‘“At first, it was shown in like a wide view and when he took off, I was like, ‘he’s about to catch him,’ ” Diggs said. “He convinced me early that he was running with conviction – that he was going to catch him. Budda Baker isn’t slow, either, so it kind of gave you a sense of running for your quarterback when things don’t go as planned and trying to get the guy down and make the play for him.”’
Archives for November 6, 2020
Xs and Os: Seahawks finally please analytics crowd by letting Russ cook
‘Seattle coach Pete Carroll said this week the emergence of star receiver D.K. Metcalf is one reason Wilson has been unleashed. But Carroll wasn’t buying the early-downs analytics arguments that have been made in recent years.’
Inside the Bills: Midseason report card shows progress on offense, regression on defense
‘It’s been all Josh Allen this season, with Matt Barkley’s only appearance coming in mop-up duty of a blowout loss to the Titans in Week 5. Allen’s first quarter of the season earned an easy ‘A’ grade – he was an early MVP candidate – but he’s regressed to a ‘C’ over the last four weeks. Average those out, and you arrive at a deserved ‘B’ grade. Allen threw for 12 touchdowns and just one interception in the first four games, but that ratio has dropped to 4-4 over the last four. Overall, he’s made big strides with his accuracy – completing 67.1% of his passes this season – and often times he has been the Bills’ best player, which is exactly what you need your quarterback to be.’
How will Bills fare against Seattle Seahawks?
‘It’s hard to see the Bills’ defense, which has been a major disappointment all season, finding success against Russell Wilson as he continues to make a rock-solid case to become NFL MVP. With an offense that looks to constantly attack through the air, Wilson figures to have another big day throwing to D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. And even though the Seahawks haven’t done much with their running game, somehow opponents find a way to do ground damage against the Bills. Seahawks 30, Bills 26.’
View from Vegas: Bills have shown knack against the spread vs. NFC West
‘We cement the call with The Clincher: Buffalo is 23-9-1 against the spread vs. NFC West opponents since 1990, including 11-1 against the spread with a win percentage of .570 or greater.’
Bills’ Tre’Davious White released from lawsuit over home
‘The Cercones claimed they had a signed contract with the Smiths to purchase the house, and were preparing for their home inspection, when White came along with a higher offer. When the Cercones refused to raise their offer, the Smiths canceled the deal and went with White.’
Russell Wilson is having an MVP year. Can the Bills struggling defense stop the Seahawks?
‘“We recognize they’ve got good players, a good scheme,” said coach Sean McDermott. “They’re playing at a high level and they’re tough, man, really tough. We’ve got to play great team defense and everything that goes into that, the fundamentals and everything on down through the line.”’
Russell Wilson can still beat you even when you play great defense, says Bills’ Quinton Jefferson
‘“You can play the best defense – guys in position, guys can be hitting him – and he just makes a great throw. You gotta account for that,” Jefferson said. “He’s got a great arm and he has great touch on the ball. I don’t think anybody throws the deep ball like him.”’
Can Bills get statement win vs. Seahawks? (5 things to watch)
‘If Allen and the passing game can hit a few shots against the Seahawks, the Bills can win this game.’
As Russell Wilson finally gets to play in Buffalo, let’s recall how the Bills once viewed him as a ‘potential savior’
‘Nix told The Athletic the Bills had Wilson pegged for the fourth round and wanted to take him there — Buffalo had pick 105.’
Seahawks look to stop Bills’ RB duo from finding softness in defense
‘“They’re a really good 1-2 punch,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of Moss and Singletary ahead of Sunday’s matchup. “Both guys play low to the ground, they both have good shake-and-bake, make you miss, difficult to tackle. Zach’s a little heavier than Singletary and runs with a little different style in that regard, but both of them are really fishing in traffic and make things happen. They’re not anybody we can take lightly now, they’re really good football players. Singletary catches the ball quite a bit more.”
Jordan Poyer is a man on a mission to stop the Seahawks explosive offense
‘Poyer has witnessed Wilson’s strides since the Badgers shut out the Beavers 35-0 at Camp Randall Stadium in 2011.’
