Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘The Broncos came into Orchard Park last November and hammered the final nail into former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s coffin with a 24-22 victory, during which they held Allen to 15 of 26 for 177 yards, 13 rushing yards, and forced him into three turnovers (two picks and a fumble). And that was a Denver defense that was far less accomplished and effective than the 2024 version.’

‘It is known that four of the teams looking to fill vacancies – the AFC East rival New York Jets plus New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears – have requested permission from the Bills to interview Brady, and for good reason. The only teams that have not called are the Las Vegas Raiders who just fired Antonio Pierce late Monday afternoon, and New England Patriots, most likely because it’s almost a certainty that they want to hire Mike Vrabel, a Patriots Hall of Famer.’

‘Getting off to a fast start would be huge against rookie QB Bo Nix who will be making his postseason debut against a Bills team that has the best home record in the NFL since 2020. When Nix has played with a lead he has been far more effective, and while you can say that about any QB, it’s particularly important for a rookie.’

‘We use the word loss loosely in this case. The team that really lost was the Patriots because by heroically winning their fourth game of a putrid season, they chef-kissed away the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a division rival, this made losing the game a very nice consolation prize for the Bills.’

‘Trubisky took over and all in all, it wasn’t too bad. He started poorly by failing to gain a yard on back-to-back QB sneaks which became a turnover on downs, but eventually he settled in and actually looked competent. The numbers weren’t great as he completed 15 of 21 for just 101 yards, but he played turnover-free.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Patriots 20, Bills 13.’

‘Play-by-play: Spero Dedes. Analyst: Adam Archuleta. Sideline reporter: Aditi Kinkhabwala.’

‘Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott already indicated that linebacker Terrel Bernard will not be playing Sunday in New England due to a quad injury, but the good news he revealed Friday morning is that Bernard should be OK for next weekend’s AFC wild-card game.’

‘The Bills also have eight alternates and you would expect that at least a couple, or maybe more, would eventually be added as other players drop out for any number of reasons, including playing in the Super Bowl, or because of injury.’

‘“In Josh’s case, one of the things that we know is very, very important to him is his consecutive starts streak,” McDermott said Monday. “And it’s important to him for a great reason; he wants to be out there with his teammates. And so he will be out there for a very, very short-lived amount of time and then he’ll be off rather quickly.”’

‘However, the surprise announcement Wednesday morning that linebacker Terrel Bernard will not play against the Patriots was a bit jarring because it’s not rest and/or protection related, it’s due to injury.’

‘The Broncos have the easiest path to the No. 7 seed and a trip to Orchard Park because all they have to do is win their game Sunday afternoon at home and no matter what the Bengals and Dolphins do, Denver would be in at 10-7.’

‘“In Josh’s case, one of the things that we know is very, very important to him is his consecutive starts streak,” McDermott said Monday. “And it’s important to him for a great reason; he wants to be out there with his teammates. And so he will be out there for a very, very short-lived amount of time and then he’ll be off rather quickly.”’

‘This is an odd-numbered year so the AFC teams get the extra home game in the 17-game schedule, and in the final season at Highmark Stadium, they will be playing three teams who have already clinched playoff berths, and three more who are still in the hunt heading into Week 18.’

‘But Sunday, it was as if the Bills saved all their biggest defensive moments for the New York Jets, play after play after play, all of which led to a smashing 40-14 victory that allowed Buffalo to clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and will also give coach Sean McDermott the opportunity in Week 18 to sit out some of his key players, including Josh Allen, for most or all of the game in New England.’