Brian

Two teams headed in opposite directions meet in upstate New York this week. Chicago comes off a routine victory against the Jets that gave them the top position in the super-tight NFC North.

Their offense is progressing with Coach Matt Nagy exposing quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to more of his playbook each week. The defense is solid, making them a legitimate threat to upend Green Bay or Minnesota in the division.

Buffalo’s defense gave New England all they could handle for about three quarters on Sunday night before Tom Brady and company broke through for a pair of late touchdowns.

If the Bills had an offense, they would have put a scare into the Patriots. But Derek Anderson and LeSean McCoy were held to a pair of field goals. Anderson suffered a concussion in the game and will turn over passing duties to Nathan Peterman in Week 9.

Peterman gets his fourth career start, but the results of his previous opportunities have been horrific. Buffalo’s defense had the Bills in position to beat the Texans in Week 6, only to see Peterman throw a pick-six and a second interception in the final minutes. They were the 9^th and 10^th interceptions in 84 pass attempts for Peterman.

That led the team to start Anderson, signed just that week to serve as a mentor to Josh Allen, who promptly suffered an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of his throwing elbow and could miss the rest of the season.

Injuries and notes

Anderson might clear concussion protocol, but the team has already named Peterman the starter for Sunday. They also signed Matt Barkley to serve as a backup if needed.

Linebacker Tremaine Edmonds also suffered a concussion Monday night and is in the protocol.

DE Trent Murphy is questionable.

The team signed wide receiver Terrelle Pryor this week, too.

For Chicago, Khalil Mack is listed as questionable, but there is little doubt he will play.

Wide receiver Adrian Robinson is also banged up and listed as questionable.

Coaching matchup

Bills coach Sean McDermott got lots of credit for the Bills’ surprise playoff appearance last season. So far, it is buying him extra grace while the current Bills looks eerily similar to directionless regimes of past administrations.

Passing up on a chance to get a return for veterans LeSean McCoy and Charles Clay, or even Kelvin Benjamin at the trade deadline for a team obviously in rebuild mode raised eyebrows.

Matt Nagy is in the position McDermott was last season. He inherited much more talent than his Buffalo counterpart, but he was not expected to be in a division race against Green Bay, Carolina, and Detroit.

It’s hard to see Chicago taking a step back next season as the Bills have done in McDermott’s second year.

How to watch the Bills-Bears game

Fox Sports will give this game to the teams’ local networks and Fubo TV will give the game to you on your favorite internet-connected device.

Fubo TV and other internet TV providers like DirecTV Now and Sling, deliver high quality live feeds of NFL action from the licensed network each week.

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Read More : NFL Week Game Preview- Bills at Jets

Who will win the Bills-Bears game?

Buffalo’s defense has surprised a bunch of teams this season, including a near-shutout of the powerful Vikings. Coming off a short week after a great effort like they had against the Patriots, though, is too much to ask.

Chicago takes care of business up north.

Final score:

Buffalo’s surprise playoff appearance of 2017 and the fans exhilaration at their accelerated rebuild are a distant memory, as is the Jets’ fans satisfaction at stealing five wins with another rebuilding unit.

The prize for the Bills’ effort last season has been the NFL’s most difficult schedule through nine weeks. That would have made for rough sailing even if the team proved justified in jettisoning Tyrod Taylor for AJ McCarron and their offensive line didn’t disintegrate before their eyes.

Throw in a battered and slowed LeSean McCoy and the worst-rated wide receivers group in the league and you have to wonder if Sean McDermott warrants Coach of the Year consideration for guiding this team to two wins.

New York’s disappointing effort against the Dolphins last week made their coach, Todd Bowles, call this matchup a “huge game” for his team. One can blame awful field conditions in Miami for some of the team’s terrible offensive numbers, but it was Elijah McGuire, in his return from injured reserve, that provided the only positive on the day.

Injuries and notes

Sam Darnold sprained a foot on the muddy turf in Miami last week. He is officially listed as questionable for Week 10, but local reporters say he is unlikely to play. Veteran Josh McCown will get the start in Darnold’s place.

Center Spencer Long will play with a finger injury suffered last week. Defensive end Tarell Basham (knee) is the only other player expected to miss the contest.

Josh Allen threw 100 passes in practice Monday and the best news for Buffalo fans Tuesday was that his arm did not fall off. McDermott will not rule Allen out to play against the Jets.

Derek Anderson still has not cleared the concussion protocol, but if he does, he will be the Bills’ second option. Nathan Peterman will play if the other two can’t.

Buffalo released cornerback Phillip Gaines after he accrued 90 yards worth of pass interference penalties against the Bears in Week 9. Ryan Lewis will get the start.

Running back Chris Ivory and tight end Charles Clay are leaning toward doubtful with shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively. Ivory was called “day-to-day” while Clay is listed as “week-to-week”.

Coaching matchup

New York’s general manager, Mike Maccagnan, says the Jets will be major players in the free-agent market this year. With over $100 million in anticipated cap space, the team can fill a lot of holes around their young quarterback and defense.

Maccagnan and Jets’ ownership appreciate the job Todd Bowles has done with lousy rosters and are likely to let him manage next year’s radically changed team. But a win against the battered Bills would help toss any second thoughts emanating from the Dolphins’ game out of their minds.

Likewise, McDermott is in little danger of losing his job in Buffalo. But he and GM Brandon Beane better find some talent for their roster in 2019 if they expect to be as secure next season.

How to watch the Jets-Bills game

CBS Sports will broadcast this game to the greater New York City and Upstate markets. If you are one of the millions of NFL fans who discovered the joys of internet television, you might watch this contest on Sling TV.

Sling TV will send the original CBS feed to your favorite internet-connected device. They will even do it for free if you take advantage of their special introductory trial.

Sling TV, like DirecTV Now and Fubo TV, offers top-quality entertainment channels along with all your live stream NFL action without any special equipment or contracts to sign.

Better yet, internet TV providers like Sling, Fubo TV, and DirecTV Now provide all your entertainment needs for just a fraction of what you pay for cable or satellite television.

Read More : NFL Week Game Preview- Lions at Bills

Who will win the Jets-Bills game?

Both defenses will battle to keep two wounded offenses under control. The presence of veteran Josh McCown under center for the Jets could provide the difference in the game.

Final score: