Bills might not see a healthy Vick

By Sports Network

Publicly, you're not going to hear head coach Mike Mularkey or any member of his Buffalo Bills admit that they hope Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick is at less than 100 percent when the teams take the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday. - NFL Football -

Privately, you have to believe the Bills wouldn't mind if that was the case.

Vick injured his hamstring toward the tail end of Atlanta's 21-18 loss to Seattle last Sunday, and it is unknown whether Vick will be able to unleash his inhuman mobility and rushing acumen in Buffalo. Without him, the Falcons would be minus one-third of the heralded "DVD" trio that helped the team finish first in the NFL in rushing during the 2005 season. Jim Mora's club will be going up against a Bills defense that was regarded as one of the league's best run-stopping units last season, when it finished seventh in NFL rushing defense.

Like the Falcons, Buffalo enters this week's contest at 1-1. Mularkey and company were 19-3 losers in Tampa Bay last Sunday, seven days after opening their season with a 22-7 victory over the Houston Texans. Atlanta's only 2005 victory to date was a 14-10 Monday night victory against the Eagles in Week 1. - NFL Football -

SERIES HISTORY

The Falcons and Bills have split eight meetings all-time, with Atlanta scoring a 33-30 home victory in the last such matchup, in 2001. The Bills were a 23-17 winner when the clubs last met in Buffalo, in 1995, and are 3-1 all-time against the Falcons within their friendly confines. Atlanta's only win in Buffalo took place in the 1980 season.

Atlanta's Jim Mora and Buffalo's Mike Mularkey will be facing one another for the first time, and both will be meeting their counterpart's respective franchise for the first time as well.

FALCONS OFFENSE vs. BILLS DEFENSE

Vick has already displayed his running prowess in 2005, having bolted for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 win over Philadelphia before rushing for 43 yards on eight carries in the Seattle loss. Vick, who set an NFL record by rushing for 902 yards and three touchdowns last season, pulled up lame on his longest rush of the day, a 32-yarder in the fourth quarter. If Vick is limited, the running game will be thrust upon the capable shoulders of tailbacks Warrick Dunn (37 carries, 171 yards on the year) and T.J. Duckett (12 carries, 33 yards), who combined for 72 yards on 20 totes in the Seattle loss. Duckett scored his second touchdown of the season on a one-yard rush in the fourth, which pulled the Falcons to within three points. Atlanta is averaging 157.5 ground yards in its first two contests. - NFL Football -

The normally-stout Bills run defense struggled mightily last week, allowing the Buccaneers to pile up 191 yards on the ground. Part of the problem was the extended absence of middle linebacker London Fletcher (15 tackles on the year), who exited the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Angelo Crowell (6 tackles last week) struggled in relief of Fletcher, who is expected to play this week. Outside linebackers Takeo Spikes (15 tackles on the year) and Jeff Posey (6 tackles on the year) will also have to be stronger this week. Up front, the team seemed to miss departed defensive tackle Pat Williams for the first time last week. Veteran Sam Adams (1 tackle) was not effective in part-time duty, and Ron Edwards (3 tackles) and Tim Anderson (2 tackles) could not turn the tide either.

Vick (279 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) comes into Sunday's contest with an unimpressive passer rating of 73.4, and has already been sacked seven times on the season. Frankly, Vick has not looked much better in the team's west coast- style offensive scheme than he did last season, when he tossed just 14 touchdown passes and threw 12 interceptions. The Virginia Tech product's prime targets will be wideouts Michael Jenkins (4 receptions, 102 yards) and Brian Finneran (7 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD) along with tight end Alge Crumpler (7 receptions, 107 yards). That trio has 18 of Vick's 23 completions thus far in 2005. Finneran was the recipient of Vick's first touchdown strike of the year, from five yards out, last week. Starting receiver Dez White (hamstring) could be out this week, meaning 2005 first-round draft choice Roddy White (UAB) could see his first extended action at receiver. - NFL Football -

The Bills secondary and pass rush, which harassed Houston's David Carr into a rash of mistakes in Week 1, could not do the same to Tampa Bay's Brian Griese. Buffalo had just one sack against Griese, that by strong safety Lawyer Milloy (14 tackles, 1 INT on the year), and did not record an interception after coaxing three from Carr. Free safety Troy Vincent (5 tackles on the year) will try to replicate his two-pick performance of Week 1, and cornerbacks Nate Clements (14 tackles) and Terrence McGee (12 tackles) will also be in search of big plays. Milloy and McGee each had 10 stops against the Bills. Ends Aaron Schobel (7 tackles, 2 sacks) and Chris Kelsay (8 tackles, 1 sack), who combined for three tackles in Week 1, will attempt to harness Vick.

