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Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for December 12, 2023

Upon Further Review: Finally, defense saves the day for Bills in big win

‘“I wanted to be aggressive,” McDermott said after the game. “That’s how we practiced it during the week. We studied it over the bye week. We studied it long, and the staff did a great job. It was very thorough in terms of the research we did, and then we practiced it that way.”’

James Cook’s production demands more playing time

‘Cook played just 34 of the Bills’ 77 offensive snaps in his team’s 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Despite that usage, he finished with a team-leading 141 yards from scrimmage that came from 58 rushing yards on 10 carries and 83 receiving yards on five catches and a touchdown. That total was 105 yards more than tight end Dawson Knox, who was second on the team in yards from scrimmage with 36.’

Position grades: Sean McDermott got more aggressive vs. Patrick Mahomes

‘The Bills rushed five or more men at Mahomes on 12 of 47 dropbacks, according to Buffalo News charting. That’s the most ever by McDermott vs. Mahomes. It worked pretty well. Mahomes was 6 of 10 for 71 yards with an interception on blitz plays. The Chiefs also made two offensive penalties vs. the blitz.’

Buffalo Bills hire DJ Mangas, close friend of Joe Brady, as offensive aide

‘DJ Mangas, who served as offensive coordinator for the University at Buffalo this season, now is an offensive aide for the Bills, a team source confirmed. Mangas, 34, left the UB program on Dec. 1. Mangas was in the coaching booth with Brady during the Bills’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.’

Bills pass rush sticks to plan, limits Patrick Mahomes’s big-play chances

‘“I thought, overall, our defensive plan, and our defensive line, in particular, did a great job being coordinated and working well off of one another and staying aggressive at the same time and I think that that’s the key,” McDermott said. “We lost (Mahomes) earlier on a third down and he completed it over the middle to (tight end Travis) Kelce and we went with a spy the next play and we were able to get off the field on the following third down. So it was a good balance, but primarily, our front four did a phenomenal job.”’

James Cook, Bills defense making strides ahead of playoff run

‘Although they weren’t always pretty, the Bills got the 20-17 win. Some season-long issues cropped up again, but there were also bright spots in the performance. And now, despite sitting in 11th place in the AFC due to tiebreakers, the Bills have a 38% to make the playoffs, per ESPN Analytics.’

McDermott appreciative of continued support from organization, community

‘”It meant a lot to me. It really did,” said McDermott on Monday during his Zoom call with the media. “First-and-foremost, it meant a lot the way that the players and staff came together and played and coached, and just kept it about the game. I think that in the midst of everything that was going on last week for us, as a team, was impressive to watch and to see. And the support that I’ve gotten, like I’ve said, from in-house, from outside across the NFL community has been just super gratifying, and much appreciated on our part.”‘

A.J. Epenesa, Micah Hyde considered ‘week-to-week’

‘Epenesa made a huge play early in the game when he batted a ball into the air and ultimately intercepted Patrick Mahomes. He was injured on the play and came out of the game for a brief time. Although he re-entered the game, he then exited again and didn’t return.’

Opinion: Bills defense finally comes up big

‘Recent history is why I had no faith in that unit. Four times this season, the defense could not hold on to a fourth quarter lead, with three of those contests inside the final two minutes of regulation. All four games resulted in losses to the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles.’