Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘My pick: Bills 23, Steelers 17.’

‘One of the most interesting things Beane said Friday is that when he made the decision to move on from Carolina, where he was the long-time assistant GM under a few bosses, it was imperative that he pick a place where he believed he’d be given time to build something. The Pegulas promised that and have not wavered for a second, backing Beane and Sean McDermott on almost every decision they’ve made.’

‘With Beane’s new deal in place, he and McDermott will remain joined at the hip for several years to come.’

‘Which is why no matter what he was going through, he always made time for others either through his work with his Playmakers Foundation which focuses its efforts on helping children with intellectual disabilities; or donating $10,000 worth of meals to health care workers; or making virtual visits to pediatric patients; or chipping in with other Bills to help provide internet service to students in Buffalo’s public schools.’

‘“I’ve played in a few snow games … played in some playoff games where it was brutally cold, but that much snow? No,” said safety Micah Hyde, who spent the first four years of his career playing for the Green Bay Packers. “That was something like I would have done at my house back in Ohio if we had a snow day. That was crazy out there.”’

‘According to Pro Football Focus, Wallace was targeted 12 times and he allowed nine completions for 146 yards which accounted for seven first downs and one touchdown. It was a rough night, indeed, and it further illuminated why the Bills should be thinking long and hard about picking a cornerback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.’

‘Around 11 p.m., Wilson tweeted that Allen is his “second favorite quarterback.” Wilson is known to be a Seattle Seahawks fan, so presumably his favorite quarterback is Russell Wilson.’

‘If there’s one thing that sets the 2020 Bills apart from just about every team Buffalo has trotted out in the 21st century, it’s this: The fact that Allen had topped 300 yards through the air didn’t even move me because that type of productivity is now the rule rather than the exception.’

‘Allen was sublime as he executed a brilliantly concocted game plan by offensive coordinator and completed 32 of 40 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns, one each to Cole Beasley, Dawson Knox, Isaiah McKenzie and Gabriel Davis.’

‘Kyle Shanahan is a Super Bowl coach, and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh garners a lot of attention and will probably be a head coach somewhere next year, but they were no match for McDermott and Daboll in this game.’

‘This is going to be a much tougher game than Bills fans might think if you simply looked at the 49ers 5-6 record, the fact that they’re playing Mullens at QB, and that they’ve been ravaged by injuries to some of their best players. What I see is a resilient team relying on a stout defense that has really improved through the season, and an offense that now has three key players back in Samuel, Aiyuk and Mostert.’

‘There are mitigating factors at play, most notably the Bills’ newfound reliance on Allen and the passing game, and the inability of the offensive line to find continuity with a set group which seems to have been more problematic in the run game. Too many times Singletary and Moss have been under siege almost as soon as Allen has handed them the ball.’

‘“We had an outside linebacker in Matt Milano who has been very, very productive in that role,” said defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. “We didn’t know if A.J. could do some of the things that we ask Matt to do, but as we’ve gotten more comfortable with him and he’s gotten more comfortable in our system, we’ve seen him play some much-improved football. That’s a credit to A.J. just sticking with it and making himself available and then when his number is called, making those plays that are there for him to make.”’

‘“It means everything to me,” Bass said of the way the organization remained confident in his ability after a start that saw him miss two chip shots from 34 and 38 yards on opening day against the Jets, an extra point against the Raiders, a 48-yarder against the Chiefs, and then 45- and 37-yarders in the second game against the Jets.’

‘“I know what type of player that I am,” Klein said. “I know what to expect from myself, and I know what this defense expects from me. I hold myself to a high standard. So outside noise and whatever anybody else says about me really doesn’t faze me. I don’t look into stuff, I don’t read articles. I’m my own worst critic, so for me it’s just constant improvement and trying to look forward. I don’t have time to listen to outside noise. We’re on a mission here, and I’m just doing my best to accomplish that goal.”’