CBS Sports

‘After sitting out for three quarters of the year, Hyde now comes back to Buffalo to serve likely as a depth piece for what the organization hopes is a deep run in the postseason. The Bills have Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin atop the safety depth chart, so Hyde should be looked at as a valuable backup whenever he is brought up to the active roster after getting up to speed on the practice unit.’

‘Consider what transpired before Buffalo even kicked off on Sunday night: The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs improved to 11-1, but only thanks to a last-second blunder by the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, who became the second straight non-playoff team to nearly upset Patrick Mahomes and Co. And the Baltimore Ravens, with MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, managed just 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles until garbage time of their second loss in three weeks. Throw in the fact the Bills already beat the Chiefs this year, and the fact Buffalo manhandled the 49ers in inclement weather, and it’s not outrageous to suggest Josh Allen’s squad is the new team to beat in the conference.’

‘Josh Allen isn’t one to quit on a play. That was rarely clearer than on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers, when the Buffalo Bills quarterback managed to throw and catch a touchdown on the same play. Firing a short third-quarter pass to Amari Cooper in the red zone, Allen proceeded to race up for a lateral from Cooper, then dive into the end zone for one of the most unlikely touchdowns of the 2024 NFL season.’

‘The pass offense is now much more egalitarian than in previous years, with no player on the offense receiving more than 20% of the total targets. By way of perspective, consider that Diggs had a target share between 25% and 27.9% in each of his four seasons in Buffalo.’

‘Milano’s activation comes two weeks after the Pro Bowler was designated to return, and all but confirms Buffalo’s plan to play the veteran against the 49ers. Milano was a full participant at Bills practice this week, taking noticeable strides in his recovery from a torn biceps suffered in August.’

‘The National Weather Service anticipates “whiteout conditions” between Saturday and Monday, which will make “travel treacherous and potentially dangerous.” Lake-effect snow can produce a wide range of weather, per The Weather Channel, including “bands of locally heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just a few miles away.”‘

‘Pick: Bills 26, 49ers 21.’

‘The forecast is currently calling for freezing temperatures, possible snowfall and winds that could exceed 20 mph. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has called for potential low visibility, with snow on the roads possibly impacting travel.’

‘He was the runner-up in 2020 behind award winner Aaron Rodgers, and he was finalist in 2022 (third place) and in 2023 (fifth place). This may be the season he finally take home the crown, at least according to the NFL betting odds from DraftKings sportsbook. After he put the team on his back in the Bills’ 30-21 victory that ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated season, Allen became the betting favorite to be the 2024 NFL MVP.’

‘The Chiefs’ unblemished 2024 record, and their franchise-best 15-game winning streak dating back to last season, went up in flames, thanks to Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Facing fourth-and-2 from the Chiefs’ 26 and clinging to a two-point lead, 23-21, Buffalo opted to be aggressive and go for it.’

‘Josh Allen certainly made his case to be the MVP of the league, orchestrating the play that pushed the Buffalo Bills past the Kansas City Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten. Allen’s 26-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter sealed Buffalo’s 30-21 victory over Kansas City.’

‘”With Keon Coleman being banged up, that’s tough. I’d love to see him play in this one. At the same time, you got guys like Dalton Kincaid, who can also move the chains. I do feel like they have stocked up and they are better at this position than they have been in quite some time. It’s different when you have a Stefon Diggs, a true No. 1 who is a dominant force all on his own — then have a group of guys that can all do the same thing collectively. I do feel like they have that as long as the guys are healthy.”‘

‘Of the past six meetings between the AFC heavyweights, five have either been one-score contests, playoff matchups, or both. Of the postseason games in that span, one was an AFC championship, another went to overtime, and another came down to a missed field goal.’

‘Muddying things further is the fact that, on the surface, their production has basically been a wash: Allen has the superior numbers, with eight more touchdowns and a superior passer rating, whereas Mahomes is the shepherd of the NFL’s only perfect record. So what can these numbers — and other advanced statistics — tell us in addition to the eye test? What lies beneath the surface? Let’s proceed.’

‘”It felt good,” Cooper said. “Like I said, I don’t really feel pain or anything catching the ball. I’ve just got to get used to it — catching the ball with it.”‘