‘As McDermott concluded, “We’ve got to earn the right to win this week.” Even though it’s a “can’t lose” game.’
BillsBeat - October 24, 2020
Take Five: For Bills, nothing less than dominant win vs. hapless Jets will do
‘It’s fair to say the Bills don’t belong in the discussion as one of the NFL heavyweights, because they’ve been knocked out by two, the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs. But they sure as heck should be far superior to the Jets, who they beat in their season-opener and who could very well be one ugly loss away from saying goodbye to coach Adam Gase.’
Does Tremaine Edmunds need to start making big plays? Yes, says Sean McDermott
‘The former first-round draft pick has endured an undeniable regression in 2020, and that is part of the reason why the once-formidable Bills’ defense has played poorly for most of the year.’
Pilot draws Buffalo Bills logo in the air over Orchard Park in his plane
‘He took off at 11 a.m. in Lancaster and landed about 90 minutes later. After the Bills shared the flight path on Twitter, Jeswald took credit for the artful flight.’
Tre’ Davious White questionable, Josh Norman out vs. Jets | Here’s what Bills might do at CB
‘When White missed the game against the Tennessee Titans, McDermott gave second-year cornerback Cam Lewis, a University at Buffalo product, a chance to fill in. The coaching staff felt he performed well under the circumstances and he started in place of Taron Johnson in the slot when White returned against the Kansas City Chiefs. But Lewis injured his wrist in the first quarter of that game and has been in a club-like wrap on his hand ever since, participating in a limited capacity this week during practice. He’s questionable to play Sunday.’
Will Josh Allen, Bills right the ship versus Jets? (8 things to watch)
‘If Allen can’t get back on track against the Jets, Buffalo’s offense will likely continue to struggle for the foreseeable future.’
Four Bills starters OUT for Sunday’s game against Jets; Three more questionable
‘Brown missed the Titans game with a calf injury and tried to give it a go in the Bills’ Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but appeared hobbled and was ineffective. Ford injured his knee during the Bills’ loss to Kansas City and did not practice all week. As a result, he will miss his first game of the season. Norman was injured during practice this week when, according to head coach Sean McDermott, he tweaked the same hamstring injury that placed him on injured reserve to begin the season, which caused him to miss the Bills’ first three games. Dodson injured his hamstring during the Bills’ loss to the Chiefs and didn’t practice all week. It will be the first game he has missed this season.’
Saturday's New York Coverage
Should Jets’ Adam Gase have taken a step back like Todd Bowles instead accepting head coaching job after getting fired? (New York Daily News)
Steve McLendon played in Jets-Dolphins game even though he knew he was going to be traded (New York Daily News)
Sam Darnold, Mekhi Becton expected to start vs. Bills on Sunday (New York Daily News)
Jets’ Sam Darnold on track for Sunday start vs. Bills (New York Post)
Denzel Mims’ long-awaited Jets debut could finally be here (New York Post)
Gregg Williams insists there’s no rift with Adam Gase after veiled criticism (New York Post)
Steve McLendon knew Jets were trading him before playing against Dolphins (New York Post)
Darnold starting for Jets, barring setback (Newsday)
Jets DC Williams says he and Gase on same page (Newsday)
Jets’ Sam Darnold expected to return against Bills on Sunday (Newark Star Ledger)
The Jets agreed to trade Steve McLendon before he played in his final game (Newark Star Ledger)
NY Jets likely to start Sam Darnold against Buffalo Bills on Sunday (Bergen Record)
Jets’ Darnold to start vs. Bills, barring shoulder setbacks (AP)
New York Jets’ Sam Darnold starting against Buffalo Bills barring setback, per Adam Gase (ESPN)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Steve McLendon learned of trade before final game with New York Jets (ESPN)
Sam Darnold expected to start for Jets in Week 7 after missing two games with shoulder injury (CBS Sports)
Jets QB Sam Darnold to start Sunday vs. Bills ‘barring any setbacks’ (SportsNet New York)
Jets’ Denzel Mims eager to possibly make NFL debut Sunday after dealing with ‘difficult’ injury absence (SportsNet New York)
Jets DC Gregg Williams clears up comments on offense: ‘That thing is no thing’ (SportsNet New York)
Sources: Jets not expected to fire Adam Gase midseason (SportsNet New York)
Jets vs. Bills preview: Sam Darnold to likely return as Jets face Buffalo on Sunday (SportsNet New York)
Jets LT Mekhi Becton Likely to Return vs. Bills (NewYorkJets.com)
Jets Injury Report | Week 7 vs. Bills – Friday (NewYorkJets.com)
Jets vs. Bills Game Preview: Sam Darnold Looks Ready to Roll (NewYorkJets.com)
Bills CB Norman out vs Jets, White questionable
‘That leaves the Bills with only two healthy cornerbacks, Taron Johnson and Siran Neal, heading into the road game. Buffalo does have two cornerbacks on its practice squad in Dane Jackson and Lafayette Pitts.’
