Archives for September 11, 2017

'“We’ve been preparing for this … preparing to win. It was a whole new energy and I’m really excited just taking a step back and looking at what we’re building.”'

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'The Bills showed a high level of intensity. They were mostly smart. They were tough-minded. And although LeSean McCoy gave the most dynamic performance, with 159 yards from scrimmage, several other players contributed significantly to the outcome.'

'“Poyer showed out today,” Hyde said. “He did a great job. … I’m excited for Poyer. A lot of hard work he’s put in throughout this offseason. A lot of people have counted him out, counted myself out, so we made a promise to each other, to this whole secondary and to this team. We’re going to give it our all this whole season, and that guy is doing it for sure.”'

'"Once I got comfortable, it was like, 'ok, I'm ready to go out there and just play some ball now.' Tyrod found me across the middle, so we were able to get something good out of it," Matthews said. "These guys make it easy because everybody here is working toward the same mission. There aren't a bunch of guys out here trying to do their own thing. It's so much about team, so the whole time guys were like, 'hey Jordan, it's coming.' That type of encouragement, that type of teamwork helps those big plays happen."'

'I don't think of New Era Field as a "building," but the coach had a good point. McDermott made sure to praise the fans for bringing their typical energy and passion. Maybe season tickets are down this season, but the enthusiasm of the true Buffalo diehards doesn't appear to have diminished.'

'The Bills outgained the Jets, 408-214, and had 190 yards rushing. LeSean McCoy gained 110 yards rushing. Since 2010, McCoy leads the NFL with 34 games with at least 100 yards rushing, and his teams have a 29-5 record over that span. Shady also leads the league with 2,272 yards rushing since joining the Bills.'

'“He’s a special back. Barry Sanders-like,” Jets cornerback Buster Skrine said of McCoy, who repeatedly dangled the ball away from his body without fear of being touched or tackled, en route to 159 total yards in the Bills' 21-12 win. “I’ve never seen a guy hold the ball with one hand and run the ball like that.”'

'Sorry to spoil the party, but there were some troubling signs in the opener. Keep in mind, the Jets are probably the worst team in the league. Their passing game is putrid. Their running game isn't any better. Their defense, while stout up front, is young and vulnerable in the secondary.'

'And the Bills didn’t take any stupid penalties or mismanage coach's challenges, hallmarks of Rex Ryan-coached teams over the previous two seasons. Buffalo did what was required to win.'

'More impressive: Opponents know what to expect when they play the Bills, and yet the Jets and their vaunted defense couldn’t corral the 29-year-old back, who passed 12,000 total scrimmage yards in his career and topped 100 yards from scrimmage in his seventh straight game.'

'The immediate concern was on McCoy – who before getting hurt had produced 153 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches. McCoy went to the trainer’s tent on the Bills’ sideline, and emerged a short time later with his helmet in hand, taking a seat with his teammates on the bench. The team announced a short time later McCoy had been cleared to return with a wrist injury, and all of #BillsMafia exhaled. He finished the game with 110 rushing yards on 22 carries and added 49 yards on five receptions.'

'The Bills' new defensive secondary played fundamentally sound. There were no blatant coverage mixups and finger-pointing after long gains allowed. Rookie cornerback Tre'Davious White had a strong debut. New safety Jordan Poyer was sensational in coverage and in attacking the backfield. New outside linebacker Ramon Humber – a big who's-he signing by the new regime – was all over the field.'

'Enjoy the win, Bills fans, but don't gloat too much. The Bills defeated the Jets, and that's no jackpot.'

'The Bills were mostly solid, which was good enough to escape with a fairly comfortable win but probably wouldn't have allowed them to beat any of the better opponents remaining on their schedule. LeSean McCoy's running and receiving accounted for most of their offensive success, and their defense predictably limited the Jets' pathetic offense to 214 yards and intercept Josh McCown twice.'