‘The Commanders, punching up in class after needing comebacks to beat Arizona and Denver, were knocked out by a thorough Bills’ effort.’
Archives for September 2023
Plays that shaped the game: Bills terrorize Sam Howell with simulated pressures
‘All but one of the sacks were accomplished with four pass rushers. However, the Bills caused Washington’s protection big problems with “simulated pressures” that threatened more than four rushers but dropped defensive linemen into coverage.’
Report Card: Pass defense shines as Bills wallop Commanders
‘Don’t let the final score fool you: There were some issues for the offense, particularly in the first half. The Bills had some big problems on first down, setting up several second-and-long runs, which have become a bit predictable. The Bills were able to convert 6 of 8 third downs to start the game, but it wasn’t easy for the offense. Another week, another fourth-and-1 situation and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey called for Allen to pass out of shotgun formation. When that fails, it’s very easy to second guess. It mays seem like this is dwelling on the negative, but the offensive performance is going to have to be sharper next week against Miami.’
Bills defense forces five turnovers in 37-3 slaughter of Commanders
‘There was never really a moment when it felt remotely possible that the Bills were going to lose to the Commanders. That doesn’t happen too often in the NFL, but this game looked like a blowout, it felt like a blowout, and ultimately it was a blowout as a huge contingent of Bills fans took over the stadium in the fourth quarter.’
Bills report card: Buffalo defense batters Commanders, is one of most fearsome in league
‘Calling it a remarkable outing barely scratches the surface. The Bills pressured Howell on nearly 70% of his dropbacks, they recorded nine sacks, four interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Commanders’ offensive line looked helpless trying to stop the tidal wave of pressure.’
Sean McDermott’s defense makes statement in Bills’ dominant win over Commanders (Instant observations)
‘The Bills defense clamped down on Howell and completely shut him down in the game. At one point in the fourth quarter, Buffalo’s defense had created pressure on more than 80% of Howell’s dropbacks in the game, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats.’
Buffalo Bills’ pass rush ‘like a ticking time bomb,’ explodes in 9-sack, historic win over Commanders
‘Four Bills players had multiple sacks in the game, including middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, who started the onslaught in the first quarter with both of his sacks and an interception.’
Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen reveals why he finally started sliding, avoiding hits vs. Commanders
‘“There’s a few people on the team that owe me some money for sliding,” Allen said with a grin. “So just a little bit of incentive there.”’
Terrel Bernard joins elite Bills company with eye-popping stat line in 1st quarter vs. Commanders
‘The monster first quarter from Bernard made him just the third Bills player since 1982 to record an interception and two sacks in the same game, per Mike Haim. He joins Bills legends Cornelius Bennett (1989) and Jerry Hughes (2020) – Hughes collected his interception and two sacks in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets.’
Bills turn up heat on Howell, Commanders, sacking QB 9 times, creating five turnovers in rout
‘The Bills’ 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders will forever be remembered as ‘The Terrel Bernard Game.’’
Seven Takeaways: Pass rush stifles Washington as Bills seize commanding win; Allen-Diggs connection remains red-hot
‘Oliver has been a menace throughout the Bills’ first three games and finished Sunday’s win with 1.5 sacks and 4 tackles. Fellow DT DaQuan Jones also came to play, finishing with 1.5 sacks and 5 tackles, while edge rushers Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa recorded a sack apiece.’
Bills defensive line pummels Commanders quarterback Sam Howell with 9 sacks, 15 hits
‘“I think anytime you start hitting the quarterback, they get a little giddy,” Phillips said. “They want to get the ball out, then score’s getting away from them, then they’re trying to push and make plays. (Howell’s) a young guy, he’s gonna bounce back and have another great day. And just hats off to our defense.”’
Sabato: Sean McDermott shows his aggressive side to inject life into Bills defense again
‘In Sunday’s 37-3 beatdown, McDermott called the defense like a predator stalking its wounded prey. Instead of sending four rushers like usual against a Washington offensive line that surrendered 10 sacks in the first two games, McDermott sent linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks at a quarterback making his fourth career start, hoping — or perhaps knowing — he would crack under pressure.’
Monday’s Washington Coverage
Bills solve Sam Howell and keep Commanders’ new-look offense in check (Washington Post)
The Commanders have their reality check. What’s important is their response. (Washington Post)
Nine lessons learned from the Commanders’ blowout loss to the Bills (Washington Post)
‘Winning masks everything’: Ugly loss serves as wake-up call — on and off the field (Washington Times)
Loverro: Howell learning some brutal NFL lessons from the ground up (Washington Times)
Steve DeShazo: Cratering Commanders show they’re not quite ready for success (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)
Commanders report card (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)
Sam Howell’s rough outing vs. Bills leaves hard question: Do Commanders have a QB problem? (USA Today)
Sam Howell throws 4 interceptions and is sacked 9 times in the Commanders’ 37-3 loss to the Bills (AP)
Sam Howell experiences growing pains in Commanders’ loss: ‘It starts with me’ (Fox Sports)
Sam Howell stats today: Commanders QB has day to forget in blowout loss to Bills (The Sporting News)
Reality bites as Bills dominate Commanders and Howell melts down (WRC-TV)
Snider: Commanders learn reality bites (WJFK-FM)
Commanders Corner: Stampeded by Buffalo (WTOP-FM)
Instant Analysis | Commanders struggle in 37-3 loss to Bills (Commanders.com)
Five takeaways from Washington’s home loss to the Bills (Commanders.com)
Media roundup | Commanders react to their 37-3 loss to the Bills (Commanders.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Commanders.com)
Photo gallery 2 (Commanders.com)
Photo gallery 3 (Commanders.com)
Photo gallery 4 (Commanders.com)
Photo gallery 1 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 2 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 3 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 4 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery 2 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
AJ Epenesa becomes first EHS grad to score NFL touchdown since Morris Bradshaw
‘Epenesa picked off Washington quarterback Sam Howell and returned the interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 37-3 win for the Bills in Landover, Maryland.’