‘What do the Bills have to do to win today? Score at least 20 points.’
Archives for January 4, 2020
How much does experience in playoffs matter?
‘“Knowing a few weeks ahead that we made the playoffs is probably the biggest thing,” he said of clinching in Week 15. “Other than that, it’s preparation as normal. We understand we’re playing one game seasons at this point. As a staff, obviously, this is our third year together, for the most part, so that experience is good for us.”‘
Jerry Hughes, the longest-tenured Bill: ‘We’ve got to come out swinging’
‘“We understand, and especially I understand, what’s at stake now. It’s a lot more than just going out there playing football. It’s more of going into someone’s home and trying to take something from them. You’re trying to take a Super Bowl trophy, an AFC championship banner, so you’ve got to have that mentality. And when you’re going into someone’s home to take something, you’ve got to give them four quarters of just hell.”’
Bills need Josh Allen, pass rush to pave way to playoff win
‘The Texans’ defensive struggles give Allen a good opportunity to do what he hasn’t done often: generate big numbers. Houston’s secondary has been hit hard with injuries, which should create openings for John Brown, Cole Beasley and Dawson Knox to make a fair amount of difference-making plays.’
Bills’ pass rush has gotten after Deshaun Watson before. Can it do so again?
‘Bills 24, Texans 20.’
Bills Mailbag: Fresh off All-Pro nod, should Tre White get a contract extension now?
Bills fans won’t find anything to criticize in McFarland’s take on Bills
‘“I judge him based off some of these other young quarterbacks,” McFarland said. “I think that the sky is the limit for Josh Allen. I think that when you look at the total package, he’s got the athletic ability, the size; he’s as tough as a bag of nails. He’s going to always be unconventional. He’s never going to be a 75% completion percentage guy from the pocket, but he’s also one of the better playmakers in the league. I just think he’s gotten better, and it is only Year Two, man. He’s got a long way to go but he he’s definitely coming.”’
The Bills prepare to meet their franchise destiny in Texas
‘Everyday fans of both the Bills and Texans visited Castro, a kindred spirit, in the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Ed Oliver – the first round draft pick from Houston who quickly made an impact with the Bills – came up to see him. So did Joe Webb, a former Buffalo quarterback then on Houston’s active roster and hero of the Bills “Snowvertime” victory of 2017.’
Editorial: Football of a higher caliber
‘Those who study finance may want to examine Beane’s personnel moves and mastery of the NFL’s salary cap. He is the NFL equivalent of a value investor, the Wall Street strategy popularized by Warren Buffett in which, rather than loading up on blue-chip securities, a person chooses stocks that appear to be trading for less than their intrinsic or book value.’
My View: Members of Drought Generation crave a Bills playoff victory
‘By 2017, the majority of the Drought Generation was finished with high school, perhaps finished with college, and even potentially found themselves living in places other than Erie County. No matter the personal journey, every Bills fan is known for their fandom. The charging Buffalo has become a sign of not only who we are – but what we stand for – for better or worse.’
Yes, Virginia: There is a chance you will be celebrating your Bills today
The stakes in Poloncarz’s Bills bet with Houston judge: wings for tamales
‘”Lina, you’d better fire those up,” Poloncarz said in his Twitter video. “And to all the Bills fans, get your hats, get ready for the game, get your footballs, get your finest beverage, don’t drink and drive, and go Bills!”‘
Although they’ve never played Texans in postseason, Bills have playoff history with Houston
‘Ask any professional football fan in western New York or the greater Houston/Nashville area who are of a certain vintage about “The Comeback’’ and “The Music City Miracle’’ and they’ll know. Their eyes will light up like a can of Sterno under a pan of chicken wings or barbecue ribs. Or sink to the ground should they remember those famous games as “The Choke’’ and “Illegal Forward Pass.’’’
5 players (other than Josh Allen) who are keys to success for Bills against Houston
‘“He hasn’t been in a playoff game,” offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said when he was asked whether the past month playing on big stages against playoff-level competition has steeled Allen for what he’ll encounter in Houston.’
Bills vs. Texans preview: Can Josh Allen take advantage of the Texans’ flawed defense?
‘Bills 23, Texans 17.’
