The Sporting News

‘The Bills couldn’t have in-person practice on Thursday due to heavy snow preventing travel in the area, and instead met virtually. And as Alex Brasky said on X, the Bills may not have an actual practice this week ahead of their matchup with Detroit.’

‘On the Cooper Kupp touchdown catch, safety Taylor Rapp collied with cornerback Rasul Douglas in the end zone, both of which were injured in the process. Douglas is dealing with a knee injury, while Rapp hurt his neck. Per Matt Parrino, neither will practice on Wednesday and Sean McDermott added that it will be a “day-to-day” approach with both defensive backs.’

‘”Good news on the way for Buffalo,” NFL Insider Ian Rapoport said via X. “Bills WR Keon Coleman (wrist) and TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) are expected to practice fully today. A positive step forward in advance of the showdown with the Lions.”‘

‘Allen doesn’t have a shortage of accolades to his name, but in this one game, he set 12 new milestones for himself and made NFL history in multiple regards, as pointed out by Uber Hansen on X:’

‘The Bills announced the first group of limited partners to their ownership group in team history. 10 people were introduced as limited partners, including two Basketball Hall of Fame selections – Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Another notable name in the group includes soccer star Jozy Altidore.’

‘The Bills scored six touchdowns on offense and didn’t turn the ball over. Teams that have done that throughout the Super Bowl era were 245-0 entering Sunday – the Bills were the first team to score six touchdowns, not turn the ball over, and lose, per Dante Koplowitz-Fleming on X.’

‘Ed Oliver was given a four-year, $68 million deal ahead of the 2023 season, and he had a very strong season coming off that contract. The former first-round pick had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2023 and looked poised to build off that in 2024. Unfortunately, the season Oliver is currently having does not back up the contract he is playing on. He has just eight solo tackles this season and one sack. He’s on pace for a career low in total tackles and sacks, and that lack of impact has hurt the Bills when it comes to stopping the run and getting interior pressure in the pass game.’

‘”Now you have a three percent chance on an onside kick,” Brady said. “To me, [you] take three shots throwing it and don’t use a timeout. Then you kick it deep, use your three timeouts… I did not like that one bit. That could’ve just cost them the game.”‘

‘A lot of this comes back to the Bills’ lack of big run-stopper in the middle of their defense. They don’t have a Chris Jones or a Jalen Carter or Cam Heyward to be a big plug on the defensive line. Instead, they have Ed Oliver, whom they paid $68 million in 2023, and that has blown up in their face. This season, Oliver has 20 tackles on the year, and only eight of them have been solo tackles. He’s largely been a non-factor. Oliver and Da’Quan Jones have combined for 19 solo tackles this season and just seven tackles for loss – that’s not enough production from your defensive interior. And that’s been the issue for the Bills. It’s been easy for runners to get past the first wave of their defense.’

‘The fact that this came in a loss is flat-out embarrassing and is a bad reflection on head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. They had no answers all evening for Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua, both of which had massive outings in their own respective rights.’

‘According to the Bills’ head coach, the Bills didn’t have 11 players on the field on the final play of the game, which was a punt with seven seconds remaining. And while it likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome, the fact that Buffalo was so unprepared in the final moments is somewhat of a microcosm for McDermott in big games – flawed and outcoached.’

‘The result, to also channel the NHL, was a double hat trick that the NFL has never seen before. Allen became the first player in league history to post three passing touchdowns (22-of-37, 342 yards, 117.2 rating, 9.2 yards per attempt) and another three rushing (10 attempts, 82 yards). Allen also had zero turnovers through all that — another key MVP calling card for his season.’

‘Hollins partook in the polar plunge in Lake Erie to help raise money for the Special Olympics.’

‘Buffalo already clinched the AFC East title, ensuring the team’s playoff run will start at home. A first-round bye, however, is looking like an uphill battle after the Bills’ third loss of the season.’

‘Faced with an interesting decision, Rams head coach Sean McVay opted to punt the ball away and bleed the clock that way. While Buffalo could’ve tried for the punt block, the Bills just let the Rams punt the ball without a block or a return.’