‘Let’s keep the same energy, everyone. If a piece of the team is continuing to struggle, put the pressure on. Matthew Smiley’s special teams’ unit has been a disappointment for most of the season. For players that have dedicated roster spots for special teams roles, they have struggled mightily at times. They allowed a good kickoff return again, Sam Martin has been awful as of late, and the punt return team let the Jets get the better of them on a fake.’
Archives for November 2023
Bills provide injury updates on Rapp, Knox
‘Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson are both listed in concussion protocol, while Micah Hyde and Cam Lewis are day-to-day. McDermott also said that tight end Dawson Knox will be eligible to return this week, but stated that “he does not believe Knox is quite ready to return yet.”‘
Bills safety Taylor Rapp could play against Eagles after injury scare in win over Jets
‘The good news is coach Sean McDermott said Rapp did not need to go to the hospital, instead going home to rest, and said all the initial tests came back negative. Rapp may even have a chance to play against the Eagles this Sunday.’
‘I believe in the guys’ | Joe Brady evaluates his first game as Bills interim OC in winning effort
‘”I just wanted him to be Josh Allen,” Brady said. “The fun, the excitement that he kind of plays with — like I feed off of it. At the end of the day, man, this is a game we’re supposed to have fun. I have a ton of fun coaching, I know our guys have a lot of fun playing.”‘
Observations: Despite never-ending injuries, Bills’ defense puts in dominating effort
‘Wilson had previously beaten the Bills twice in his career, including in the season opener in New York. It would have been nothing short of a disaster if he were able to pull it off a third time. The Bills made sure not to allow that, despite a never-ending run of defensive injuries that continued.’
Ryan O’Halloran: Joe Brady’s motto of ‘Don’t get bored,’ produces exciting results for Bills’ offense
‘“This wasn’t an offense that was broken,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “We’ve been playing close to where we need to play. (Sunday was) not as good as we can play, but, obviously, better, and that’s, obviously, a good thing to see. I felt like I didn’t try to force anything, and trusted the guys around me to make plays.”’
Khalil Shakir has longest touchdown reception in NFL this season in Bills’ win
‘It was just the second touchdown against the New York Jets by an opposing wide receiver this season, and the first since Week 1. Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the lone other opposing WR to score this season. The Jets were allowing a league-low 102 yards to opposing wide receivers per game this season. Shakir topped that himself.’
Three questions: Assessing Joe Brady’s debut and the degree of difficulty for Bills defense
‘Obviously, it is too early to make a call on Brady. Tough games await. The other big thing that went right: The Bills committed just one turnover, on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half.’
How it happened: Top plays, standout players from Buffalo Bills’ win over New York Jets
‘Despite losing three defensive backs to injury (safety Taylor Rapp, and cornerbacks Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson) in the first half, the Bills forced Jets quarterback Zach Wilson to the bench late in the third quarter.’
Plays that shaped the game: Bills scheme up TD passes for Ty Johnson, James Cook
‘“It feels good, man. It was a surreal moment,” Johnson said of his 26-yard TD catch. “It was just being present in the moment. You always think you’re going to get that opportunity, but you just don’t know when you have a great running back room like we have.”’
Report Card: Strong effort produces strong grades in Buffalo Bills’ win against New York Jets
‘Fullback Reggie Gilliam started the game off with a bang, forcing a fumble by Jets kick returner Xavier Gipson that was recovered by tight end Quintin Morris, setting up a field goal. Gilliam also made a tackle on the kickoff following that field goal. Tyler Bass started the game strong, hitting field goals of 48, 30 and 33 yards to open a 9-0 lead as the offense settled in. Getting beat on a fake punt will likely make Bills special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley’s blood boil. That play, which came late in the second quarter, temporarily gave the Jets some life. Bass also missed an extra point in the third quarter. None of those mistakes proved all that costly, but they’ll need to be cleaned up against better teams.’
Bills obliterate Jets with dominant performance: 6 reasons Buffalo turned things around
‘The offense was humming, the defense was dominant, and as coach Sean McDermott said, the special teams set the tone for the game on the opening kickoff by forcing a fumble. It was a dominant performance against a team that in the last couple years has given them fits.’
Bills report card: Buffalo pummels Jets, Josh Allen and Joe Brady duo impressive in debut
‘Special teams coach Matt Smiley is starting to pop up on social media as the next coach Sean McDermott should fire.’
Allen, Shakir connect to give offense big spark
‘The good news for Joe Brady was his Bills offense scored on its first three drives Sunday in his debut as coordinator. The bad news? They were all field goals, though to be fair, against the New York Jets and Zach Wilson, field goals might have got the job done. For a while, it looked like the Bills might owe another game to their defense while a slumping offense adjusted to a new play-caller.’
Bills embarrass Jets defense and OC Joe Brady passes first test in Buffalo (7 Instant Observations)
‘The 32 points the Bills (6-5) scored are the most any team has scored against the Jets (4-6) this season and it’s the first instance a team has scored 32 points or more against the Jets since Dec. 5, 2021 when the Philadelphia Eagles scored 33.’