‘“The DNA that Coach (Sean McDermott) has brought around here is just a bunch of tough jokers,” DiMarco said. “And that’s kind of what this locker room is full of. We’re tough, we’re going to fight our tails off, and that’s what we did. A bump and a bruise here aren’t going to hold us down.”’
Archives for December 17, 2018
Bills’ Jordan Poyer delivers consecutive tackles to stifle Lions’ last gasp
‘”It was a good thing for our defense,” said veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who filled in for injured Matt Milano in nickel. “The last couple weeks, we had given up those drives after the offense had did a good job putting us in the lead, and we didn’t go out and execute, so it was good to be able to do that and close out on defense.”‘
Jason Wolf: Bills’ Josh Allen rushes for career-low yardage, takes big step
‘Allen had rushed for 335 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries the previous three games combined.’
Jay Skurski’s 10 observations: Offense overcomes serious rash of running back injuries
‘“What can you say? Rookie undrafted free agent, to come out in his first action and really handle himself with great composure,” coach Sean McDermott said.’
Plays that Shaped the Game: Robert Foster’s deep over wins again for Bills
‘The Bills were able to run out the clock over the last 2:50 thanks to another fine touch throw from Allen to tight end Jason Croom for a 25-yard gain. It was a second-and-9 play, and the Bills were in a running formation, with two tight ends on the field.’
Quarterly Report: Chalk up a second comeback for Bills’ Josh Allen
‘Deonte Thompson dropped a diving effort on a deep post that would have been a 55-yard gain. It was a hard catch. Then Zay Jones dropped a pass over the middle that would have been a 17-yard gain. The Bills are overdue for a remarkable catch.’
Bills-Lions Report Card: Average is enough for Buffalo in win
‘Josh Allen started the game 9 of 14, but finished completing just 50 percent of his passes – 13 of 26. Still, he showed some progress, particularly when it came to knowing when to throw the ball away. There were a couple throws that weren’t quite where they needed to be, but probably good enough for the receiver to come down with. The touchdown pass to Robert Foster was an absolute dime. Zay Jones had just one catch for 11 yards despite being targeted six times, but he did draw a 23-yard pass-interference penalty. Allen was sacked only once, but it was a costly one that pushed the Bills out of field-goal range on their opening drive.’
Fourth-quarter TD pass by Allen lifts Bills to victory over Lions
‘The Bills’ offense hadn’t done much of anything since scoring its other touchdown in the second quarter, but with a drive start at their own 40, the Bills made quick work of the winning possession.’
‘Stuck on you’: Are Allen and Foster the Bills’ next dynamic duo?
‘It’s way too early to dare to think Josh Allen and Robert Foster could ever get close to the same ZIP code Buffalo’s all-time greatest pass duo occupied, but it sure has been fun watching the two rookies grow together in 2018.’
Something poetic and promising about Buffalo Bills driving a Ford to help beat Detroit
‘“Coach always says, ‘Always prepare like you’re playing this week,’” said Ford, who himself tweaked an ankle but was clearly feeling no pain as he celebrated Buffalo’s hard-fought 14-13 victory over Detroit. “From the beginning of the year, my eyes were on the prize and they moved me up. Injuries are just part of the game and you need to be ready.’’’
Report card
‘The Bills found a way to win a game that very easily could have gone the other way, and that’s another step this team needed to take in its development. The Bills took a fourth-quarter lead, but there was much work that needed to be done, and for the most part, it got done. The defense held off two Detroit possessions forcing a missed field goal and a punt, and the offense needed to melt the remaining clock away. It didn’t succeed after the missed field goal, but given a mulligan and taking possession with 2:50 remaining, Josh Allen picked up two first downs and kept the ball away from Matthew Stafford to secure the 14-13 victory.’
Bills win old-school battle with Lions, 14-13
‘What decided this non-conference meeting before a crowd of 59,110, that finished in an economical 2:58, was a bad snap on the extra point following Detroit’s first touchdown and a missed 48-yard field goal by Lions kicker Matt Prater that would have given his team the lead with under six minutes to play.’
Pollock: Bills’ youngsters helped to spark win over Lions
‘The defense had four such players: defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (3rd round ‘18), safety Siran Neal (5th round ‘18) plus two free agents, end Eddie Yarbrough and linebacker Deon Lacey. And their collective contributions to the win were not insignificant.’
Bills’ Robert Foster stepping up (7 reasons to be encouraged, 5 reasons to worry)
‘The emergence of Foster cannot be understated. He’s been Josh Allen’s favorite big play target and his play has spoken for itself on the field. Foster has emerged for the Bills and should be a big part of the team’s future.’
Bills vs. Lions: 7 things you should care about from Buffalo win
‘At one point early in the game, Allen was completing around 70 percent of his passes and excelling in the short and intermediate passing game. He seems much more comfortable running the offense as we close out the season. He’s making the routine throws more consistently.’