NFL Buffalo Bills

Kyle Orton Will Be X-Factor for Buffalo Bills Week 8

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By @teapester725

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Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills are sitting with a 4-3 record through Week 7 of the season. This is a surprise to some, as the Bills benched their starting quarterback, E.J. Manuel, after only four games. Things have improved with veteran quarterback Kyle Orton under center, as the Bills have gone 2-1 in his three starts. This week, the Bills have an important intra-division game against the New York Jets. If they are to continue their ascension this season, it is a game they have to win. The arm of Orton will have a lot to do with the outcome, making him the Bills’ X-factor in Week 8 against the Jets.

In his three starts, Orton has done more than be a game manager. He won the game in Week 7 with a last-second, game-winning drive, making multiple outstanding throw to move the Bills down the field. He converted a fourth-and-20 and third-and-12 on the drive, with the highlight throw being a 28-yard pass to Chris Hogan down the sideline to set up a two-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Watkins.

The Bills have really opened the offense up with Orton running the show, as he has attempted 124 passes in three games compared to the 131 Manuel threw in four. Orton has already surpassed Manuel’s yardage total, and has as many touchdowns, five, in one less game.

Orton will be relied upon Sunday against the Jets also because of a slew of injuries to the Bills’ running backs. Against the Minnesota Vikings, the Bills lost co-starters Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller to multiple-week injuries. In their place will be the unproven Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown. The latter has not yet been active this season, but the Bills are confident in him, acquiring him for fifth- and seventh-round picks in this past NFL Draft.

Through three games, Orton has thrown for no less than 283 yards, and against an undermanned Jets secondary, that could very easily continue. Even more appealing for Orton is that the Jets have allowed 18 touchdowns to only one interception on the season, easily the worst ratio in the NFL.

Orton has built quite the level of chemistry with the rookie Watkins, who has caught 18 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns since Orton took over. With unproven running backs, and a bad Jets secondary, Orton will have a ton of responsibility in this game. If he plays well again, the Bills should win. If not, it could be a long day, making Orton the Bills’ X-factor.

Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network.

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