2020 NFL Playoffs: 5 players/match ups for Buffalo Bills that’ll determine outcome vs Texans
‘According to Pro Football Focus, Devin Singletary has produced .24 missed tackles per rush attempt this season. That mark is good for third-best in the entire NFL among qualifying running backs (h/t Dean Kindig). He also has the second-highest rate of 10- or more yard runs (16.4 percent). The Texans are one of the worst defenses in the league against the run, allowing 121 yards per game this season.’
Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans 2020 NFL playoffs: Preview, odds, how to watch, prediction
‘Bills win, 28-21.’
Buffalo Bills CB Tre’Davious White downplays DeAndre Hopkins slight; known to keep social media receipts
‘But shortly after posting the throwback picture to last season’s game between the teams when Hopkins caught a touchdown pass with White covering him, the All Pro pass catcher deleted the post. On Thursday when asked by reporters what he thought about Hopkins’ post – which included a caption: “2020 mood” – White said he’s focused on playing his game on Sunday and downplayed the individual match up.’
Buffalo Bills CB Tre’Davious White named AP First Team All Pro
‘Joining White as the other First Team cornerback on the team is current New England Patriots defensive back Stephon Gilmore, who played his first four seasons in Buffalo.’
No respect: Buffalo Bills DT Jordan Phillips reacts to All-Pro snub
‘Phillips couldn’t find the words to describe his Pro Bowl snub, but teammate Ed Oliver went as far as to say that he was “hurting” over his teammate not being recognized for his play in 2019.’
Upset alert? National media predicts Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans Wild Card matchup
‘Heading into the matchup, here is how the national media sees the game playing out.’
Buffalo Bills most popular NFL playoff team according to geo-targeted analytics
‘Wyoming has become a Bills state because of Josh Allen, who played his college ball at Wyoming. Utah and Colorado are probably a residual effect of Allen playing close by. The Carolinas and Florida are huge Buffalo transplant cities.’
Sullivan: Wood approaching life in the booth same as on the field
‘“I would love to be a coach,” he said, “to have more skin in the game, to feel a win and a loss. Coaching is appealing. I think I would be good at it. It think it would be rewarding. But the amount of hours those guys put in nowadays, I am not willing at this point to be away from my family that much.”’
Bills face Texans in NFL playoffs today
‘What a weird feeling this is. The Buffalo Bills are actually in position to compete in a playoff game.’
‘McBeane’ quickly, deftly turn Bills’ fortunes around
‘Added the GM: “It’s going to be very similar to what Sean and I were used to in Carolina. I’m going to deal with the football (talent-evaluating) side, and Sean’s going to deal with the coaches. But there’s not a czar around here. Sean’s not a czar, I’m not a czar. Every decision is going to be collaborative together. I think that’s the only way. Kim and Terry will be involved.”’
After helping build Texans roster, Brian Gaine returns with Bills
‘As director of player personnel during his first stint with the Texans, Gaine was involved in multiple drafts and free agency signing periods. He was on the staff in 2017 when Smith engineered a draft-day trade to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson, a Pro Bowl selection this season.’
Bills fan from Houston out $200 after this playoff ticket scam
‘”I said, ‘You received the money. I called my bank. Where are my tickets?’ That’s when pretty much they shut down,” Bach recalled.’
Bills QB Josh Allen Much Improved From Rookie Season
‘Texans head coach Bill O’Brien called Allen “a very dangerous guy” who makes good decisions with the football.’
Know Your Foe: Buffalo Bills
‘So, the offense can have its moments, but the defense is one of the best in the league at all times. They’re stout on the front (Star Lotulelei and Jordan Phillips), but they also have some quick interior players as well (Ed Oliver and Corey Liuget). They have as good a linebacker group as there is in the league (Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano and Lo Alexander). But, the star of this unit is the secondary. White is arguably the best corner in the league and hasn’t given up a touchdown in coverage all season long. The safety duo of Poyer and Hyde is outstanding and there are very few back ends with a safety pair like that.’
