Detroit Lions: 4 Key Focal Points vs. Buffalo Bills

The Detroit Lions are looking to boost their win streak to three games against the Buffalo Bills Sunday. The injury bug has struck early with this team, but returning to Ford Field and riding a 3-1 record has it playing with confidence.

Plenty of factors favor the Lions in their Week 5 matchup against Buffalo and their former head coach, Jim Schwartz. With sharp execution on all ends, they should be able to walk out 4-1. 

Here are the most vital focal points for Sunday. 

1. The Return of LaAdrian Waddle

Despite the efficiency of the Lions' offensive attack thus far, quarterback Matthew Stafford has taken a beating this season. The numbers based on protection from last year to this year share a scary contrast.

Through 4 weeks in 2013, Stafford was only sacked 3 times. But this season, Detroit has surrendered 11 sacks with the majority coming off the right edge where they've badly been missing injured tackle LaAdrian Waddle. 

The second-year lineman has been nursing a hamstring injury from Week 1 against the New York Giants. Waddle was splitting time with veteran tackle Corey Hilliard, who is done for the season after injuring his foot. Waddle isn't a superstar, but he forms a productive tandem with budding guard Larry Warford, and he's a certain upgrade over Cornelius Lucas and Garrett Reynolds.

Buffalo's front line will be without Pro Bowl tackle Kyle Williams, but it still possesses a strong force that's fifth in the NFL with 11 sacks. The Lions will have their hands full with linemen Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus and Jerry Hughes. Waddle's return should help keep Stafford clean on Sunday.

2. Slay vs. Watkins

The maturation of Darius Slay has been a pleasant surprise for this football team. After passing on adding a new No. 1 cornerback and suffering season-ending injuries to defensive backs Bill Bentley (ACL) and Nevin Lawson (toes), Slay has helped anchor Detroit as the No. 2 pass defense in the league. 

Buffalo will feature Slay's toughest matchup so far this season, first-round prized receiver Sammy Watkins. 

While Slay will have his own challenge keeping up with the Bills' No. 1 target, Watkins will have his own challenge adjusting to catching passes from new starting quarterback Kyle Orton. Regardless of the quarterback, this is no easy task for the second-year cornerback, and he'll have plenty to prove this week. 

3. Create Havoc For Orton

It's still a complete enigma why franchise quarterback EJ Manuel has been benched after four weeks of action. Regardless, veteran Kyle Orton will take over under center for the Bills against the Lions.

Buffalo's ranked 31st in the NFL with only 198.5 pass yards a game. Even with a solid core of receivers in Watkins, Robert Woods and Mike Williams, the explosive play hasn't been on display.

Last week, Manuel and Buffalo felt the wrath of the Houston Texans defense. Manuel was hit 16 times behind the line of scrimmage and gave up two bad interceptions, including a pick-six to reigning Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.

The Lions have plenty of depth on their defensive line and should create a rough Buffalo debut for Orton. If Detroit's No. 6 rush defense can contain the running duo of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, it'll force Orton to sling the ball around, which is not his game. Added pressure could force some key turnovers and a quick lead for the Lions.

4. Reggie Bush

Running backs Joique Bell (concussion) and Theo Riddick (hamstring) have been ruled out of this week's contest due to injury. That will add some work for first-year Lion George Winn and a major workload for veteran Reggie Bush.

The Bills are stout against the run, averaging an NFL third-lowest 71.5 yards per game. They've struggled big in the pass game, however, surrendering 266.2 yards a game and have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to running backs, which could be mean a huge day for Bush.

Stafford will have a less-than-100-percent Calvin Johnson again this week along with a probable Golden Tate playing on a hurt hamstring. The Lions aren't afraid of using Bush as the workhorse, and if they can get him in space, he can create nightmares for Buffalo. Setting up some screens in the pass game could open up some holes in the run game as well. 

Prediction

Detroit matches up well against Buffalo in all phases of the game. Unless they hurt themselves with penalties, missed opportunities and same-old Lion football, this should spell a third straight victory for the Lions. 

Detroit 30, Buffalo 17

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