Injury Report: John Brown, Josh Norman among those ruled out for Sunday's Jets Game
‘Fellow cornerbacks Tre’Davious White (back) and Cam Lewis (wrist) are both listed as questionable. White didn’t practice on Friday, while Lewis was limited and had his wrist and hand heavily taped.’
Man takes fandom to new heights, draws Bills logo in flight path
‘Jeswald said he overlaid the Bills logo in app software and plotted the latitude and longitude and modified it so it could be safely accomplished in a flight path.’
Cheektowaga couple create ultimate Bills game day setup
‘”The big TV is the Bills game, the secondary TV is the second game, the third TV is red-zone, and then the fourth TV is hockey or baseball or if we’re able to get another game, another game,” Celeste explained.’
4 The Fans: Bills vs. Jets
‘Perfect team to do it against even though we won’t really learn much about the Bills from this game because, lets’ face it, the Jets aren’t much of a measuring stick but it’s still a little confidence booster after that blowout loss to the Titans and that tough loss to the Chiefs on Monday.’
Pilot finds special way to honor Buffalo Bills
‘“We are the NFL’s most passionate fanbase there’s no question about it. We’re the most loyal, we’re the most excited. We’ll do anything for the Bills. This is Bills Mafia. This isn’t just me. This isn’t just flying. This is just what Bills Mafia is. So in order to promote local general aviation, which is my other passion, which is what I do for work, with Bills Mafia, there’s no better way to do it.”’
Bills special teams shine in lackluster performances
‘“I was very impressed with our performance on Monday night against a great special teams unit and coach in Kansas City,” said McDermott. “That was a big challenge and I thought we outplayed them.”’
Five players ruled out against Jets, three questionable
‘Cornerbacks Tre White (back) and Cam Lewis (wrist) are questionable for this weekend. White did not practice on Friday. With Norman already ruled out and Levi Wallace on IR, Siran Neal and Dane Jackson could see time against the Jets depending on White and Lewis’ game status.’
Bills fan draws logo in the air over Orchard Park with plane
‘Friday he woke up and said, “Why not?”‘
Injury Report | John Brown, Josh Norman and Cody Ford out for Sunday's game
‘Norman appeared on the injury report after practice on Thursday after tweaking the same hamstring in practice that sidelined him in the beginning of the season.’
6 things to watch for in Bills at Jets | Week 7
‘”We’re not going to let the last couple of weeks put us in the tank,” said Allen. “We’re a resilient group and we’re going to keep grinding and getting better. We’re looking forward to Sunday and putting our best foot forward and try to win the game.”‘
Bills Today | The Bills receiver NFL Network recommends for your fantasy lineup
‘Let’s get Cole Beasley in your lineup, shall we? He’s been a top 30 receiver this year outscoring guys like Hollywood Brown, Juju, and Michael Gallup. He has been so consistent with double-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games. It’s hard not to love him this season, hard not to love him this week facing that Jets defense.’
