‘“I slip here and there and there were some cuts I missed on but, for the most part, I was running and cutting. I was stopping, where other guys were slipping. Maybe it’s because I know I’m going to get the ball a lot so I just try to play extra good.”’
Archives for December 11, 2017
Bills find a way to conquer snow and the Colts
‘”We weren’t even standing on the field,” Davis said. “We were standing on top of the snow. And I’m putting my hand down on ice. I’m like, ‘I don’t even know how I’m going to come off the ball against this tight end and this tackle.’ I remember a few times out there I wasn’t even in a three-point stance. I was standing up because I felt like I was better equipped, had better leverage just standing up and then coming off the ball.”‘
‘Toughest people in the world’ watch resilient Bills win in OT
‘Roughly eight inches of snow fell during the game, according to Major. The Bills, taking their cues from the NFL and the officiating crew, assembled a team of 20 men with gas-powered blowers to clear the yard lines and hash marks before the game and during each break in the action. Still, players had to use their feet to clear the spot from where kicks were attempted.’
Joe Webb takes advantage of rare second chance in Bills’ win
‘Instead of playing a big role in the victory, Webb was nearly the main reason for what would have been a damaging loss. He made a poor pass intended for tight end Charles Clay that was intercepted by Chiefs safety Matthias Farley with 52 seconds left in regulation. The Colts, however, couldn’t capitalize on the takeaway when Adam Vinatieri’s 43-yard field goal missed wide left with 1 second left.’
Jerry Sullivan: Shady saves the day in the snow
‘History suggested he was due. McCoy has a thing for the snow. In 2013, with the Eagles, he played in a similar snow game against the Lions. He broke the Philly rushing record with 217 yards that day, including two long TD runs in a 34-20 win over the Lions. That game also occurred in Week 14 and helped Philadelphia sneak into the playoffs.’
Bucky Gleason: Taylor will be ready and willing to play Dolphins, but is he able?
‘”Through the highs and lows, we were able to keep our focus,” Taylor said. “There were so many ups and downs in the game. It just so happened that it was toward the end of the game. I have tremendous confidence in the guys in that locker room. Today, they went out and played their hearts out.”‘
Tim Graham: Stephen Hauschka empathizes with inspiration Adam Vinatieri on tough day for kickers
‘”What better place to play against probably the best of all-time, one of the great clutch players this game has known,” Hauschka said at his locker stall, “than here in the snow?”‘
Bills Notebook: Punter-long snapper pairing on point; Kelvin Benjamin’s comeback cut short
‘“It was wild. Obviously you can’t really prepare for that,” said Schmidt, who used several Aussie-style punts. “That was by far the craziest weather I’ve played in here. It’s one of those things that, especially coming here, you know that those types of games can happen. You almost dream of them and embrace them because they’re so wild and crazy and out of the ordinary. It was awesome.”’
Vic Carucci’s Take Five: Bills do all that was necessary to beat lowly Colts
‘McCoy finished with 156 yards on 32 carries, giving him an average of 4.9 yards per rush. He handled the slippery conditions better than anyone on the field, something he also had done as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.’
Jay Skurski’s 10 observations from the Bills’ ridiculous overtime win over Colts
‘Those in attendance will have an incredible story to tell. The snow accumulating in feet was one thing, but the utterly bananas number of wild plays at the end of the game made this one extra, uh, special.’
Bills-Colts Matchup Winners: Star RBs, Colton Schmidt were clutch
‘”That was the hardest kick because at least the hashes were semi-scraped off, Schmidt said. “But in the end zone there was like a foot and a half of snow. I know when I kicked the ball I had to kick through some snow. That was weird.”‘
Ten Plays that Shaped the Game: Thompson big in OT
‘Thompson beat cornerback Kenny Moore down the right sideline. The pass from Webb was a tad behind him, but Thompson leaped and snatched the ball out of the air, despite the fact Moore grabbed his midsection, drawing a pass interference penalty.’
Jay Skurski’s Bills-Colts Report Card: LeSean McCoy’s brilliance helps overcome shaky coaching call
‘Sean McDermott’s decision to punt on fourth and 1 at the Colts’ 41-yard with 4:13 left in overtime was an abomination. Yes, the defense got a stop and the Bills were able to get the winning points, but the amount of things that had to go right for that to happen is a lot more difficult than getting 3 feet. A tie would have basically eliminated the Bills from the playoff race, and that looked like what McDermott was coaching for. Think back to the Week 4 win in Atlanta, when the defense had 10 guys on the field for a crucial play at the end of the game, and McDermott has been extremely lucky to have had things go his way in those games. He would be taking an avalanche of criticism if those plays turned out differently. Having Webb throw as much as he did in regulation also is easy to second guess.’
