Chicago will finally get to strut Jay Cutler out on the field for the first time in a Bears uniform.

The Bills will be in their second preseason game so some of their starters might play a bit longer, but that might not mean much considering they were blown out by the Tennessee Titans in the Hall of Fame Game. The Bills’ offense could have similar problems against the Bears’ front lines.

It won't help that Terrell Owens did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Word is that it is just a sprain and that Owens is day-to-day.

The Bears will be without starting cornerback Charles Tillman.

With Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Garrett Wolfe, and Kevin Jones in the backfield, the Bears have plenty of depth and will run the ball well all game.

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The Hall of Fame’s honor roll will grow to 253 with the enshrinement of Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Jr., and Rod Woodson.

Hayes, while playing for the Dallas Cowboys, proved a track man could succeed in a contact sport. McDaniel had a streak of 202 consecutive starts and earned 12 straight Pro Bowl berths.

Smith was a dominant player during his 19 playing seasons with the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins. Thomas, a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s, was named first-team All-AFC seven times during an eight-year stretch.

Wilson, Jr. was the man responsible for reintroducing pro football to Western New York when he formed the Buffalo Bills in 1959. Finally, Woodson recorded 71 interceptions; 1,483 interception return yards; 2,362 punt return yards; and 17 touchdowns.

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But then the wheels fell off.

Buffalo won just three more games the rest of the season, one in each month. Injuries certainly played a part, as they do on any team. But Edwards seemed to regress a bit in midseason before getting hurt and missing a few games – Buffalo lost both of those with J.P. Losman starting.

To kick start that offense, the Bills shockingly signed Terrell Owens to open up the passing game. And T.O. usually has a good first season with a team before turning into a team-killer, so that bodes well. But that offense also lost its best offensive lineman, trading Jason Peters to Philly.

Coach Dick Jauron got a contract extension through 2011, but almost no one believes he will be around next year if this team finishes 7-9 for the fourth straight season – which is exactly what I project.

Here is the Bills' 2009 schedule, and we’ll break it down after:
Sept. 14 at New England Patriots, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 27 vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 11 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 18 at New York Jets, 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 1 vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Week 9: Bye
Nov. 15 at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 3 vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. (Toronto)
Dec. 13 at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Dec. 27 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3 vs. Indianapolis Colts CBS 1 p.m.

Strength of schedule: 6th (opponents combined to go 146-110, .570, in 2008)
Projected record: 7-9
Projected Bodog over/under total: 7 ½
Bodog odds to win AFC: 22/1
Bodog odds to win Super Bowl XLIV: 50/1

When looking at the Bills' first three games, remember that Lynch has been suspended for those, which will hurt substantially. Lynch had eight touchdowns and rushed for 1,036 yards last season, reaching his first Pro Bowl. Fred Jackson should carry much of the load.

That Monday night opener against the Patriots is must-see TV, as it's Owens' debut in a Buffalo uniform and the return of Tom Brady for New England. Is there any chance the jacked-up Pats lose in Brady's first game since Week 1 of last year? No way. Buffalo certainly can and should beat the Bucs (their first trip to Buffalo for a regular season game) and Saints in their first two home games, although no doubt it would be nice to face those teams in the cold. That should make Buffalo 2-1 in September.

In October, Buffalo has three road games, including two more on the road in the division. The Bills were 0-6 in the AFC East last year, so it's hard to see them winning on the road in the division this year. Buffalo no doubt will be favored to handle Cleveland at home but will be a dog at Carolina, a 2008 playoff team. That's a 1-3 month, folks.

The November schedule features four potential playoff teams. The Bills won at Jacksonville last year, but that was early when Buffalo was rolling. Let's say they split, winning both home games and dropping both on the road.

In December, the Bills host their second straight game in Toronto, and it didn't go so well in Canada for the home team last year. But I can see Buffalo winning that game and again a week later at a rebuilding Kansas City. So at 7-6, the Bills will have playoff dreams. But then come three Super Bowl contenders to finish the season. New England has won 11 in a row against the Bills and five straight in Buffalo, so good luck there. I can't see the Bills being favored in any of their final three games (assuming each opponent has something to play for) or winning any of them.

That's another 7-9 season for Jauron and probably a pink slip. And then Owens moves on to another team, and the circus follows.

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New England’s playoff fate looks like this: Right now the Patriots are on the outside looking in. To get in and win the AFC East New England needs to win this week and have the New York Jets defeat the Miami Dolphins.

The Bills ruined Denver’s chance to clinch the AFC West on Sunday with a 20-13 win as a 6.5-point underdog. Against the Broncos Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch combined for 77 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 21 carries.

In Week 10 the Pats defeated the Bills 20-10 as a 3.5-point favorite in New England. The Patriots have won 10 in a row against the Bills, and they haven’t lost in Buffalo since 2003.

Winning the division is key because they will get at least one playoff game at home where they are 12-3 all-time in playoff games.

The Broncos have won five straight against the Bills since 1994 and have averaged 175.4 yards per game on the ground during that run.

The Bills are second in the AFC with 29 turnovers, which certainly is one of the reasons that they will miss the playoffs for the ninth straight year. Get your NFL football odds with Bodog today.

The Jets had the upper hand in the AFC East before dropping two in a row to Denver (+7.5) and San Francisco (+4). Brett Favre didn’t throw a TD pass in either of those games, facing two entirely beatable secondaries. The Bills are ranked No. 23 in the league in pass defense efficiency and are suffering through another year of accumulated injuries.

Bills supporters are more concerned about their QB situation. J.P. Losman (72.3 passer rating) started against the Dolphins in place of Trent Edwards (85.1), who remains day-to-day with a groin injury. Those injuries are notoriously difficult to project.

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Miami needs to cash in on this possible advantage with a tough schedule ahead, playing three of its final four games on the road including a season-ending matchup with the AFC East-leading New York Jets.
The Dolphins are just 4-10 in Buffalo since 1994, so playing indoors will certainly give them a great chance to pull off the upset.

The Dolphins have won five of their last six games but are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Bills.

Trent Edwards remains day-to-day for the Bills, and if he can't go backup J.P. Losman would start. Bet on the NFL in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Next up for the Bills as they try to get back on track for a postseason spot are the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco was looking to build off its first win under Mike Singletary but Terrell Owens broke out with seven catches for 213 yards and the Dallas defense played great in a 35-22 Cowboys win. Frank Gore was held to 26 yards on 14 carries and one catch for six yards.

Will the Bills keep the offense rolling against a Niners pass defense that is ranked 29th in the NFL? Place your NFL bets today in the Bodog Sportsbook.

The 3-point favored Bills are sitting at .500 for the first time this season and quickly falling out of the AFC playoff race. In his latest meltdown, Edwards threw three picks in his first six attempts during a 29-27 loss to Cleveland.

This could be an issue against the Chiefs this week. Kansas City's defense has allowed 28 points or more in five of their last six games, but the team is tied for second in the NFL with 21 takeaways.
Buffalo has lost two straight and five of its last six at Kansas City.