he can't go again, it will be Frank Gore Jr.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: getting the call once again, and we'll see if that has any impact if Johnson is unable to suit up.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: But I think with the Bills holding him out last week, I think he's got a much better chance to play than I gave him against the Houston Texans.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: So I would probably put it at 60-40.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_00: He does play in this game as he was limited throughout the practice week.
• 7:15
  SPEAKER_00: But then again, we'll see once those inactives are announced about an hour and a half before kickoff.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_00: TJ Sanders defensive tackle last year's second round pick, a knee slash illness.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: He is also questionable.
• 7:28
  SPEAKER_00: Missed last week's game, a knee injury dating back to last season.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: As a result of his absence last week, Landon Jackson saw an uptick in snaps as a result.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_00: Well, we don't know if it was an uptick because obviously it was the first game of the season, but I imagine 30 percent 37% of the snaps for Jackson was probably a little bit more than he would have played if Sanders would have been active for that game.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: Jackson only managed one tackle, didn't really make a difference from my vantage point in that game.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't really love what the Bills have in terms of depth on their defensive line.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_00: Not to say Sanders is the saving grace, but behind starters at Oliver and Deion Walker, there really isn't much to speak of.
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_00: You have Dwayne Carter and Greg Gaines who got the call in backup duty to Deion Walker at the center at nose tackle, and neither of them made much of an impact last week.
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_00: And Jackson and Sanders are just two disappointing draft picks.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Sanders has not been able to stay on the field consistently.
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_00: Jackson didn't even get a game day jersey consistently last year due to performance.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_00: And he also ended last year injured.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: But there was a lot of optimism surrounding Jackson's offseason, his transition inside to the four eye and what he was going to do at a different position.
• 8:45
  SPEAKER_00: But it's it's a lot different doing it in the regular season than doing it in training camp in the preseason.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_00: I think we saw that in week one.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_00: Jackson has a long way to go.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: Sanders, we'll see if he plays in this game, but another slow start to year two for both of those players.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_00: It's a good thing that Deion Walker has been so phenomenal for the Bills, or Bills fans would certainly be holding general manager, president of football operations, Brandon Bean's feet to the fire for those selections.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_00: Also, a few other injury notes for the Bills.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: DJ Moore, there was some worry about his status for this game.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_00: He left the practice field on Tuesday, returned after leaving briefly.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_00: He was not on the injury report, so it all seems to be okay with DJ Moore.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_00: All signs point to him playing in this game.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, no injury designation, not even on the report.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_00: So nothing to be concerned about there, uh, despite some initial worry during the week.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_00: And it happened a lot in Chicago for DJ Moore, where he would be banged up after a game and maybe miss some practice time, but didn't miss a whole lot of games in Chicago.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: I don't have the exact numbers here.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_00: Let's let's find them here.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_00: DJ Moore.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: But I know that he's been a durable player throughout his career and also has shown the ability to fight through some injuries throughout his career.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: In Chicago, played 17 games each of the past three seasons.
• 10:15
  SPEAKER_00: And he's played 17 games each of the past five seasons, dating it back to his time in Carolina.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: He's only missed five regular season games throughout his career.
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_00: And DJ Moore will be out there once again for the Buffalo Bills against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_00: And finally, Terrell Bernard, a calf injury.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: He was limited all week, a player who's dealt with many injuries over the past few years and has missed some key games for the Bills, but he'll be out there tonight against the Lions.
• 10:42
  SPEAKER_00: Led the team in tackles last week.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: He does not have an injury designation this week.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_00: And I thought Bernard played fairly well in that game against the Houston Texans.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, we'll have to see how he does against a more powerful offense this week in the Detroit Lions, one that I'm sure is going to throw a little bit more at the Bills linebackers, especially with the quality tight end Sam Laporta that Detroit carries on its roster.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_00: But good to see Bernard is healthy and finally Bradley Chubb dealing with a thumb injury, but he's not on the uh injury report with an injury designation.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: And Jordan Hancock was a full participant all week after dealing with a quad injury.
