‘Each team is averaging 28 points a game, tied for third-best in the NFL, hence the oddsmakers’ over/under of 53½ points.
Archives for January 22, 2022
As always, focus will be on Allen and Mahomes
‘Allen produced 42 touchdowns (36 passing, 6 rushing) and 5,170 yards (4,407 passing, 763 rushing, second on the team). Mahomes accounted for 39 touchdowns (37 passing, 2 rushing) and 5,220 yards (4,839 passing, 381 rushing).’
Flipping amazing: Bills’ Josh Allen undefeated in coin toss this season
‘Allen is undefeated when he gets to call the coin toss, going a perfect 8-0 in the traditional pregame ritual on the road, where the visiting team’s captain picks heads or tails at midfield and the referee flips a coin to determine which team receives the ball first.’
Bills linebacker Matt Milano’s instinctive play a boost to defense
‘“I think he’s had a really good season,” coach Sean McDermott said. “He’s a big part of our defense, he’s a big part of the edge of our defense, if you will, and just does a phenomenal job in the run and the pass game, which is hard to find for a linebacker that can do both so well at such a high level.”’
Giants hire Bills’ Joe Schoen as GM; interview Brian Daboll
‘First up is hiring a head coach. New York fired head coach Joe Judge last week after he went 10-23 over the past two years. The question is whether Schoen will seek to hire Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as head coach in hopes of developing quarterback Daniel Jones. According to a report earlier this week, the Giants are “very interested” in Daboll. Schoen and Daboll also worked together when Daboll spent one season as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator.’
Buffalo fans head to Kansas City as Bills and Chiefs renew acquaintances in a decades-old rivalry
‘Evan Davis, 36, said he hears the same thing from Chiefs fans in Kansas City, where he has lived since 2011. The South Dakota native, who defied his family to unexpectedly pick the early 1990s Buffalo Bills as his favorite team, said Buffalo and Kansas City fans endured long stretches of futility earlier in this century.’
Sean Kirst: In Cuba, celebrated artists team up to honor All-Snow Bills quarterback
‘To again capture such lightning demanded two basic elements: You needed success in the playoffs and you needed snow. Both arrived a few days ago in a big way, after the Bills swept past New England 47-17, closely followed by a snowstorm that zeroed in on Western New York.’
Erik Brady: A fight about a new stadium? If only Steve Weller and Phil Ranallo were here to write about it
‘The dome was supposed to be in Lancaster. The open-air stadium was supposed to be at the foot of Main Street. And now many of the old arguments are back, but without a couple of counterpunching columnists who duked it out in the public press back in the day.’
It’s a football party gone national. The Buffalo Bills have become regulars on prime time
‘Even in 2019, Allen’s first full season as a starter, the Bills came into the season with just the Thanksgiving Day game against Dallas as its lone prime time slot. That was the game where the Bills surprised the Cowboys and no doubt played a role (along with playoff implications) in the NFL’s decision to flex Buffalo’s game two weeks later against Pittsburgh into a Sunday night game. It was the first Sunday night game for Buffalo since 2007.’
Bills’ skill players much healthier for playoff rematch vs. Chiefs (What we’re watching)
‘Buffalo’s cornerbacks versus the Chiefs’ wide receivers should be the biggest concern for Bills fans heading into Sunday night. In their Week 5 matchup, Buffalo had Tre’Davious White shutting down a portion of the field. White is out for the season which means Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson will be responsible to slowing down the Chiefs’ outside receivers. The duo has done a good job for the most part since White was lost for the season, but Mahomes’ ability to keep plays alive with his legs outside of the pocket could lead to some breakdowns in the secondary.’
Giants hire Bills’ Joe Schoen as new general manager; could Brian Daboll be next?
‘Whoever the Giants hire as their next head coach will likely be tasked with trying to find away to save Jones’s career. If Daboll is the guy, his experience with developing Josh Allen in Buffalo would seem to be a big reason why. The Giants could also make a run at Mitchell Trubisky, who’s been in Buffalo with Daboll this season as Allen’s backup. Trubisky could be the backup play if Jones just isn’t the guy.’
The inside story of how Bills fan snuck sweet potato into a game; how it’s triggering Chiefs fans
‘Buffalo hasn’t lost since, and Lee’s been at every game with a sweet potato in his pocket.’
Jessica Pegula writes message to Bills on camera after win at Australian Open
‘Pegula, the daughter of Bills owners Kim and Terry Pegula, was wearing blue, white, and red as a show of support for her favorite NFL team on the biggest week of their season to date.’
