Archives for November 2016

'That means the Bills now sit in 11th place in the AFC with an uphill climb to reach the playoffs. This is what the AFC standings look like with the Bengals still to play on Monday Night Football.'

'The coach added that the team’s focus will be on their upcoming opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals.'

'“I thought it went well. We had a couple communication errors and we could have done better but coming in you’d obviously like to finish that last drive,” Groy said. “We have to finish better and I’ve got to be better.”'

'“We’ve got to do what’s best for our football team,” Ryan said. “Whoever is playing best will be out there.”'

'"This should be the healthiest we've been in a long time coming back off the bye, and should have a lot of energy and passion," coach Rex Ryan said.'

'"That's the thing about these games, you think this looks good, that looks good. Not that you're glued to it, but you pay attention to things and there were some unbelievable endings in a bunch of games. The normal math, the normal thinking, that's always been the number you put out there; generally 10 gets you in. Not all the time, but generally that's what happens. Our focus has to be on Cincinnati and that's it. You can't worry about getting to 10 wins, we have to worry about getting to five wins. We haven't earned the right to think about anything further than that."'

'"Until all our medical people are on board with him coming back out there on the field, then we're not going to practice him. When that times occurs, and hopefully that will occur soon, he'll be back out there. He feels great so hopefully that's a positive sign."'

'There could be a couple lineup changes, as well, when the team travels to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals Sunday. A week after cornerback Ronald Darby appeared to be benched, Corey White was working with the first unit on defense. Darby was off to the side chatting with defensive backs coach Tim McDonald. At one point, it appeared McDonald was getting fairly animated with the second-year player, who never put his helmet on or took any reps during the position of practice the media was allowed to watch.'

'Lo and behold, it was Darby standing on the sidelines with defensive backs coach Tim McDonald, all the while veteran journeyman cornerback Corey White took the first-team reps at left cornerback.'

'“Seantrel looked outstanding last week, so we’re going to give him an opportunity and we’ll see what happens with Seantrel,” the head coach said. “Well I’m encouraged right now (with) the way he practiced, especially last week. Like that was the guy that I remember, a special athlete. Hopefully he can continue that way, but I was really encouraged with how he looked last week.”'

'Eric Wood’s 2016 season officially came to an end Monday as he was placed on injured reserve following last week’s surgery to repair a broken leg. The Pro Bowl center sustained the injury in the second half of the team’s Monday night game at Seattle in Week 9.'

'“He is eligible to return to practice, however the trainers have said they feel he’s not ready to return this week,” said Ryan. “I met with Sammy and Sammy feels fantastic. But we’re going to be smart with this and do what’s best for him. Until all our medical people are on board with him coming back out there on the field, then we’re not going to practice him. But when that time occurs and hopefully it’s soon then he’ll be out there.”'

'Fortunately for the Bills their last seven games are against AFC opponents, and entering Week 10 they had a combined winning percentage of .389 (23-35-1). Only one of their remaining opponents had a winning record prior to Week 10, which was AFC West leader Oakland at 7-2.'

'Without attempting to untangle jumbled playoff possibilities that will continue changing every week, here’s the deal: The Bills need to win at least six of their final games to reach the postseason and maybe all seven. It would address their overall record while simultaneously take care of their conference record.'

'The majority of Hughes' 39 total pressures come from QB hurries, a stat that you don't see in the box score. Through nine games, Hughes 29 total tackles and five sacks.'