Yetis Ride Seven-Game Streak Into Buffalo

Denver brings a seven-game winning streak into Erie Shore Stadium on Friday, facing a Buffalo team missing several key defensive starters. The Yetis are 7-2 and third of 16 in their conference, while the Bisons, 3-5 and 12th, sit outside the seven-team playoff field.

Denver's streak includes a 27-3 win over Las Vegas in Week 9 and a 31-28 victory on the road in Week 8. The Yetis have forced nine takeaways and are averaging 374.8 yards per game.

Buffalo arrives after a 31-20 loss at Green Bay in Week 8, a week after a 22-10 win at Chicago. The Bisons have 12 turnovers this season, and their offense is averaging 340.6 yards per game.

Both teams made changes at the top this week. Denver hired Connor Cilin as head coach on Nov. 1, along with Dane Verdworth as offensive coordinator and Marcus Lartmore as defensive coordinator. Buffalo hired Lane Wootridge as head coach the same day, with Sander Pest and Hugo Burtuz as its coordinators. Denver also signed guard Gavin Gendale, free safety Daiki Chuhara and strong safety Quinn Bralby to one-year deals that day.

The quarterbacks have very different seasons. Denver's Lorenzo Zosales has completed 211 of 294 passes for 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. Running back Juan Bisuez has 166 carries for 12 touchdowns, and receiver Manuel Randuz has 62 catches and seven scores. For Buffalo, Amaury Calada has thrown for 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 169 of 239 passing. Running back Hyun-woo Yaingzaki has 133 carries and five touchdowns, and receiver Parker Hairt has 59 catches and three scores.

Buffalo will be without left end Darwin Giazero, defensive tackle Seo-jun Mungta, middle linebacker Graham Grond and cornerback Jean Yanillo, which thins the front and the back end of its defense. Denver is without left tackle Dalton Cull, and defensive tackles Dario Krosski, Sandy Jiont and Noah Whair are all out. The game is listed with lake-effect snow and hard wind, with the roof open at a stadium that seats 71,000.

Need to know Kickoff is Friday, Nov. 6, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Erie Shore Stadium in Buffalo. Conditions are listed as lake-effect snow and hard wind, with the roof open.

Matchup to watch Denver's Jared Lainworth, the right end, has 33 total sacks and is the main threat coming off the edge against a Buffalo offensive line that has lost both of its left guards, Nolan Stes (out) and Takumi Hao (injured reserve). Buffalo left tackle Matt Tows will have to protect Calada's side with less help inside, and Denver's defense has already recorded 37 sacks as a team. If Calada is under pressure, his eight interceptions become the story.

Stats and stuff - Denver is averaging 231.7 passing yards and 143.1 rushing yards per game. - Buffalo is averaging 193.1 passing yards and 147.5 rushing yards per game, with 32 sacks. - A. Whennley leads Buffalo with 30 total sacks at right end.