‘“It’s rough, man,” he said, hinting that opposing defenses, specifically defensive backs, have done a great job of watching tape, understanding why Diggs had five 100-yard games in the first six weeks, and coming up with game plans to make sure that doesn’t happen against them. Clearly, it has worked because Diggs’ best game in the last nine was 86 yards against the Bengals on Nov. 5, and in the seven games since that loss in Cincinnati, his production has submarined as he has just 30 catches for 262 yards.’
BillsBeat - January 3, 2024
How can the Bills make the playoffs? Here are the teams to root for in Week 18
‘That’s because if the Steelers and Jaguars both win, the Bills will be in a win-or-else scenario, something they haven’t faced since that long ago afternoon at Rich Stadium when all Mike Mularkey’s team had to do to earn a playoff berth was beat Pittsburgh in the finale, a Steelers team that was resting several key players including QB Ben Roethlisberger, because it already had its playoff seed secured.’
What are the Buffalo Bills’ playoff odds following win over Patriots?
‘“With Sunday’s win over the Patriots, the Bills have bolstered their playoff chances from 86.7% to 90.3%, according to our NFL futures model,” Slade said. “The Week 17 win also enhanced the Bills’ Super Bowl hopes, increasing from 8.0% to 9.8%. The road to the playoffs is relatively clear for Buffalo in Week 18: a win against Miami secures their spot. Alternatively, a Jaguars loss or a Steelers loss would also suffice. However, a Bills loss in Miami, coupled with both Jacksonville and Pittsburgh winning, could sideline them from this year’s playoffs.”’
Buffalo Bills overcome deficiencies, missteps to set up showdown at Miami for AFC East title
‘This week is not without a worrisome subplot. Questions have gone unanswered over the sudden drop in receiver Stefon Diggs’ production and playing time. McDermott said it’s not injury related, while indicating it could be the result of Diggs needing a break or, perhaps, the receiver not being part of the personnel grouping for a particular play or series.’
What will decide Bills' fate in huge matchup with Dolphins?
‘Allen — who did not have a passing touchdown for the first time this season — described himself as being “just off” early in the game and said he couldn’t find a rhythm. Allen completed 5 of 13 passes of 10 or more air yards vs. the Patriots. He has now completed 49.7% of such passes this season, his lowest percentage since 2019. Interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady pointed to the need to get Allen in a groove, a correction that must come from a playcalling perspective as well.’
Look: Bills' Damar Hamlin gets heart tattoo one year after suffering cardiac arrest in Cincinnati
‘Exactly one year later, Till The End Tattoos posted an image of a tattoo it did for Hamlin that features a pulse inside of two hands forming a heart.’
Where has star receiver Stefon Diggs gone from Bills offense?
‘After winning five of their past six games, the Bills now have a 95% chance of making the postseason, per the New York Times simulator. And somehow, Diggs, who is healthy (according to the injury report), has not been a central part of it. At least, his production hasn’t been. His coaches would contend his work “hasn’t necessarily showed up in the stat book.”‘
How does Buffalo clinch a playoff berth this weekend?
‘If either the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. EST, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts happen to tie in their regular season finale on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. EST, or the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. EST, it will give the Bills their fifth-straight playoff berth.’
Tickets, flights costly for Bills fans heading to Miami
‘The first step for many is getting tickets to Sunday night’s prime time tilt. Nick Giammusso says the nosebleeds are going for $450 each on secondary ticket sites. “There are about 2,000 tickets floating around in the secondary market right now. Whether those are going to get scooped up today and then drive prices higher, that’s that remains to be seen,” says Giammusso. He anticipates most of the demand will come from the visiting side.’
One year later: Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's recovery from cardiac arrest continues to inspire
‘”It’s been an incredible year,” says Kristy Smorol, Communications Director for the American Heart Association of Western New York, “People really took this on as a passion.”‘
What’s a trip to Florida for the Bills-Dolphins game going to cost?
‘A search through travel websites Kayak and Expedia shows round-trip options for Saturday through Monday, but even at the cheapest prices, you can expect to shell out hundreds.’
Bills wide receiver becomes youngest player in NFL for career receptions
‘Stefon Diggs surpassed 800 career receptions in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. The 30-year-old Bills player first joined the team in 2020 after previously playing for the Minnesota Vikings starting in 2015.’
Buffalo Bill Damar Hamlin updates his GoFundMe one year after his injury
‘His Chasing M’s Charity has raised $9,147,203 of the initial goal of $2,500 from 248.3K donations from those supporting him after he suffered from cardiac arrest.’
What’s at stake when the Bills take on the Dolphins Sunday?
‘If the Bills lose, they could still make it into the playoffs as a wild card with either a Pittsburgh Steelers or Jacksonville Jaguars loss. Pittsburgh (9-7) takes on the top seed in the AFC, the 13-3 Baltimore Ravens that might be resting some of their starters. Jacksonville (9-7) plays the Tennessee Titans (5-11). Also Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts (both 9-7) can’t end in a tie.’
One year since Damar Hamlin’s injury
‘Western New York and the world went from praying for his recovery to celebrating his return to the field. Fans went from watching him getting revived on the field by heroic medical staff to being inspired to learn CPR themselves.’