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_00: So that's it as far as injuries are concerned for the Bills.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: But as far as the Lions are concerned, you look at the Bills and how they've managed their injuries throughout this offseason in training camp, they've done a phenomenal job.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_00: There's been a lot of discussion about the transition to Joe Brady and the difference that that has made with the strength and conditioning staff, the alignment that Brandon Bean and Brady have speaking of so often since he was hired.
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: And I think there is belief that Sean McDermott maybe had too physical practice, too physical of practices, and didn't do enough to really err on the side of caution with certain players.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_00: But it seems as if Brady is doing so and it seems to have paid off, at least in the early going.
• 12:02
  SPEAKER_00: Whereas for the Lions, they're once again besieged by injuries under head coach Dan Campbell.
• 12:07
  SPEAKER_00: Already without starting center, Cade Mays.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: He was placed on IR before the season, his replacement.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_00: Juice Scruggs, say that five times fast, did a good job in week one.
• 12:19
  SPEAKER_00: One quarterback pressure allowed, one quarterback hit allowed.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: But the Lions are a little bit more banged up on the offensive line this week.
• 12:26
  SPEAKER_00: Two more starting offensive linemen have been declared out.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_00: Right tackle, Blake Miller with a knee injury, left guard, Christian Mahogany, what a last name, with a hip injury.
• 12:37
  SPEAKER_00: Miller might be the bigger loss between those two.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_00: His backup, Larry Borum, is not a player Lions fans are very excited about.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_00: While Mahogany's replacement, Ben Barch, performed well last week.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: Only one quarterback pressure allowed and 36 pass block reps.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: From what I gather from Detroit reporters, it might have been trending toward Barch suiting up to play this week or last week in the starting lineup, anyhow, over Mahogany.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_00: As I think there was somewhat of a competition for playing time between those two.
• 13:09
  SPEAKER_00: But the Lions aligned did a good job banged up last week.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_00: Just one sack allowed on Jared Goff.
• 13:14
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills had three against the Houston Texans.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: However, the Lions forced to move forward without two of their starters from a week ago.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_00: So we'll see how they fare this week against the Bills defensive line, which was one of, if not the only, bright spots for the Bills against the Houston Texans.
• 13:32
  SPEAKER_00: You had Greg Rousseau finish the game with a couple of strip sacks.
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_00: You had Bradley Chubb providing a little bit of pressure, helping Rousseau on the other side, and then Deion Walker, a sack, couples, a couple tackles for loss, I believe, six tackles for him.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: So a great day for Deion Walker, a great day for Greg Rousseau last week, and they could be in for another big performance this week.
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_00: I had my bold predictions released on my Substack page.
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_00: And one of my bold predictions is Deion Walker to finish with three sacks and a takeaway in this game.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it's very reasonable because this Lions offensive line is so banged up and really right for the picking in this game, as is the Detroit secondary, which is already without two starting safeties, Brian Branch and Kirby Joseph, both on the pup list, placed there before the season.
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_00: They will miss the first four games of the year, while cornerback DJ Reed is questionable to play with a foot injury.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills passing game really came alive against the Houston Texans and against two of the top cornerbacks in the NFL and Derek Stingley and Kareem Lassiter?
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_00: Let's see.
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_00: That's Lassiter's first name.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_00: Lassiter Texans.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_00: Kamari.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: That was close.
• 14:55
  SPEAKER_00: Kamari Lassiter.
• 14:56
  SPEAKER_00: So the Bills had no trouble against that strong defense in Houston.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_00: And with the Lions missing so many players in their secondary out due to injury, I think this is going to be another big game for the Bills passing attack.
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_00: And that leads us to our next section of the preview.
