Archives for October 3, 2016

'Blanton punched and head-butted Mitchell. New England coaches, including defensive line coach Brendan Daly, stepped in and at least two Bills, safety Aaron Williams and cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, threw punches, inadvertently hitting the coaches — Williams shoving Daly more than once.'

'The Bills, who placed receiver Sammy Watkins on injured reserve (with a return after eight weeks) Saturday with a foot injury, got offensive tackle Cordy Glenn back after he missed two games with an ankle injury. Cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring, one game) also returned, while receiver Greg Salas (groin) missed his second straight game. Reggie Bush, who doesn't seem to have a role with the Bills and could be cut shortly, was inactive for the first time. He dressed Sept. 25 but did not play.'

'Ryan also brought a Clemson hat to his postgame news conference Sunday, placing it on the podium as he spoke. Ryan's son, Seth, plays for Clemson. "That was as good of a weekend as you can have," Ryan said, referring to his team's victory and Clemson's 42-36 win Saturday over Louisville.'

'And so, cue the angry Patriots fans asking the NFL to investigate Ryan's claim…'.

'This is peak Grumpy Belichick…'.

'It wasn’t Grogan or Belichick under center, but rather rookie Jacoby Brissett who felt the full force of Buffalo’s attack Sunday. The Bills controlled the line on both sides of the ball and clobbered Brissett numerous times, en route to an emphatic 16-0 win that might reestablish them as an AFC playoff threat—if not a challenger to the Patriots in the East. Tom Brady's return and the Patriots' 3-1 record without him still make them the team to beat, but the Bills at least kept the conversation open for another week or two.'

'They also shutout the Patriots marking the first time they've ever been shutout at Gillette Stadium.'

'I thought the Bills were going to take a ground and pound approach at Gillette Stadium and yet they ended up with 39 passes and 32 runs. It marked the first time the Bills won in a game where Taylor threw 30 or more times. The passing attack called for short drops, quick releases and a controlled approach that gave Taylor some high percentage throws and basically nibbled the Patriots defense to death.'

'Last year in Buffalo, Edelman ran his mouth and just killed the Bills. He induced numerous personal foul penalties just by getting in their face. This year, they totally ignored his crap and he had one catch. Twice he tried to turn Ron Darby to get in his face and trash talk and Darby didn’t even look his way and walked away.'

'LB Zach Brown: The free-agent signing came into the week as the second leading tackler in the NFL. Then, he was everywhere on the Gillette Stadium turf. It seemed like Brown was in on every tackle or pressure of the QB. At the end of the game his final stat line read 18 total tackles, 3 of those for a loss, 1 sack, 2 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles. His hit and forced fumble from Pats QB Jacoby Brissett at the Bills 18 yard line was a huge play. '

'So full credit to the Bills for not just finding a way to win at New England, but doing it in style. That's if it's possible for a 16-0 win to be stylish. I say it is. Sure it was a shutout against a third string rookie quarterback, but still, I already mentioned that New England had easily shutout Houston. So to get that win is impressive any way you want to look at it. It's important when you're playing a third string rookie quarterback that you make him look, well, like a third string rookie quarterback. The Bills did that Sunday.'

'Sammy Watkins likely needs a second operation on his injured foot, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. If additional surgery is necessary, it would end Watkins' season.'

'LeSean McCoy ran for 70 yards and was heavily involved in the passing game, with six catches for 38 yards. He scored the Bills only touchdown of the game, a seven yard catch from Taylor on Buffalo’s opening drive.'

'One of the reasons that the Bills have been able to play as well defensively without the loss of those three key players has been veteran inside linebacker Zach Brown. He stepped in for the rookie Ragland after the team lost him for the year to a torn ACL, and has done so almost seamlessly.'

'Just moments after entering the field in uniform, the Bills defensive backs — most notably safeties Robert Blanton and Aaron Williams — started a pre-game scuffle with quarterback Jacoby Brissett and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell.'