The Washington Football Team and the Buffalo Bills will both be looking to get to records of 2-1 in Week 3 in Orchard Park. Washington come in to the game following a divisional win over the Giants, to rebound from their Week 1 loss to the Chargers. Buffalo lost their opener to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but looked more themselves last week in their 35-0 drubbing over the Miami Dolphins.
Game Information:
• Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
• Sunday, September 26th, 2021
• 1:00pm ET
• FOX
Odds:
The Bills opened the week as huge 9.5 point favourites, but that has tapered off to around 7.5 at the time of posting.
The Over / Under is listed in most Sportsbooks at 45.5. (-110)
Key Injuries:
For Washington, obviously the two big omissions are quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Running back Antonio Gibson was listed as questionable, but was moved to probable and is expected to play despite a shoulder injury. Defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis is also listed as questionable after injuring his knee against the Giants. He will likely be a game time decision.
For Buffalo, wide receiver Gabriel Davis, and DE Efe Obada, as well as cornerbacks Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson, were all questionable. They were all upgraded to probable and are expected to play.
The Match-Up
WFT got a good performance out of Taylor Heinicke last week (336 yards). They will be hoping for the same kind of day against the Bills. That will be a tall order against a Buffalo defense that ranks second in the NFL against the pass. The Bills have given up just 161 passing yards per game in their first two outings. They also only gave up 23 points.
Washington’s defense was the one that was supposed to shine in 2021, but they have yet to really do so. They allowed 49 points in the first two games, and the Giants aren’t exactly prolific. Chase Young hasn’t registered his first sack of 2021 yet, but Sunday against Josh Allen would be a good time to get the ball rolling. Jonathan Allen already has 3 sacks, and Montez Sweat has 2. Washington’s defensive line will be key to containing Allen, and trying to limit the Bills offense.
If both defenses show up and show out on Sunday, it could be a very low scoring affair.
Betting Trends
In the last five games that Buffalo have been favored – the Under has been 4-1.
Washington have also gone Under in five of the last six where they allowed more than 350 yards the week before.
WFT are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games following a win.
Washington are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
WFT are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Washington are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Bills are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Buffalo are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 3.
Bills are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Where To Put Your Money
No matter who you like against the spread, this game looks like a good candidate to go Under.
Two strong defenses, and a newly inserted quarterback in Heinicke, and there’s a strong possibility of a low score.
Under 45.5
Trends point to both the dog and the favorite being a good pick, so they’re not going to help you much. The Bills have to win by two scores to cover – will the Washington defense stay quiet for a third week in a row?
Probably not. Washington may not win the game, but their defense will keep it close. WFT will cover the spread.
Washington +7.5
How To Watch:
The game will be shown regionally on Fox. Kevin Burkhardt provides play-by-play, with Darryl Johnston on color, and Jennifer Hale with the sideline call. The game can be streamed on Fox Sports live and the Fox Sports app.