• 15:15
  SPEAKER_00: But before we move on, please take the time, pause for a second, head on over to YouTube, head on over to wherever you get your podcast on X if you're watching there.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_00: Please like, share, rate, and subscribe to the podcast.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_00: Also leave a comment wherever you're watching.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_00: Uh it would help spread the word and really make this show a little bit more interactive.
• 15:35
  SPEAKER_00: Only about the 10th episode of this season.
• 15:39
  SPEAKER_00: So really trying to build things here as we go throughout the year.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_00: But also follow along wherever you get your podcast, Apple, Spotify, and the like.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_00: So I'd really appreciate that.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_00: Like, share, rate, and subscribe.
• 15:52
  SPEAKER_00: But moving on to the next section of this brief preview, what happens when the Bills pass against the Lions tonight?
• 16:01
  SPEAKER_00: Well, Josh Allen had a great day against the Houston Texans, went 20 of 29, 334 yards passing, two touchdowns, two more rushing touchdowns, a 21-yarder that he ran through two defenders to break across the goal line.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_00: And my key takeaway from Josh Allen's performance against the Texans was he was really working the deep ball, really connected with that big three pass catching group, DJ Moore, Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, all three opening up down the field.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: Kincaid led the way with five receptions, 130 yards, a long reception of 40 yards leaping to catch the ball over Derek Stingley.
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_00: While Moore, five receptions, 100 yards, and a 43-yard touchdown in his Bills debut.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_00: And Shakir got going early, finished with four receptions, 50 yards, a long reception of 19 yards.
• 16:53
  SPEAKER_00: So with the Lions without those two starting safeties, what we saw from the Bills last week, I expect them to attack down the field in this case this game early and often.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_00: If the Bills offensive line can give Josh Allen time and really keep the Lions top pass rusher Aiden Hutchinson, who had two sacks a week ago at bay, that's going to allow this passing game to explode once again.
• 17:17
  SPEAKER_00: I think more goes off for a big performance.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_00: You can read my bold predictions.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_00: I have one more one on more within that set.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_00: So uh the Lions allowed the Saints to throw for 410 yards and three touchdowns last week.
• 17:31
  SPEAKER_00: And that's second-year quarterback, Tyler Shook.
• 17:34
  SPEAKER_00: So uh Josh Allen, a lot better quarterback than Tyler Shook.
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm expecting maybe somewhat similar yardage production from Allen in this game.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_00: Shugg did throw the ball 56 times against the Lions last week.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_00: He was intercepted twice.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_00: I don't see Allen throwing it 56 times.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_00: I think he'll probably be somewhere just under 40 attempts.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe a little bit of a boost for James Cook in this game.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_00: We'll touch on that in a moment, but a big more day for Moore coming in this game, I believe.
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_00: Chris Olave, the Saints top receiver last week, 10 receptions, 182 yards.
• 18:12
  SPEAKER_00: So the precedent has been set already this season for that banged up Lions secondary.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_00: And I think Moore continues along that trajectory this week as well.
• 18:23
  SPEAKER_00: Moore's career against the Lions has been very, very impressive.
• 18:27
  SPEAKER_00: Nine games, 53 receptions, 753 yards receiving, an average of 9.41 yards per target, 83.7 yards per game, five touchdowns for Moore throughout his career against the Lions.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_00: He's also had six rushes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
• 18:46
  SPEAKER_00: We didn't see that area of his game come to life last week, but I think that's still something we could see from Moore as the season goes along under head coach Joe Brady.
• 18:55
  SPEAKER_00: The two have plenty of experience working together in the past, and maybe we see more use a little bit in the running game as the season goes.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_00: Back during his time in Carolina with Joe Brady, he did have a few carries, no touchdowns.
• 19:14
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and I believe, let's see, an average of somewhere in the range of eight yards per attempt, I believe, on those carries.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_00: So more an effective runner when he's gotten the ball.
• 19:25
  SPEAKER_00: We'll see if the Bills elect to do that at all this week or moving forward into the future.
