Archives for September 23, 2024

‘Welcome to NFL Defensive Football, 2024 version: Bend like a rubber band, but don’t snap. Accept semi-chunk plays, but not the mega-chunk splash.’

‘Eliminate Etienne. Or at least slow him down. In the last meeting between these teams, Jacksonville running back Travis Etienne had a whopping 136 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries as he shredded the Bills defense in London. It’s only Week 3, but Etienne is not at that level right now. He averaged 48 rushing yards per game in the first two contests. There’s context to that – the Jaguars are off to a rough start, and teammate Tank Bigsby has been more involved. But an already depleted Bills defense will need to keep Etienne from gashing them again. Otherwise, the Jaguars offense could come back alive.’

‘Trevor Lawrence has lost seven straight starts dating to last season. It’s unthinkable for a player of his talent. Josh Allen never has lost more than two straight in his seven-plus seasons as starter.’

‘The Jaguars’ season is on the brink, and they visit Houston next week. You’d think the Bills will be facing a desperate team ready to play its best game. On paper, this Jaguars offense should be way better than it has showed. Based on yo-yo-like NFL results (Raiders over Ravens, Vikings over Niners, Falcons over Eagles), the Jaguars are overdue. But the rested Bills should make amends for the egg-laying in London. Bills, 27-24.’

‘The fourth year NFL pro who grew up in Ohio has close ties to Western New York, where most of his extended family resides. His father, Matt Farrell, grew up in Derby and although he moved to Ohio 30 years ago after attending college at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, he still travels back here often with his family.’

‘The Hamburg Town Board has hired a consultant and project manager to lead the effort to update the zoning in what officials are calling the “stadium economic impact area” around the $1.7 billion new stadium.’