Sullivan: Forget the Patriots. Chiefs poised to be Bills’ true rivas
‘It takes two top teams to tango, to constitute a genuine rivalry. There should be high stakes, a belief that both teams are capable of winning it all, which certainly was not the case when Tom Brady was dominating the Bills all those years.’
It’s a growing rivalry with the Bills’ road going through Kansas City again
‘Still, we get the rematch everyone wanted to see. From a Buffalo standpoint, it’s clear the defence is improved. Against the pass, it’s the best in football. Allen, meanwhile, may not have quite the numbers he had last year, but most believe he’s a more mature quarterback today and he certainly showed that last weekend against New England when he led his team to seven touchdowns on the Bills’ first seven possessions.’
Saturday’s Kansas City Coverage
Days after arrest, Willie Gay will play in KC Chiefs’ playoff game Sunday vs. Bills (Kansas City Star)
What KC barbecue is at stake for Chiefs vs. Bills game? Mayor Lucas places his bet (Kansas City Star)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire set to return against Bills (Saint Joseph News Press)
Chiefs Hope Edwards-Helaire, Williams Take Field Vs Bills (AP)
Chiefs vs. Bills in NFL playoffs: Jay Feely identifies one key advantage for K.C. in divisional round (CBS Sports)
Andy Reid Says Chiefs Linebacker Willie Gay, Arrested Earlier This Week, Will Play (SI)
Reid: Chiefs Willie Gay will play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (KHSB-TV)
Protection order filing details incident involving Chiefs LB Willie Gay (KHSB-TV)
Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy to interview for Broncos job (KHSB-TV)
Kansas City Chiefs DE Chris Jones talks game day music, unique cuisine, favorite movie (KHSB-TV)
KC Chiefs announce Nelly will be halftime performer Sunday (KHSB-TV)
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas challenges Buffalo to a KC Chiefs playoff bet (KHSB-TV)
Behind enemy lines: Meet a Kansas City Chiefs bar owner in Buffalo (KHSB-TV)
Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. will play vs. Buffalo after Wednesday arrest (WDAF-TV)
Woman’s allegations against Chiefs’ Willie Gay detailed in court documents (WDAF-TV)
How the Chiefs learned from their Week 5 loss to the Bills to prepare for Josh Allen (WDAF-TV)
Records that could be broken in the Chiefs-Bills playoff rematch (WDAF-TV)
Kansas City Chiefs bar takeover features special guest, Mitchell Schwartz (WDAF-TV)
Mayor Lucas chooses LC’s Bar-B-Q for wager with Buffalo mayor (WDAF-TV)
Arrowhead Stadium offers new food options during Chiefs playoffs (WDAF-TV)
Chiefs fan with Mahomes tattoo on chest seeks autograph to match (WDAF-TV)
Artist creates custom Chiefs band helmet for toddler with plagiocephaly (WDAF-TV)
Divisional Playoffs Injury Report | Chiefs vs. Bills (Chiefs.com)
Saturday’s New York Coverage
Giants Hire Joe Schoen From Bills as General Manager (New York Times)
Giants hiring Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen as next general manager (New York Daily News)
Giants owners’ short-term expectations for GM Joe Schoen remain unclear (New York Daily News)
Giants hiring Joe Schoen as new general manager (New York Post)
Five big items on GM Joe Schoen’s Giants to-do list (New York Post)
Bills’ Brandon Beane: New Giants GM Joe Schoen will ‘never let you down’ (New York Post)
Brian Daboll is favorite for Giants coach after hiring Joe Schoen as GM (New York Post)
Joe Schoen must stay available, accountable as new face of Giants’ organization (New York Post)
Joe Schoen takes over Giants with a Bill Parcells seal of approval (New York Post)
Giants name Joe Schoen as new general manager (Newsday)
Bill Parcells believes Joe Schoen is right man for job (Newsday)
Giants hire GM Joe Schoen: Keep an eye on these connections, as head coaching search begins | Is Brian Daboll now the favorite? (Newark Star Ledger)
Progressive and comprehensive vision: Why Giants’ John Mara, Steven Tisch hired Joe Schoen as new GM (Newark Star Ledger)
What they’re saying about Giants hiring Bills’ Joe Schoen as GM, who was runner-up, and who could be new head coach (Newark Star Ledger)
‘Now, the work begins’: Giants new GM Joe Schoen on his plans for finding Joe Judge’s replacement (Newark Star Ledger)
Giants’ Joe Schoen to start coaching search immediately by interviewing Bills’ Brian Daboll, Leslie Frazier — his former co-workers (Newark Star Ledger)
Giants coaching search, Day 2: Bills’ Leslie Frazier interviews, after Brian Daboll | Is Cowboys’ Dan Quinn next on Joe Schoen’s list? (Newark Star Ledger)
