Archives for December 25, 2016

'Miami defensive end Mario Williams was on the field for just 11 plays, by The News’ unofficial count. Williams is making $8.45 million this season. That’s $528,000 a game. So the 31-year-old, 11th-year veteran made roughly $48,000 a play on Saturday. Nice work if you can get it.'

'Good grief, Dan Carpenter. What was that? The Bills’ kicker likely kicked his way right out of Buffalo, missing a 45-yard field goal in overtime and a 46-yarder in the first half. Even worse than that was his disappearance before the locker room even opened. Way to stand up and face a few tough questions, Dan.'

'The Bills' slim playoff hopes officially died with the loss, extending the longest postseason drought in North American sports to 17 years. So, too, possibly, is Rex Ryan's time as their coach. Stay tuned.'

'The Dolphins zipped around and sometimes through the Bills' defense.'

'Ryan's position seems even more tenuous after this setback. His defense had yet another miserable day, giving up 494 total yards and four plays of 40 yards or more – including a 57-yard dash by Jay Ajayi to set up the winning score in overtime.'

'The Bills had a franchise-record 589 yards of total offense Saturday, and it still wasn’t enough to beat the Dolphins. Their defense buckled and allowed a game-tying field goal with six seconds remaining. Jay Ajayi gashed them for 206 yards rushing, including a 57-yard run in overtime.'

'Simply put, he should be fired for his call to punt with just over 4 minutes left in overtime. The scenario was this: The Bills faced a fourth-and-2 from their 40-yard line. A tie would eliminate them from playoff contention. Knowing that, Ryan simply can not punt the ball there.'

'Moore was thoroughly unimpressive. But the Bills’ defense kept taking him off the hook. Terrible tackling basically gave Miami three scores. You’d think by Week 16 of the season the defenders would make basic form tackles. But no. The Bills continually threw shoulders into Miami ball-carriers, which allowed them to bounce away for big gains.'

'The Dolphins had no timeouts remaining but were able to get close enough for a long field goal attempt. The Bills tried to call timeout when it appeared they were short a player, but the play went off and Franks squeaked the ball through to force overtime.'

'On the Dolphins’ first drive after halftime, cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman whiffed on a tackle that allowed DeVante Parker to run free for a 56-yard touchdown.'

'It felt oddly reminiscent of the first half of the Steelers game when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger singlehandedly kept the Bills in the game before turning to the rushing attack in the second half.'

'The Bills took a delay of game penalty in the quarter, lost a challenge, blew a timeout and a missed field goal. They were a Jerry Hughes personal foul away from bingo.'

'Also inactive for the Bills are: linebacker Lerentee McCray (concussion), wide receiver Dez Lewis, tight end Gerald Christian, defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, quarterback Cardale Jones and tight end Logan Thomas.'

'By punting, Ryan basically sealed his team’s fate because had the game ended in a tie, the Bills were still eliminated, and the chances of Buffalo getting the ball back after the punt were not great. Obviously, they never did as Ajayi wound up soaring past 200 yards rushing for the second time against the Bills this season.'

'Zooming to the top of the Bills Christmas wish list: Tackling lessons.'