Fourth quarter analysis: Against all odds, Bills pull out win in The Snow Game of 2017
‘The Colts went for the two-point conversion to win the game and connected, but an offensive pass interference penalty on former Buffalo Bill Kamar Aiken moved the ball back and forced a 43-yard extra point, which Adam Vinatieri squeaked through.’
Third quarter analysis: Nathan Peterman injured as Bills hold 7-point lead
‘Peterman dove head-first on a keeper and was hit by linebacker Antonio Morrison and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins as he went to the ground. Teammates immediately called for trainers and a brief shoving match ensued. There was no foul called on the hit.’
Second quarter analysis: Bills take lead just before halftime in snowfest
‘Fourth-down woes: The Bills, who did not play for field position in the first half, failed on another fourth-down conversion in the second quarter. They tried to throw both times, with the pass hitting the receiver in the hands before falling incomplete each time.’
First quarter analysis: There’s s(no)w score between Bills and Colts
‘Passing plays were especially difficult, with Nathan Peterman’s first throw going directly through Kelvin Benjamin’s hands and Charles Clay failing to hold onto Joe Webb’s fourth-down pass. Peterman did have one completion to Benjamin for 9 yards, but the Colts didn’t attempt a pass.’
What They Said: McDermott, McCoy, Benjamin, Webb, Williams and more on win and weather
‘I’m going to get it started with just, again, appreciation with the fans sticking it out to support us through this type of weather. Buffalo weather, right? Good to get a win at home. Again, appreciation and a thanks, big time thanks, to all the people that contributed to getting this stadium ready to play. I’m sure it was a big challenge and then also the grounds crew for keeping the field playable in this type of weather. The staff did a good job adjusting throughout the game to the conditions, the conditions that were out there.’
Colts fans make trip to snowy Buffalo – a trip planned during more hopeful times
‘“We’ve never been to Buffalo,” Rollyson said in the snowy New Era Field parking lot. “We basically wanted to experience the elements that Buffalo is known for.”’
Bills Tailgate Report: ‘Billsfoot,’ bad weather and a chance to learn curling
‘The outer reaches of the stadium lots were nearly empty as late as 11 a.m. The fans who did make it to the game trudged through un-shoveled snow where the sidewalks were supposed to be along Southwestern Boulevard, and tailgaters warmed themselves beside small fires next to their cars and trucks.’
Five things to know about the Miami Dolphins, the Bills’ Week 15 opponent
‘Running back Jay Ajayi tormented the Bills last season, rushing for 214 and 206 yards in two games against Buffalo. The second game was the Christmas Eve meltdown that ended up being Rex Ryan’s final game in Buffalo. But Ajayi no longer plays for the Dolphins: They traded him to the Eagles just before the trade deadline, getting only a fourth-round pick in return.’
Bills pull out incredible 13-7 overtime victory over Colts in snow game
‘The snow began falling about an hour before kickoff, and it was so intense that the field was soon covered, never to be seen again. From the press box, the huge scoreboard at the far end of the field could not be seen, and as warmups went on, the Colts, in their all-white uniforms, were invisible. The Bills wore their all-red color rush uniforms, and they were tough to make out, too.’
The snow might have looked fun, but it nearly cost the Bills their season
‘Given the rosters of these two teams, the Bills were clearly better, and this was a game I believe they would have won without much trouble on a normal day. Instead, the Colts would have won if not for a penalty that wiped out what would have been a game-deciding two-point conversion with 1:16 left.’
Bills report card: Buffalo win in epic snow game saves Bills’ season
‘There aren’t many games where a team throws for 92 yards and I don’t type a capital F on the report card, but this was the game. Passing the ball was next to impossible, yet the Bills completed three tremendous passes, all of which played a major role in the victory. The first two came at the end of the first half on back-to-back plays, Nathan Peterman to Kelvin Benjamin for 21 yards on a critical third down, and then an 8-yard TD pass that gave the Bills the only points I thought they’d need. I was wrong, as the Bills needed an eye-popping 35-yard pass from Joe Webb to Deonte Thompson in overtime to set up McCoy’s winning run.’
Winter won-derland: McCoy’s run gives Buffalo 13-7 OT win, keeping hopes alive
‘The Bills were a mere field-goal favorite over the AFC’s second-worst team and Indianapolis (3-10) showed why.’
Bills vs. Colts: Joe Webb, LeSean McCoy save Buffalo in OT win (11 observations)
‘Sean McDermott made one of the most egregious in-game decisions of his coaching career Sunday. In overtime, he had the Bills punt on 4th-and-2 from the Colts’ 42-yard line. In essence, McDermott was playing for the tie in a situation where the Bills desperately needed a win to improve their playoff hopes.’
What Bills coach Sean McDermott said after wild win over Colts
‘Well, field position. That was big in this game with the conditions the way they were. I felt confident in our defense, [that] if we were able to pin them deep that we would get off the field and get the ball back, which we were able to do.’