Ranking Giants’ top 12 options for new head coach: Who is the best partner for GM Joe Schoen? Brian Daboll, Brian Flores, more (Newark Star Ledger)
Giants legend Bill Parcells raves about new GM Joe Schoen, whom he once hired with Dolphins: ‘He’s a serious personnel man’ (Newark Star Ledger)
Joe Schoen hired as NY Giants general manager to replace Dave Gettleman (Bergen Record)
These 10 Giants coaching candidates lead list with Joe Schoen as GM (Bergen Record)
Joe Schoen: Inside his NFL journey from ticket office intern to Giants general manager (Bergen Record)
Giants hire Joe Schoen as first GM from outside the organization since 1979 (Trenton Trentonian)
N.Y. Giants Name Joe Schoen Of Buffalo Bills As Their New GM (AP)
New York Giants hire Buffalo Bills executive Joe Schoen as general manager (ESPN)
Giants hire Joe Schoen as next general manager, as Bills assistant GM replaces retired Dave Gettleman (CBS Sports)
Giants hire Joe Schoen as new GM: Five names to watch in New York’s 2022 head coaching search (CBS Sports)
Giants Officially Announce New GM Hire (SI)
Who is Joe Schoen? How Giants’ new GM could impact team’s coaching search (The Sporting News)
Giants hiring Joe Schoen as general manager (SportsNet New York)
Giants explain why they hired Joe Schoen as GM, detail what’s next: ‘Now, the work begins’ (SportsNet New York)
Bills GM Brandon Beane endorses Giants hiring Joe Schoen: ‘You don’t replace people like that right away’ (SportsNet New York)
4 Giants head coaching favorites inside GM Joe Schoen’s ‘wide net’ (SportsNet New York)
Giants complete head coaching interview with Brian Daboll; Leslie Frazier up next on Saturday (SportsNet New York)
Latest on Giants’ head coach search: Leslie Frazier, Brian Flores among four early candidates (SportsNet New York)
Giants ownership shouldn’t interfere — let Joe Schoen choose his own head coach (SportsNet New York)
Giants hiring Bills’ Joe Schoen as general manager (WFAN-AM)
Giants announce Joe Schoen as new GM: Social media reaction (WFAN-AM)
Joe Schoen Named General Manager Of New York Giants (WCBS-TV)
Giants hire Joe Schoen as general manager (Giants.com)
5 things to know about new GM Joe Schoen (Giants.com)
Reaction to Giants hiring Joe Schoen as GM (Giants.com)
Quotes: Bills GM Brandon Beane on Joe Schoen (Giants.com)
Giants interview Bills OC Brian Daboll for head coach (Giants.com)
Saturday’s Chicago Coverage
The Chicago Bears interviewed Leslie Frazier for their head coaching vacancy. Here’s what to know about the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator. (Chicago Tribune)
Bears interview 1985 Super Bowl winner Leslie Frazier for head coach (Chicago Sun Times)
Brian Daboll is red-hot, but is he the real deal? (Chicago Sun Times)
Bears Interview Frazier For Coaching Job, Poles For GM Spot (AP)
Brian Daboll is oddsmaker’s favorite for next head coach (NBC Sports Chicago)
Bears interview Poles for GM, Frazier for coach (ChicagoBears.com)
Ryan Bates, former Bucks County star and Eagles lineman, is flourishing with the Bills and dreaming of a Super Bowl appearance
‘“It didn’t happen overnight. Obviously, it was a lot of hard work,” Bates said. “When I first got here, I was the low man on the totem pole. I was holding all the bags and doing whatever I could to get noticed. I stuck my nose in the playbook and learned everything I could.”’
Former Gardner High star Jacques Cesaire, now Bills assistant coach, finds his calling
‘”The guys’ character, their demeanor, has never wavered,” he added. “They work just as hard when they’re winning as when they’re losing. It’s been a real fun year just to see the maturation of the whole entire team, and the coaching staff is just such a good coaching staff the way we work together. It’s not hard for me to go into work. It’s a dream come true.”’
Bills Headed To KC For High-Profile AFC Title Game Rematch
‘“They’ve got all the talent in the world,” Diggs said. “They’ve been playing at a high level. They’ve been to the Super Bowl twice. They have a hell of a quarterback, hell of receivers, good defense — they’re a great team.”’
Bills Head To KC For AFC Title Game Rematch Against Chiefs
‘Bills player to watch: RB Devin Singletary was an afterthought the first 12 games of the season with just 495 yards and two touchdowns; that included 25 yards rushing in a 38-20 win in Kansas City. But in the past six games, Singletary has combined for 456 yards and seven TDs, including one score through the air.’