• 19:32
  SPEAKER_00: Now, when the Bills run against the Detroit Lions, the Lions limited the Saints last week to 91 yards, 25 carries, which worked out to an average of 3.6 yards per carry, while James Cook was held to 13 carries and 57 yards last week against the Texans.
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_00: He got off to a really good start, was averaging over five yards per carry in the early going, and then the Bills kind of went away from him as this game went along, still averaged 4.4 yards per carry in that game.
• 20:02
  SPEAKER_00: He did have a fumble, said he was, or break Joe Brady said that Cook was pissed about that post-game, but still the head coach said that he won't have any hesitation feeding Cook the ball if that's what the game calls for this week and moving forward.
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_00: And I think Cook breaks out this week.
• 20:19
  SPEAKER_00: I think he goes for a hundred-yard game.
• 20:20
  SPEAKER_00: Not sure if he finds the end zone, but I think there's going to be so many yards and points put up in this game that it's just a matter of time before Cook finds his way to solid production.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_00: And I think as this season goes with those tough games coming up within the conference, the Bills are going to want to get Cook going as they head into the meat of their schedule.
• 20:43
  SPEAKER_00: So look for James Cook to do a little bit more this week, despite going up a line against the Lions defense that did a nice job against the Saints running game last week.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: The Saints don't have a runner like James Cook, who led the league in rushing last year.
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I think it's going to be a little bit more difficult of a task for the Lions to slow down Cook than what we saw them do against the Saints last week.
• 21:07
  SPEAKER_00: All right, on the other side of the ball, the Bills defense.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_00: How will it fare when the Lions pass?
• 21:13
  SPEAKER_00: Jared Goff, 26 of 39, 206 yards, 5.3 yards per attempt last week.
• 21:20
  SPEAKER_00: Also finished with two touchdowns.
• 21:22
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think everybody agrees with me, but I view Goff as somewhat of a game manager with just an immense amount of talent and a great situation developed around him.
• 21:34
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think he's this player that really strikes fear into the heart of opposing defenses.
• 21:40
  SPEAKER_00: But at the same time, like I mentioned, with that talent around him, with the way that Dan Campbell has assembled this offensive philosophy, Goff is still kind of a ticking time bomb to go for 500 yards passing at any time, which we saw him do last time the Bills and Lions squared off in 2008.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: 2024, just a ridiculous performance from him.
• 22:03
  SPEAKER_00: I think he threw the ball like 50 times in that game.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_00: But uh the main target that you have to worry about, Amon Ross St.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_00: Brown, 10 receptions, 67 yards last week against the Saints, found the end zone twice.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_00: And the question that I have here is will Christian Benford travel with Amon Ross St.
• 22:22
  SPEAKER_00: Brown like we saw him do against Nico Collins last week against the Houston Texans as we get a go Bills here from Deborah Lewis.
• 22:32
  SPEAKER_00: Go Bills, Deborah.
• 22:33
  SPEAKER_00: Hope to see you at the game tonight in Orchard Park.
• 22:37
  SPEAKER_00: But like I mentioned with Christian Benford, it's it's going to be interesting to see if what has developed into one of the top matchup cornerbacks throughout the NFL.
• 22:48
  SPEAKER_00: We'll see if he indeed is used as such again this evening against the Lions as last week against the Texans.
• 22:57
  SPEAKER_00: It didn't go all that well for Christian Benford.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_00: Really a rough performance going up against Houston's top receiver, Nico Collins, as he allowed seven receptions and a touchdown in that game on 11 targets.
• 23:14
  SPEAKER_00: So Houston really attacked him a lot in that game and had success in doing so.
• 23:19
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think that this is really what we'll see from Benford throughout the course of the season.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_00: When you're a matchup cornerback like that, you have your ups and downs.
• 23:28
  SPEAKER_00: There's games that you perform well and win the matchup.
