Archives for January 2016

'The 2nd year wide out finished the season with a flurry of big games including the season finale. Watkins had 11 receptions for 136 yards against Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. During his final 6 games of the season, Watkins had 679 yards and 6 touchdowns.'

'“I want to [trust him" target="_blank">. I want to,” said John Mata. “If he can can give us a winning season next year I’m behind him.”'

'“It’s a perfect way to end the season,” said John Mata. “We could have had a better season but this makes up for it.”'

'In those moments of reflection, they’ll look back on lost opportunities. Losses to Jacksonville, Kansas City, Philadelphia and the Giants will haunt them. Woulda. Coulda. Shoulda.'

If Taylor can even replicate this season, the Bills will go back to the playoffs. Does that mean the Bills have their answer at elite quarterback? Of course not, but this is still a potential playoff team in 2016.

'It's always nice when you can win a finale and keep a division rival from making the playoffs in the process. It was a bit hollow however as a beloved Buffalo figure in Fitzpatrick was the goat and it kept him from making the playoffs. He has the second most starts in the NFL since the merger to not make the playoffs in it's a shame for a guy who is so Buffalo. The Bills finished 8-8 making it the first time in the playoff drought that they finished .500 or better in back to back seasons. Is it something to build on? I don't know but tweaks need to be made to finally end this unbelievably long drought.'

'Dennis Thurman seemed to do a nice job as the Bills D came to play.'

'All season long Buffalo has relied on their rushing attack and against the league’s number one run defense they were effective enough. The Bills offense controlled the clock staying committed to a run game with a conservative pass game to carry a 22-17 lead late into the fourth quarter. Buffalo’s defense did the rest as Leodis McKelvin, Manny Lawson and A.J. Tarpley each turned in key interceptions to protect the lead and complete the season sweep of the Jets.'

'The Bills sustained such successful drives by committing to their NFL-best rushing attack, which came into the game averaging 150.2 yards per game and 4.8 yards per attempt. While the team averaged just 2.6 yards per attempt against the Jets on Sunday, it remained committed to its bread and butter, running 43 times for 113 yards. The Jets rush defense came into the game ranked first in the NFL, allowing 81.5 yards per game on the ground.'

'“It was a great accomplishment,” said Watkins. “The coaches and everybody knew I had to get 89 yards so I went out there with the mindset that if I got 89 or 100 yards we should be able to win the game. It was great because we won the game. I would’ve been very upset if I had 100-whatever yards and we lost the game. It was great because we got the win.”'

'Yes and that was something that we stressed earlier in the week. I mean you could listen to I guess the media you could say or just the people outside our locker room saying we don’t have anything to play for. But as an athlete anytime you step on the field you always have something to play for, something to prove to people. With us not being in the playoffs it was definitely a time for us to go out there and prove to people who we are and that we are not going to back down and give the Jets a free way into the playoffs. We was able to lock in and play a full game, offense, defense and special teams.'

'And for Ryan, there’s even extra motivation. A year after the Jets fired him for missing the playoffs his last four years, a first-season coach, former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, has New York on the brink of the post season. The Bills’ new boss surely doesn’t want that to happen in his house.'

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'“Those people mean a lot to me.”'

'Still, Sunday's game at Ralph Wilson Stadium still carries much significance for several players on the team trying to stick around long term. Safety Jonathan Meeks leads the Bills in special teams tackles with 12 but has played only nine defensive snaps all season. Coach Rex Ryan said earlier this week he'll play Meeks more in this one with Bacarri Rambo battling a shoulder injury.'