Olean Times Herald

‘“There’s narratives every week. One week you’re on top of the mountain and the next you’re down in the valley … there’s ebbs and flows. That’s taking it one week at a time and teaching those guys how important it is to have that mindset of not to get too low when things aren’t going great and not to get too high when they’re going fairly well.”’

‘”As far as no punting, I’m just glad we went out there and got a win,” Daboll said. “We tried to do the things we thought we could do and, ultimately, the players went out there and executed … the biggest thing was getting a win.”’

‘On this day, the Bills produced their best effort of the season, given the circumstances, and secured an open path to a repeat as AFC East champion.’

‘Allen’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs just before halftime was the 100th of his Bills career. He became only the ninth NFL quarterback to throw at least 100 TD passes in his first four NFL seasons.’

‘“Meaningful games in December, when you’re playing those, that’s where you want to be,” he said. “They’re all important whether it’s September or not, but you can see the way this league is right now, there’s a lot of parity … teams win that nobody thinks can win, teams lose (unexpectedly).’

‘Meanwhile, Beasley is sadly mistaken if he thinks there’s a groundswell of support for his position. All Bills fans care about is a win Sunday, not his “rights,” and Beasley’s stubbornness has merely made that more difficult.’

‘In any case, McDermott’s comments did not play well with the Patriots’ faithful and were not forgotten.’

‘If the Bills beat the Pats and both teams then win out, Buffalo, at 11-6, would repeat as division champ based on the better AFC East record. However a loss to New England would leave Buffalo desperately seeking a wild-card playoff berth.’

‘And the Bills played in workmanlike fashion, rather than wound-up mode to issue a warning in Foxboro. That was fine against Carolina, but the mood will be different next Sunday in Gillette Stadium, the day after Christmas, when Buffalo (8-6) must win to avenge its 14-10 home loss to the Pats, and retain any hope of repeating as division champ.’

‘Three of Carolina’s four sacks of Allen were recorded by end and Penn State alum Yetur Gross-Matos, giving him four on the season. He also caused a fumble on the first one, though Buffalo tackle Spencer Brown recovered. The Panthers’ other sack was logged by end Brian Burns, his ninth of the campaign.’

‘If the season ended today, the Bills would have a playoff spot but, and this is bizarre, there are scenarios in Week 15 where Buffalo could win Sunday and still be knocked out of the seven postseason qualifiers due to tiebreakers.’

‘The 2019 lottery might have been Beane’s worst in the early rounds. The Bills constantly praise defensive tackle Ed Oliver, but any pro football observer with functioning eyes can see that he’s been inconsistent three years in. And, second-round offensive guard/tackle Cody Ford ranks as one of the team’s most ill-advised high draft picks in franchise history. Third-rounder Devin Singletary still hasn’t established himself as the feature running back he was supposed to be, while tight end Dawson Knox, the other third-rounder, has grown into the position, ditched the drops and become a genuine touchdown producer.’

‘However, the rushing stats are more troubling. Of Allen’s 12 rushes, only two were scrambles when protection broke down, the other 10 were designed runs. Buffalo’s two running backs — Devin Singletary and Matt Breida — by contrast, had seven carries combined.’

‘Had Buffalo lost 38-10, the season, in effect, would be over. But that second half proved what this team can be and, despite the loss, Buffalo, is still hanging onto that seventh and last AFC wild card spot.’

‘Tom Brady’s game-winning touchdown pass, a 58-yarder to Breshad Perriman, was the 700th of his illustrious career. It was also his 33rd victory over the Bills (32 of them with the Patriots), an NFL record against one team. He had already broken Drew Brees’ record for both career completions and passing yards.’