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Archives for December 20, 2019

For McDermott, touted ‘process’ arrives for Bills

‘Still, heading into Saturday afternoon’s game against the Patriots at Foxboro, McDermott’s regular-season record is a solid 25-21 and, over that span, his team is 13-8 in games decided by a touchdown or less. Equally compelling, he’s the first Buffalo coach to have a pair of winning seasons within three years since Wade Phillips did it back-to-back (1998-99).’

‘I could see Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl,’ says Rich Eisen

‘“I could see the Bills in the Super Bowl… It’s possible they make a run. We can’t sit here and go, ‘You know what? This is a nice story.’ You really have to sit here and think they’ve got one of the top corners in the game, a top five defense, a quarterback that is difficult to predict… Mostly positive than negative as opposed to last year. A running game and a top notch playmaker in Brown.”‘

ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser called Sean McDermott ‘muscle-bound bozo’ in 2017; retracts after Bills playoff-clinching win

‘“I’m making a public declaration here,” Kornheiser said on his show Pardon The Interruption this week. “A couple of years ago I looked at this guy Sean McDermott, when he declared his fealty to Nathan Peterman. I said, ‘This guy is a bozo. They’re gonna fire him. They need to fire him.’ I could not have been more wrong. They hadn’t made the (playoffs) in 17 straight years and they’re in two out of the last three. This guy, I thought he was a muscle-bound bozo. He knows what he’s doing.”’

Demos: Bills’ Lawson spreads Christmas cheer for 2 NF student-athletes

‘Lawson calls it “a blessing” to be able to shine light on some local kids who may go through dark days at this time of the year. He said he was the same kid who needed help back in the day and that, at the very least, he’s just happy to see smiles on kids’ faces during the holidays. Lawson knows that everyone goes through tough times, but he knows what’s more important is how we overcome adversity. No matter who it is, he hopes people just walk through it with their heads up and continue to fight with smiles on their faces, because through time he feels that things get easier and easier.’

Bills’ defensive scheme draws praise from Belichick

‘“They do a very good job with their disguise and pre-snap looks,” Belichick said. “They make it hard on the quarterback. “Mostly, as a coach or quarterback, if you look at the safeties, that’ll pretty much tell you 80% of what’s going on defensively based on their depth or rotation or your formation, obviously, and where they go in that formation and how deep they are and what kind of angle they’re taking.”’

Bills more than worthy foe for Patriots

‘Coming into the season, few would have predicted this Week 16 game with the Bills would have such high stakes, and fewer would have expected such a compelling match-up. Yet it’s clear now that the Bills (10-4) are legit, boasting a defense that ranks second in the NFL in points allowed (15.9 points per game) and third in yards allowed (291.9 yards per game).’

Bill Belichick offers rare insight into how Patriots will read Bills’ defense

‘”As a coach or a quarterback, if you look at the safeties, that’ll pretty much tell you 80 percent of what’s going on defensively,” Belichick said in his press conference. “Based on their depth, or their rotation – your formation obviously, and then where they go in that formation, and then how deep they are and what kind of angle they’re taking.”‘

What They’re Saying: Buffalo Bills

‘”That’s our next challenge. It’s not like we’ve proven much. We’ve just been knocking down the challenges that have been in front of us. In order for us to get to where we want to go next – that’s to hang a banner up here – we have to handle the Patriots. … This is the playoffs for us. Playoffs start early.”‘

