Two Bills Drive

‘The Bills’ loss to the Dolphins on Sunday was so ugly, it should make owner Terry Pegula re-evaluate everything about the organization – starting with the decisions of his general manager.’

‘There was no excuse for an offense led by the NFL’s reigning MVP to look as unprepared and uninspired as it did throughout their defeat.’

‘Jackson’s right knee injury left the Bills with just Solomon, Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa active at the edge. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa, dealing with a concussion, was inactive for the Dolphins game. The Bills are also just one week removed from having lost defensive end Michael Hoecht for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.’

‘The Buffalo Bills were exposed on Sunday in Miami Gardens. The 30-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins was putrid for a number of reasons. A week after toppling the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills looked like a different team. Injuries contributed, but the Bills also turned the ball over three times. When they did hold on to the ball, they couldn’t move downfield. The defense came into the game down multiple starters, and depth on both sides of the ball was questioned, once again. The Bills did not look like Super Bowl contenders in this outing; They looked unprepared.’

‘Each game and practice presents rookies such as Hawes with an opportunity to learn. Though the fifth-round pick wants to keep improving, he showed in the fourth quarter that Allen can turn to him when the Bills need someone to get open in a key moment of the game.’

‘Cam Lewis read the play perfectly. He shuffled quickly to his left, then sprinted to the A gap to meet Achane head on. Lewis, starting at nickel cornerback in place of Taron Johnson, missed the tackle. Bills linebacker Matt Milano also missed Achane. Safety Jordan Poyer dove at his legs, but couldn’t bring him down.’

‘Run defense: F: This absolutely cratered late, allowing touchdown runs of 59 and 35 yards to De’Von Achane in the final 6:31. “I think some missed tackles,” defensive tackle DaQuan Jones said of the run-defense issues. “Not the last one, but the one before that, there was a missed tackle. Just from seeing on the sideline, I think, from inside the box. Just really making those plays. It’s not just one guy, either. A good defense, you’re going to have at least two guys hitting a guy at the same time and just making sure that we’re doing that and kind of covering each other’s backs.”’

It was 50 years ago this fall when, for the very first time, I passed through the hallowed gates of Highmark Stadium, formerly and fondly known as Rich. On a crisp autumnal afternoon under cerulean skies, I attended my first professional sporting event as the Buffalo Bills hosted the Denver Broncos.’