‘Prediction: Buffalo over PITTSBURGH by 6.’
Archives for December 2019
Bills didn’t help themselves in Week 14, but did get help elsewhere
‘A Bills win on Sunday could also help ease Bills’ fans anger from the 2004 season finale. That year, a Bills win over the Steelers in the final game would have put Buffalo into the playoffs. Pittsburgh, entering the game at 14-1 and playing for nothing (the Steelers were the No. 1 seed) beat Buffalo 29-24. That kept Buffalo out of the playoffs and put the New York Jets in, despite the fact that the Jets lost to Oakland that day. Maybe a win Sunday night which would put the Bills in the playoffs and put a big dent in Pittsburgh’s plans, would be some sort of payback, albeit 15 years later.’
What Buffalo Bills rookie Dawson Knox did to make Cole Beasley think he’ll be ‘great one’
‘“He was one of the biggest ones on the sidelines getting in my ear, telling me to keep my head up. That I’m going to need to make a bigger play later in the game,” Knox said. “Having guys like him, Lee Smith, Tyler Kroft – I feel like it’s a really special place to be here.”’
Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver named to NFL.com’s All-Rookie Team
‘In 13 games this season, Oliver has recorded 33 total tackles, five sacks and two passes defensed. He was recently voted the Pepsi Rookie of the Week after recording two sacks and a forced fumble in a 26-15 Thanksgiving Day win over the Dallas Cowboys and has been just as successful versus the run as well.’
William & Mary teammates share memories of Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott
‘“I knew getting that scholarship was very important to him for a number of reasons,” said Jeremy Anderson, McDermott’s freshman roommate. “It meant a lot to get that, to be acknowledged by the coaches for the hard work, and I know it meant a lot to his parents, too, just financially. It was a bit of a strain for him to go to that school, and his brother went to Cornell. His dad was a teacher or coach or something like that. They worked all their lives to try to get their kids through school, and they were pretty expensive schools.”’
Takeaway-savvy Steelers defense eager to face fumble-prone Bills QB Josh Allen
‘“But you do want to see how quick his release is because if he’s getting it out really quick, you don’t want to necessarily always go for the ball. That’s kind of gotten me in trouble a few times this year, because the amount of time (during a windup) a QB goes from (his hip) to (release point) is so quick, if you reach for that outside arm (midway in the motion)… (the ball) can (be released), and you just grabbed him when you could have had him.”‘
Tim Benz: Josh Allen the latest mobile quarterback to test Steelers — in a whole new way
‘“The difference is, they will spread everyone out in the empty (set) and do quarterback draws,” Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt said. “If you are in man (coverage), that can turn all the defenders’ backs to the quarterback and allow him to run freely.’
Bills are talking about Tomlin, Duck & more
‘“What Mike did was he gave me a blueprint a little bit for what it looked like,” said McDermott of how Tomlin has helped him in his coaching career. “He was such a role model for a lot of us, myself included, on campus as a younger player. He was a fourth-year senior when I got there so he was a good example for me as well as many others.’
Friday’s Pittsburgh Coverage
William & Mary teammates share memories of Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Steelers injuries: James Conner has ‘no new updates’; JuJu Smith-Schuster downgraded (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Steelers mailbag: What’s the deal with Maurkice Pouncey’s snaps? (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
XFL commissioner: League blocked Steelers’ attempt to sign Landry Jones (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Big year by Bud Dupree leaves Steelers with a big decision (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Takeaway-savvy Steelers defense eager to face fumble-prone Bills QB Josh Allen (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Tim Benz: Josh Allen the latest mobile quarterback to test Steelers — in a whole new way (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Kevin Gorman: Tackling the big question — will the Steelers throw the ball to Zach Banner? (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
In 1st year with Steelers, Steven Nelson emerging as shutdown cornerback (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster downgraded; James Conner, Jaylen Samuels practice fully (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Oliver Luck: Steelers tried to sign Landry Jones from XFL (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Maurkice Pouncey named Steelers’ nominee for Walter Payton award (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
JuJu Smith-Schuster regresses to ‘limited’ at Steelers practice, Jaylen Samuels returns & other injury report notes (Harrisburg Patriot News)
Steelers bond over Biñho, chase T.J. Watt for team title: ‘I’m the unanimous champion’ (Harrisburg Patriot News)
Organic Chemistry; LB Duo Watt, Dupree Thriving For Steelers (AP)
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravates knee, likely out Sunday (ESPN)
Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly exits practice early, downgraded ahead of Week 15 vs. Bills (CBS Sports)
CBS Dallas’ Keith Russell Says Bills Will Come Out On Top Against Steelers On Sunday (KDKA-TV)
Pittsburgh Steelers Center Maurkice Pouncey Named Walter Payton Man Of The Year Nominee (KDKA-TV)
‘Nope, Sorry. He’s Ours,’ XFL Blocked Pittsburgh Steelers From Signing QB Landry Jones, Phillip Walker In 2019 (KDKA-TV)
Steelers name Maurkice Pouncey as team’s nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (WTAE-TV)
Report: JuJu Smitch-Schuster hurt during practice Thursday, probably won’t play Sunday (WPXI-TV)
Steelers’ Marukice Pouncey selected as team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee (WPXI-TV)
‘We’re making progress’ (Steelers.com)
Week 15 Injury Report (Bills) (Steelers.com)
Labriola on Tomlin, Coach of the Year (Steelers.com)
Bills are talking about Tomlin, Duck & more (Steelers.com)
W&M alums Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott will be coaching against each other in prime time
‘“He’s made Buffalo relevant again,” said London, who was a Tribe assistant from 1991-94.’
Former Teammates McDermott, Tomlin Lead Bills, Steelers
‘“We had our battles,” said McDermott, who played with Tomlin for two seasons in 1993-94. “I was a walk-on, he was a scholarship athlete. He was established and I was just trying to get a pair of cleats.”’
Bills-Steelers Preview Capsule
‘Pittsburgh has won each of last six meetings.’
Jordan Phillips limited with knee injury; Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster leaves practice early
‘Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips appeared on the team’s injury report Thursday as being lmimted with a knee injury, as they get set to play the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night. Running back Frank Gore did not practice with an illness, and defensive tackle Corey Liuget was limited with a knee injury one day after not participating at all.’
Lorenzo Alexander named the Bills’ 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee
‘Alexander became the seventh player in team history to have multiple nominations for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award last year. He becomes the second player in franchise history to be up for the award three times, joining former Bills offensive lineman Ruben Brown.’
Lorenzo Alexander named Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for third year in a row
‘One player from each NFL team is nominated, the winner of the award receives $250,000 donated to the charity of their choice.’