‘“I give credit where credit’s due,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “Joe calling the plays at the right time, (offensive line coach Aaron) Kromer putting the run plan together, and then the players executing. Being on the same page, that’s critical.”’
Archives for December 5, 2025
Dion Dawkins is Buffalo Bills’ nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year
‘Dawkins is the Buffalo Bills’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year, the highest honor the league can bestow. Dawkins is a four-time nominee.’
Bills notes: Darius Slay’s decision made worse by Ja’Marcus Ingram’s departure
‘”Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing,” Drew Rosenhaus, Slay’s agent, told ESPN, according to Adam Schefter.’
Erik Brady: From Western New York to the Upper Midwest, Phil Hansen is still a hero
‘He officiates high school games on Fridays, calls college games on Saturdays − and on Sundays, he said, “I root for the Bills.”‘
Bills defense may count on Benford to keep Chase in check
‘Sunday, one can safely assume they will do this again and line up Benford across from Cincinnati superstar Ja’Marr Chase all afternoon in the hope that he can at least minimize the damage the game’s best receiver can do, especially now that Chase has his gunslinging partner back in the mix, quarterback Joe Burrow.’
Darius Slay considering retirement day after Bills claim him off waivers
‘Slay, 34, played 10 games for Pittsburgh this season before the sides “mutually agreed to part ways,” according to Schefter’s reporting via Rosenhaus. In his career, Slay has 28 interceptions and 655 tackles while playing for the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Steelers.’
Why Dalton Kincaid’s mysterious knee injury has Bills fans worried about Bengals matchup
‘Kincaid has been limited in practice the past two days, and an added knee injury designation was added on the Wednesday injury report. The 26-year-old dealt with a serious knee injury last season but was only listed with a hamstring injury the past few weeks.’
The Bills and Eagles both wanted him, but Darius Slay might be done with football altogether
‘Slay, 34, has struggled in 2025, so it’s not surprising that he is taking time to decide whether to play in Buffalo or retire. The veteran signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason worth $10 million, but Pittsburgh did not get much back on the investment. In 10 games with the Steelers, Slay has recorded three passes defensed, one fumble recovery, 36 total tackles and one tackle for loss. The cornerback and Steelers agreed to a mutual parting of ways after he was a healthy scratch last week against the Bills.’
Confident Bills CB Christian Benford face biggest test in matching up with Ja’Marr Chase
‘It started a year ago when Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott asked his top cornerback whether he wanted to shadow an opponents’ top wide receiver when the situation allowed. Do you think he was going to say no?’
Friday’s Cincinnati Coverage
How Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase is on the brink of more NFL history (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Will Darius Slay play vs Bengals? Bills DB mulls future, per report (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Ted Karras full of gratitude as Bengals’ nominee for prestigious award (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Tee Higgins return means Bengals can do something they haven’t done since Week 1 (The Sporting News)
Tee Higgins injury update amounts to great news for Bengals WR’s Week 14 status (The Sporting News)
Cincinnati Bengals nominate center Ted Karras for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (WCPO-TV)
Shedding the ‘bust’ label: Bengals end Murphy answers critics with best stretch yet (WKRC-TV)
Bengals WR Tee Higgins logs full practice as he looks to return from concussion (WLWT-TV)
Ted Karras named Bengals’ 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee (WLWT-TV)
The Conversation | Joseph Ossai On Leadership: ‘You’ve Got To Speak Up More. You’ve Got Younger Guys All Around You.’ (Bengals.com)
Quick Hits | Ja’Marr Chase’s Grand Goal Looms Sunday; Man Of Year Ted Karras Salutes Another Bengals Man Of Year (Bengals.com)
Week 14 Injury Report | Bengals at Bills (Bengals.com)
Ted Karras Named Bengals’ Club Winner for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Presented by Nationwide (Bengals.com)
Darius Slay threatens retirement after Bills claim — with clues at ‘plan’ to land with Eagles
‘NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport wondered on X if Slay’s “plan” was to end up in Philadelphia after starting nine games in Pittsburgh before his release, which came amid declining playing time.’
Darius Slay unsure on NFL future, won’t report to Bills after waiver claim
‘The Bills claimed Slay in a bid to add depth behind Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White and Maxwell Hairston on the outside. Now, however, the veteran’s future is up in the air.’
Cornerback Darius Slay puts off reporting to Bills in order to contemplate his future, agent says
‘Slay was not present at Bills practice on Thursday, with the team declining to comment.’
Bills seek to end cycle of inconsistencies, while Bengals have renewed hope with Burrow’s return
‘Amid the highs and lows the Bills experienced in splitting their past eight outings, the team showed resolve in a 26-7 win at Pittsburgh. Buffalo overcame a depleted lineup by leaning into the strengths by generating a season-best 249 yards rushing. And the defense asserted itself with its most complete outing of the season in allowing a season low in points, and cornerback Christian Benford scoring the go-ahead points on a fumble return.’
Bills host Bengals in matchup of AFC teams with recent history of dominant December records
‘Key matchup: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. Bills CB Christian Benford. Even with Burrow sidelined for all but three games, Chase is 29 yards shy of his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season, and 14 receptions short of his third straight 100-catch season. He’ll line up against Benford, a fourth-year player who has been Buffalo’s most consistent defender this season. Benford is coming off his best outing of the season, in limiting Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf to three catches for 32 yards, had his first interception of the season and returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown.’