WHAM

‘When Hill played for the Chiefs, he crushed the Bills. Buffalo has done a better job defending him since he was traded to Miami.’

‘”I think more than anything, there’s an identity that’s started to take shape after that game,” McDermott said. “Obviously, the change was made, but sometimes, what’s more impactful is how people respond to the change and how people respond to adverse situations. So, I started to see our team coming together. I started to see an identity form and be built and take shape, and again, the credit goes to the players for taking the reigns at that point.”‘

‘As Buffalo fights for the AFC East title, there will be plenty of loyal bright spot fans cheering them on!’

‘”It’s a must-win game,” Josh Allen said. “We’ve got to go get this done, and the reward for doing it is the opportunity to do more. There’s a hungry team — a team that’s really good that’s played very well throughout the season — standing in front of us.”‘

‘Douglas intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, as the Bills beat the Patriots 27-21.’

‘Buffalo still has not clinched a playoff berth, while Miami has. Losses by either Pittsburgh or Jacksonville, or a tie between Houston and Indianapolis, would seal a berth for Buffalo regardless of Sunday night’s result.’

‘Coach Sean McDermott said he’s noticed a difference in his quarterback’s emotion and leadership over the last month. “His urgency, his vulnerability, his leadership,” McDermott said.’

‘”The fact that we lost game one tells our guys we have to put our best stuff out on the field, or we’re not going to win this game,” Allen said. “Frankly, it’s a game we need to win. They know that. We know that. If I’m in the Patriots locker room, I’m looking to ruin their season. An opponent’s playoff hopes are on the line — a divisional rival. They’re going to be ready to go, I can guarantee you that. That, in turn, makes us need to be ready to go, as well.”‘

‘The game will be available over the air on NBC affiliates in the Buffalo and Los Angeles markets only.’

‘Running back James Cook, who’s coming off the best game of his young and promising NFL career against the Cowboys, was a full participant Thursday after missing some practices with an illness.’

‘NBCUniversal says there will be a 40% reduction in the standard ad time for an NFL game which should result in at least 12 additional minutes of game-related content.’

‘”If you’re not on your ‘A’ game, it shows up rather quickly,” McDermott said. “And then you head to the buses with sour faces.”‘

‘”Coordinators, they want to throw the ball too. Don’t get it twisted,” Allen said. “You want to be able to be balanced and throw in some wrinkles and have the splash plays, but, again, when something’s working so well, to go away from it, it’s very hard to do and it’s probably not the smart thing to do.”‘

‘The second-year player out of Georgia posted 179 rushing yards, 42 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns in Buffalo’s 31-10 win Sunday against Dallas.’

‘Head coach Sean McDermott said Sunday’s win was great, but doing that once only goes so far. “It should help confidence, number one. Beyond that, though, the good teams do it more than once,” McDermott said. “I think that’s where our focus has to be this week — doubling down on the focus, doubling down on the execution and the preparation that leads to the execution, and the details we have to have on gameday.”‘