Eagles vs. Bills Scouting Report

Recent history: The Eagles defeated the Bills at the Linc on Dec. 30, 2007, 17-9, and lead the all-time series, 7-5.

OFFENSE

Eagles: 434.8 yards per game (4th)

Bills: 391.5 yards per game (9th)

Quarterback

Eagles: Mike Vick threw for a career-high 416 yards against the Niners last week and has a .670 completion percentage in the last three games. His 109.2 third-down passer rating is the fourth best in the league. He's got a .714 completion percentage on third down and also is averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

Bills: After throwing nine TD passes in the first three games, Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't have any last week vs. Bengals and was held to 5.85 yards per attempt. Fitzpatrick is an accurate passer with good decision-making skills, who has more mobility than he gets credit for. Has a 117.5 fourth-quarter passer rating.

Pick: Eagles

Running Back

Eagles: LeSean McCoy was the league's second-leading rusher after three games and was averaging 19 carries a game. He inexplicably got just nine carries last week, four in the second half, though he did have a season-high six catches. He should get more carries against the Bills, 25th against the run.

Bills: Fred Jackson is a 6-1, 215-pounder with deceptive speed and good vision. The Bills drafted C.J. Spiller 2 years ago to be their every-down back, but he hasn't been able to unseat Jackson (5.8 yards per carry). Bills probably will use Spiller to create coverage mismatches vs. LBs and safeties in the passing game.

Pick: Eagles

Receiving

Eagles: DeSean Jackson is averaging 20.3 yards per catch and has five receptions of 25-plus yards. But he's got just one touchdown and one red-zone reception. Jeremy Maclin already has 26 catches, including a team-high 15 for first downs. TE Brent Celek likely will be used primarily as a blocker with LT Jason Peters out.

Bills: TE Scott Chandler is a big target (6-7) who already has caught four TDs and figures to get more opportunities vs. a defense that has had trouble defending the TE. WR Steve Johnson came into his own last season, catching 82 passes, 10 for TDs. Johnson is an excellent combo of size (6-2), strength and athleticism.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles: Michael Vick's low sack total (6 in 129 attempts) isn't a totally accurate indicator of his protection; he's probably avoided a half-dozen more himself. Unit will have two new faces. First-round pick Danny Watkins will replace struggling RG Kyle DeVan and King Dunlap will start at LT in place of injured Jason Peters.

Bills: Bills have allowed just two sacks in four games, though Ryan Fitzpatrick does a good job of helping by getting the ball out quickly. Their depth will be tested with LT Demetrius Bell out with a shoulder injury. He'll be replaced by rookie Chris Hairston. LG Andy Levitre is the Bills' most consistent lineman.

Pick: Bills

DEFENSE

Eagles: 357.3 yards per game (16th)

Bills: 405.0 yards per game (27th)

Defensive line

Eagles: The front four has accounted for all 15 sacks, including seven by LE Jason Babin. But injuries are starting to take a toll. DT Antonio Dixon (torn triceps) is out for the season and Pro Bowl RE Trent Cole (calf) probably will be out until after the bye.

Bills: NT Kyle Williams, who made the Pro Bowl last year, is one of the league's best interior linemen. He plays low to the ground. He's a short-area player, but has the quickness to penetrate gaps. RE Marcell Dareus, the Bills' first-round pick, is a 6-3, 340-pound load. LE Dwan Edwards is a good complementary player.

Pick: Even

Linebacker

Eagles: This unit has been at the root of the team's defensive problems. The LBs have struggled to get off blocks and have played poorly vs. both the run and pass. Eagles are allowing 5.3 yards per carry and already have given up 40 catches for 478 yards and six TDs to opposing RBs and TEs.

Bills: Nick Barnett was a good free-agent acquisition. He replaced Paul Posluszny at one of the two inside spots. Plays the run as well as Posluszny and is better in coverage. Shawne Merriman is at the end of his career, but still has a little bit of explosion as a pass rusher off the edge. He's got just one sack.

Pick: Bills

Secondary

Eagles: Juan Castillo's insistence on playing so much zone coverage has effectively turned Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the best cover corners in the game, into a very ordinary player. Despite the additions of Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a defense that notched 23 interceptions last season has just two.

Bills: Bills already have eight interceptions. But injuries to starting corner Terrence McGee and nickel back Aaron Williams could leave them at a distinct disadvantage against the Eagles' three- and four-WR sets. FS Jairus Byrd, who had nine interceptions two seasons ago, has excellent ball skills.

Pick: Eagles

Special Teams

Eagles: Rookie Alex Henery's two costly, second-half misses on 33- and 39-yard field-goal attempts vs. 49ers definitely is a cause for concern. P Chas Henry has had just four of 11 attempts returned. Punt-coverage unit, which is ranked second in the league (3.3), will be tested by C.J. Spiller.

Bills: PK Rian Lindell and P Brian Moorman are among the league's better kicking tandems. Lindell has converted 7 of 8 FG attempts, but none has been longer than 43 yards. His only miss was a block. Moorman is fourth in the league in gross average (51.1), but has only a 40.4 net. Thirteen of his 20 attempts have been returned.

Pick: Bills

Domo's prediction: Bills 37, Eagles, 32

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles MLB Jamar Chaney vs. Bills RB Fred Jackson: Chaney is coming off a poor performance vs. 49ers. Jackson is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Advantage: Bills

2. Eagles WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin vs. Bills CBs Drayton Florence and Leodis McKelvin: Florence is subbing for injured Terrence McGee. Jackson and Maclin combined for 13 catches for 245 yards last week vs. SF. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles C Jason Kelce vs. Bills NT Kyle Williams: Kelce is a rookie. Williams is one of the league's best interior d-linemen. Advantage: Bills

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: DE Jason Babin. Has seven sacks, including a career-high three vs. the Niners.

Bills: RB Fred Jackson. Has two 100-yard rushing performances in four games and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

NOT

Eagles: MLB Jamar Chaney. Had a poor overall performance in last week's loss to the Niners.

Bills: RB C.J. Spiller. Bills' 2010 first-round pick has just 17 touches in the first four games.