BILLS OFFENSE vs. FALCONS DEFENSE

Bills starting quarterback J.P. Losman took some lumps in his second career start last week, completing just 12-of-28 passes for 113 yards in the loss to Tampa Bay. Losman (283 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT on the year) completed just five tosses after the team's first drive of the day, in which he was 7-of-10. The Tulane product was sacked twice, and also gave the Bucs their first points of the afternoon when he stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Losman's poor outing also meant minimal production for wideouts Eric Moulds (1 reception, 8 yards last week) and Lee Evans (2 receptions, 12 yards), in addition to tight end Mark Campbell (1 reception, 0 yards). Losman's top target was No. 3 receiver Josh Reed, who had six catches for 71 yards in the loss. Moulds and Evans each have five receptions thus far in 2005, but neither has found the end zone. Losman was sacked twice by Tampa, and will likely fare better if right tackle Mike Williams (ankle), who left last week's game, can return healthy in Week 3.

Losman will have an easier time if the Falcons are without two of their main pass defenders on Sunday, namely end Brady Smith (2 tackles on the year) and defensive back Allen Rossum (2 tackles). Smith (quadriceps) did not play last week, and was replaced in the lineup by Chauncey Davis (3 tackles). Rossum, who was expected to fill the nickel back role vacated when Kevin Mathis (knee) was lost for the year, was also unavailable against the Seahawks due to a hamstring injury. Without that duo, the Falcons allowed Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to pass for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Cornerbacks Jason Webster (8 tackles last week) and DeAngelo Hall (6 tackles) were both picked on in the loss, though Webster had a positive moment when he forced a fumble by the Seahawks' Bobby Engram. Atlanta had two sacks of Hasselbeck, including the first of the year for both linebacker Keith Brooking and tackle Chad Lavalais. If Smith is not in the lineup this week, the onus will be on top pass-rushers Patrick Kerney (6 tackles, 1 sack on the year) and Rod Coleman (4 tackles, 1 sack) to apply pressure to Losman. - NFL Football -

Attempting to take the pressure off of Losman will be running back Willis McGahee (35 carries, 151 rushing yards), who is seeking his second 100-yard outing of '05. McGahee rushed 13 times for just 34 yards against the Bucs, and was benched temporarily in favor of backup Shaud Williams (3 receptions, 22 yards) during the fourth quarter. Also a threat to run is Losman himself, who has 44 rushing yards in 2005 to date.

The Falcons were uncharacteristically soft against the run last Sunday, when they allowed the Seahawks' Shaun Alexander to rush for 144 yards on 28 carries. Mora and company will require a stronger effort this week, particularly out of middle linebacker Edgerton Hartwell (8 tackles last week) and tackles Coleman (1 tackle) and Lavalais (6 tackles). Outside linebackers Brooking (12 tackles on the year) and Demorrio Williams (18 tackles) combined for 20 stops a week ago. Through two games, Atlanta is giving up 107 rushing yards per contest.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Mora said on Monday that his gut feeling was that Vick would play, which is a good sign for an Atlanta team that desperately needs his mobility. The Bills, who struggled to slow the Tampa Bay run game for long stretches last week, could also be worn down by the Falcons' multi-faceted rushing attack. On the other side of the ball, Losman and the offensive line are going to have their hands full with Kerney, Coleman, and a playmaking Falcons secondary. Look for the young QB to make one too many mistakes late, and to experience the first home loss of his career as an NFL starter. - NFL Football -

© 2005, The Fresno Bee