Opponent scouting report: Matt Milano is a game changer
The choice on who to do this week’s opponent scouting report on was certainly a tough one. The Buffalo
Bills’ offense is statistically the worst in NFL history up to this point in the season but their defense is loaded with talent. Currently ranking as the third best defense in football, the Bills have many contributors such as
Trent Murphy,
Kyle Williams,
Lorenzo Alexander, former Colt Jerry Hughes, Tre’Davious White,
Jordan Poyer, and
Micah Hyde.
That is a ton of talent right there but none of those guys intrigued me as much as inside linebacker
Matt Milano.
Milano is a very underrated player and is the leader of the Bills defense. In only his second season out of Boston College, Milano has made a name for himself as a sure tackling, coverage linebacker. The former collegiate safety currently has 42 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 1 interception, and 1 sack. Last year against the
Colts, Milano tallied his career high 11 tackles.
So what makes Milano such a good player on the Bills’ defense? Serving as the
Thomas Davis in Head Coach Sean McDermott’s defense, Milano is the best coverage linebacker on the team. He is currently ranked as the 9th best linebacker in all of football according to PFF and has the 9th highest coverage grade among linebackers as well. So why am I worried about Milano for Sunday’s game? Let’s look at some film and find out.
Joe B: 5 things to watch for in Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts (10/21/18)
(WKBW) - One week ago, the Buffalo Bills had a chance at a .500 record through six weeks with a rookie quarterback at the helm. That would have been a tremendous accomplishment given how the season began.
One week later, rookie quarterback Josh Allen suffered a sprained elbow on his throwing arm which will cause him to miss at least this week if not more, all while watching their other young quarterback implode at the end of the game. The Bills lost, bringing their record to 2-4 on the season, and now have the 35-year-old Derek Anderson listed as their starter heading into Week Seven.
What might it all look like, and where are the biggest matchups for the Bills against the Indianapolis Colts?
Five things to watch for when the Bills and Colts face off at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday:
1) Bills strength on offense is also the Colts strength on defense
2) Derek Anderson might need to throw it a bunch
3) Andrew Luck will test the secondary
4) Bills must put pressure on center Ryan Kelly
5) A role on offense for Cam Phillips?
Injury Report
Buffalo
OUT: QB Josh Allen (right elbow), RB Taiwan Jones (neck)
Indianapolis
OUT: DT Denico Autry (hamstring), TE Jack Doyle (hip), S Clayton Geathers (concussion, neck), WR Ryan Grant (ankle), RB Robert Turbin (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Arthur Maulet (hip), CB Chris Milton (hamstring), TE Erik Swoope (knee)
Bills Projected Inactives: QB Josh Allen, RB Taiwan Jones, T Conor McDermott, G Wyatt Teller, G Ike Boettger, CB Ryan Lewis, CB Dontae Johnson
- After getting burned by special teams last week, I’m anticipating a bit over an over-correction to get Julian Stanford, who has received 70.41-percent of special teams snaps in games the Bills have made him active. With Rafael Bush a bit healthier and having the ability to play nickel corner in a pinch, the Bills can feel comfortable in making both Ryan Lewis and Dontae Johnson inactive to try and get their special teams back on track.
Prediction: Colts over Bills