• 23:31
  SPEAKER_00: There's games where so much is put on your plate that you might not measure up to the same level as you did uh in in previous games.
• 23:40
  SPEAKER_00: So I think this is the main focus for the Bills secondary, slowing down Amon Ross St.
• 23:45
  SPEAKER_00: Brown.
• 23:46
  SPEAKER_00: It kind of goes without saying.
• 23:47
  SPEAKER_00: And Christian Benford will certainly have a lot to say about whether or not the Bills are able to do so here this evening.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: And then another wide receiver that the Bills will have to contend with tonight.
• 24:00
  SPEAKER_00: Jameson Williams, a lot of speed for Williams.
• 24:03
  SPEAKER_00: Four receptions, 45 yards last week against New Orleans.
• 24:07
  SPEAKER_00: This is where Maxwell Harrison needs to justify his first round selection in the 2025 NFL draft.
• 24:15
  SPEAKER_00: Williams isn't a speed demon, and that's why the Bills brought in Harrison with that high round draft pick.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_00: It's his speed, his ability to match up with those speedy wide receivers on the other side.
• 24:28
  SPEAKER_00: And it's been kind of a mixed bag for Harrison throughout the start of his career.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_00: We saw him come away with a couple of big plays last year, one against the Kansas City Chiefs, which got his career off to a strong start.
• 24:38
  SPEAKER_00: But as things went along, there were some growing pains for the young cornerback.
• 24:42
  SPEAKER_00: And they those have kind of extended into training camp, the preseason and the regular season.
• 24:47
  SPEAKER_00: Harrison has also dealt with plenty of injury throughout the start of his career, dating back to last season, and then once again during the preseason.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_00: So Harrison needs to step to the table, step up to the table in this game.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_00: He needs to do a good job if he's matched up with Jamison Williams, which I would imagine he will be relatively often due to what I believe will be a matchup between Benford and St.
• 25:07
  SPEAKER_00: Brown on the other side.
• 25:08
  SPEAKER_00: But if Harrison fails in this game, as he has at times since he was drafted, the Bills' most recent draft pick, second round draft pick, Davison Igbenosen, will be waiting in the wings.
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_00: He mixed in a little bit last week in a rotation with Harrison, played 11 defensive snaps.
• 25:25
  SPEAKER_00: He's a little bit more physical of a player than Harrison, not as much speed.
• 25:29
  SPEAKER_00: So Harrison needs to show up in this game, needs to do a good job when he's lined up against Jamison Williams.
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_00: And that's not all for this Lions passing game.
• 25:38
  SPEAKER_00: Tight end Sam Laporta is really returned to the form we saw from him during his rookie season, albeit early in the year.
• 25:45
  SPEAKER_00: Five receptions, 48 yards last week.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_00: And much like Harrison, the Bills linebackers need to come to play in this game.
• 25:53
  SPEAKER_00: Caleb Elarms or mixed in a little bit on passing downs in place of Dorian Williams last week, played eight snaps.
• 26:00
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe we see more of that this week as the Bills try to defend against Laporta's talents, but I think it really comes down to Terrell Bernard in this game.
• 26:10
  SPEAKER_00: He didn't have a good year last year, even when he was healthy.
• 26:13
  SPEAKER_00: And if the Bills are going to slow down Laporta and control the middle of the field, Terrell Bernard needs to have another good game.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_00: Thought he played pretty well last week, led the team in tackles, uh, stayed upright for much of the game.
• 26:26
  SPEAKER_00: We saw him go out briefly, but he's healthy this week.
• 26:29
  SPEAKER_00: And Terrell Bernard really needs to step up for the Bills linebacking core as they look to defend against Sam Laporta.
• 26:36
  SPEAKER_00: And also the Bills' safeties may be called upon to help out with Laporta as well.
