‘Two of the Bills five-best defenders from its playoff-quality unit left the game with injuries and didn’t return. Tremaine Edmunds, one of the league’s elite middle linebackers, suffered a shoulder injury and big-play specialist, Matt Milano, an outside backer, endured a hamstring problem.’
Archives for September 14, 2020
Bills, Jets opt out of national anthems
‘Neither the Bills nor the Jets were on the field during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner or the video of the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Both teams decided, together, to remain in their respective locker rooms as a show of unity.’
Column: Josh Allen has more ups than downs in Bills’ season-opening win
‘”Overall, I thought Josh did a really good job giving the receivers a chance,” the coach said in a video call with reporters.’
Bills’ John Brown, Stefon Diggs make big impact on Jets’ defense
‘It was Brown who made the biggest plays among the Bills wide receivers. His 17-yard touchdown catch broke the game open in the second quarter, giving the Bills a 21-0 lead.’
Column: Lorenzo Alexander ‘willing to listen’ if Bills call after linebacker injuries
‘“Nah, unless it’s serious … ” Alexander texted after the game. “But if they do, it won’t be until they have a better understanding of how long the recovery will be.”’
Observations: Where is everybody? No Bills fans make for unique atmosphere
‘There was no traffic to battle and no shortage of parking in the fieldhouse lot. The unmistakable smell of tailgate grills did not fill the air on the walk into Bills Stadium. Once inside, there was ample space to spread out in the press box given the reduced capacity because of Covid-19 precautions. While players and staff dotted the field, the stands were empty. Bills Mafia was nowhere to be found.’
Quarter by quarter: Bills dominated more than the score indicated
‘ Tyler Bass missed field-goal tries of 38 and 34 yards. The first attempt was wide right with 5:58 left in the quarter. It was a close call. The ball may have gone inside and over the top of the right upright but it was veering to the right and hit the net well wide of the post. The officials might have blown the call.’
Bills-Jets Report Card: Passing game earns high marks in win
‘The combination of Devin Singletary and rookie Zack Moss failed to get anything going. Singletary finished with just 30 yards on nine carries, while Moss had just 11 yards on his nine carries.’
Bills, Jets remain in locker room for national anthem, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’
‘“It was a team decision,” Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes said. “It was something that we spoke about back in training camp. We came together as a team and we felt like, for us, we were going to stay in the locker room as a team because it symbolizes unity.”’
Allen throws for 312 yards as Bills roll past the hapless Jets 27-17 in season opener
‘ut simply, the Bills were lucky they were playing the Jets, given some of the errors and thrown away scoring opportunities that might have haunted them against a more competent opponent.’
Bills report card: Buffalo finally has dangerous pass offense. This season should be fun.
‘Stefon Diggs didn’t hit a home run, but the Jets wouldn’t allow it, so he hurt them underneath with eight catches for a team-high 86 yards. And John Brown had a solid day with six for 70.’
Did referees blow the call on Buffalo rookie Tyler Bass’ first career field goal?
‘The CBS broadcast replay showed the 38-yard try may have been good. Gene Steratore, the network’s rules analyst, believed the field goal should have counted.’
It’s like a ghost town at Bills Stadium as 2020 season opens amid pandemic
‘“We had a mock game, if you will, a couple weeks ago and as crazy as it felt, it didn’t feel like the real deal, you know,” said quarterback Josh Allen. “We had the announcer going and music inside and it’s just gonna be different when you score a touchdown and it’s just not instant crowd reaction. You can’t pump up the crowd.”‘
Bills and Jets stay in locker room for national anthem
‘Bills and Jets players each took a team vote and wanted to “show unity and togetherness” and draw attention to the fight for equality. Players are also wearing decals on their helmets with social justice messages or names of Black people who were killed by police.’
Josh Allen has 1st career 300-yard passing game, Bills knock off Jets, 27-17: 10 instant observations
‘But a few mistakes by Bills quarterback Josh Allen allowed the Jets to hang around for most of the game before Buffalo put them away in the second half. The Bills won 27-17 but the game was never really close.’