‘In 1995, there was a groundswell of appreciation for a team that everyone realized was near the end of its reign. There also was hope that the Bills might exceed expectations and make a deep playoff run.’
Archives for December 17, 2020
Vic Carucci: Bills’ red-zone prowess will be put to test vs. Broncos
‘”They’re extremely well-disciplined, extremely well-coached,” Allen told reporters in a web call Wednesday. “It’s kind of like that bend-don’t-break motto. That’s where they tighten up, in the red zone; they’ve been tops all year.”‘
What are Bills seeding odds with three weeks to go in NFL season?
‘The Bills (10-3) have virtually locked up a playoff spot, and their odds of winning the AFC East stand at 99%, according to the analytics website FiveThirtyEight.com.’
My View: A drowsy Bills fan bemoans night games
‘The newfound success of this team, while appreciated, has wreaked havoc on my sleep routine. Last week, I took a nap at 4 o’clock, set the alarm for 7:30 and was able to watch every down of the game against the 49ers. If I lived in California, the game would have started at a more reasonable time, given the three-hour time difference.’
Retransmission dispute may be to blame as Bills beat Steelers on field but not in ratings
‘The asterisk concerns the game’s availability on Channel 2. Because of a retransmission dispute between the owner of Channel 2, Tegna, and DirecTV, the station is off the satellite service. That could potentially reduce the station’s audience and therefore its rating by 15% to 20%. If you add 15% to 20% to Channel 2’s rating, Buffalo would easily defeat Pittsburgh.’
Improvement on third down has been key to the Bills recent surge on defense
‘In the first eight games, the Bills were allowing third-down conversions at an alarming rate of 50% (44 of 88), and not surprisingly, their point differential was minus-1 despite their 6-2 record. In the last five games (four wins and that horrific Hail Murray loss to Arizona), the numbers have changed dramatically. The Bills are allowing a 29% conversion rate and correspondingly, their point differential is plus-39.’
Bills’ Matt Milano, Gabriel Davis give child a life-changing Christmas gift
‘“It was unreal, to be honest,” Milano said when he was asked to share his feeling after seeing the video, and also of the Zoom call he and Davis had with the little boy from Buffalo who was born without fully-formed legs which were promptly amputated. “I almost started crying a little bit, just to see how happy he was and how he was in another world. You could tell how much of a difference it made for him. It really touched my heart.”’
Bills can win AFC East with win vs. Broncos; Josh Allen knows what’s at stake
‘“It’s not just end all be all, we won the AFC East, let’s celebrate,” Allen told reporters. “That was our goal and that’s been our goal. That’s the easiest way to get to the playoffs is to win your division. It’s no small task, I’ll tell you that. But we set our goal to have a home playoff game and that secures our right to do so. It’s not the end all be all, it’s a step in the right direction.”’
Broncos’ Drew Lock says he can learn from Josh Allen; talks complex Bills defense
‘“He has the experience. He’s played in it, he’s struggled in it,” Lock said while speaking with Denver media on Wednesday. “And when you struggle in it you end up learning and end up thriving. That’s why he’s playing extremely good ball right now. It’s football that I want to end up eventually getting to and playing like.”’
Nick Wright hates the Bills, made this high-stakes playoff bet with Colin Cowherd
‘“Buffalo is absolutely the best team in the NFL,” Cowherd said on his show Tuesday. “They’re a Hail Mary away from winning their last seven. The only team in the NFL, the only one with 20 or more first downs every game. They’ve allowed fewer than 25 points in three-straight games.”’
Usually the Buffalo Bills are Hamilton’s NFL team. This year, they’re our football team
‘Hamilton-area football fans have been flocking to Buffalo since the early 1960s, when former Ticat star and Grey Cup winner Cookie Gilchrist triggered their offence, and the Marv Levy — “I still love the CFL” — era which brought four Super Bowl appearances. And they’re still flocking …. while sitting in their TV rooms.’
Kiszla: With 20/20 hindsight, would Broncos trade LB Bradley Chubb for Bills QB Josh Allen?
‘In a game where you ain’t nothing without a quarterback, it appears the Bills can compete for a championship with Allen. “The guy has really emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the league,” Fangio said.’
Bronco notes: Wyoming product Josh Allen has found paradise in Buffalo
‘“I understood my strengths and weaknesses and feel like I still understand what my strengths and weaknesses are,’’ Allen said in a Zoom call with members of the Denver media Wednesday in advance of the Broncos’ game Saturday against Allen’s Buffalo Bills. “Self-knowledge is a huge tool in the maturation process and how to be patient with yourself. It was my goal to find out how to be the best quarterback and the best teammate I could be for the Buffalo Bills. I’m still finding ways to do that, and there’s no doubt that I need to improve on a lot of various things.”‘
Thursday’s Denver Coverage
Nick Vannett finally finding footing with Broncos as tight end looks to assert himself as “physically imposing player” (Denver Post)
Kiszla: With 20/20 hindsight, would Broncos trade LB Bradley Chubb for Bills QB Josh Allen? (Denver Post)
Broncos Briefs: After “fun experience” in NFL debut, Netane Muti gets positive review from Vic Fangio (Denver Post)
Denver Broncos rookie roundup: cornerback Michael Ojemudia making most of opportunity (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Led by veteran Nick Vannett, Broncos tight ends becoming one of Denver’s most reliable units (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Broncos Safety Justin Simmons Piling Up Big Plays, Accolades (AP)
Fangio says Lock will benefit from offensive coaching staff continuity (KUSA-TV)
Bronco notes: Wyoming product Josh Allen has found paradise in Buffalo (KUSA-TV)
Diontae Spencer named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (KUSA-TV)
Justin Simmons receives Darrent Williams Good Guy Award for 3rd time (KUSA-TV)
Drew Lock hopes to continue upward trajectory after career game (KDVR-TV)
Former Bronco Orlando Franklin hiking with random Coloradans to lose weight (KDVR-TV)
Continuity holds key to Drew Lock’s success (KMGH-TV)
Broncos Diontae Spencer named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (KKFN-FM)
Simmons becomes first three-time recipient of Darrent Williams Good Guy Award (KKFN-FM)
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock prepares for his 16th career NFL start (KDCO-AM)
Josh Allen has thrived due to patience and continuity. Could Drew Lock be next? (DenverBroncos.com)
Injury Report: Fant, Bolles both ‘fine’ after battling illness (DenverBroncos.com)
Broncos sign CB Parnell Motley off 49ers’ practice squad, activate Jeff Driskel from Reserve/COVID-19 list (DenverBroncos.com)
Drew Lock named FedEx Air Player of the Week following Week 14 performance (DenverBroncos.com)
Ask Aric: How does Drew Lock’s performance vs. Carolina stack up to his big day in Houston? (DenverBroncos.com)
Bills D Flexing Its Identity In Time For Late-Season Push
‘“I knew the character of these guys. I knew what our talent level was like, and I also understood the circumstances we were operating under,” Frazier said Monday, a day after a 26-15 win over Pittsburgh.’