• 26:41
  SPEAKER_00: And that could be a little bit of a tricky situation if Cole Bishop can't play, and it'll be interesting to see if he is absent, how that will impact things on the back end of the Bills defense.
• 26:52
  SPEAKER_00: CJ Gardner Johnson needs to have an impactful performance here tonight.
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_00: I don't have much faith in Bishop's replacement, Damar Hamlin.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_00: Like I said, I thought he earned the roster spot, but he's just not starting caliber.
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_00: So the Bills need Bishop in this game if he can't go.
• 27:08
  SPEAKER_00: CJ Gardner Johnson, his importance is going to take on a life of its own in this one.
• 27:14
  SPEAKER_00: And then finally, what happens for the Bills defense when the Lions run the ball?
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_00: This is another huge focus for the Bills defense.
• 27:24
  SPEAKER_00: I'm on Ross St.
• 27:25
  SPEAKER_00: Brown, a phenomenal player, but the Lions' best player on offense is Jameer Gibbs, their top running back, a game breaker in every sense of the phrase.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills allowed over five yards per carry last week against the Texans in the first half.
• 27:41
  SPEAKER_00: They adjusted well at halftime, finished the second half, allowing about three yards per carry.
• 27:46
  SPEAKER_00: So those adjustments really paid dividends, and it's going to be a whole different animal this week for the Bills.
• 27:52
  SPEAKER_00: Gibbs is as fast as they come, somebody who can just break away from a tackle.
• 27:56
  SPEAKER_00: And next thing you know, in a blink of an eye, he's 20 yards downfield.
• 28:00
  SPEAKER_00: David Montgomery for the Texans was more of a physical runner, while Gibbs, as I mentioned before, more of that game-breaking style.
• 28:07
  SPEAKER_00: And he averaged 5.4 yards per carry last week against the New Orleans Saints.
• 28:13
  SPEAKER_00: A phenomenal performance from him.
• 28:16
  SPEAKER_00: 34 touches in that game.
• 28:18
  SPEAKER_00: He was also a threat in the passing game, five receptions for 30 yards, 186 total yards in that game.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_00: And let's see, how many touchdowns did he have?
• 28:29
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't mention that in this game.
• 28:31
  SPEAKER_00: I believe he found the end zone twice, if my memory serves me correctly.
• 28:36
  SPEAKER_00: But uh due to various uh factors over the years, my memory isn't what it used to be.
• 28:45
  SPEAKER_00: But Gibbs indeed did find the end zone twice in that game.
• 28:49
  SPEAKER_00: A long run of 21 yards, a long reception of 11 yards.
• 28:54
  SPEAKER_00: He caught all five of his targets.
• 28:56
  SPEAKER_00: So you're gonna have to keep your eye out for Gibbs in this game.
• 28:59
  SPEAKER_00: He's gonna get the ball early and often, both in the running game and the passing game.
• 29:04
  SPEAKER_00: I mentioned Deion Walker already.
• 29:06
  SPEAKER_00: Not much behind him in terms of the Bills' defensive line.
• 29:09
  SPEAKER_00: Dwayne Carter played 18 snaps, had two tackles and a tackle for loss, but he was also thrown around at times.
• 29:15
  SPEAKER_00: There's a video that I saw on posted on X where he was just dispatched by the Texans starting guard.
• 29:22
  SPEAKER_00: I forget uh the name of the player, but uh Carter is not a player I have much faith in either.
• 29:28
  SPEAKER_00: I think if he's put out there with ample playing time this week, it's not gonna go well if Gibbs runs up the middle his way.
• 29:36
  SPEAKER_00: And then Greg Gaines, the veteran edition, 14 snaps last week, just two tackles.
• 29:41
  SPEAKER_00: I'm a little bit more confident in him than Carter, but he's not a game changer in any stretch of the imagination.
• 29:48
  SPEAKER_00: So I think as this season goes, you're gonna find out that the Bills are lacking another true force at the center of their defensive line, and they may have to go out and add one with some salary cap space.
