Two Bills Drive

‘Rhodes is a big cornerback, at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, who had great success playing man coverage for the Minnesota Vikings. He made the Pro Bowl in 2016, 2017 and 2019. But the last Pro Bowl honor was more off reputation, as he struggled in man coverage that season.’

‘”As a player, looking at your offensive coordinator having that much emotion and care for the game, and he prepares so hard that he wants to win, he wants to do everything in his power to win. I know people might be making a big deal out of it, but as players, we freaking love seeing that.”‘

‘Murray, listed at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Murray, 29, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016 with the Broncos, spending time on the practice squad. The former Cincinnati Bearcat made his debut in 2018 with the Raiders, playing in two games. He has also spent time with the Buccaneers, Saints, and Bengals.’

‘Offensive line (2.5): Obviously, the Bills had trouble running into a Miami defensive front that usually stacked the line with six or seven defenders. Usually, when you face a six- or seven-man front, it’s easier to run gap scheme or power runs, get guys pulling and outnumber at the point of attack. But the Bills were without elite pulling center Mitch Morse. Zone runs generally are better when there is a “bubble” or two in the front (an open gap in a typical 4-3 front). On Zach Moss’ first run, Ryan Bates didn’t get to the second level and missed the linebacker. On the second Moss run, Seiler got past Rodger Saffold to stuff the run. Singletary’s 2-yard loss came against a stacked front and a CB run blitz. Saffold missed Christian Wilkins on the play. Singletary did get 6 yards late on a pin-and-pull run with Greg Van Roten pulling. So the jury is out. Let’s see how it goes when the line gets healthier.’

‘If you measure Josh Allen’s performance through the prism of Vince Lombardi’s famous quote, “The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have,” then you have just witnessed one of the greatest quarterback performances of the ages. Consider: Allen completed 42 of 63 attempts; threw for 400 yards; ran 90 plays in massive heat conditions; threw two touchdowns; and willed the Bills into scoring opportunities without starting center Mitch Morse and replacement Greg Van Roten. He did all that without a healthy Gabe Davis, with a limited Dawson Knox and Stefon Diggs, and without Jake Kumerow, who injured his leg early in the first half. Greg Mancz finished the game as the emergency center, while all eight offensive linemen who dressed played critical minutes in game filled with personnel chaos.’