Archives for September 25, 2017

'Other inactives for the Bills are running back Joe Banyard, defensive tackle Deandre Coleman, guard Vlad Ducasse, tight end Khari Lee and defensive tackle Jerel Worthy (concussion). The Bills will start rookie Dion Dawkins at left tackle and Cedric Thornton in Dareus' place at defensive tackle.'

'“I decided to have my birthday party out here with everybody,” said Wilson, who turned 36 Sunday. He said he often plays clubs throughout the Buffalo area in addition to the free tailgating entertainment he provides.'

'Other incidents included car crashes, fires, fights, criminal mischief and general drunkenness.'

'The Bills defense turned in another valiant effort and in three games, has now allowed only two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tyrod Taylor turned in a solid day of work and got the Bills’ offense on track after a mostly woeful showing last week in Carolina.'

'“We had a chance to win that game at the end and we came up short,” wide receiver Jordan Matthews said of the Bills’ 9-3 loss to the Panthers, a point I could not agree with more. “We have to capitalize on our opportunities, and in this game, we did that. We put ourselves in a position to win, and that’s all you can ask for.”'

'Look around the league; this type of thing happened all day. The Saints routed the Panthers, the Jaguars crushed the Ravens, the Jets — yes, the Jets — embarrassed the Dolphins, the Bears beat the Steelers, and the Texans very nearly shocked the Patriots before falling in the dying seconds to that guy named Tom Brady who is just never going to go away.'

'“I just wasn’t thinking,’’ said Miller, who finished with six tackles, a sack, two QB hits and two tackles for loss. “I don’t even do anything with quarterbacks but I know Tyrod and we were kind of laughing and joking through the whole game. On that play, I just made a very crucial mistake at a vital time.’’'

'Driving up to the stadium, several people who allow people to park their cars in their yards were waving fans into their driveway with American flags in their hand. Several flags were flapping in the warm breeze in the stadium parking lots, and once the fans began filing into the stadium, it is expected that there will be plenty of red, white and blue, and not just because those are the Bills’ colors.'

' “Obviously, it was in response to our president’s comments, calling people who protest SOBs," Alexander said. “For me, with the backdrop being Charlottesville and calling neo-Nazis and KKK members fine people, making that comparison and drawing a hard line on NFL players for doing something peaceful, it really touched me.’’'

'Tyrod Taylor completed 76.9 percent of his passes (20 of 26 for 213 yards), a performance that was certainly unexpected given the fact that Von Miller rushes the passer for Denver, and Aqib Talib plays cornerback. But Taylor was sharp, particularly in the second half when he was 6 of 8 and led the Bills to the final 13 points of the game. On the second TD drive, he threw dimes to Nick O’Leary and Jordan Matthews and finished it with a nice throw in the end zone to Charles Clay after he baited the defense into thinking he was running.'

'And no matter how the Broncos’ season unfolds, what’s certain is that the Bills, in their third game under new head coach Sean McDermott, earned a major degree of credibility in their 26-16 victory before 68,865 sun-baked witnesses yesterday afternoon.'

'After knocking Taylor down legally, Miller extended a hand to help the Buffalo signal caller back to his feet. He then yanked it away — literally pulling the age-old “too slow” move — drawing one of the most amusing, and foolish, unsportsmanlike conduct penalties you’ll see all season.'

'The Bills have a long way to go, but upsetting the Broncos on Sunday was the first impressive win of the McDermott era in Buffalo.'

'Gaines was phenomenal. He had 12 passes thrown into his coverage and yielded just four receptions for 39 yards, while also grabbing an interception. Gaines had multiple pass breakups in coverage and saw just an 8.7 passer rating when targeted.'

'"I can't put my team in situations like that," Miller said after the game. "I brought us home many times, I've closed games fifty million times. I've got to be smarter than that. I'm always on the rookies and all the young guys (about) 'being smart and doing this and doing that'. Then I go out there and do something like that, in a crucial situation in the game, I've just got to be better than that. It hits you in the stomach. I haven't been in situations (like that) since my rookie season. One thing about it, I'm always, regardless, I always learn from my mistakes, I just can't kill us. I killed the game today with that penalty. I've just got to be better than that, and I will be better than that."'