• 29:58
  SPEAKER_00: They recently freed up with a contract restructure of I forget who the player was.
• 30:09
  SPEAKER_00: If somebody can comment and tell me, that would help, but maybe I can scroll through and find it.
• 30:15
  SPEAKER_00: I think it was yesterday when that news was reported by Spot Track, or the day before, maybe.
• 30:22
  SPEAKER_00: But the Bills did free up some money, and that could lead them to potentially going out and finding another player to fill in on the defensive line in a depth roll behind Walker, who really has been a godsend since the Bills drafted him.
• 30:37
  SPEAKER_00: But as I mentioned, there's just not a whole lot behind him in the Bills pecking order, and I'm having trouble finding my retweet of spot track here.
• 30:48
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, so that's that's a failure on my part.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_00: But regardless, I just don't like the Bills' depth at defensive tackle, and I think they really, really need to consider adding more as this season goes along, and it might be exposed this week going up against Gibbs, who's one of the best running backs in the league.
• 31:15
  SPEAKER_00: Another question I have is it'll be interesting to see if the Bills elevate Shaq Thompson in this game.
• 31:20
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's unlikely, but he would help with run support, which struggled in the first half last week.
• 31:26
  SPEAKER_00: I don't have a whole lot of faith in undersized players, Terrell Bernard or Dorian Williams, to really hold things down in that area throughout the season.
• 31:35
  SPEAKER_00: So I think if it doesn't happen this week, you will see Thompson on the field eventually for the Bills.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think Elon Arms Orr is the answer in the running game either.
• 31:42
  SPEAKER_00: I think his physicality was a little bit exposed as the pads were put on in training camp, but the safeties need to be ready on the back end.
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_00: Safety, CJ Gardner Johnson.
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_00: You can't let a 10-yard gain from Gibbs turn into a 50-yard touchdown or a five-yard reception turn into an 80-yard catch-and-run.
• 32:04
  SPEAKER_00: You have to be able to be solid on the back end.
• 32:07
  SPEAKER_00: I'd like to contact him five yards down the field and bring him down each time, but I just don't think that's going to happen.
• 32:13
  SPEAKER_00: And when he does break away from that second level, you need to be sound on the back end to prevent that from going all the way to the end zone.
• 32:23
  SPEAKER_00: But Gibbs is the main component of this Detroit offense.
• 32:26
  SPEAKER_00: He and Amon Ross St.
• 32:28
  SPEAKER_00: Brown, the two players that I'm really most fearful of for the Bills in this game.
• 32:34
  SPEAKER_00: All right.
• 32:35
  SPEAKER_00: We're nearing the end of this brief preview.
• 32:39
  SPEAKER_00: I appreciate everybody for joining me.
• 32:41
  SPEAKER_00: We're going to do these each week moving forward.
• 32:43
  SPEAKER_00: Time might vary.
• 32:44
  SPEAKER_00: Still trying to find the right time to do these things.
• 32:47
  SPEAKER_00: There's so many great podcasters and otherwise out there previewing the game that you don't want to kind of overlap.
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_00: So we'll see uh what we settle on as the season goes.
• 32:58
  SPEAKER_00: But as far as my prediction in this game between the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions, the first ever game inside the new high mark stadium.
• 33:08
  SPEAKER_00: Since 2024, the Lions have the most points per game in the NFL, 30.8.
• 33:14
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills are second at 29.8.
• 33:17
  SPEAKER_00: So a lot of points coming in this one.
• 33:19
  SPEAKER_00: One of my bold predictions has to do with the point total that I think we'll see in this game.
• 33:25
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure you go over to my Substack page, Alex Brasky Unfiltered, and check that article out.
• 33:32
  SPEAKER_00: But this is going to be a high-flying affair.
• 33:34
  SPEAKER_00: Jameer Gibbs will be extremely tough to contain, as will Aiden Hutchinson.