Friday’s New England Coverage

For Patriots rookies, loneliness is part of the game (Boston Globe)
Why the Patriots are in a better position than they were last year (Boston Globe)
Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones ruled out for Bills game (Boston Globe)
Film study: Expect more of the same struggles from Bills quarterback Josh Allen (Boston Globe)
Buffalo Bills rookie RB Devin Singletary an emerging NFL star (Boston Herald)
Patriots WR Julian Edelman questionable, CB Jonathan Jones out against Bills (Boston Herald)
Julian Edelman: Spygate 2 is ‘pretty much a joke’ (Boston Herald)
Bills primed to score the upset over Patriots at Gillette Stadium (Boston Herald)
Jamie Collins, Julian Edelman questionable for Buffalo Bills game, Jonathan Jones ruled out (Springfield Republican)
Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots preparing for ‘playoff game’ with Buffalo Bills (Springfield Republican)
Tom Brady offers brief press conference ahead of Buffalo Bills game (Springfield Republican)
Julian Edelman injuries: Patriots wide receiver shuts down questions about them (Springfield Republican)
Jonathan Jones absent again as Patriots practice inside Gillette Stadium for first time this season (Springfield Republican)
Defensive backs playing wide receiver? It happens when Patriots need ‘all hands on deck’ at practice (Springfield Republican)
Things Patriots’ Julian Edelman isn’t concerned about: Spygate 2, ‘Yeah that’s pretty much a joke,’ Pro Bowl snub (Springfield Republican)
There’s a lot on the line when Patriots host Bills (Providence Journal)
Bills’ defensive scheme draws praise from Belichick (Providence Journal)
If you don’t have NFL Network, watching Patriots-Bills may get tricky (Providence Journal)
It’s beginning to feel a lot like the playoffs for Patriots (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)
Bills more than worthy foe for Patriots (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)
Jason Whitlock Sure Sounds Ready To Write Off ‘Vulnerable’ Patriots (NESN)
Patriots Injury Report: Jonathan Jones Ruled Out For Bills Game; Four Questionable (NESN)
Julian Edelman Having Best NFL Season Despite (Off-Limits) Injury Concerns (NESN)
Tom Brady Keeps Remarks Brief Ahead Of Pivotal Patriots-Bills Game (NESN)
Where Patriots Land On Colin Cowherd’s NFL Power Rankings Ahead Of Week 16 (NESN)
Bill Belichick Explains Why Patriots Players Switch Positions On Scout Team (NESN)
Julian Edelman Downplays Pro Bowl Snub, Calls Taping Incident ‘A Joke’ (NESN)
Patriots Practice Notes: Why Thursday’s Session Was Held In Stadium (NESN)
Bill Belichick, Patriots ‘Absolutely’ Treating Bills Matchup Like Playoff Game (NESN)
How Can Patriots’ Defense Adjust With Injuries Mounting At Cornerback? (NESN)
Julian Edelman Reveals His Favorite Touchdown Pass From Tom Brady (NESN)
Why Jason Whitlock Believes Tom Brady Is Patriots’ Biggest Problem Heading Into Playoffs (NESN)
Patriots Clinching Scenarios: How AFC East, First-Round Bye Can Be Secured In Week 16 (NESN)
Patriots vs. Bills Week 16 injury report: Jamie Collins, Julian Edelman banged up (NBC Sports Boston)
Matthew Slater has perfect response to Patriots QB Tom Brady’s Pro Bowl snub (NBC Sports Boston)
Patriots fans were quick to defend Tom Brady after Antonio Brown’s latest tweet (NBC Sports Boston)
AFC personnel evaluator describes what makes Patriots defense special (NBC Sports Boston)
NFL Rumors: Jaguars interested in Patriots OC Josh McDaniels (NBC Sports Boston)
Jonathan Jones out; 4 Patriots questionable vs. Bills (WEEI-FM)
Julian Edelman doesn’t want to talk about his injuries (WEEI-FM)
Patriots treating Saturday vs. Bills like playoff game (WEEI-FM)
Julian Edelman on GHS reacts to him and Tom Brady not being named to Pro Bowl (WEEI-FM)
Julian Edelman on GHS: Patriots’ videotape incident ‘pretty much a joke’ (WEEI-FM)
Updates on NFL’s investigation of Patriots’ videotaping incident (WEEI-FM)
Jonathan Jones Out For Saturday’s Patriots-Bills Game; Edelman, Collins Questionable (WBZ-TV)
‘Stats Show Buffalo Completely Outplayed Patriots’ In First Matchup, Says SportsLine’s Larry Hartstein (WBZ-TV)
Tom Brady Ready For Playoff Feel Against The Bills On Saturday (WBZ-TV)
Eight Pro Bowls are nice, but Matthew Slater and the Patriots’ leaders keep the bigger goal in perspective (WBZ-FM)
The Patriots will be without Jonathan Jones (groin) on Saturday (WBZ-FM)
Bill Belichick explains why the Patriots practiced inside Gillette Stadium in frigid weather (WBZ-FM)
Unfiltered Notebook 12/19: Patriots and Bills ready for ‘big time’ game (Patriots.com)
Keys to the Starting Lineup presented by Carmax: Patriots vs. Bills (Patriots.com)
Transcripts: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Press Conferences 12/19 (Patriots.com)
What They’re Saying: Buffalo Bills (Patriots.com)

If the Bills Shock the Patriots, Should a National Holiday Be Declared?

