‘”It feels a lot more special this time just because we controlled our destiny,” defensive end Jerry Hughes said. “Whenever you control your destiny and you don’t have to depend on other people to get you into the dance, it’s a lot sweeter feeling. So we come in with that mentality of, ‘We’re supposed to be here, we belong here. Now, we’re ready to go out there and show the league.'”‘
Archives for December 30, 2019
Sean McDermott tries to play it safe, but injuries still mar Bills’ regular-season finale
‘Once the game started, it became clear why McDermott wanted to dress more players.’
Bills CB Kevin Johnson gears up for key role in playoff game vs. old team
‘“I know a lot of the guys there,” Johnson said of the Texans, “but the main focus is getting a win, and that’s all that matters.”’
Bills hold down Le’Veon Bell in possible Jets swan song
‘The Jets entered the game leading the league with 109 tackles for no gain or negative yardage on runs, not counting kneel-downs. The Jets had eight more, for a total of 117 no-gains or tackles for loss on run plays in the game. Two came on bad snap exchanges with Matt Barkley.’
If this was Lorenzo Alexander’s last home game, Bills send him out in style
‘”I thought she did a great job. Very confident, but if you know my daughter at all or have been around her, that’s right up her alley and something she loves to do. She’s 11, and to be able to sing in front of 50,000 people like that with confidence, it was cool. As a dad, I was like, ‘Don’t forget the words, don’t forget the words,’ but she did an excellent job today.”’
Backups on defense give an inspired effort in defeat
‘Sean McDermott made the wise decision to play it safe with his starters. What happened to Wallace was out of the coach’s control. The Bills have just three outside cornerbacks, so Wallace needed to play.’
Bills empty their bench and fall short, losing 13-6 to the Jets in meaningless finale
‘Coach Sean McDermott sat out seven regulars including both starting receivers, Cole Beasley and John Brown, running back Devin Singletary, and cornerback Tre’Davious White. He also played front-line starters for only a couple series, and then spent the rest of the afternoon hoping the clock would run quickly so the Bills could get out of the game healthy and ready to roll for the AFC wild-card playoff game next weekend.’
Maiorana: Bills are dangerous road warriors in playoffs against vulnerable Texans’ defense
‘Houston entered Week 17 ranked 28th in yards allowed, 30th in passing yards, 31st in preventing third-down conversions, 20th in rushing and 18th in points. It’s a game where, if the Bills take care of the ball and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll comes up with a diverse game plan, they could certainly score enough to outlast the Texans who will be facing the stout Buffalo defense.’
Roth: Bills are confident heading into playoffs and can certainly take down Houston Texans
‘“Obviously it’s one of the proudest moments as a father that I’ve had, it was really emotional,’’ said Alexander, 36, who confirmed his intention to retire, only this wasn’t the time or place to detract from the team’s playoff week. “I was surprised, I didn’t know she was singing it, so it was a really cool experience. I thought she did a great job, just very confident, but if you know my daughter, that’s right up her alley.’’’
Bills report card: Buffalo backups almost good enough to beat Sam Darnold, Jets starters’
‘Without Singletary, the Bills weren’t going to have much success on the ground against a stout Jets defense that entered the game ranked second in the NFL against the run. Frank Gore carried the early load and gained 26 yards, and then T.J. Yeldon — active with Singletary down — tacked on 18 yards in the second half. Yeldon showed some flash as a receiver, and it just remains a mystery why he was so underused in that role this year. The Bills averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt, and that was with 30 yards on two jet sweeps by Isaiah McKenzie. Had the Bills been able to establish any type of ground game it would have been interesting to see how the offense would have functioned. Then again, with a line that included T Ryan Bates, C Ike Boettger and G Spencer Long for much of the way, it simply wasn’t possible.’
Bills-Jets played as if it was meaningless
‘When it was over, Buffalo (10-6) with a playoff berth already locked up, fell 13-6 to New York (7-9) in a sloppy spectacle that won’t cause the Pro Football Hall of Fame to clamor for the tape.’
Bills’ injuries at cornerback cloud playoff
‘The Bills have only five cornerbacks – White, Wallace, Taron Johnson, Siran Neal and Kevin Johnson – but with White inactive and the two injuries, only Kevin Johnson – who was eventually taken from the game to protect him – and Neal were available, forcing McKenzie into an unfamiliar role when New York was in a passing situation.’
Bills give Alexander the spotlight in likely final home game
‘He added, “As a dad I was like, ‘Don’t forget the words … don’t forget the words.’ All the guys were very impressed and I know she brought some of the guys to tears.”’
Sam Darnold, New York Jets struggle to defeat Buffalo Bills backups (Week 17 report card)
‘Barkley made a few nice throws, but he also had two interceptions that were nothing short of awful. Throw in some issues holding onto snaps and a lost fumble on a sack and it was a game to forget for the Bills backup.’
Buffalo Bills reserves fall to New York Jets: 6 reasons to be encouraged, 1 reason to be worried
‘Did Duke Williams do enough on Sunday to earn playing time in the postseason? Time will tell, but Williams put together a strong performance in the season finale catching six of 12 targets for 108 yards. Williams was responsible for two drops, but he fared well as the Bills’ No. 1 wide receiver with John Brown and Cole Beasley both being inactive.’