‘Cook’s 1,180 yards from scrimmage in 2023 ranks seventh in the NFL this season and third-most among running backs, trailing only Christian McCaffrey and Travis Etienne.’
BillsBeat - December 12, 2023
BillsBeat - December 11, 2023
Observations: Bills shake off tough week, rally around coach with victory against Kansas City
‘This time, the Buffalo Bills’ defense got it done.’
Ryan O'Halloran: Why can Bills remain interesting this year? Josh Allen, of course
‘The Bills remain a far-from-finely-tuned machine – they leaked oil throughout the second half in squandering a 17-7 lead – and all they did was make sure next week’s game against Dallas has importance. But it beats the alternative, right?’
'A silent little killer': James Cook makes impact in Bills' win in Kansas City
‘Cook finished the game with 141 all-purpose yards. He had a team-leading 58 rushing yards on 10 carries, along with a team-leading 83 receiving yards, and a touchdown, on five catches. He caught every ball thrown his way.’
Three questions: Bills playoff odds creep up but there's no stress relief for Bills Mafia
‘The Bills must go 3-1 in their last four games to have any chance. If they go 4-0, they’re 99% assured of being in. If they lose next week at home to Dallas and win their last three, their odds are 75% to make it. If they win the next three but lose to Miami, it’s 59%. If they beat Dallas and Miami but lose to either the Chargers or Patriots, it’s 62%.’
How It Happened: Top plays, standout players from Bills' win over Kansas City
‘DE A.J. Epenesa: Kansas City cruised into Bills territory on its first drive, but Epenesa read screen on a second-and-5 play from the 30 and caught his own deflection for his second interception of the season.’
Plays that shaped the game: Bills front four closed deal after Chiefs' epic lateral play
‘The Buffalo Bills’ defense lives and dies with its front four. The front four made big plays at the end to preserve Sunday’s 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.’
Report Card: It wasn't perfect, but Bills pass a big test against Chiefs
‘Let’s start with the good: The play design from interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Cook’s touchdown pass was sweet. This was not a great overall showing by Brady, though, against a tough defense. The Bills seemingly could have run the ball more, and the constant quick screens to wide receivers became increasingly easy for the Chiefs to defend. Clock management was an issue at the end of the first half and again in the fourth quarter, when the Bills left too much time on the clock, but were bailed out by the defense – and a timely penalty against Kansas City. Give Sean McDermott credit: His defense held Mahomes and Co. to 17 points at home. That’s a job well done. Moving Rousseau inside worked for a sack in the first half. The Bills had to burn a timeout in the second quarter after Allen was sacked. That timeout could have come in handy at the end of the half.’
Bills rally around Sean McDermott after tumultuous week: 6 reasons they resurrected season
‘“Our guys – the staff, the players – steadfast in their focus,” McDermott said. “I couldn’t be more proud of a group, I really couldn’t at this point in the regular season. To a person, they didn’t flinch. They were focused, they supported one another and they supported me and I don’t take that for granted at all. I’m just super proud of those guys and just a super resilient group.”’
Bills report card: Buffalo wins thanks to Chiefs penalty gaffe to stay in wild AFC playoff race
‘The offensive line had a bad night in pass protection. Allen took three sacks and pulled off Houdini escapes to avoid probably five or six others. Chiefs superstar DT Chris Jones and the rest of the Chiefs’ front seven – and I say seven because Chiefs DC Steve Sapgnuolo dialed up blitzes all night – were a constant nuisance for Allen.’
Bills survive against Chiefs, save their season with defensive stop on final drive (Instant Observations)
‘The Bills managed just six points – two Tyler Bass field goals – on five second-half possessions against a Chiefs defense that overmatched Buffalo’s offensive line. Allen looked out of sorts at times and the lack of time and reliability from his receivers made it a close game to the final whistle.’
How Bills rallied around embattled coach in season-saving win vs Chiefs
‘“Tough fu***** week,” Beane said as he pushed the ball into McDermott’s chest. “We got your fu***** back.”’
Why did Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes melt down on sidelines in loss to Buffalo Bills?
‘“It’s tough to swallow,” Mahomes said via ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. “Not only from me, and football in general, to take away greatness like that, for a guy like Travis to make a play like that, you want to see the guys on the field decide the game. They’re human. They make mistakes. But every week, we’re talking about something… It’s the call. Just in that moment. Not for myself. To have a flag change the outcome of the game. I’ve never had offensive offsides called. If it does, they warn you. There wasn’t a warning the entire game. And then you make a call like that in the final minute? Another game, we’re talking about the refs. It’s not what we want for the NFL. It’s not what we want for football.”’
SNL pokes fun at Buffalo Bills and Sean McDermott over 9/11 comments
‘“Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott apologized after giving a speech to his players where he used 9/11 terrorists as a good example of teamwork which is kind of a full circle moment,” Jost said setting up the punch line. “Because when Osama bin Laden was giving the terrorists a pep talk, he told them not to be like the Bills.”’
Bills win a close one over Chiefs, jump back over .500, now sitting at 7-6
‘On the drive before the Bills’ big defensive stop, QB Josh Allen helped engineer a 12-play 49-yard scoring drive that spanned 5:03 of the fourth quarter, resulting in a 39-yard field goal from kicker Tyler Bass, which proved to be the game-winner with 1:54 remaining.’