‘The play tied the longest interception return in NFL postseason history, with Green Bay’s George Teague (1993, Wild Card).’
Archives for January 17, 2021
Sources: Buffalo Bills OC Brian Daboll emerges as a favorite to land Los Angeles Chargers’ head-coaching job
‘Daboll would fit many of the traits the Chargers are looking for in their next head coach. He is an offensive-minded coach, learning under some of the best coaches of all time, and he has helped elevate the game and production of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Daboll would be expected to do the same with Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert.’
Bills vs. Ravens score: Historic pick-six lifts Buffalo, Lamar Jackson exits with injury as Bills advance
‘That defense, man. It’s kind of funny how Sean McDermott’s prized unit basically took a back seat to Josh Allen’s rocket-armed offensive showcase this year, only to resurface here and almost literally win the Bills their first AFC title-game bid since 1993. Everyone played well, from Micah Hyde collapsing on wideouts to Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds containing Lamar Jackson to Tre’Davious White and Taron Johnson (!) suffocating the passing windows. Allen was good enough to manage the lead after connecting with Diggs to cap one of the night’s few seamless drives, and both Diggs and John Brown showed up, but this one was all about Buffalo’s “D.” Johnson will be a staple in Bills lore for that pick-six.’
Bills become first team in NFL history to accomplish rare offensive feat in playoff victory over Ravens
‘The Ravens rushed for 150 yards while the Bills had just 32 in the game. Here’s how Baltimore dominated the box score, but still only managed to score three points — tied for the lowest ever in the John Harbaugh era and the lowest in franchise playoff history.’
Bills’ 101-yard pick-six buries Ravens, makes NFL playoffs history and serves as Lamar’s first red zone INT
‘In the bigger picture, however, Johnson’s pick-six was just as notable. By racing past the Ravens — Jackson included — the veteran Bills cornerback for 101 yards, he tied the NFL record for longest postseason interception return ever logged, matching a record first set by former Green Bay Packers safety George Teague in the 1993 playoffs.’
Josh Allen draws roughing-the-passer penalty on questionable flop during Bills’ divisional round game
‘And the Academy Award for Best Actor goes to … Josh Allen! In the midst of Buffalo’s AFC divisional-round matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills quarterback showed off his acting chops, which helped him draw a roughing the passer penalty in the first quarter of Saturday’s contest. The award-winning and critically acclaimed performance came on a first-and-10 play from the Baltimore 22-yard line. Allen dropped back to pass and ended up throwing the ball away. However, as he threw the incomplete ball while under pressure, he was tapped by defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. That’s when the show began.’
Divisional Round Takeaways: Bills D Dials Up a Big One, Unstoppable Pack, Cruel End for Lamar Jackson
‘Leslie Frazier Does His Part to Ruin the QB Duel: Last week, the Colts really had a bead on Buffalo’s zone coverages, and ultimately the Bills were lucky to escape. Facing a much more difficult Baltimore offense on Saturday night, there was no luck needed. as Frazier stunned the Ravens early with a heavy dose of athletic blitzers, and mixed in coverage calls at the right time—like showing blitz then dropping seven on Taron Johnson’s 101-yard pick-six.’
NFL Divisional Round Takeaways: Bills ride big-play defence to AFC title game
‘Thanks to stellar all-around play from the Buffalo defence and the eventual exit of Jackson from the game, the jaw-dropping interception sealed a contest where neither offence looked much like the high-flying attacks football fans had seen over the final weeks of the season.’
Bills vs. Ravens score, result: Buffalo shuts down Lamar Jackson to reach AFC championship
‘The Bills held Baltimore to its lowest point total since 2009, disrupting drives with pressure in the backfield and sturdy coverage. But the Ravens also hurt themselves in myriad ways. Jackson was injured following his center’s third errant snap of the contest — when he picked up the loose ball, he lost balance trying throw and couldn’t cushion his fall. His receivers struggled to hold onto passes. His offensive linemen committed too many penalties. His kicker clanged two field goal attempts off the uprights. And his own reads from the pocket were often abysmal.’
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson throws pick-six; Bills’ Taron Johnson ties NFL playoff record with 101-yard return
‘The Bills DB achieved some serious speed of his own, surpassing 20 mph — which is speeding in some areas — and tying an NFL playoff record with his 101-yard interception return. The Packers’ George Teague notched a 101-yard return in the 1993 wild-card round.’
Josh Allen flops, draws roughing the passer call and James Harden comparisons vs. Ravens
‘Could Ravens defender Justin Madubuike have pulled up? Maybe. But for however much safety is at the forefront for NFL quarterbacks, especially the higher-profile ones like Allen, maybe we should keep the flags in the belt loop for obvious, gentle, two-hand shoves.’
Projecting Josh Allen’s next contract with Bills: How much should Buffalo pay QB after rookie deal?
‘Allen was slotted in for a fully guaranteed four-year deal of $21.183 million. In comparison, 2018 No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield got $32.682 million from the Browns and No. 32 pick Lamar Jackson got $9.471 million from the Ravens. The Bills also have a fifth-year option for 2022.’
Bills advance to AFC Championship with win over Ravens
‘Diggs finished tied for a team-lead with eight catches for a game-high 106 yards to go with his touchdown reception. Fellow receiver John Brown also caught eight passes for 62 yards. Singletary, finished third on the Bills in catches, finishing with three. The running back also led Buffalo with 25 rushing yards on seven carries.’
Report: Brian Daboll emerges as front-runner in Chargers’ head coaching search
‘Daboll, who also interviewed for the Jets’ job before they settled on former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, has ties to Chargers general manager Tom Telesco. Daboll and Telesco were former classmates at Saint Francis High School in suburban Buffalo.’
Opinion: Ravens at Bills: Arrow Up/Arrow Down
‘I absolutely have to start with Johnson because he made what will go down as one of the biggest plays in franchise history when he intercepted Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and returned it 101 yards for a touchdown, putting the Bills up 17-3. Prior to that play, the Ravens were knocking on the door of the Bills end zone and looking to tie the game at 10. So it was at least a 10-point swing, and possibly 14 point swing. On top of that play, however, Johnson was terrific all night long. He finished with six tackles, one for a loss, a pass breakup, and the pick-six.’