Two Bills Drive

‘The team is 5-3 under head coach Sean McDermott in Week 1, but just 2-2 over the past four years. Considering the team is 48-19 overall in the regular season over that time, their relative lack of success in Week 1 is a bit of a head-scratcher.’

‘“It’s a chance to go out there, and to win, you’ve got to play at your best,” Allen said Wednesday. “When you’re going against another quarterback that’s great, you talk about Lamar, he’s one of the best players to touch the grass, honestly.’

‘The episode starts with DaQuan Jones talking to the defensive line at a dinner. Casey Rogers gets everyone to sign a football that he’ll keep as a memory of the team.’

‘The commercial starts with both players in a locker room, strategizing their approach at the drawing board with coaches in Pepsi coveralls. The players then blitz unsuspecting tailgaters at Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles games, giving them cans of Pepsi “to amp up their food’s flavor.”’

‘More than 1,000 spaces for home games will not be available this season. Lot 4 at the north end of the team’s parking lots will be closed as part of the plan for the last year of construction on the more than $2 billion stadium set to open in 2026.’

‘“Even though he was MVP, he’s looking for ways he can improve,” said Bills backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky. “He’s asking himself, ‘What can I get better at?’ ” He’s always pushing himself to reach that next level. That’s what makes him great.”’

‘McDermott might have grown up in the Philadelphia area, but he considers Western New York his hometown now. It’s where he and his wife, Jamie, have brought up their three children.’

‘Khalil Shakir developed into the reliable target many thought he would be in 2024 by catching 76 of 100 targets for 821 yards and four touchdowns. Keon Coleman averaged 19.2 yards per catch and had eight targets in the red zone. He put together a solid summer and must take a significant step forward. Josh Palmer ranked 10th last season among qualifying wide receivers in route win rate last year. That ability to separate could be huge for the offense.’

‘There is no position on the Bills’ roster, at least offensively, that has been scrutinized more than wide receiver – for good reason. Each year, finding the right mix for quarterback Josh Allen has been one of Brandon Beane’s top priorities.’

‘The NFL MVP connected on 26 passes that traveled 20-plus yards past the line of scrimmage, and the Buffalo Bills’ 72 such throws were the second-most in 2024. It’s an area they want to improve this season, as only two of those completions were for touchdowns. In 2022, Allen had a league-best 34 deep completions, and his output dropped to 28 in 2023.’

‘More so than any other unit on a professional football team, an offensive line has to be in sync. And this year, as the Buffalo Bills get set to make another run at a championship, they have a major advantage: They’re returning their starting five intact for a second straight year, all five at the same five positions.’

‘“Turnovers are the lifeblood of our defense,” said Michael Hoecht, one of the Bills’ newest edge rushers. “It’s going to be all year. We emphasize it every day.”’

‘“Joey is a big, long, talented dude,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “When you watch him in one-on-one pass-rush, or when he’s in a true one-on-one situation (and) he’s got nothing to do but beat the tackle, you can see he clearly still knows how to rush. We like where he’s at.”’

‘A successful season – and a healthy one – from Milano could propel the Bills, and Milano himself. Right now, he is doing everything he can to make that happen.’

‘“I think when you look at it, there’s a lot of different pieces, moving pieces right now,” Babich said last month. “We’re seeing progress – maybe it’s delayed progress, but we’re seeing progress in the way that we want it to go, whether that be from injury, availability, but we’ll be good.”’