Sean McDermott explains Bills’ decision to punt in overtime against Colts
‘”We had been playing well the whole day other than that one long drive,” Poyer said. “So we felt comfortable playing the field position game and getting back on the field to hold their offense and make them punt the football. Smart decision by him and we’re always behind coach whatever he decides to do. Good decision by him.”‘
Why LeSean McCoy wasn’t shocked to see Joe Webb come up big in Bills’ win
‘”So Brett Favre’s out with another guy out, right?” McCoy recalled. “Adrian Peterson’s out and this was when Adrian Peterman was Adrian Peterson. The backup running back was out. Did Percy play? Percy Harvin? So it was him and Percy. So I had never heard of Joe Webb, you know what I mean? So I was like, ‘Yo this is going to be an easy game.’ Look, because we always put a lot of points up. I was going to get my yards. Mike Vick was going to do his thing. Man, this dude (Webb) was killing us. Read options, fake passes, running, throws bombs, beats us. So when Joe came to camp, I said, ‘Joe, look, do the same stuff you did when you beat us.'”‘
Kyle Williams, other Bills gush over fans who braved snow to see win over Colts
‘”You know what?” Williams said. “Before I answer a question, I want to say that our fans and the people here are the toughest damn people in the world. And they are why I’ve been here so long and the reason I enjoy being here so much. They deserve as much credit as anybody. And I love being here and I love playing for those guys. It’s amazing.”‘
What Bills players said about fighting through lake effect snow against Colts
‘”Being a Pennsylvania kid, I’ve played in the snow before. Which is crazy because I never had a lot of snow games in high school. But at Pittsburgh, I played in maybe one snow game and then the one in Philadelphia. I don’t know. I can still cut and run like if there was no snow. I slip here and there. There were some cuts that I missed today that I slipped on. For the most part, I was running, I was cutting, I was stopping, you know, where other guys were slipping. Maybe I know I’m going to get the ball a lot so I try to just play that extra good if that makes sense.”‘
Report card: Buffalo Bills run past Indianapolis Colts in snow-vertime
‘It’s hard to grade the Bills’ quarterbacks as the snow and wind made passing very difficult. Nathan Peterman deserves credit for two terrific passes to Kelvin Benjamin late in the first half, but he needs to learn the importance of sliding feet first. The quarterback took a shot that knocked him out of the contest after trying to dive head first in the snow. Joe Webb almost threw the game away late with an ugly interception, but deserves credit for his throw to Deonte Thompson in overtime.’
Media reacts to weather conditions leading up to Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts
‘It expected to be a large crowd today at New Era Field, but truthfully, I have no idea how many people are here. Can’t see most of the stadium from press box.’
Bills vs. Colts: Tyrod Taylor, Cordy Glenn inactive for Week 14 game
‘Meanwhile, offensive tackle Cordy Glenn, cornerback Leonard Johnson, wide receiver Brandon Reilly, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, guard John Miller and tight end Khari Lee are all inactive for the Bills.’
Bills: McDermott explains his decision to punt ball in OT vs. Colts
‘”Well, field position,” McDermott said. “That was big in this game with the conditions the way they were. I felt in our defense, if we were able to pin them deep, that we would get off the field and get the ball back, which we were able to do.”‘
5 takeaways from the Bills win over the Colts
‘Peterman’s performance: Well, no interceptions, no problem. Rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman redeemed himself a bit against the Colts. He didn’t throw five interceptions, or even one for that matter. The rookie did have a decent day despite the blizzard, going 5-for-11 with 57 yards and a touchdown. However, Peterman paid the price, he slid head-first and sustained a head injury. He’s in the concussion protocol per Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott. He walked off to the locker room and Joe Webb took over quarterbacking duties. Webb played admirably going 2-for-6 for 35 yards.’
Report card: Bills top the Colts 13-7
‘LeSean McCoy does nothing but destroy ankles in the snow. On 32 carries he had 158 yards and the 21-yard game-winning scamper in overtime. But Mike Tolbert had a weak fumble which fortunately did not cost the Bills in the end.’
McCoy, the obvious key to Bills’ success
‘The Bills have three weeks to go as they host the Dolphins, travel to Boston and travel to Miami, in that order. To have a chance for postseason play, Buffalo has to follow the script and give it to McCoy.’
Buffalo Bills Week 14 Report Card: LeSean McCoy plows Bills to 13-7 win over Colts
‘This was the LeSean McCoy show. The Bills running back carried the ball 32 times for 156 yards and the game-winning touchdown run. As a team, the Bills finished with 51 rushes for 227 yards, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. But it was all McCoy. He had a couple long runs on the Bills’ first half touchdown drive. He capped off his great performance with a 21-yard touchdown run.’
Snow bowl: Bills survive blowing blizzard, beat Colts in overtime
‘In a game with precious little offence and one in which Bills third-string quarterback Joe Webb handling the snaps for most of the second half, the Bills needed their feature back more than ever.’