Buffalo’s 180-degree turnaround (they had four wins all of last year) has had several key components. The most obvious being their turnover differential.
The thieving-Bills lead the NFL with 16 takeaways—12 via interceptions—that’s become the main driving force behind their league-high plus 11 in the giveaway/takeaway department.
Their new-found strength would seem to play right into the hands of quarterback Eli Manning’s errant weakness.
The Giants’ signal-caller who led the NFL with 25 interceptions in 2010 had avoided the same habits this season until last week’s crippling-trifecta that included the game-clinching pick-six with just over a minute left. It was an unfortunate play for Manning and the Giants though, as WR Victor Cruz lost his footing just as the ball left Manning’s hands, causing the ball to be off-target.
In any case Tom Coughlin’s crew may have little margin for error when it comes to tipped balls. Said Coughlin on Wednesday regarding Buffalo’s takeaways, “They’ve been Johnny-on-the-spot. They’ve really reacted well with the ball in the air. They’ve closed on the ball, taken advantage of a bunch of those opportunities and put themselves in position where they’ve given up yardage, but because of the turnovers, they’ve kept the opponent out of the end zone,” according to the Giant’s website.
Coughlin was referring to the fact that the Bills’ defense ranks 30th in the league in yards allowed per game at a whopping 421.8. The disturbing number highlights the impact of their takeaways—and the obvious importance New York will have in protecting the ball.
Said Manning of their focus, “We have to make sure that we are careful with the ball. The receivers have to watch it all the way in and myself throwing it in the right spots, being accurate and making sure I am making the right reads.”
On defense, Giants defensive end Justin Tuck is not likely to return to action Sunday due to an injured neck and groin. “We’re still day-to-day—we are testing it [injury] just about every day.”
Tuck’s absence, though at an area of strength, could be crucial. Buffalo’s offense features a running game led by running back Fred Jackson. The fifth-year veteran is third in the NFL in rushing yards with 480 and averages 5.3 yards per carry.
Also unlikely to return is running back Brandon Jacobs whose knee (swelling) issue has kept him out longer than expected. Said Coughlin of the mysterious situation, “Obviously in the beginning I was not thinking it would be an issue like this.”
Though Buffalo has seemingly found the magic formula of forcing a number of turnovers and converting them into easy scores, it’s questionable whether relying on those takeaways—despite giving up more yards—is actually by design.
