WGR

‘The defense was truly a group effort but I do want to single out the play of linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds. Both players had outstanding performances and the pair combined for 22 tackles, four for loss and a quarterback hit. Both guys made some big time tackles on the incredibly elusive Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and kept him from making bigger plays with his legs. Edmunds, by the way, has consistently been producing splash plays through the first four games.’

‘There has been no more effective drive killer like handing the football off to Zack Moss this season. Yet again, that remains the case, same with the fact that the Bills cannot put together a competent running game without Allen forcing his will upon opposing defenses.’

‘Baltimore had only four possessions after halftime. Those ended with two punts and two interceptions, both by Jordan Poyer.’

‘The Bills have their hands full, and will have to be very disciplined in how they approach Jackson both as a runner and passer. It will start upfront with the defensive line making sure he does not break loose, and then the back-end understanding he’s going to want to go deep.’

‘“The speed element is different when you’re talking about a player like Lamar… it’s hard to simulate but you do the best you can with everything,” McDermott said.’

‘But while Dawkins returned to the field, wide receiver Gabe Davis was present, but did not participate. Davis has been dealing with an ankle injury that saw him miss Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, and force him to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday.’

‘“His throwing numbers against the blitz are off the charts,” said Davis on Thursday with Sal Capaccio and Joe DiBiase. “They’re the top of the food chain for all quarterbacks, and that’s not something he had in the past few years. You can tell he’s evolving.”’

‘However, several players who have been banged-up and even missed last Sunday’s loss at Miami were back on the field in a limited fashion, including wide receiver Gabe Davis (ankle), safety Jordan Poyer (foot), cornerback Dane Jackson (neck), defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle), center Mitch Morse (elbow), defensive back Cam Lewis (forearm/knee), tight end Dawson Knox (back/hip), and newly signed offensive lineman Justin Murray (foot).’

‘With the injuries to Benford, Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson at cornerback – not to mention safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer – the Bills are took a look at a former All-Pro cornerback, who was available as a free agent on Tuesday.’

‘Undrafted rookie and University at Buffalo product Ja’Marcus Ingram made his NFL debut, playing 24 snaps in Benford’s place.’

‘Barf. Outside of Allen (the dang quarterback) and one big run from Zack Moss, this was awful. Buffalo’s inability to run the ball caught up to them in this game and it will do so more often if they are incapable of any sort of success on the ground outside of Allen. At some point, injuries cannot be an excuse for having to forsake the run game for the second straight week because of ineffectiveness. GRADE: F.’

‘In terms of the big picture perspective this game changed nothing for me. I still think the Bills will win the division and are a Super Bowl contender. Going into the game I felt Miami was the second best team in the division and would be good enough to make the playoffs. I still feel that way.’

‘The Bills’ lack of composure in one-score games is incredibly alarming for a Super Bowl contender. You see Allen with those red, rosy cheeks and immediately my blood pressure begins to rise.’

‘”I thought our training staff did a great job. Guys were going down, some of it heat related, some of it other injury related. Just real proud of the guys,” said McDermott with the media following the loss. “I know we didn’t get the result that we all came down here for. I think we learned something about our team today, that’s for sure. I’m proud of the guys and the way they battled and the effort they gave us.”‘

‘While Allen passed for 400 yards flat and two touchdowns, he also coughed up the ball three times, losing one of his fumbles. In addition, Buffalo could not capitalize on a number of situations that could have put the game out of reach much sooner.’