• 33:39
  SPEAKER_00: Uh he's been, when he's been on the field, and he's been a durable player for the majority of his career.
• 33:45
  SPEAKER_00: I think he missed about 12 games one season due to a significant injury, but he's one of the top pass rushers in the league.
• 33:51
  SPEAKER_00: He's had over double-digit sacks, I believe, two or three times throughout his career.
• 33:56
  SPEAKER_00: So two players on both sides of the on either side of the ball, I should say, worth watching in this game.
• 34:01
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills are the healthier team with a better quarterback.
• 34:04
  SPEAKER_00: I mentioned how I think James Cook is going to come alive in this game.
• 34:07
  SPEAKER_00: Josh Allen, he got it rolling last week, boy, and he he was efficient.
• 34:12
  SPEAKER_00: He had two throws that were interception worthy, but I think most quarterbacks have a couple of interception-worthy throws in each game that they play.
• 34:19
  SPEAKER_00: It's just a matter of the timing on those throws, and certainly the one that he had down the stretch that was nearly picked off by Kamari Lassiter was not a great decision from Allen, but still efficient in the game against the Texans.
• 34:32
  SPEAKER_00: He was explosive, and I think he's the most significant reason that I'm picking the Bills to win this game.
• 34:38
  SPEAKER_00: But again, I also think Cook will play a significant role as well as more in the passing game.
• 34:44
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm going to go with the Bills in this one.
• 34:46
  SPEAKER_00: Give me the Bills, baby.
• 34:48
  SPEAKER_00: 51 to 46 over the Detroit Lions.
• 34:52
  SPEAKER_00: I'm more comfortable risking my money on the alt total of about 96 points.
• 35:00
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, not my bold prediction, as I made in my article, of over 100 points scored, but I could still see it going over 100.
• 35:09
  SPEAKER_00: I'm going to pick a final score, like I said, 51-46 in this game.
• 35:13
  SPEAKER_00: That's 97 total points for you mathematicians.
• 35:17
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills are going to cover the four and a half spread that I bet last night.
• 35:21
  SPEAKER_00: That line has since moved to 5.5.
• 35:25
  SPEAKER_00: If you have the five and a half number, I'd be a little bit hesitant on that.
• 35:29
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not sure the Bills will cover the five and a half, but I'm confident they cover the four and a half.
• 35:33
  SPEAKER_00: The Bills are six were six and nine against the spread when favored last year, while the Lions were two and four against the spread as an underdog.
• 35:42
  SPEAKER_00: Detroit was a seven-point favorite last week and did not cover, while the Bills were one and a half point favorites last week against the Texans and did manage to cover.
• 35:53
  SPEAKER_00: So gimme Josh Allen over 250 yards passing.
• 35:56
  SPEAKER_00: James Cook over 100 yards rushing.
• 35:58
  SPEAKER_00: DJ Moore a big game.
• 36:00
  SPEAKER_00: Deion Walker a big game.
• 36:02
  SPEAKER_00: And the Bills outlast the Lions in a shootout in the home opener at High Mark Stadium.
• 36:10
  SPEAKER_00: All right, that's going to do it for tonight's show.
• 36:13
  SPEAKER_00: Please take the time to like, share, and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
• 36:21
  SPEAKER_00: Also rate the podcast and leave a comment or question as well.
• 36:25
  SPEAKER_00: Be sure to follow along for breaking news on Alex Brasky Unfilter, the Substack page, and also my YouTube channel, where I have posted several shorts throughout the week.
• 36:36
  SPEAKER_00: You can stay tuned with those on a daily basis and then weekly podcasts as well.
• 36:43
  SPEAKER_00: Home opener, hours away.
• 36:45
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you all enjoy it, Bill's Mafia.
• 36:47
  SPEAKER_00: Have a great night, everyone.
• 36:49
  SPEAKER_00: Stay true.