Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Havrisik’s arrival doesn’t mean Bass would be cut, but there could be a game here or there where the Bills elevate Havrisik to see what he can do.’

‘“I’ll be checking in with the offensive staff and just seeing how he’s picking up things,” McDermott said. “Like anything, you want to get them worked in as quickly as we can. But there’s also moving parts that there’s other players that we have to factor in as well and who’s going to play where and who gets the ball.”‘

‘Essentially, he is what Stefon Diggs is in terms of age and experience, but obviously, he comes to Buffalo at a pittance in salary compared to what Diggs would have cost had he still been in Buffalo.’

‘In 17 games last year, the Bills allowed 55 running plays of 10 yards or more which was 10th-most in the league, and they finished 28th in yards allowed per carry at 4.6. Obviously, those numbers were not great, but it has gotten much worse in 2024. Through six games they’ve already been gouged for 26 runs of at least 10 yards which is tied for second-most in the NFL, and their 5.3 yield per rush is dead last.’

‘It certainly wasn’t a game that will go into the Smithsonian, but for the Bills, it was a big win as it ended a two-game losing streak and kept them two games ahead of the Jets.’

‘The key to the rushing success was an excellent performance by the offensive line as they opened big holes in the stout Jets defense. However, there were also way too many penalties in this game, especially RT Spencer Brown who was flagged four times.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Jets 20, Bills 16.’

‘Play-by-play: Joe Buck. Analyst: Troy Aikman. Sideline reporter: Lisa Salters.’

‘Cook will be listed as questionable for the game as he tries to battle through a foot/toe injury. He finished the Houston game last week, but he suffered the injury late when he landed awkwardly after a tackle and he has not practiced this week. He did see limited practice time Saturday.’

‘We are now one season and five games into the Kincaid-Knox pairing, and no one really knows what the Bills are doing, though one thing is perfectly clear: Knox is the forgotten man in the passing game.’

‘And while McDermott didn’t get specific, nickel cornerback Taron Johnson seems ready to get back on the field. McDermott said that both Johnson and defensive tackle Austin Johnson were limited in practice, but after the workout, Johnson painted a more definitive picture.’

‘The Bills handed Samuel a contract that guaranteed him more than $15 million when he signed it in March, and his salary cap hit for 2024 is $3.405 million, the 10th-highest on the team. Part of the reason was because Samuel had his best NFL season in 2020 when he was with the Panthers and Brady was the OC.’

‘As if it hasn’t already been difficult enough for the Bills to pass, now they’re facing a Jets defense that ranks second in the NFL in passing yards allowed at 143 per game. If the Bills can’t get a rushing attack working in this game, the offense is going to be in for a long night against an opponent that typically gives Josh Allen and company fits.’

‘But make no mistake, it was inexcusable that after dramatically rallying from a 20-3 third-quarter deficit to tie the score, the Bills failed to get this game to overtime rather than watching Ka’imi Fairbairn kick a game-winning 59-yard field goal.’

‘Brady was unable to scheme much of anything in the passing game, the fourth-down play that resulted in Coleman’s TD being the exception. True, the pieces on his chessboard can’t win on the bulk of their routes, but that’s on Brady to find ways to put them in better situations and in the last two games, he hasn’t been able to do it.’