Olean Times Herald

‘His career stats also have one glowing season. In 2017, he was 11-3 as a starter for Minnesota after an injury to Sam Bradford — 22 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, 98 passer rating — taking the Vikings to the playoffs. In the postseason opener against New Orleans, Keenum connected with current teammate Stefon Diggs for the Miracle in Minneapolis. On the final play of regulation, trailing 24-23 and under heavy pressure, he heaved a 61-yard touchdown pass to Diggs to snatch victory from the Saints.’

‘It starts Sunday when Buffalo hosts the Vikings, who have won five straight and, at 7-1, have the NFL’s second-best record. And, oh by the way, Las Vegas, in the early line, still favors the Bills by 8½ points … presumably based on their performance previous to the past six periods.’

‘The Bills’ run defense was MIA again, this time surrendering 174 yards on 34 carries — over five per try — helping the Jets to a 6½-minute edge in time of possession.’

‘To which Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier added, “They’ve done a really good job of running the football (though star rookie back Breece Hall is lost for the season to a knee injury) and with the play-action pass. Their receiving corps is really improved, they’ve upgraded through the draft and some select free agents and it seems they’re much-improved on offense.”’

‘Bean’s real strength is an instinct for making key trades — acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs (2020) brought in the missing piece for Buffalo’s potent offense — and signing — with the exception of high-profile edge rusher Von Miller — salary cap-friendly veteran free agents who contribute.’

‘But the reality for Buffalo’s administration, coaching staff and players is that this team’s goal is not merely MAKING the playoffs, it’s advancing as far as those legendary squads in the early 1990s that made four straight Super Bowls.’

‘But the way the Bills performed after intermission gave reason for pause. Buffalo was outscored 10-3, its defense, which came in as the NFL leader in rushing yards surrendered at a mere 76 yards per game, was absolutely gashed by Green Bay for a season-high 208 yards and quarterback Josh Allen, who was so impressively efficient in the first half, was below pedestrian the last two periods, including two interceptions that were squarely on him.’

‘“It’s a team that has great potential and led by Aaron, a future Hall-of-Famer, he’s dangerous and the team is dangerous. It’s been to the playoffs, and NFC Championship Game, multiple years in a row outside of last season. So when you have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and the talent they have, we have a lot of respect for them.”’

‘Of Green Bay’s three wins, one was an overtime decision against the Patriots at Lambeau and besides being hammered 23-7 in the opener at Minnesota, there were two galling losses to the New York teams in consecutive weeks, 27-22 to the Giants in London and 27-10 to the Jets in Green Bay.’

‘And, no matter what happens in this week’s games, the Bills will still have the AFC’s best record before hosting Aaron Rodgers and his mates 12 days from now.’

‘To be sure, there’s a lot of football to be played, 11 games to be exact, and much can happen in that span including injuries, but Buffalo has to like its position at this point, though the team isn’t saying so.’

‘When Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, it marked the first time this season Buffalo had given up a score in the third period. The Bills have now outscored opponents 51-7 in the third quarter in the first six games.’

‘But the ignominious sting of the “13 seconds” end to regulation has been on the minds of Buffalo fans for nine months.’

‘Mahomes, though an effective and intuitive runner, is the far better passer. But his greatest skill is improvising, turning busted plays into big gainers via either his legs or arm.’

‘To be sure, next Sunday’s road game against the Chiefs will be a telling yardstick of how these teams compare as the winner would have a leg up on home field advantage in the playoffs.’