ESPN NFL

Buffalo offense vs. Baltimore defense

The loss of WR Eric Moulds is as big a loss as there could be to an offense in this league. Moulds is Doug Flutie's go-to-receiver and the reason the Bills have been so successful spreading the field and running a wide-open offense. Now, with Moulds out of the lineup, the Bills are forced to shorten up the field and play a more condensed version of their offensive scheme. Peerless Price moves to the No. 2 receiver spot, Kamil Loud and Kevin Williams to handle the No. 3 receiver duties. Expect to see RB's Antowain Smith and Jonathan Linton lining up in the slot and running some routes as the No. 4 receiver.

The Bills offensive philosophy is to stretch the defense horizontally and vertically in order to give Flutie room to work. Flutie has been so successful in the past because he is able to get outside the tackles, see the field better and force the defense to defend against the run/pass option. Without his No. 1 receiver, Flutie becomes handcuffed. Teams are able to concentrate on pressuring the quarterback up the middle. They can remove themselves from the edges now that they can get out of the nickel set and cover the No. 3 and No. 4 receivers with linebackers and safeties in a zone.

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