‘I know. I told you. It’s a big deal. Knocking off the fancy Death Star Patriots? It’d be more seismic than impeachment. Clocks would stop. Mountains would move. Parents, children and dogs of all sizes would rush to the streets and dance. A national week of celebratory Bills Mafia table smashing would commence.’

Pats Going For Sweep Of Bills, 11th Straight AFC East Title

‘“We certainly respect the Patriots; they’ve reigned over this division, by far, for a long time,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “So, to have a game like this at this point in the season, our players have worked hard for it. So, you earn everything you get in this league, and so they’ve earned that, but we’re going to have to earn it this weekend because the Patriots, they play well, and especially down the stretch.”’

How Buffalo Bills shook off ghosts of seasons past to earn second playoff berth in three years

‘”We’re trying to get guys who love playing for their teammates. It’s not about ‘me,’ it’s about the ‘we.’ Smart and dependable guys and tough guys who are resilient,” Beane said in the visiting locker room of Heinz Field. “Sometimes it’s not always the guy who’s most athletically talented. We’re shooting for guys who even when our backs are up against the wall, nobody’s pointing the finger when bad stuff happens.’

McDermott: We ‘have to be disciplined’ against the Patriots

‘“You have to be very disciplined. They can beat you, Brady or just the entire offense can beat you in a lot of ways because they’ve been together for so long and they can just spin the dial. If it’s not working, they can go to something else. They’re probably unlike any other team around the NFL because they’ve been together for so long. The volume, the width of their playbook, if you will, is so wide, and if it’s working you better stop it because if not, they will continue with it. So they’ve just got a good scheme, they’ve got good players, and just multiple ways to beat you.”’

Bills fulfill man’s last wish

‘”He called us over because he said he reached his gates, and he wanted us to come over, so we came over,” said Tiecha Hill, Covington’s granddaughter, “He had his phone and was trying to open it but he couldn’t. My aunt took the phone and she opened it and said ‘Who are you trying to call?’ and he said, ‘the Bills.'”‘

These Bills Mafia Rock ‘Em Socks may be the perfect holiday gift

‘”The Mafia sock design that we have is celebrating the vibrant (and often intriguing) culture of the football fans from Buffalo,” founder of Rock ‘Em Socks Rob Starkman told 7 Eyewitness News. “Nearly every week a video of a tailgate wrestling match goes viral from Buffalo. Fans getting tossed through tables, someone getting drenched in ketchup and mustard. We love telling stories through our socks, and the Mafia just had to be featured.”‘

Allen continues to be a difference maker for Bills

‘“I feel like again, that that was a game that helped me realize that I didn’t need to make every single play by myself, nor should I try to make every single play by myself. So again, we got 10 guys on the field and we got to trust those other 10 guys to make their plays and do their job. I feel like we’ve been doing a good job with that as of late.”’

What they’re saying | NFL analysts evaluate Buffalo’s standing in the AFC East hierarchy

‘“And there’s also something though about narrowing the gap sometimes people are too much in a rush. But they (McDermott-Beane) have built this thing to last,” Pioli said. “I think sometimes if you’re in too much of a rush you make some free agent mistakes, you make some trade mistakes. They’ve narrowed that gap so now, right now, I think there’s a chance that it may happen.”’

Bills Today | This ESPN writer thinks Buffalo’s defense could ‘spark a Super Bowl run’

‘Buffalo’s approach to personnel is clear: Identify what players do well, then let them do that. In Hyde, Buffalo saw a safety who could cover tight ends in the slot really well. In Poyer, they saw a good tackler and a smart player. Now the duo prevent big plays weekly. Buffalo allows 15.9 points per game (second behind the Patriots) despite ranking 10th in takeaways, with 21.’