BillsBeat - October 23, 2020
X's and O's: Cole Beasley talks about the art of route-running
‘“It’s definitely things you think about and you work on,” Beasley said. “Sometimes you improvise and things happen. What I try to do is I try to marry up other routes I’m running and make them look the same.”‘
Bills Notebook: Tremaine Edmunds hopeful shoulder injury won't impact him all year
‘”It’s just something that I’m going to have to play around,” Edmunds said Thursday. “Regardless, of what it is, I’m out there. I hold myself to the same standard as if nothing was wrong with my shoulder at all. I don’t need it as no excuse and I’m not going to use it as an excuse.”‘
How will the Bills fare against the winless Jets in Week 7?
‘The Bills have a big opportunity to get right on both sides of the ball. If they don’t … well, let’s not even consider that, because it’s too scary even for Halloween season. Bills, 35-13.’
View from Vegas: Bills are rare double-digit favorites on road
‘While this 13-point spread appears to be a stretch for the Bills, the fact of the matter is they are 4-1 against the spread as double-digit road favorites dating back to 1990. They’re also 9-1 against the spread as road favorites when coming off consecutive losses.’
Inside the Bills: Why the importance of voting is so deeply personal for Bruce Smith
‘“It means that I have conducted my civic duty and I have recognized all of the sacrifices that have been made through civil rights, through the sacrifices of those who have paved the way and given me the opportunity to be able to vote, because there was once a day that I didn’t have this opportunity,” he said. “Women weren’t allowed to vote at a certain point in time. African-Americans were not allowed to vote. It would be doing a disservice to all those who have come before me who have laid their lives down on the line to grant this opportunity and who fought for minorities to have the right to vote. So that’s why I’m so engaged.”’
Bills need much more from the ex-Panthers they brought in during the offseason
‘On paper, this looked like the most prolific group of ex-Panthers that McDermott and Beane have recruited, but thus far the returns have been minimal.’
What’s happened to Bills’ run game? Devin Singletary, Bills OC think they know how to fix it
‘Though Singletary has certainly struggled at times, it’s been rookie Zack Moss who has really found no running room when he’s carried the ball. Moss is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry and has 58 total yards this season. T.J. Yeldon, who played in the backup role while Moss was out with a toe injury, has rushed the ball 10 less times and has 12 more yards.’
Friday's New York Coverage
Sam Darnold is unfazed by Jets fans hoping to tank for Trevor Lawrence (New York Daily News)
Ravens’ trade for Yannick Ngakoue could open door for Jets to sign Matthew Judon in offseason (New York Daily News)
Jets might go to emergency kicker plan against Bills after Sam Ficken misses practices with groin injury (New York Daily News)
Sam Darnold focusing on Jets matchup, not growing Trevor Lawrence noise (New York Post)
Jets may get rare positive with offense finally becoming whole (New York Post)
Jets have ‘emergency plan’ to replace banged-up Sam Ficken (New York Post)
Sam Darnold worried about wins, not about Jets drafting Trevor Lawrence (Newsday)
Jets looking to get rookies involved on game day (Newsday)
Leinart: It’s ‘tough to watch’ Darnold struggle with Jets (Newsday)
What Jets’ Denzel Mims could bring to offense | ‘You see the talent’ (Newark Star Ledger)
Jets legend Joe Namath on Sam Darnold’s future if team gets No. 1 pick: ‘It would be hard to pass’ on Trevor Lawrence (Newark Star Ledger)
Sam Darnold updates his status, responds to Trevor Lawrence-Jets speculation (Bergen Record)
Jets’ Darnold Tunes Out Lawrence Talk, Focuses On Return (AP)
New York Jets’ Sam Darnold: Trevor Lawrence talk out of my control (ESPN)
Sam Darnold addresses Trevor Lawrence speculation as Jets start season 0-6 (SportsNet New York)
Jets’ Adam Gase says Sam Darnold ‘looking good,’ cleared important hurdle (SportsNet New York)
Joe Namath says Sam Darnold’s future with Jets could be in jeopardy: ‘It would be hard to pass’ on Trevor Lawrence (SportsNet New York)
Comparing the 2020 Jets through 6 weeks to winless 2008 Lions, 2017 Browns (WFAN-AM)
Joe Flacco on Sam Darnold: ‘He’s Got a Ton of Talent’ (NewYorkJets.com)
Jordan Jenkins Ponders Jets’ Sunday Test vs. Bills & QB Josh Allen (NewYorkJets.com)
How Jets’ S Ashtyn Davis Is Staying Grounded in Rookie Season (NewYorkJets.com)
Jets Injury Report | Week 7 vs. Bills – Thursday (NewYorkJets.com)
3 Matchups to Watch: Jets vs. Bills (NewYorkJets.com)
After 2 Losses, Bills Try To Get Back On Track Vs 0-6 Jets
‘“We’re not going to panic,” Allen said. “We’re going to stay solid in our locker room and be a family. We’re 4-2 and we understand that we’ve got to stay ahead of the curve and get things rolling. It’s no panic, but there is a sense of urgency in this locker room that we have to be better, myself included.’
