Archives for December 19, 2016

'The game was played before a sparse crowd, befitting of two teams having little on the line and two franchises enduring lengthy stretches of futility.'

'One of the team's most respected leaders, Wood became the Bills latest player to voice his support for continuity at a time when questions are being raised over coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Tyrod Taylor's futures beyond this season.'

'Taylor also ran for 49 yards, Mike Gillislee gained 37 yards and scored a touchdown, and the NFL's top rushing attack rolled up 275 yards. Buffalo's three rushing touchdowns brought its season total to 27, a franchise record.

'"Can I say that I never heard about it until you just said it or is that going to be another weeklong discussion?" Ryan said with a smile. "Because I never did. And I really don't care, because I can tell you this, here's what we all have in common, everybody in here: nobody knows what my future is."'

'ESPN reported Sunday that the organization is likely to retain GM Whaley, who is expected to be given a chance to hire his third different head coach, after having a hand in the hirings of Ryan and former Bills head coach Doug Marrone.'

'The Bills kept their foot on the gas, marching down the field with even more from McCoy on the ground. Dan Carpenter would attempt a 34-yard field goal and knock it through to make it 33-13, Buffalo.'

'The final two games should provide tougher challenges than Cleveland. Miami more so than the Jets since the Dolphins have won eight of nine games. But the Bills will be facing a pair of teams playing their backup quarterbacks and one of those backups, Bryce Petty, will have a total of four starts under his belt.'

'Every time I think Shady can’t impress any more, he finds a way to do it. 153 yards on only 19 carries for a whopping 8.1 yards per run. He added 16 yards on three catches for 169 total yards from scrimmage and scored twice along the way. Once again McCoy made players miss one-on-one and exploded through holes to run free. His longest run was “only” 24 yards, but McCoy had four runs of 16 yards or more. The way he’s still playing, even at 28 years old, McCoy seems like he still has a lot of good football left in him.'

'Tyrod Taylor looked solid against the Browns, which entering the day had given up 30 passing touchdowns, the most in the NFL.'

'The only way this game would have mattered for Rex Ryan is if his team managed to lose to this Browns team. That, in itself, would have likely finished off the Bills head coach. Now, he’s likely safe for another week — considering that the last head coach to be fired midseason after a win was Dan Reeves in Atlanta in 2003.'

'But he looks like a dead man walking. His time in Buffalo likely will end after the regular-season finale against the New York Jets on New Year’s Day unless Buffalo somehow pulls off a miracle finish and makes the playoffs.'

'LeSean McCoy ran for a season high 153 yards and two touchdowns as Buffalo avoided an embarrassing loss with a commanding 33-13 victory over the winless Browns. Mike Gillislee added a rushing touchdown giving the Bills a club record 26 on the season. Tyrod Taylor hit Charles Clay for a 19 yard touchdown pass just before halftime to give the Bills a 17-3 halftime lead. Taylor was 17 of 24 for 174 yards and added 49 yards on the ground. Dan Carpenter added two field goals but he once again missed an extra point.'

'Tyrod Taylor had two grossly underthrown passes that were caught on a 2nd quarter scoring drive, the second one was his only touchdown pass of the game to Charles Clay. He did have a couple of nice completions over the middle and threw the ball well. He also ran very well in this game. Grade A-: Had his best game of the season. Too little too late unfortunately.'

'Buffalo is 4-1 this season when LeSean McCoy goes over 100 yards rushing, and those odds remained largely in the Bills favor on Sunday against the Browns. The Bills feature back hit the century mark on his first carry of the third quarter as Buffalo took a 14-point halftime lead and cruised to victory over winless Cleveland 33-13.'

'“Where do I start,” tight end Charles Clay asked about the feature back’s performance. “Probably his ability to set up the block. I say it’s second to none to anybody in the league the way he can just maneuver defenders. Obviously the quickness and the shiftiness is well-documented, but that’s probably the biggest thing I noticed.”'