‘In assessing Allen’s skills in scoring territory, Fangio noted, “They do a good job schematically in the red zone (inside the 20-yard line). They take advantage of his abilities to run … they’ll run plays where he’s actually running the ball. His scrambling has a big effect for their success in the red zone. People fear his running, scrambling and quarterback runs and sometimes that causes teams to be in favorable coverages for the offense when they do decide to throw it. A big part of (the Bills’ success) is a balanced ability to do everything that he does.”’
Archives for December 18, 2020
Inside the Bills: How Chad Hall has made a rapid rise up the coaching ladder
‘“Work ethic and hunger are important qualities,” McDermott said. “He was always a hungry player when he played. That same passion, that hunger, that burning desire when we spoke about the job when we first got to Buffalo, I noticed was there. Now it’s what you do with the opportunity. He’s a young guy who is off to a good start at this point.”’
X’s and O’s: Bills taking advantage of Matt Milano’s pass-rush ability
‘“I think the biggest thing with Matt is he spends a lot of time in the facility,” said coach Sean McDermott. “He works at his craft. He studies film. He’s a pro’s pro in that regard. He takes care of his body. He’s one of the first in, one of the last to leave. Sometimes people don’t see that, but I think it’s a big part of why he’s been able to do what he’s been able to do.”’
How will Bills fare at Denver Broncos in Week 15?
‘Their passing attack will have its way with a Broncos defense that has lost five members of its secondary. Drew Lock is not a competent enough quarterback to find success against a steadily improving Buffalo defense. This should be a no-sweat win. Bills, 35-14.’
View from Vegas: Why Bills are a tough spot from betting perspective at Broncos
‘The Bills are 4-12 straight up and 2-13-1 against the spread when coming off consecutive wins and facing an AFC opponent, including 0-12-1 against sub-.666 foes. Enter the Broncos, 24-17 straight up and 28-12-1 against the spread as nondivision home underdogs, including 14-5 straight up and 15-4 against the spread from Game 10 or later.’
Bills’ Daryl Williams, fresh off dominant game vs. T.J. Watt, didn’t expect this level of success in 2020
‘Williams, 28, has been a revelation for a Bills offensive line that has gone through some changes since 2019. Second-round draft pick in 2019 Cody Ford is out for the rest of the season as he recovers from a torn meniscus, and Quinton Spain, who started all 16 games a year ago, was cut in October after he was benched in September.’
Drew Lock not afraid to throw at Bills’ Tre White
‘“He’s an extremely talented corner, but it’s not going to be something that scares you off of a throw or scares you off of a matchup,” added Lock. “If my read takes me to him, and I need to throw the ball, there will be no second-guess about throwing it.”’
When John Brown returns for Bills, Stefon Diggs says ‘big show’ will be back for offense
‘“We’ve had to adjust without him,” Diggs said. “When he comes back we can get back to being us and hitting on all cylinders and having success. We’ve had some success. We’ve tried to view it as next man up and all that good stuff. But it’s always good to have your guy back. Especially when a guy can play at a high level and do a lot of great things. We look forward to having him back. The show went on for awhile but hopefully we can get the big show back.”’
Broncos Journal: Bills receivers present many challenges for revamped cornerback corps
‘Stating the obvious: This is a tough matchup for the Broncos’ cornerbacks. Stefon Diggs leads the NFL with 100 catches and if coach Vic Fangio allocates extra attention to him, watch for Cole Beasley (71 catches) working out of the slot against nickel back Will Parks, who allowed three completions in three targets at Carolina.’
Should the Broncos have drafted Josh Allen instead of Bradley Chubb?
‘Entering the 2018 NFL Draft, the Broncos had signed veteran quarterback Case Keenum to a multi-year contract after he had a breakout year with the Vikings the year before. With Denver owning the fifth-overall pick and five potential quarterbacks going in the first-round that year, it still made sense for the Broncos to draft a quarterback. Denver could have drafted a quarterback and sat him for possibly a year and allow him to learn under Keenum or even compete with Keenum.’
Friday’s Denver Coverage
Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry’s progress part of offensive line improvement during second half (Denver Post)
Kicker Brandon McManus unlikely to play against Bills, meaning Broncos will rely on Taylor Russolino (Denver Post)
Broncos Journal: Bills receivers present many challenges for revamped cornerback corps (Denver Post)
Behind enemy lines: Bills’ Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs see bright futures for Broncos’ Drew Lock, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Thanks to ESPN commentator and COVID, former XFL player likely to be Broncos kicker (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Broncos Blog: Lock named FedEx player of the week; Bolles, Fant ready to return; Motley added (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Justin Simmons wins Darrent Williams Good Guy Award, says ‘it would mean everything’ to stay with Broncos long term (Colorado Springs Gazette)
Broncos’ COVID-19 Contingency Plan At Kicker Paying Off (AP)
With McManus not expected to clear COVID protocols in time, Russolino likely Broncos kicker vs. Bills (KUSA-TV)
Orange and Blue Report: Broncos prepare for Bills matchup (KDVR-TV)
Kick to the shins; Brandon McManus not expected to be cleared for Saturday’s game (KMGH-TV)
Like it or not, Drew Lock will be the Broncos starting quarterback in 2021 (KKFN-FM)
Should the Broncos have drafted Josh Allen instead of Bradley Chubb? (KKFN-FM)
Barring a late change, Taylor Russolino expected to make NFL debut in place of Brandon McManus (DenverBroncos.com)
Mile High Morning: Four Broncos make Pro Football Focus’ Pro Bowl roster (DenverBroncos.com)
Injury Report: Graham Glasgow among Broncos questionable for Week 15 vs. Buffalo (DenverBroncos.com)
Bills Close In On Clinching 1st AFC East Title In 25 Years
‘“When I turn on the TV on Sunday and hear the pregame shows mentioning Buffalo in a positive light instead of being the doormat of the East, it’s a great feeling to have that association with the team,” former linebacker Cornelius Bennett said. “It’s like raising a child and somebody pats you on the back because the child is progressing. It’s a good feeling.”’
Buffalo Bills On Cusp Of Ending 25-Year Divisional Drought
‘Allen credits continuity for his metamorphosis in Buffalo, where Sean McDermott has been his head coach and Brian Daboll his offensive coordinator ever since he was the seventh overall selection in the 2018 draft.’
Buffalo Bills On Verge Of First AFC Title In Quarter-Century
‘Allen’s 35 touchdowns (28 passing, six rushing and one receiving) are a team record, one more than Jim Kelly had in 1991.’
Stefon Diggs is Buffalo’s Miracle Man
‘In 2019, the Vikings also turned over their offense to Kevin Stefanski, who preferred to focus on the running game and the emergence of Dalvin Cook as one of the league’s top backs. Suddenly Diggs’ life became two trains going in opposite directions: He was sure he could top the unbelievable moment he’d already experienced, but he was trying to do it for a team that, despite paying him well, wasn’t much interested in giving him the ball. After averaging 10 targets per game in 2018, Diggs saw fewer than half that — just 23 total — in the first five weeks of the 2019 season.’