The Atlanta Falcons are still flying. Their playoff hopes are still wide open at a whopping two percent chance. However, this week they may be flying a bit too close to the sun. Or maybe flying too far away from it as their battle with the Buffalo Bills boasts a high of 31 degrees and a likely chance of snow. The Falcons look to be in for a brutal matchup.
This Bills team boasts one of the more complete rosters in all three aspects of any team in the NFL. While the Falcons, well, they have Kyle Pitts. So, let’s take a quick look into what’s going to be a brisk late December battle against the Buffalo Bills.
Brisk Battle Awaits Atlanta Falcons Against Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Can’t Afford to Lose
The Bills have found themselves back in the driver’s seat in the AFC East. This season has been a roller coaster ride for Bills fans. From beating the Chiefs early in the year to losing the Josh Allen Bowl, Bills fans don’t know what to make of their team. But after a dominating effort against the New England Patriots, the Bills are in a prime position to secure their second straight AFC East crown.
If achieved, this would be the first time they would be back-to-back division champs since 1990-1991. But two opponents stand in their way. The Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets. Not exactly the most frightening of circumstances.
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Can Somebody Turn the Heat Up?
The Falcons notched their first home win last Sunday in their comfy, temperature-regulated Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Now they are headed up to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. The high is going to be 31 degrees. 31 degrees. So, naturally, the Falcons will not be in their usual comfort zone.
The Falcons are 3-3 when headed up to Buffalo to face the Bills and 1-3 when the temperature dips below 50 degrees. The Falcons historically struggle whenever the temperature starts to dip below freezing. They are 2-8 in the last ten games dating back to a 36-0 loss to the storied 1985 Chicago Bears.
If anybody knows what it’s like to play the Bills in this kind of weather, it is the Carolina Panthers. They recently received a chilly 31-14 beatdown back in week 15. Josh Allen didn’t have to do much as Devin Singletary gained 86 yards on the ground. Allen still threw for three touchdowns and one interception. However, the bulk of the damage came from the defensive side of the ball. The Buffalo defense came up with four sacks on Cam Newton and came away with an interception of their own.
Is There Any Way the Falcons Can Win?
With all of this going against the Falcons, it is easy to say that they have no shot. But it is the NFL. Everyone has a shot. Two weeks ago, the team with the worst record in the NFL (Detroit) beat the team with the best record (Arizona Cardinals). And then, a week after that, those same Lions took a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. So, of course, it is possible.
In that same game against the Bills, Carolina racked up 151 rushing yards. Seventy-one of them came from the quarterback position (don’t expect that from Matt Ryan, ever). But, the Falcons have been better with their rushing offense as of late. And they have Cordarrelle Patterson leading the charge. Both Patterson and Mike Davis are not guys that defenders want to be hitting in the cold.
Even with that slim glimmer of hope, there’s still the crushing reality that the Bills are just a better team. Josh Allen is probably licking his chops, ready to carve up our 23rd ranked pass defense and horrible pass rush. All arrows point to the Falcons brisk battle against the Bills ending up being a blowout.
Prediction: 38-17, Bills
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