Olean Times Herald

‘As for what it takes for Buffalo’s offense to get back on track, Allen maintained, “It’s 11 guys going out and executing … it’s not the plays, it’s how we execute those plays … decision-making on my part … being smart about when to and not take a sack … when to throw the ball away and ultimately give our guys a chance to make a play.”’

‘Among Buffalo’s seven victories, the only one over a winning team was a 38-20 decision at defending AFC champ Kansas City (8-4), back in early October. It was the last of a four-game streak that had Bills nation convinced its team was Super Bowl-bound.’

‘The sad fact is, the Bills aren’t a tough team, McDermott’s contention to the contrary. They have a talented roster at the skill positions, but the lines, not so much. They rely on finesse and are, sadly, way too soft.’

‘And as safety Jordan Poyer noted after the game … “we knew they were going to run.” Left unsaid was … the Bills still couldn’t stop them. It’s been a season-long problem and couldn’t have come at a worse time.’

‘Of course, if the weather forecast is right, the passing game might not be much of a factor tonight.’

‘“Number 1, it’s going to be decided by the players more than anything,” he said, “(but) Bill has x-amount of years experience as a head coach, many more than I do. So, at the end of the day, there’s a lot of experience and wisdom (that Belichick has) and I’m just hoping to grow and learn and see where it takes me.”‘

‘With Buffalo having already lost to the Titans and trailing them by two games including the punitive head-to-head loss, you can bet the Bills coaches and players will be rooting hard for the Patriots.’

‘The reality is, the one-sided win came against a flawed team, albeit on the road in a short week.’

‘Following a 4-1 start, including an impressive 38-20 win on the Chiefs’ home turf, Buffalo is 2-3 with two of those losses unexpected. The 9-6 defeat at Jacksonville, 2-8 and tied for last in the AFC, could be a season-killing loss, and last Sunday’s 41-15 pasting by the Colts at Highmark Stadium was surprising in its one sidedness.’

‘Tennessee, New England and Kansas City (both 7-4) and Baltimore (7-3) would claim the four division titles with the three 6-4 teams — Chargers, Bengals and Bills — as wild cards. But that could change before midnight Thursday.’

‘This unit, which led the NFL in fewest points (15) and yards (274) given up per game, surrendered five touchdowns — all by Indy running back Jonathan Taylor — and a staggering 264 rushing yards.’

‘But of considerably more concern to the Bills faithful was the woeful performance of Allen. He finished 21-of-35 through the air for 209 yards with two picks, a sack and a 72.2 passer rating. But those numbers are deceptive. He was 5-for-7 for 64 yards and a touchdown during fourth-quarter garbage time.’

‘Jonathan Taylor’s five touchdowns (4 rushing, 1 receiving) are the most in a single game against the Bills in the franchise’s 62-year history. The previous record was four by Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss (2007) and running backs Clarence Williams of the Chargers (1979), Chuck Foreman of the Vikings and Lydell Mitchell of the Colts (both 1975) and Calvin Hill of the Cowboys (1971).’

‘But the Colts are averaging an impressive 27 points per game and rely on a ground game that ranks sixth in the NFL at 136 yards per game behind Jonathan Taylor. Through 10 games, he’s averaging 94 yards per start and has scored 10 touchdowns (one through the air). With the Titans’ Derrick Henry out injured for the rest of the regular season, Taylor is the odds-on favorite to win the league’s rushing title.’

‘“Watching from afar you can tell the kind of leader he is … it just jumps off the tape. You watch any game on television … this guy’s not just a great player, you can feel his leadership and the team’s belief in him. That’s a big part of playing quarterback and that’s a credit to Josh for the way he believes in himself and made that team believe in him.”’