Saturday’s Houston Coverage
Why the Texans got Laremy Tunsil: playoffs (Houston Chronicle)
Brian Gaine returns — this time with the Bills (Houston Chronicle)
Former first-rounders find playoffs with Texans (Houston Chronicle)
Texans have much to prove in playoff opener (Houston Chronicle)
Texans vs. Bills: John McClain’s scouting report (Houston Chronicle)
Smith: Down year for DeAndre Hopkins? No way (Houston Chronicle)
Texans vs. Bills: John McClain’s keys to victory (Houston Chronicle)
McClain’s Mailbag: Fans’ Buffalo memories and Bill O’Brien skepticism (Houston Chronicle)
Texans vs. Bills: Houston Chronicle staff predictions (Houston Chronicle)
Time for Deshaun Watson to rise to top of AFC (Houston Chronicle)
Hauser: 27 years later, memories of covering Oilers’ collapse still indelible (Houston Chronicle)
Solomon: Bill O’Brien, the GM, has done well. Now, it’s time for O’Brien, the coach, to do same (Houston Chronicle)
Texans fans enjoy playoff rally at CityCentre (KPRC-TV)
6 things to look out for if you’re attending the Texans-Buffalo Bills game (KPRC-TV)
Reliving the Texans best playoff win (KPRC-TV)
Texans fans: Brace yourselves because analysts believe the Bills will pull off upset (KPRC-TV)
Texans look for 4th playoff win in franchise history (KPRC-TV)
Original Texans player says current team primed for deep playoff run (KTRK-TV)
Bills fan from Houston out $200 after this playoff ticket scam (KTRK-TV)
Houstonians fired up for Texans’ Wild Card win (KRIV-TV)
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins Named AP First-Team All-Pro (KILT-AM)
Bills QB Josh Allen Much Improved From Rookie Season (KILT-AM)
Houston Texans host Buffalo Bills, featuring special guest performances (HoustonTexans.com)
Daily Brew: Nuggets to know for Texans vs. Bills (HoustonTexans.com)
WR DeAndre Hopkins named AP First-Team All-Pro (HoustonTexans.com)
First Glance: Texans vs. Bills (HoustonTexans.com)
Know Your Foe: Buffalo Bills (HoustonTexans.com)
Bills look for first playoff win since 1995 vs. Texans in AFC wild-card game
‘Key matchup: Watson vs. the Bills’ zone coverage. Buffalo has a zone-heavy defense (54% of defensive snaps). Look for the Texans to influence underneath defenders on leveled routes to create intermediate coverage voids for Watson. That leads to open window throws to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on deep, in-breaking routes to the middle of the field. Read more.’
Bills at Texans odds, expert picks against spread: Predictions, TV info for wild card playoff game
‘”I think this one is going to be a defensive matchup, and I think Allen and the Bills are still underrated. That’s why I’m picking them to beat the Texans in Houston this weekend.” — Jordan Dajani on why he has the Bills winning 24-20.’
Bills vs. Texans odds, prediction, betting trends for AFC wild-card playoff game
‘Bills 24, Texans 17.’
Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen Faces Biggest Test Of Young NFL Career
‘But if he struggles and fails again to ignite the offense, more doubts will be raised about whether he is the Bills QB of the future. There doesn’t seem to be any escaping this harsh judgment.’
McDermott: A win would be ‘great for our entire organization’ and fanbase
‘”It would just be great for our entire organization, our fanbase. That’s the first people that I think about and everyone that’s been here for so long and everyone who’s rooted for this team for so long. It’s the most loyal and passionate fanbase I’ve ever been around, and I’ve been around some good ones. To me, for [general manager] Brandon [Beane] and myself, and I don’t want to put words into Brandon’s mouth here, but just joining the situation in the last two-and-a-half years, at this point, I would just feel and think about the people that have been around here for so long and feel good for them more than anything.”‘
Bills at Texans: Sal’s keys, notes and stats
‘The Texans defense has been bad this year against the run, but particularly the last two months. Since their bye in week 10, over their final 7 games, the Texans have allowed an average of 168.6 yards rushing and a whopping 5.36 yards per carry.’
First team AP All-Pros DeAndre Hopkins & Tre’Davious White will match up on Saturday
‘Both Hopkins and White were named to the NFL’s AP All-Pro first team on Friday. Hopkins has been widely regarded as one of the best receivers in the league for a few seasons. When the Texans played the Bills in 2018, Hopkins had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.’
Buffalo bars are getting ready for big Bills watch parties
‘716 and Resurgence don’t have free food, but there are places that do.’
Tre’Davious White named 1st team All-Pro
‘Tre’Davious finished the regular season with 6 interceptions and did not allow a touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, White is the first player to finish with both of those stats since the 2005 season.’
The Bills Store seeing steady business ahead of playoff game
‘Klein says some items in the store are customized, and can’t be found anywhere else.’