Olean Times Herald

‘So not only will Pittsburgh be giving a rookie his first start, on the road no less, it will also not have edge rusher T.J. Watt (torn pectoral tendon), the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, without whom the Steelers are 0-7.’

‘Now, for the second time in three years, Trubisky has lost his job to a rookie draftee, this time to the Steelers’ first-rounder, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, and short of injury it’s not likely he’ll get it back.’

‘Versus the Ravens, who commanded time of possession 38-22 in minutes, Baltimore dropped an easy interception to keep a Bills scoring drive alive, they severely mishandled a late goal-to-go possession and several calls went Buffalo’s way, including a highly-questionable roughing-the-passer flag by the Ravens that helped move the ball into position for the game-winning field goal. In short, it’s more reasonable to call the Bills’ loss at Miami and win in Baltimore a wash as today Ravens feel the way the Buffalo faithful felt a week ago.’

‘Finally, and this might just be the most encouraging takeaway, Sean McDermott had a superior coaching game.’

‘Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, both first-round draft choices in 2018, are somewhat different in style but similar in success.’

‘Tomorrow it’s more of the same as McDermott’s team ventures to Baltimore to face the Ravens, coached by John Harbaugh, the two having been assistants under Reid for eight seasons in Philadelphia.’

‘In its first three games, Allen has been the leading rusher twice, including the road blowout of the Rams in the opener. Meanwhile, the collective three running backs haven’t come close to totaling triple figures. Against LA it was 15 carries for 65 yards. In the domination of Tennessee it was 20 rushes for 89 yards but with a huge asterisk; 10 of those carries for 51 yards, including a 33-yarder, were by rookie James Cook in the fourth quarter when all the starters had been pulled. Finally, on Sunday, it was 14 for 62.’

‘He added, “We weren’t very good in the red zone … they had a really good game plan and did what they had to do, but there are also plays we’d like to have back.” Especially a three-play sequence at the Miami 1-yard line in the last two minutes when Allen lost a yard on a run then threw two incompletions, the second a seemingly short-armed throw that bounced to wideout Isaiah McKenzie in the end zone.’

‘Other than next month’s game at Kansas City against its high-powered offense it’s the worst possible week for Buffalo to have a short-handed secondary.’

‘“It’s a huge plus for us to keep that continuity and any tweaks and adjustments are within the realm of the system,” he said. “It’s not like you’re bringing in new terminology and a brand new system. It’s what these guys have done in previous years. It’s been a great advantage for us to pick up where we left off in the past, not only with Josh but all the guys up front, the job they’re doing in pass protection and blocking and with the receivers being on the same page with Josh.”’

‘“We put together a plan and even if a guy’s not able to practice we trust that he’s spending the time going through the (preparation) process,” he said. “When a decision is made whether he’s going to play, if he is, he’s somewhat ready because he’s visualized it. If we find out he’s not able to play, that other guy who’s scheduled to step in, he’s been given those reps all along.”’

‘The neck injuries suffered by two defensive starters – cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Micah Hyde – were subjects of concern as it prepares to face the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at Miami Gardens.’

‘Those losses left Buffalo with Jackson and rookie draft choices Kaiir Elam (first round) and Christian Benford (sixth) as the top three corners until White returns, with Cam Lewis and kicking team specialist Siran Neal in reserve. Buffalo also has two rookie corners on the practice squad, Kyler McMichael and Ja’Marcus Ingram.’

‘However, the Titans come in as surprising 10-point underdogs mostly because they blew a 13-point second-half lead in their home-opener and lost a 21-20 decision to the Giants behind their rookie head coach, Brian Daboll, the former Buffalo offensive coordinator.’

‘Reflecting on the loss to the Giants, he added, “When we’re playing the game well and operating how I think we should operate … we’re running the football, we’re stopping the run, our quarterback’s efficient, we effect their quarterback and neither of those two things did we win in those matchups.”‘