Archives for November 2016

'But going for two in a situation when two points could get you within (or ahead by) a football-friendly number (such as 3, 7 or 8) has been more of a standard practice.'

'As weak as Oakland's defense has been, it's hard to imagine where they'd be without Mack. He was expected to make strides after getting 15 sacks last season. But he has faced constant double teams. Opponents scheme for him on every play, resorting to multiple reads, misdirections and chip blocks to keep Mack at bay.'

'Shaq Lawson: In 21 defensive snaps, he did not register a tackle. Outside of one pass rush in which he almost tipped a Blake Bortles pass, it’s hard to recall Lawson generating much pressure at all.'

'Nobody is 100% right now, but we got to, we have had our share to say the least of injuries. We had good players, getting Marcell Dareus back that was a huge one, but we can just pretend it doesn’t make a difference, this just in it makes a huge difference. I think part of our goal line I think has a chance to get better now that he is playing. But we got to just move on, if there are certain guys out others have to step up.'

'Even Tasker’s best friend in East Aurora would have to admit he won’t be sending this game to the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.'

'“We’ve been saying it for a long time because we know, but getting him on the field, and I know it’s a limited role, he’s such a difference maker as a player,” coach Rex Ryan said of Watkins. “Hopefully he can play a little more and more because we certainly need him and we’re a different team with him.”'

'Incognito was among PFF's top run blockers in 2015 and he has been strong as both a run blocker (79.0 grade) and pass blocker (85.0 grade) this season with the Bills.'

'"Our team never got booed," Ryan said. "I think our fans are great, they stay with our team all the way. I think the booing was directed to me and our team understands that."'

'"Don't let anyone tell you this wasn't a great win," Rex told players after the game. "This was a great frickin' win, I promise you."'

'“Yeah, it did loosen the defense up a little bit,” McCoy said. “It was just them trying to play the sticks. Or guessing, are they throwing or running? After most things, they were trying to stop the run."'

'Only three catches for Sammy Watkins in his first game since Week 2, but they made just enough of a difference. Watkins hauled in a 62-yard completion down the right sideline. Buffalo’s offense hasn’t been a big-play producer like it was in 2015, but that lone catch went a long way as Jacksonville started to respect the deep ball. Other teams will take notice too.'

'"I don't know if it's extra motivation that this team's got this record or whatever. They've got that record because they earned it," Ryan said. "We know our backs are to the wall regardless of who we play. So they're going to get our best shot one way or the other."'

'"Sammy Watkins is the real deal," said Bills running back LeSean McCoy.'

'“You feel terrible for (Harvin) because I know how hard that he is trying to get and how much he wants to get back and help this football team and it is tough to see him so up in the condition that he is in,” Ryan said. “But I think you got to be patient, when he is ready to get back out there we will put him out there.”'

'A chance. That's what the Bills have now. A chance to do more than just be mathematically alive. Win in Oakland and they may look ALIVE alive. Like really in it. Lose and they'll drop to 6-6 and settle for, well, Bills fans know all too well what they'd be settling for. That's what is at stake next Sunday in Oakland.'