Bills take on 0-6 Jets looking to get back in win column
‘Buffalo has allowed 20-plus first downs in five straight, matching its longest stretch since Oct. 22-Nov. 19, 2017.’
Buffalo Bills Apply To Trademark Fan Base's Mafia Nickname
‘“We felt like we needed to embrace this, because it had really turned into a community spirit,” said Ron Raccuia, executive vice president of the Bills’ parent company, Pegula Sports and Entertainment. “Our players and our coaching staff have really been engaged with it, and it just became very natural.”’
Bills Injury Report: Thursday, Oct. 22
‘John Brown did not participate in practice once again as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Both Tyrel Dodson and Cody Ford, who were listed as week-to-week on Tuesday by head coach Sean McDermott, did not practice as well.’
NFL journeyman Justin Zimmer finally gets his shot
‘“I just try to go out and have as much of a well rounded game as possible. I work on run defense every day, I work on pass defense, whatever I see in the game that I didn’t do well, I’m going to go before practice every day and work on that,” Zimmer said. “Then whatever they put me in, whether it’s first down run stopper or it’s third and ten and they want me to rush the passer, I want to be able to do as many things as I can to help me get on the field.”’
Bills Injury Report: Thursday, October 22nd
‘OL Jon Feliciano (pec) remains on the IR but took a regular turn during individual drills on Thursday.’
Bills defense still searching for its identity
‘“He flies around and always tries to make plays,” Hughes said. “That is the make up of this team, guys who want to make plays. He takes advantage of every opportunity he’s given. He fits in with the unit like a glove, eager to lean and brings that dog mentality on the defensive line.”’
Offical 'Bills Mafia' clothing line released
‘Currently on the Bills online shop there are six Bills Mafia branded items. Those include two hats, two long sleeve shirts, a hoodie and a short sleeve shirt. Prices range from $30-$90.’
Jerry Hughes knows pressure is on Bills D-Line: ‘It starts with us’
‘“We understand we’re the tip of the sphere, what drives this team,” said Hughes. “We gotta come out there with our hair on fire and we gotta set the tone. If it’s stopping the run with a seven man box, it starts with the four up front. We understand that and we’re putting it on our shoulders. We understand if we want to be a playoff team, if we want to be an AFC East champion, the D-line has to show up week in and week out.”’
NFL ‘glamorous’? Not for Bills DT Justin Zimmer
‘“In terms of having to get up and move my life pretty often, that’s not very fun. My wife hates it, too,” Zimmer said. “She has to move our stuff most the time. They call you and you have to be there within a day or two. I’m out right away and she’s left to pack up all the house. That sucks for her.”’
The Bills have an identity crisis on defense
‘”With guys that are in and out of the lineup, not creating excuses but we gotta find that rhythm to get off the field on third down and tighten up in the red zone,” added Hyde. “Stuff we’ve been doing here in the past for so long.”‘
Bills sign LB Ahmad Gooden to the practice squad
‘Gooden spent the 2020 offseason with the New York Jets before being released in August. He originally joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2019. He made his NFL debut against the Bills and played in three career games with Denver. Gooden played his college football at Samford and is a native of Talladega, AL.’