Friday’s Seattle Coverage
As Russell Wilson finally gets to play in Buffalo, let’s recall how the Bills once viewed him as a ‘potential savior’ (Seattle Times)
Seahawks injury report: Seven sit out, Jamal Adams limited as he gets on track to play vs. Bills (Seattle Times)
Another sign Jamal Adams will play at Buffalo. But four other starters miss practice again (Tacoma News Tribune)
Back from injury, rookie tight end Colby Parkinson ready to contribute for Seahawks (Tacoma News Tribune)
Seattle Seahawks ‘concerned’ for their players after a San Francisco 49ers’ player tested positive for COVID-19 (Portland Oregonian)
Say His Name: Seattle’s DK Metcalf Having Breakout Season (AP)
Russell Wilson calls DK Metcalf ‘Little Tiger’ on the golf course (NBC Sports Northwest)
Seahawks look to stop Bills’ RB duo from finding softness in defense (NBC Sports Northwest)
Jordan Poyer is a man on a mission to stop the Seahawks explosive offense (NBC Sports Northwest)
O’Neil: The 6-1 Seahawks’ strategic shift should win Coach of the Year for Pete Carroll (KIRO-AM)
Wassell’s Thoughts: In this year’s NFL, Seahawks can prove offense wins championships (KIRO-AM)
Groz’s Week 9 Seahawks Memory: When the franchise changed direction in Pete Carroll’s 3rd year (KIRO-AM)
“He Knows What I’m Thinking And I Know What He’s Thinking” — DK Metcalf and Russell Wilson Speak About Their Connection In Thursday Press Conferences (Seahawks.com)
Seahawks Mailbag: Post Trade Deadline Takeaways, Path To Top Of The NFC, & More (Seahawks.com)
Pass-Happy Wilson-Led Seahawks Ready To Wing It In Buffalo
‘The Bills combined to score 123 points and generate 1,639 yards of offense in opening 4-0. They’ve gotten 75 points and 1,031 yards of offense in splitting their past four. One reason behind the drop in production is how opposing defenses have begun protecting against getting beaten deep, forcing Allen to play with more patience in overseeing lengthy scoring drives.’
High-Scoring Seahawks Make First Trip To Buffalo In 12 Years
‘The Bills have an opportunity to win at least seven of their first nine games for the ninth time in team history, and first since 1993, when they were 7-2 and went to Super Bowl.’
Why The Buffalo Bills Should No Longer Play It Safe
‘The Bills are a passing team. Plain and simple. And Josh Allen is not a game-management quarterback. Ultimately, they have to play to their strengths, if that means throwing the ball 40 times a game.’
Milano misses second straight day of practice
‘Meanwhile, wide receiver John Brown was a full participant Thursday, but center Mitch Morse was among those who did not practice. Morse is in the league’s concussion protocol, as is safety Micah Hyde, who not only practiced for a second straight day, but was also no longer in a red non-contact jersey.’
Bills activate Knox from Reserve/COVID-19 list
‘The 2020 season was expected to be a breakout year for Knox, but so far it has been anything but that. In his four games played this season, the 6-foot-4, 254-pound tight end has just six receptions for 93 yards on 12 total targets.’
“Bills Kid” bringing fans joy through video messages
‘The plan is to do this every week of the season, both this year and the many after. Carson says “Bills Kid” will eventually become “Bills Adult” and even though the jokes will change — he’ll always end with the same message.’
Flix Theater in Depew showing Bills game vs. Seahawks, proceeds go towards The Summit Center
‘Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for anyone age 17 or younger.’
Bills Injury Report: Dawson Knox activated from COVID-19/reserve list
‘Wide receiver John Brown, defensive tackle Vernon Butler, defensive end Jerry Hughes, and safety Micah Hyde all returned to full practice.’
Bills brace for Russell Wilson, powerful Seattle offense
‘“You’ve got to find a way to counter what they do. They score a lot of points. We’ve got to do a good job on offense and special teams to keep them off the field any way we can,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.’
Bills defense preparing for Seahawks’ Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf
‘Wilson currently has 26 touchdowns, which is five more than Patrick Mahomes and any other quarterback.’
Bills tight end Dawson Knox cleared to return to the team
‘Knox missed the team’s win against the New York Jets on October 25 after he tested positive for COVID-19 before the team was going to fly to New York.
Tre’Davious White allowed out of lawsuit over Orchard Park home
‘In a document filed Thursday in New York State Supreme Court for Erie County, four lawyers on behalf of their clients agreed that Buffalo Bills player Tre’Davious White could be removed from the case.’
Feliciano grateful to have ‘long journey’ behind him
‘“Moving into center was definitely a way to protect it more,” Feliciano said of his pectoral injury. “You just have help on both sides when you’re at center.”’
Quinton Jefferson excited to face old team, but ‘new’ Seahawks
‘“I loved it there,” Jefferson said. “They drafted me and gave me my opportunity to show what I can do in the league so I’m forever grateful for that. I’m excited to go play against them.”’
Bills tight end Dawson Knox activated from COVID list
‘In four games this season, Knox has 6 catches for 93 yards.’
Greenville’s Justin Zimmer taking advantage of playing time with Buffalo Bills
‘”My wife has always made fun of me because for the first few years in the NFL, people would ask what I do for a living,” Zimmer explained, “I was always reluctant to tell them because I played, but I didn’t really play in the NFL, I practiced.”‘
Bills Today | Analytics site assesses Buffalo’s AFC East title odds
‘To bump that 85 percent up to 100 percent, Buffalo still has some work to do. According to our Elo ratings, the Bills have the league’s fifth-toughest set of remaining opponents over the rest of the season, with Sunday’s contest versus Seattle (1626 Elo) and Week 14’s game against the Steelers (1635) standing out as the most difficult matchups left. Those games are not necessarily the most consequential for Buffalo’s division chances, however. In our simulations, the games that swing Buffalo’s division odds the most come in Week 16 against the Patriots and (especially) Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, who might be the biggest real obstacle left to the Bills’ division-title hopes.’