Australian Open 2022: Jessica Pegula, daughter of Bills owners, shares message for Bills Mafia after win
‘Following a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory against Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain at the Australian Open on Thursday, Jessica Pegula wrote “Bills you’re next” on the on-court camera.’
Josh Allen Shares What Bill Belichick Said in Bills Locker Room After Defeating Patriots
‘“He came up to me which was really cool … Just more of respect, what you did out there was awesome, you played well tonight and we didn’t have an answer,” Allen recalled. “I shared the respect right back obviously.”‘
McDermott: We know who we’re going up against
‘“We know that we are a good team, and we know that they are a good team, defending AFC champs,” McDermott said with Sal Capaccio and “Sneaky Joe” DiBiase. “Andy Reid has good football teams, and you expect to see them in the playoffs.”’
Giants hire Bills’ Joe Schoen as next general manager
‘Schoen was hired by Bills general manager Brandon Beane to be the team’s assistant general manager shortly after he took over in 2017, and has remained in the same role with the Bills for the past five seasons. Schoen had been the director of player personnel for the Miami Dolphins from 2014 to 2017.’
Report: Brian Daboll, Leslie Frazier to interview with Giants
‘Daboll and Frazier are not the only coaches the Giants are targeting. Team owner John Mara reportedly has reached out directly to former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.’
Buffalo, Kansas City mayors place friendly wager on Sunday’s game
‘In a video directed at Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was at LC’s Barbecue, offering up some of the city’s famous barbecue.’
New York Giants hire Buffalo Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen as GM
‘The Bills hired Schoen in May 2017, two days after Brandon Beane was introduced as the team’s new GM.’
Report: Buffalo Bills coordinators Brian Daboll and Leslie Frazier to interview with NY Giants
‘According to Rapoport, Schoen remains in the Buffalo area and the interviews should happen Saturday.’
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas wage bet ahead of playoff matchup
‘In a social media post Mayor Lucas said “we enjoyed the wings you sent last year after the AFC Championship Game and look forward to a repeat.” Lucas said if the Bills beat the Chiefs Sunday they will send BBQ to Buffalo.’
Wild finds at Wild Card Game: Fan’s vaccination card found by fan who lost wallet
‘”I went on Facebook, and I kept getting tagged,” explained White. “Turns out this other girl, who is from the same town as me, found my vaccination card at the game and posted a picture of it.”‘
Giants hire Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen as general manager
“In all seriousness Joe and I worked together a long time and obviously he left for Miami, continued to grow himself and came back here and really did a great job of just being my right hand guy and helped me where I couldn’t be. We had to put a staff together. Sean and his staff were here but we had to put up a full scouting staff and Joe did a great job with that and we had to start on this roster.”’
Lewiston man’s Bills cave represents family memories rooting for the team
‘“We had season tickets, we had Super Bowl parties, watching the games every Sunday with my dad or with my mom,” he said. “I wanted to find my own version to do that for my family, my kids, so when I move on they could take with them something happy about me when they see something about the Buffalo Bills.”’
Meet “The Billievers”: The Buffalo Bills’ house band
‘Playing a 90-minute set outdoors when the temperatures are in the single digits isn’t an easy task — but the band says the fans make it worth it.’
Bills finish solid week of practice, motivated for divisional round
‘”Obviously you become familiar with the things that hurt you, and that were good for you, but we understand this is a new round, new plays, new adjustments. No team is the same that you play. If anything, it makes it harder since teams put in more in and adjust to new things. That’s a challenge we will be ready for,” Edmunds said.’
Bills fans in KC, Chiefs fans in Buffalo prepare for busy playoff weekend
‘”We’re going to have probably I would be close to a thousand bills fans go through this building in the next three days,” he said.’
Bills share the “it” quality of Josh Allen
‘“He is a superstar but he doesn’t carry himself like one,” said Dawson Knox. “It’s not like he’s standoffish and hard to get a hold of off the field. Last night he FaceTimed me like four times in a row just to get me to get on Xbox. It’s just little things like that. He’s like a brother, he’s like a best friend.”’
Bills lose assistant GM Schoen to Giants
‘Schoen spent the past five years as the Bills’ assistant GM and now takes over as the Giant’s head of football operations after Dave Gettleman retired following the end of the 2021 season.’
Road-tripping to Kansas City? Bills fans prep for Sunday’s game
‘Elizabeth Carey with Triple A says road-tripping is going to be a lot more affordable than flying. Flights booked fast this week for fans, most tickets just shy of 500 dollars.’